Camelot who had high hopes of overturning 5th placed team Hampstead last Saturday at Chaulden Lane.

It was Hampstead who got into their stride early putting together some well worked three quarter moves. This put the home side on the back foot and led to the visitors’ 1st try in the 3 minute when their centre flat footed the Camelot defence to score an easy try under the posts which was duly converted to lead 0-7.

Hampstead continued the pressure keeping Camelot in their own half. That pressure was only relieved when Hempstead were penalised at a ruck and the home side were able to get some field position in the opposition half only to waste it time and time again by poor handling and decision making.

Some relief was found in the 20th minute when Camelot left wing Carl Buckingham intercepted a loose Hampstead pass to race 50 meters to score under the posts. Skipper Woodard duly added the conversion to bring Camelot level, 7-7.

However, parity did not last long because from the restart Camelot failed to gather and Hampstead moved the ball through the hands to score am opportune try to lead 7-12.

It was Camelot turn to exert some pressure and forced the visitors close to their own line. From a lineout, 10 meters out, the home side drove towards the line only to be stopped short. From the ensuing ruck Ross Willoughby went down the narrow side to crash over in the corner. This brought the scores level again after 30 minutes. 12-12.

As half-time approached, Hampstead snatched their 3rd try to go into the break with a 5 point lead.12-17.

The second half continued where the 1st period left off with the home side coming under pressure in the set scrums and the referee seeming trying to even-up the penalty count with the visitors being favoured. This week it was second rower Andy “Tootall” Hobbs turn see Yellow and spend 10 minutes in the sin bin having been caught for infringing at a ruck in the 6th minute of the half. Luckily for Camelot Hampstead were not able to gain from their numerical advantage to add to their lead.

As the half progressed Camelot were able used the wind now at their backs to keep the visitors at bay. In the 21 minute the home side finally produce some decent rugby which saw Ryan Doyle finish it off to score Hemel’s 3rd try. Woodard converted and Hemel lead for the first time in the game, 19-17 with 20 minutes to go.

However, as the game draw to a close, it was settled by the referee, when he adjudged that Hemel No 8 Gary Jahn had infringed badly enough for Hemel to suffer their 2nd yellow card and go down to 14 men for the final minutes. This time Hampstead took the advantage and scored a converted try with a minute remaining on the clock which proved too little time for the home side to respond. Fulltime Result Hemel 19 – Hampstead 24

This loss was all the more frustrating when they learnt that Tabard had also lost to Chiswick and the opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders had gone.

Certainly Hemel will need to raise their game in all areas if they wish to continue their pursuit of promotion to London 1 North. Hopefully reinforcements will arrive soon.

The next fixture is away at HAC in the City next Saturday – 19th January.