Opening Day Win takes Camps to Quarter Final of North Mids Shield

A warm afternoon and a large and a playing surface produced a try-fest for spectators.

Camps started strongly and forced their lower league opponents into a string of penalties, one of which resulted in the opening penalty from Alex Richmond. An inevitable yellow card reduced the home side to 14 and Camps took advantage with a fine forwards try, Mark Newton and Rob Hill setting up Adam Pinfield for a try under the posts.

It looked like the visitors would dominate at this stage but Harborne proved to be a resilient team with some pacey backs and, after George Wilkinson was yellow carded, the home side scored the first of several excellent long range tries, reducing the deficit to 3.
Unfortunately, Harborne was also prone to unforced errors and they immediately handed back the initiative when Barney Edwards was given an easy interception and another try under the posts.

The home side, however, replied with another try created and converted by their fly half. A further try created by scrum half Stu Watts for George Wilkinson reinstated Camps 10point lead at half time.

Camps lost winger Matt Clarke shortly after the break with a nasty shoulder injury but continued to exert pressure resulting in a walk-in for centre Mark Lisle.

Back came Harborne with a try in the corner before Barney barrelled his way over for his second converted try.

At this stage Camps looked comfortable with a 36-19 lead but they were soon rattled out of any complacency by two fine tries from the Harborne centres, reducing the deficit to two points with a minute or so to go.

Fortunately, the final action of the game was a penalty awarded against the home side for obstruction in front of their own posts and Alex kicked the 3 points to set up a home quarterfinal against Bridgnorth.