Cam Dig Deep and show Character to overcome Exiles

On a bitterly cold and grey afternoon with the occasional snow flurry this young Cam team came of age when they followed their draw with league leaders Cornish in the previous round of league games with a well deserved victory away win at London Exiles, a team who had beaten the black and ambers convincingly earlier in the season.
The game started with Cam surging forward when Mac Duaibe disrupted an Exiles scrum to kick ahead and collect almost setting Oyoni up for a very early score.
Cam continued to play most of the rugby with the home side more reliant on a strong scrum and a kicking game masterminded by their 10.
However with 12 mins on the clock the home side missed a fairly straightforward penalty attempt before they were quickly reduced to 13 when they had a forward sidelined for a tip tackle and a back following for a deliberate knock-on when Cam were about to cross in the corner. However from the resultant 5m lineout Cam used there numerical superiority to drive Mac over for a try which TommyD converted with 17 mins on the clock.
At this stage Cam continued to try to move the ball wide despite the clinging mud but good defence by the hosts and a number of silly mistakes meant that they were unable to add to their score despite the 2 man advantage and with Exiles relying on kick-chase and their forwards driving this was turning into a very hard physical encounter.
Cam were unlucky not to add to their score when a great break by Voighty saw him put HT clear only for the official to call for a forward pass which was 'missed' by those spectators in line with the play but on 35 mins Cam extended their lead when good offence saw them awarded a penalty on the home side's 22 and TommyD added the points.
However the half was not yet complete as Exiles came rampaging back at the restart and and were awarded a penalty which they decided to kick and secure an attacking lineout and it was only great line speed in defence by Cam which kept them out but finally a 5m scrum created great difficulties for the black and ambers and eventually, on the stroke of half time, Exiles were awarded a penalty try and so reduced the deficit to 3 points.
So as a result of the penalty try Cam were reduced to 14 for the first 10 mins of the second period and they had soon moved play back into the Exiles half but the hosts had their tails up and atrocious defence from a 5m lineout saw their #8 cross with ease for a converted try on 50mins.
To their credit, Cam came straight back and now back to full strength they set up a series of 'pick and goes' in the Exiles red zone and despite great defence eventually we saw winger Oyoni force himself over for a converted try with 57 mins gone.
The next period saw Cam in the ascendancy with only great defence keeping them from adding to their score as the Exiles appeared to flag and on 65 mins the black and ambers stretched their lead when they won a scrum time penalty and TommyD did the honours from their 10m line.
Cam again exited the restart well and were soon back in the red zone but a turnover saw Exiles take play back to the Cam 22 and when they were awarded a penalty they opted for a scrum on the Cam 22 presumably looking for a repeat of the penalty try they won at the end of the first half. Things looked very ominous for Cam when the first scrum disintegrated and the home side were awarded another penalty. However this time Cam managed not only to lock the scrum but to turn over the opposition's ball and with the final minutes approaching they took play back to half way.
The official then decided that there was time for just one more passage of play with a Cam scrum on halfway, however showing the same character that they had shown in the previous scrum the battle weary 8 dug deep thus allowing Woody plenty of time to get rid of the ball to end the game.
Today said plenty about the development and bravery of this young side which, probably at the beginning of the season, would not have found the courage to fight back after falling behind to a quality if a little one dimensional side.
So, as in many games, we saw the forwards, despite being under the cosh at the scrum, playing out of their skins and refusing to be beaten by and experienced opposing 8. In games like this it seems unfair to pick out individuals but mention must be made of locks Hoff and Voighty who both were great in defence and also with ball in hand, prop Dan Neal who was a constant threat for the home side with his dynamic, twisting runs but for me the outstanding performance was by debutant hooker Mua, who at just 18 should have been awestruck with his first start. However he was calmness itself in the changing room before the game and as soon as he became accustomed to the speed and physicality of playing first team he had an outstanding game both in attack and defence – in fact for those who did not know his back story he looked as if he had been playing 1s for years!!.
The backs all worked hard but were up against an excellent defensive side and and this, added to the cold and sticky conditions, did not make it easy for them.
This clearly represents another step forward in the development of this young squad and players and coaches alike should be proud of their efforts today and must to build on this positive experience as they move forward.
So with the result from Cardiff I suspect that Risey Jr is wishing he had made the trip to the London Wetlands instead!!! but will have a chance to watch his side next week when they host Twickenham in another must win encounter.
And Finally – not much good news from CG as the C&Ws were well and truly beaten at Welford road with the return of the Premiership and now they must look forward to the upcoming visit of the Queens to Castle Grim to get their season back on track.