On the final game of January Camberley hosted CS Stags for a wet and muddy game on Camberley’s furthest pitch at the top of Watchetts Parks. With the first team pitch more like a marsh than a rugby pitch, the sides were forced to relocated to a slightly less marshy pitch. The Stags are currently in fourth, so the fixture was set to be a good test for Camberley.

With the conditions suggesting a close quarters game the Stags were the first to score, after carrying through the middle hard before then shifting the ball to the edge (CAM 0 – CCS 5).

The Home side came back with an instant response with the forwards earning the hard meters to the Stags tryline before grinding their way over the line for Camberley’s first try of the game (CAM 7 – CSS 5).

The sides began to go blow for blow with CS Stags following the blueprints from their first try to score a second, to score on the edge (CAM 7 – CSS 10).

An even faster response this time had Camberley win the kick off before winning a lineout. Keeping the ball tight Camberley launched a maul which trundled over the line from the 22m with Hooker George Coen coming up with the try. This was then followed by a second successful conversion from Jesse Rebeiro (CAM 14 – CSS 10).

Camberley’s maul proved to by an impressive weapon which has been well worked over the weeks break as they scored a second driving maul try from the 22m (CAM 21 – CSS 10).

Camberley’s game plan had become very clear, enter the 22m and then maul over the Stags. They found constant successes with this approach scoring from the same place they had twice before and against George Coen coming up with the goods before the end of the half. HT CAM 28 – CSS 10.

After the first half the Stags adapted their gameplay and focused on the driving maul. They mauled towards Camberley’s line before some simple passes put them away in the corner (CAM 28 – CSS 15).

The Stags came off from halftime flying scoring their second try after a line break not long after their first (CAM 28 - CSS 20).

Opting to take easy point when on show the Stags took a penalty just in front of the post to their score ticking (CAM 28 – CSS 23).

The Stags now seemingly couldn’t stop scoring with another break-away try resulting in another try in the corner (CAM 28 – CSS 28).

Camberley now with an opportunity to break the scoring spree that had levelled the score did what had shown them success in the first half. A driving maul from the 22m which gave George Coen a hattrick (CAM 35 – CSS 28).

Camberley had their success in the maul, but CS Stags had theirs out wide as they spread the ball to the edge to score another (CAM 35 – CSS 33).

This was soon followed by another with the space widening out wide after Camberley received a yellow (CAM 35 – CSS 38).

After winning a penalty in front of the Stags posts, Camberley went for the 3 points to level the score yet again. The final whistle blew 38 – 38 putting an end to a very muddy fixture.

Camberley can take a lot away from the game, their management of conditions highlighted their maul as a clear weapon that can be relied on for the rest of the season. There can be some concerns of defending in the wider channels but that was to be worked on. CS Stags are an impressive side who are doing well this season and Camberley were able to step up physically and leave an impression.