1st XV
Matches
Sat 10 Dec 2016  ·  London 2 South West
Winchester
18
27
Camberley Rugby Football Club
1st XV
Tries: L Lazarus, O Gbla, T Allen, D NealConversions: M Smart (2)Penalties: M Smart
Backs lead Cam to fine win

Backs lead Cam to fine win

Antony Bentham10 Dec 2016 - 21:36
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Backs lead cam to fine win

BACKS LEAD CAM TO FINE WIN
WINCHESTER 18 CAMBERLEY 27
LONDON 2 SOUTH WEST
Camberley remained in third table place after two successive close reversals with them rueing the penalty count against in both matches. They hoped to bounce back at sixth place Winchester the hosts just two points behind. So a close encounter expected from the first visit to Winchester for several seasons.
Camberley kicked off in the murky conditions and the floodlights on. Rain looked in the air and soon arrived. Winchester started well and tested the Camberley defence early. Then a good defensive clearance saw the first scrum after just 4 minutes for Cam. The quick set piece ball led to a fine break by centre Ash Wright his pass to fellow centre Liam Lazarus seeing him over the try by the posts converted by Matt Smart.
Hosts Winchester soon reduced the deficit with a brace of penalties so after 10 minutes play the scoreline was 6 – 7. The steady drizzle had arrived but this did not deter the two sides with fast open play and good handling. But after 13 minutes a miss pass by Cam in mid field saw an interception and straightforward run to the line. The score was unconverted but saw an 11 – 7 lead for Winchester.
For 15 minutes the score remained unchanged but Cam exerted a good degree of control with several fine moves yet losing possession when well placed. But the moves paid the dividend as in 30 minutes working the ball out right saw winger Oyni Gbla over in the corner his try well converted by Matt Smart. The lead was regained at 14 – 11.
Five minutes later and the Cam lead was stretched. Another fine break in mid field from Ash Wright saw the final pass to full back Tom Allen to score out left. Unconverted the lead however usefully increased to 19 – 11. As the interval approached a Cam penalty hit the wrong side of the posts so the half time score was 19 – 11 and a deserved reflection of the first half play.
Winchester started the second half with good attacking moves but the Cam defence was firm which enabled the visitors to quite soon exert the control need to take honours from the match. With the platform there after 15 minutes a series of moves to the left saw substitute prop Dan Neal apply the finishing touch. His try was unconverted but the lead stretched to 24 – 11.
With the last quarter started Cam soon secured a kickable penalty after 22 minutes. Matt Smart obliged so the lead of 27 – 11 meant Winchester need three scores to take the match. They did fight back and at 30 minute were rewarded by a try following a quickly taken penalty the conversion seeing an 18 – 27 scoreline.
The hosts strived for a further score but the Cam defence held firm and saw the benefit of their efforts throughout by retaining most possession and territory as the minutes ebbed away.
At the finish it was 27 – 18 to Camberley and a deserved win over good opponents in a well fought encounter. The solid pack, sound defence and outstanding backs play led to the merited four try success and maximum five points gained. They remain in third place with a visit next week to Andover to complete the twelve matches before the festive break.

MATCH REPORT BY NEIL DOODY 10 NOVEMNBER 2016

Match details

Match date

Sat 10 Dec 2016

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

London 2 South West

League position

3
Camberley
6
Winchester
Team overview
Further reading

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