Last Minute heartbreak for Camelot

Camelot, wearing their new Jay Citysponsored kit for the first time, started well driving into the visitors half with some strong forward play. From a lineout 15 meters out, a well worked driving maul saw Camelot's No 6, Connor Herlihy crash over to open the team's account. Full back Nick Merrett added the conversion to take Camelot into an early 7 point lead after 5 minutes.

As has happened in previous games, Camelot allowed the opposition back into the game almost immediately. From the restart HAC gathered the ball and carved through the home sides central defence to even things up at 7 all.
Hemel regained the lead through a penalty kick from Merrett. (10-7).

With the steadying hand of veteran fly half Richard Woodard, the home side more than held their own until some poor tackling allowed HAC to score their 2nd converted try to regain the lead 10 - 14.

In the 38th minute, Camelot regained the lead with Camelot's 2nd Row Hadyn Morgan scored his sides 2nd try only for HAC to snatch it back on the stroke of halftime with their 3rd converted try to lead 15-21 at the break.

The second half started evenly matched with both side making forays into their opponents half. 10 minutes in, the home side retook the lead with Connor Herlihy grabbing his 2nd try which Merrett converted and extended it further with their best try of the game. From a wayward HAC clearance kick centre Ryan Doyle gathered the ball on his 10 meter line and made 20 meters before linking with winger Nick Stowe who beat his opposite number on the outside before cutting in towards the posts and finding, to his surprise, Richard Woodard, who went over for Camelot's bonus point 4th try. With the conversion kick missed Camelot were 6 points ahead with 20 minutes to go. (27-21).

Camelot's task now was to secure the win.

However, with 3 minutes to go the visitors grabbed their 4th try but missing the conversion. This meant that they were still behind by a point. With the clock well into injury time HAC continued to press for the winner and with the home side's defence out on their feet the visitors grabbed the final try to break Camelot's heart.

2 bonus points, which takes them back above league rivals Tabard, is no consolation to the side who showed great courage in this game. With the elimination of some of the side's defensive frailties it won't be long before they start to move up the league

Final score 27-33

With no game next weekend, Camelot will hope that the missing players will make themselves available and that some of their long list of injured players will return fit.

The next fixture is away at Chiswick on Saturday 15th November