Third Time Lucky as Cam sink Navy

Today's visitors, US Portsmouth, had managed to beat the Black and Ambers in their two previous encounters this season so Risey and his squad were keen to halt this sequence, but with a very soft pitch and a stiff breeze blowing across the park the conditions seemed to suit the visitors who in the previous games had based their play on a very sturdy pack – men of oak??
In the event the Cam pack pretty much retained parity in the scrums and it was only the conditions together with some resolute defence which prevented the home side from running away with the game.
It was clear to everyone foolish enough to leave the warmth of the bar to stand on the touchline, that the stiff breeze laced with rain would have a major role to play and although the pitch was very soft it was great to see again some payback for the large investment the club made in draining the pitch in the summer.
With Cam playing away from the club in the first half the opening 10mins saw both sides adapt to the conditions but it wasn't too long before the young black and ambers started to throw the ball wide and on 10 mins when an attack was held up the ball was quickly recycled and we saw Joe Wood feed Will O'Meara for the first score.
The next score was not long in coming when a great lineout steal by Sam saw the Cam backs go through the gears and after another great piece of recycling it was Joe again on hand to make the scoring pass – this time Ash was the recipient and he touched down wide out. TommyD was successful in adding the extras.
The conditions were certainly dictating the game with the young Black and Ambers trying to play their expansive game from all areas of the park only to find that handling was just a tad more difficult!!
However they were not deterred and on 20 mins prop Dan Neal crossed for a try and with TommyD adding the extras with assistance from the upright the score moved to 19-0.
Although Cam were having to work very hard in the set scrums it did improve during the game as the visitors began to run out of steam and also replacements but at the lineout the black and ambers were much more successful.
However on too many occasions overlaps or great scoring opportunities were left on the park when the final pass went astray and to their credit the Navy forwards worked very hard to keep their side in the game and just before half time their efforts were rewarded when they converted a soft penalty conceded on the Cam 22.
As they did last week, the Black and Ambers came out with a bang at the start of the second half and although the first move ended with a dropped pass they were soon on the attack again and we saw a break by Alex Hughes leading to a simple dot down for Will, again converted by TommyD.
So with just 44 mins on the clock the bonus point was secured and the score had moved to 26-0.
The game became even more attritional with both sets of forwards picking and driving with, in particular, Josh and Sam, making bullocking runs together with numerous crunching tackles while the backs, although spectacular in attack, seemed unable to make the final pass stick.
Again we seemed to be suffering from 'foot off the pedal' syndrome and the defence were caught completely off guard when a clever chip by the visiting 10, back to his blindside winger saw the winger force his way over for a well deserved try on 70 mins.
With 5 mins to go Cam had worked themselves down deep into the visitors 22 and when awarded a penalty they decided to go for goal and with TommyD being successful again this left the final score 29-10.
Overall another excellent performance from the black and ambers – clearly the backs are so full of confidence in their ability to outrun opponents that even the multitude of errors, mostly due to the conditions, did not deter them and although today it was slightly frustrating to see so many chances go begging it really is great to witness the skill and pace at which they play.
Despite all of the activity behind the scrum the main work was done by the pack who all manned up against a very physical and experienced 8.
Jack, Dylan and Dan in the front row all put in a great shift and ensured that the visitors did not gain the ascendancy they had expected.
Locks Sam and Greg were outstanding both in securing our lineout ball and also pinching a number of the opposition with Sam also putting in countless big hits.
The backrow of Josh, Hoff and Mac also put in big shift particularly around the rucks and mauls in what was a very physical encounter and Josh in particular was at his Warrior best.
As is the modern game all replacements made a full contribution and it was very pleasing to see young Ed (not yet 18) come on at #8 and make a real contribution On one occasion it was great to see him track back to collect a fly hack and then have the confidence to take them on and make 20m before setting up the ruck – and the way he handled his 1st team initiation after the game he is most definitely one to watch.
So overall another 5 points and yet another step closer to the League title and so the boys can now have a week off before we all return to Watchetts on March 5th when we host New Milton – kick off will be 3.00.
Not such exciting news from the C&Ws who seem to have allowed themselves to get dragged into a mammoth arm wrestle at Sorries this afternoon even though the hosts were down to 14 men for 50mins, and eventually coming away with nothing.