1st XV Match Reports
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United Services Portsmouth – 21st August 2010
With new player coaches, Ben Glossop and James Justice motivating and driving the team all week to ensure 19 men came out at the Unites Services Portsmouth ground as a complete unit, despite the many new faces and positional changes, it was with an air of rugged determination that Camberley fullback, James Dunne, kicked off high into the air and straight into waiting Camberley hands directly on the 10 metre line. The forwards retained possession and Cams found themselves with a scrum on the USP 22. Despite continuing up to 5 metres of the try line the Cam boys, trying too hard gave away a USP scrum and they managed to clear their lines down to halfway and a period of scrappy play ensued. The ball found touch again but the Cams lineout was stolen by USP who tried to push further downfield. Dogged rucking saw the ball overturned by Cams; it went through the hands and Alex ‘The Hoff’ Gould drove over to put the first points on the scoreboard. Dunne slotted the conversion and with only 10 minutes gone Cams were 0-7 up.
USP kicked off and despite conceding a penalty the spectators were treated to a good passage of play ending with Cams forcing USP out in their own 22. An amazing scrum shortly followed with Cams driving USP off their own ball, a feat that was to be constantly repeated and was to become the dominant memory of the day for all who watched. Another penalty conceded by Cams saw USP clear into touch close to the 22 and a ‘not straight’ call led to USP electing for another lineout. A brilliant lineout steal by Gould, quickly despatched to scrum half, Zac Crabb, and out to the backs with centre and club Captain Tony ‘Bones’ Harbour breaking through the centre. The ball found its way back to Crabb who drew 3 players and popped to new winger Dan Stocks who, unfortunately, was scrambled into touch. Although a score was not forthcoming it showed that the team was now gelling as a unit and support was coming from all angles.
Another strong scrum by Cams led to an injury break as the force of the Cams pack took its toll on the USP forwards, but with everyone ok and a change for USP, a reset scrum saw Cams push over the line but concede a penalty and USP got a turnover scrum. The Cams forwards at this point were on fire and drove USP completely off their ball, the Cams backs were released and centre Graham Smith pushed past to score under the posts. Another conversion by Dunne (that scraped all the paint of the crossbar!) saw the lead extended to 0-14.
A strong passage of play by Cams saw Bones retire with a damaged finger but he was ably replaced by Andy Dowan who slotted in seamlessly to continue the stability of the backs. Another scrum saw Crabb break off the back, pop off to winger, Chris Eccles, who scored in the corner. With the conversion missed the half time scored stood at 0-19, a healthy lead but one which Cams needed to push on from.
The second half kicked off and the initial period of play was stopped by an accidental offside by USP and a Cam scrum on our 10 metre line led to a No 8 pickup by Glossop which released the backline and out to winger, Eccles, who was bundled into touch. Another USP scrum shortly followed, overturned by the dominant Cams pack, led to a break by Warren ‘Lofty’ Milne and a looping pass over the heads of the USP backs was collected by Crabb who placed the ball down in the corner. The conversion missed and the score stood at 0-24.
Play continued and a lineout saw the USP lads maul Cams over 10 metres down the pitch, a penalty by Cams led to the prospect of USP pressure on the Cams line for the first time but the Cam boys stood firm and Wayne ‘Rocky’ Mullen dived onto a loose ball to get the boys out of immediate trouble. A further USP scrum on the other side of the pitch again saw the Cam boys walk USP off their ball but USP were again able to bundle the Cam ball into touch. Cams stole the lineout though and drove upfield. Another Cams scrum saw Glossop again pickup and Ruan ‘Ryan’ Beukes scored under the posts. With a further conversion by Dunne the score was a respectable 0-31.
Cams again worked themselves upfield following the kickoff and a break by James ‘JJ’ Jarvis was supported well but the backs dropped short 7 metres from the line. All was not in vain though as Cams continued to work hard and Gould touched down the ball for a further score. 0-36.
Cams continued to drive forward right up to the last whistle and, whilst rolling subs helped, the fitness of the boys was to be admired. All the pre-season training showed it had paid off and the match has given coaches Glossop and JJ plenty to think about and continue to work on. The forwards were immense and it was good to see James ‘Rubbish’ Pengally and Rocky in the front row again with Gareth ‘Risey’ Rise returning to the club and new boy Steve Robertson, dominating the ‘dark arts’ with the Hoff and Robbie Nicholls playing no small part and the nimble back row boys of Matt ‘Shorty’ Short, Ryan, Glossop, new boy Steve Pollock and returning old head Lofty making sure the ball was retained and used sensibly and released to a very quick back line.
Team: Dunne, Eccles, Harbour, Smith, Stocks, Justice, Crabb, Mullen, Rise, Pengally, Gould, Nicholls, Short, Glossop, Beukes, Downe, Milne, Pollock, Robertson.
MelC
Camberley 1st XV v Presidents XV
Camberley enjoyed a twelve try romp against the Presidents XV at a sunny Watchetts Park. With the new season opener against relegated Winchester this coming Saturday, coaches Ben Glossop and James Justice will be pleased with the result, but fine tuning during the week’s training will ensure the Camberley side are well prepared for the visit from Winchester.
Camberley set out their stall early, quick ball generated at the rucks by the forwards gave the new and exciting back division plenty of opportunity to hone their skills. The set piece scrum was solid throughout the game and the lineout for the most functioned well. Despite the score line the match was not all one way traffic, the Presidents XV also attacked through their backs and, although their cutting edge was blunted by resolute Camberley defence, the line was breached once when former colt, Simon Annan, made a superb interception to score under the posts. Annan converted his try.
Eleven of Camberley’s tries came from the backs, hat-tricks from fly half Justice, centre Lea and winger Crabb, a brace by fullback Dunne plus 4 conversions and a single try from prop Pengilley.
Camberley. Dunne, Crabb, Riley, Lea, Eccles, Justice, Baker, Pengilley, Rise, Mugford, Gould, Nicholas, Short, Milne, Glossop. Replacements. Dowan, Hunt, Chapel, Rogers, Plant, Burgess.
Camberley kick off the 2010 season in London SW3 at home to Winchester KO 3pm.
MelC
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