SIX TRY FIVE POINTER SETS UP CAM

Camberley in second place and five points clear of Old Reigatian who were in third slot meant Camberley needed maximum points if possible to effectively seal this second placing and a play-off for a London One promotion.
So with three matches remaining the stage was set for the trip to Old Reigatian with a large attendance from SCRUFFS and Camberley supporters. A glorious sunny day with excellent conditions but these made a little difficult for both sides by the strong winds.
OR kicked off and soon took advantage with a good break after forwards work to score a converted try after just three minutes. But soon we saw number 8 Mac break from a scrum and set up Ash Wright on half way to burst through and touch down for a fine try. The score after was duly converted by Matt Smart so all square at 7 – 7 with only five minutes on the clock.
The score brought a spell of good pressure and handling by Cam and the reward arrived after 11 minutes. Again a pick up from a scrum and off charged Ash half the length of the field to a final pass for full back Tom Allen to complete the score wide out right. No conversion in the tricky wind.
No more scores for over 20 minutes despite some enterprising play from both sides but half chances missed. Then in 34 minutes OR levelled the scores with good work by their forwards leading to the try again not converted in the swirling wind.
At 12 – 12 this might have been a useful level pegging with a few minutes to the interval. But not for Cam as deep in their own half as time ebbed away another superb break then pass to centre Ollie Wright and in he went for a fine try by the posts duly converted by Matt. So 19 – 12 at half time and the wind in favour of visitors Cam in the second half.
The bonus fourth try for Cam took little time in arriving. With 3 minutes gone a useful chip ahead by openside Alex Hughes was well gathered by the flying Ash who dotted down to the left of the posts so easily converted by Matt. The 14 point lead was still vulnerable and so it proved after 7 minutes. A high bouncing ball in mid field eluded the Cam defence and neatly picked up then surge forward led to a try under the posts for OR the conversion seeing a 19 – 26 scoreline.
15 minutes gone and more mid field forwards work saw Hoff take the ball from an OR knock on and set up Tom Allen his fine run to the line ending in the try completed by the final pass to wing Liam Laz so 31 – 19 the lead with any conversion attempt thwarted by the wind. To their credit OR kept battling away but fine defence from Cam kept all attacks at bay.
Then with 12 minutes remaining Cam sealed the match by the sixth try. Once more gathering a loose ball in mid field it was well worked out left by Tom then drawing his man passed to Ash for the skipper to go over for his second try. The conversion by Matt saw an unassailable score of 38 – 19.
Cam with ten minutes remaing were carded so finished the match with 14 men. OR put tremendous late pressure on desperate to score a fourth try and salvage a bonus point from the match. Cam held firm despite the brave work by OR who very nearly scored in the far left corner right on time.
So a fine win in a good match of running rugby and good handling by both sides. The solid work by the Cam forwards and the strength and ability of all the backs ensured the success and certain second slot leading to a play off with the runners up in London 2 South East on 22 April . Before that there are two home matches against Winchester and Portsmouth.

REPORT BY NEIL DOODY