Cam Stay on Track with Bruising win at Cobham

So on yet another Saturday with everything to play for as the top four sides strive for promotion, Cam travelled to Cobham, a tidy mid table side who are a threat to anyone on their own Surrey track. The first half saw periods of outstanding rugby from the black and ambers which saw them secure the try bonus point by half time and with Brighton losing Cam have now moved up to third spot with the same number of points as Medway, a much better points difference but fewer wins.
With Cam kicking off with the assistance of a strong breeze we immediately saw the threat posed by the Cobham backs as they took play into the Cam 22 but good exit drills and then a great scrum on halfway which won a penalty saw Smarty take play into the red zone and a great lineout take and drive threatened the Cobham line and when the ball was whipped out we saw Joey Wood cross with just 9 mins on the clock.
We then saw the other side of the black and ambers when they tried to play the restart deep in their own 22 a tactic which, against the top teams, would spell disaster but in the end they were able to recover on this occasion and soon Cam were on the attack when Oyoni burst through to within 10m of the line and good quick ball saw Ben Harrison cross for a try with Smarty adding the extras for 12-0 after just 15 mins.
As on so many occasions we then were treated to Cam at their best when the restart was managed by Greg Wilmington and good ground was made by Nick Barry and Hoff before the ball was quickly recycled and we saw Ash surging over halfway before drawing the last defender and popping the ball to Dyl who crossed in the corner for an excellent team try with just 17 mins played.
We then saw Cobham respond almost immediately scoring out wide from a simple threequarter move at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the game becoming much more ragged and after the Cobham scrum had been destroyed several more times they replaced one of their props and although that clearly reduced the number of penalties conceded, his unusual propping position seemed to introduce a wheel at scrum time as we saw almost every set piece then turn through at least 90 degrees which certainly removed the great advantage the black and ambers had enjoyed in the earlier exchanges.
During this quarter we also saw Cam reduced to 14 for 10 mins when a last ditch tackle was deemed illegal but the home side were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority and when Cam were awarded a free kick at scrum time quick thinking by Matty saw him charge through the opposition before Hughsey dived over for a converted, bonus point try on the stroke of half time.
Discipline and accuracy were becoming more of a problem for the black and ambers and within 3 mins of the second half Cobham had clawed their way back into the contest with a try from a driving maul which also saw Ben Harrison take a knock.
As so often happens Cam again seemed to relax their physicality and intensity and they also picked up another yellow card but despite this they were next to score when, following really positive running, Smarty converted a penalty to extend the lead to 12 -27 at the end of the third quarter.
The restart was collected by Hughsey with a great leap and we saw debutant winger Nick have a little canter down the touch line but in general the game was becoming very scrappy with quite long injury breaks as the effects of this battle began to emerge, however Cam put the whole thing to bed on 73 mins when a training park move saw countless players handle the ball including Dyl, Greg W and TommyA before Tom Chennel crossed for a try wide out which Smarty converted.
Cobham came back to earn their try bonus point via an interception and another driving maul but as in previous games you could see the Cam boys were already thinking of their hot shower followed by a few beers by this time.
Overall an adequate performance against a difficult side who offered real threats out wide but who really only came into their own once Cam had achieved their try bonus however in our upcoming games against 7Oaks, Medway and Brighton this tendency to switch off could prove to be disastrous.

It was good to see young Nick enjoy his first game for the 1s and skipper Ash did well following a nasty injury to his ribs against Hove. Matty had a really good game at 9 and the pack again put in a big shift with Hughsey outstanding in attack and defence and it was really good to see The Warrior have 40 mins on his way back from injury.
So next week Cam entertain 7Oaks who are currently in #1 spot for what should be tasty encounter.

The 2s also were in Cobham in their Zoo League fixture which they won by 80-0 – there is no doubt that the strength of this season's Squirrels, ably managed by coach Tom Radcliffe, has been a big part in the success of the 1s by creating competition for places.

And Finally – Well clearly the third Friday game in a row proved just one game to far for the C&Ws and so following their wins over Exeter and Sorries they lost their way a tad at Brizzle playing 20 minutes with 14 players and in the end losing 24-28. So there will be lots of work ons ( kick chase being one) for Ackers to get his teeth into next week before their game against The Hairy Queens next Sunday.