Outstanding Cam flatten Irons

So on a grey January day in Wandsworth, with a pitch which would undoubtedly been declared unplayable by our friends in Knoll road, the big question was - would the black and ambers be able to raise their game enough to complete the double over last seasons rivals, Irons, and in doing so end Ironsides long unbeaten home League run.
For the massed ranks of gentlemen, immaculately turned out in there pink attire, and the other Camberley supporters the signs were bright from the start.
With Cam kicking off, the official awarded the first scrum to Irons after a mere 2 mins just outside the home side 22. The Cam eight pushed the irons backwards and turned over possession and #8 Mac made good yards towards the whitewash before being tackled but great recycling saw the ball reach centre Tommy A who crossed for a try with only 3 mins on the clock with Tommy D adding the extras.
Cam then managed to incur the displeasure of the official when they were penalised on several occasions at scrum time (reminiscent of the C&Ws last season) and after 8 mins Irons got onto the scoreboard with a penalty.
However the next 20 mins probably determined the result as in attack Cam always looked menacing and in defence they were simply awesome - to such an extent that the home side, on the occasions when they had the ball, were only able to crab across field and in frustration after numerous phases of going nowhere we saw a lobbed pass or poor kick usually giving the black and ambers control again.
To those who witnessed it, this was 15 man defence at its best and Odjob would have been very proud at the manner in which the lads implemented his coaching.
As a result of the immense pressure which this put on the hosts, Cam turned over another scrum on 20 mins and following several good phases, and although they lost possession momentarily, the ref played a good advantage and tight head Dan Neal was first to react to the loose ball and charged over for his second try for the 1s.
At this stage Cam were the side in control and when Irons missed a long pot at goal Cam were straight into the attack and at least 10 phases took play to the hosts 5m line and when it was shipped to winger Ash he forced his way through some poor tackles to dot down for another converted try making the score 3-19 after 30.
The final 10 mins of the half, apart from a good break by the home 13, saw Cam playing all of the rugby and with their defence so on top the boys in green were visibly struggling.
The half finished when Hoff won an irons linout – some feat in itself with the irons club skipper for competition - but a good attacking move came to naught when a rather wild pass just found touch.
The second half started well for Cam when good play took the game deep into the home side's territory but they then conceded a silly penalty, however the irons 10 could not make touch and Joe Wood, running powerfully through the first wave of green shirts, then handed over to Dylan and eventually winger Phil who was held up just a few metres short.
However from the ensuing lineout on the home 22 the Cam catch and drive was very special as they trundled the full distance despite desperate attempts by the irons to pull it down and with Sam and TommyD directing operations they crossed the line with skipper Sam credited with the try for a wonderful effort from all eight, again converted by TommyD and also the try bonus point making the score 3-26 after 48 mins.
I'm not sure how often I have used these next few words BUT again, having reached 26 points the foot came off the pedal yet again – concentration went and outstanding, accurate and aggressive rugby was replaced by !!!.
The restart saw poor skills which eventually meant that the defence became desperate (as opposed to organised) and the official was soon to be seen running under the Cam posts having awarded a penalty try and a team yellow and so on 51 mins the score was 10-26.
The next 10 mins saw Cam improve their play after that shock and again their defensive ability was completely bemusing the home side as they crabbed across field unable to find a way through the black and amber wall and another turnover saw Cam attacking hard with Mac just held up over the line but almost immediately Cam were awarded a pen and TommyD had no hesitation in knocking it over.
The last 10 saw both sides beginning to wilt a little and on 38 mins a bit of pride was restored to the home side when they managed to retain possession for a number of phases and crashed over for another converted try but from the restart Cam pinned the home side deep inside their half and into time added on TommyD added another penalty making the final score 17-32.
This was a tremendous team performance in which an aggressive, well organised defensive game created so much frustration among the Irons that it lead to numerous attacking opportunities – and against a side of the quality and pedigree of Irons (last seaons Surrey1 winners and winners of the National Vase at Twickenham last May to name but 2 of their more recent achievements) this was indeed an immense result.
This was absolutely a 15 man performance with the pack outstanding for the full 80, the new hinge of TommyD and Will working really well and the backs fleet and skilful in attack and aggressive and physical in defence – a performance which is certainly up there with the best in recent years and a credit to the hard work Risey and his team have put in for the last couple of seasons.
Next weekend again promises to be a rugby fest when we host Farnham 1s, 2s and Vets for 3 league games – watch the website for final details of the kick off times as the Vets will probably start early.
So after all of this excitement it was good to see that the Cherry and Whites managed to grind out a win in Italy – that means 15 games unbeaten in the Challenge Cup over the last 2 seasons and 2nd seeding for the quarters.
Finally next week look out on this website and also probably in other press outlets for an announcement from the Marauders, a club who specialise in 7s, and with whom we have a number of very strong links.

PS The picture shows Alun Rise - yes another of the Rise family who must take a lot of the credit for the improvement in the pack this season. If you look closely at his top you see which team he will be supporting in the 6Nations.