Camberley Held to Draw at Twickenham

Already assured as champions of London 2 South West Division Camberley visited third placed Twickenham on Saturday.
After the fatigue of the hard fought extra time success in the Intermediate Cup regional final there were line up changes to the side. There were changes in the pack including hooker Adam Pickett and also in the backs. The new wingers were Adam Musa and Rhys Thomas and returning to the side was fly half Matt Smart.

Following the poor weather conditions in recent weeks the pitch was in very good condition indeed due to efforts by the hosts which enabled the backs from both sides to have running opportunity prospects.
A fine start for Camberley with immediate pressure and play in the first ten minutes all in the Twickenham half. The work rate led to a penalty on eleven minutes following a high tackle but the attempt missed. Undeterred Cam kept moving the ball from left to right continuing the ground space advantage.

The reward finally came in 27 minutes with a move out right sending wing Adam Musa over in the corner. The score was well converted by Tommy Dunn. Although Cam kept up the attack five minutes later the ball went loose and with their first real challenge Twickenham with a useful break scored left of the posts. The conversion was missed so Cam remained in the lead at 7 – 5.
Keen of course to increase the lead Cam set up some fine moves. The efforts led to a penalty just right of the posts but electing to scrummage the chance was missed by good Twickenham defence. Then play was taken out to the left and Oyoni was just foiled tackled into touch close to the line. Then with half time beckoning good play by the forwards well into the hosts 22 saw number 8 Mac over for the score. Converted by Tommy D the interval score was 14 – 5 to Camberley. They had dominated the half with territory and possession but good tackling and defence by Twickenham saw the slender half time score.

The second half started as the first with Cam attacking and 8 minutes play saw a penalty safely put over by Tommy D and a 12 point lead. After a scrum on half way following a hosts knock on e fine break out left and Oyoni again was close to scoring but well tacked near the line. Soon after the ball went loose and picked up by Twickenham they burst through and scored on the right. The conversion meant a 10 – 17 scoreline and all to play for.

Josh the warrior was then replaced at blind side with Shava Rai on. TK took on the captaincy as Cam continued to press but without any success. Soon prop Nick Barry joined the scrum. But the cutting edge so vitally now needed simply was not there for Cam as the minutes ticked away. They paid the price as with four minutes remaining Twickenham latched on to a ball in mid field and a fine break down the left saw the winger score under the posts. So a 17 – 17 scoreline.

Late attacking from the hosts and deep into added time Cam knocked on in defence and from the resulting scrum Twickenham soon secured a kickable penalty on the left. But the attempt drifted wide and the final whistle blew with a drawn result.

Camberley can rue the missed opportunities to take the game with their dominance but spirited defence and solid tackling by Twickenham earned them the draw and even could have sneaked the win right at the end. Twickenham should finish third in their 150th year so an encouraging season for them. For Camberley despite changes to the line up they dominated play but the work put in did not see the scoreline rewards perhaps it should have.

REPORT BY NEIL DOODY