Cam Claim Honours in Memorable Game

So with Cam hosting second placed Havant, and the weather very wet and cold this was not a good omen for this must win game for the Black and ambers.
However those bold enough to brave the elements were lucky to witness a really entertaining game full of physicality, skill and determination which, in the end, saw Cam's fitness, discipline and attacking ability deliver a well earned victory by 3 tries to one.

The game saw Havant kicking off towards the club house and Cam soon moved into the visitors half with breaks by TommyA and Taggs but the visitors solid scrum allowed them to take play back into the Cam half.

After several plays Cam were penalised for offside but the Havant kick hit the post.
At this stage Cam were finding it difficult to get out of their half and this was not helped with the number of penalties they also conceded which added to the pressure.
Some good work by TommyA and Taggs eventually took play into the visitors half but yet again a good scrum and kick saw the visitors again take up residence in the Cam half.
In fact the first quarter saw both sides testing each other out and it became clear that the visitors had limited attacking options which saw them generally kicking after 4 or 5 phases.
It was also a worry that in this first half the penalty count was all one way with Cam racking up 11 penalties to none by the visitors.
The scrums were pretty even for much of the game but a tremendous effort by the Cam eight saw the ball turned over on halfway at the end of the first quarter but the black and ambers, while trying to spread the ball wide, were not able to retain possession and this became the story of the first half where despite Havant shading possession and territory they had to wait until the stroke of half time before they were able to convert this advantage into points when they kicked a long range penalty.

The team talk at half time in the warmth of the changing room obviously had a big impact on the black and ambers as the second half saw much more energy, much improved discipline and also ball retention, all vital in a game which was likely to be won by the side making the least mistakes in the horrible conditions.

The second half saw Cam, despite the restart being kicked directly into touch,certainly upping their pace and intensity and with Tom and Smarty taking control of things the black and ambers gradually began to take control of affairs and following a period of pressure deep in the Havant red zone and good patient play we saw Dom take an excellent line when the ball was swung wide to charge over under the posts, converted by Smarty making the score 7-3 after 50 mins.
Cam were soon back onto the attack as they patiently concentrated on keeping the ball and driving forward with their pick and go and on 55 mins they extended thei lead when Smarty kicked a penalty when the Havant backs strayed offside.

At this stage Cam were clearly on top and were soon camped in the Havant half and on 60 mins they increased their lead when Brizzle showed some sublime skills and pace to cross for an classy try and with Smarty again adding the extras the score had moved to 17 3.

We then had a period where play seemed locked between the 2 10m lines but then Oyoni, just on for his first run out following his damaged calf at Westcombe Park, made a typical Oyoni break, full of pace and physicality and charge through the Havant team to their 22m line and then quick ball saw an exquisite kick/pass by Smarty collected by Taggs on the wing who still had some work to do before his swallow dive to touch down in the corner with 10 mins left.
To their credit the visitors didn't roll over and after some pressure in the Cam red zone they touched sown for a converted try following a charged down kick but that was proved to be the last score of the game as Cam tried desperately to secure the bonus point try.

So a great game for the spectators despite the cold and relentless rain with Cam deservedly victorious following a disciplined and physical performance particularly in the second half.
As always the front row were outstanding against very experienced opposition and lock Dom was yet again King of the lineout both on Cam ball and also managing to disrupt the Havant ball with his partner Ryan.
The back row of Voighty, Rich and Hughsey all got through a shed load of work, great in defence and also very aggressive in attack.
Halfbacks Tom and Smarty had a really good day considering the conditions and particularly in the second half they clearly took control of matters and despite the odd blip this was their best wet weather performance together this season.
The backs were also outstanding with Taggs winning the MoM but Ash, Brizzle Big Jayde and TommyA all showed great skill in both attack and defence in horrible conditions and with replacements, Ed and Oyoni also shining this was a really good performance by the black and ambers squad.

Next week the 1s travel to KCSOB – ko 2.30 tbc

The 2s lost a tight game with Richmond Jutes 19-10 with Tomo and The Warrior quite pleased with the performance of their makeshift team.

And Finally – so the C&Ws came second in their game against Sarries – with all of the hostile press this week I guess the Sarries team talk was very brief, but seems that Ackers has lots to do if we are going to figure in the playoffs again. Next week it's the Heineken Cup against Toulouse.