FIVE Days Into November & They're At It Again!

Remember, remember the 5th November...because it was the day that Camelot Under 14's recorded their fifth straight win of the season, though at first it looked as if the game might be more of a damp squib than fireworks!

Ruislip came to Chaulden Lane for this friendly as underdogs, plying their trade in the league below on a regular basis they showed no fear of their higher league opposition and caused a few problems in the early exchanges, enforcing rare handling errors and poor decision making from the home team. However, Camelot always had another gear to step up to and, credit to the boys, they worked this out for themselves, made some adjustments, and the inevitable break through came when sustained pressure split the opposition defence. A nice ball out from Caolan to Freddie, who looped a long pass out wide to Terence who used his incredible turn of pace to open the scoring. The conversion went just wide, but nerves had settled. 5-0. Things should be ok now.

Straight from the kick-off the catch was mis-handled and before the ref could even shout "knock-on advantage", Ruislip had pounced on the loose ball and scored the equalising try within 30 seconds of falling behind.

At this point it should be noted that there were some experimental player positions going on in this game with regular Backs getting a feel for what it is like to play up front sticking your head in places you would only ever stick them on a rugby field, whilst some of the players far more natural in the "Grrrggghhh" of the forward pack, had a chance to experience the lung-stinging pain of playing as a Back - Good character building and a chance to appreciate the different roles and learn the game from a different perspective.

Back to the action and Camelot were soon ahead again, a replica of the first try with the Caolan and Freddie combination finding Terence out on the wing to score with ease. The conversion was again missed. This time Camelot fared much better from the kick-off, kept possession of the ball, working their way through the phases as they prepared the next assault on the opposition try line. The wait was short. Perhaps not completely enjoying life in the front row of the scrum, Caolan broke away to do what he does best; seeking out a gap and opening up the space to allow him to score under the posts. Another missed conversion and Camelot lead 15-5.

Three tries scored and no mention of George yet...Well, the chances do not come as freely when you are packed down as a Flanker, but that instinct to sniff out an opportunity never goes away and, sure enough, the name of George was next on the scoresheet. A powerful breakthrough from Thomas shocked the defence as they tried to cling on and reduce the ground being made, as they did so, George was spotted in support, a nice pass out and George was back to doing what comes so natural. 20-5.

On a brisk, deceptively cold morning, the watching crowd could be forgiven to think it might turn into more of a cricket score, but Ruislip were having none of it. Moments later they did for a second time what only one other side had done at all this season, scoring a try against the Camelot Under 14's. A superb break cleared the defensive line and even the ferocious diving tackle of Thomas...As the opponent slowed down his run to ground the ball under the posts he had not allowed for the super-fuelled Rocket who, appropriately on fireworks day, sprinted in at the last minute and had there been a TMO for the ref to call upon may well have disrupted the grounding; but it would have been a very harsh call. The first conversion of the match followed the well-deserved try, and Ruislip were right back in the match going into the interval with the score 20-12 to Camelot.

After the break a Ruislip defensive line out saw them look to ease pressure with a kick upfield, but the boot away was charged down and it was Harry who found himself smashing through the gain line and opening up the space the space for Freddie to pick up on, moving along the line to Dan and then George to score. Dan completed the conversion and Camelot were three scores ahead once more.

Time for the proverbial floodgates to open? Well actually, yes it was...

The ball stolen at the scrum, pounced upon by Caolan who spotted Dan making a superb run that broke through all the defenders and enabled him to finish with ease. Converting his own try Dan increased the lead to 32-12.

Next up it was time for Terence to complete his hat-trick, breaking free from a line out, the deft step fooling any defender that tried to get a tackle in.

The 40 point barrier was smashed for the fourth time this season, and it came from Terence's fourth try of the game, and certainly the most impressive of the bunch. Even allowing for a tiring defence the way he twisted and turned, almost through the entire Ruislip defence on his way to score, would have won first prize at the local dancing disco dancing competition! 44-12.

The final score of the match came from Caolan. Breaking clear of the defensive line he even looked to slow down to allow a defender to get within touching distance before fending him off and picking up the pace again as he ran the try in with ease. Billy took the conversion, hitting the cross bar with his effort that kept the score below the 50 points mark, but another very impressive win for Camelot on a day when some players were put out of their positional comfort zone; but as a team they adapted superbly to the flow of the game to record another very professional performance, and result.

FT: Camelot 49-12 Ruislip
Tries: Terence 4, Caolan 2, George 2, Dan
Conversions: Dan 2