Good Form Continues at Camp Hill

The Wanderers recent good form continued with an excellent 28 points to 24 win away to Camp Hill RFC.

The Wanderers travelled knowing that anything less than a win would be unacceptable in their battle to avoid relegation.

On an ideal day for rugby the Wanderers dominated the opening exchanges, James Price, playing fly half, ably assisted by Lee Watson, ensured the Wanderers kept Camp Hill on the back foot, constantly probing their defence.

The opening try came from a period of sustained pressure creating half an overlap which was exploited following soft hands, from Mike James, by Tim Ohlson who cantered over in the corner. Chris Griffiths scored the second, duly converted by Price, to open up a 12 point lead. The Wanderers, apparently in control, leaked a converted try, 12 points to 7 and everything to play for!

The large home support got right behind their team but, the Wanderers playing some intelligent rugby afforded them very few opportunities. Equally, however, they couldn't break down a determined Camp Hill defence. It was Camp Hill who converted a penalty to peg back the Wanderers!

The Wanderers scrum had a definite edge as Camp Hill struggled to retain good possession, finally, after some enterprising play, Chris Jenkinson was put into space, he took full advantage to score an unconverted try; the Wanderers now threw everything at Camp Hill in search of the all important fourth try but, it was Camp Hill who, capitalising on a wayward off load, hacked the ball up field into the Wanderers half, the Wanderers defence was stretched, attempts by several Wanderers to gather the ball and force it into touch came to nothing. Camp Hill chased the ball down and were rewarded, when following another attempted Wanderers clearance the ball popped up into Camp Hill hands and he trotted over, unopposed, for an unconverted try.

The second half was more of the same, it was a good game for the supporters to watch, as both sides were trying to play expansive rugby.

It was the Wanderers, however, who temporarily fell behind, by 21 points to 20 as the sides traded penalties. The Wanderers threatened the Camp Hill line on several occasions but, they couldn't find the final pass, finally their pressure led to a straight forward penalty, duly converted by Price, to retake the lead by 23 points to 21.

Then came the defining moment, the indominantible Griffiths crashing over for his second and the Wanderers fourth try, Price missing the conversion but, the Wanderers now with a 7 point lead.

Camp Hill came back again and with 10 minutes remaining they converted a penalty to set up a thrilling finale but, the Wanderers were determined to hang on to their lead which they did to record a fine, hard earned away win by 28 points to 24.

Stuart James
DoR