'Close but no Cigar' ! Last play score sends 1XV out of North Midlands Shield

The new season kicked off the way last season ended with a home fixture against Veseyans,this time in the first round of the North Midlands Shield.

In a pointless and largely scrappy first half both teams struggled to find any rhythm or coherent pattern of play.Camps had the majority of possession but their normally reliable lineout regularly turned the ball over to the opposition and they were unable to make anything of their superiority in the scrum. Scrum half Lloyd Roberts sparked most of what was good from the home side with some sniping runs and intelligent kicking.

It was Veseyans, in fact, who had the best opportunity of the half when they had a 3 on 1 break but managed to throw the final pass forward. Despite considerable pressure on the opposition line as the half expired, Camps were unable o turn this into points on the board. With the way things had gone in the first half it was always likely that a mistake rather than a purple passage of play would lead to the opening score and so it proved.

An attempted cross kick from fly half Ben Taylor landed in the arms of the Veseyans winger who was able to run the ball back, unchallenged, for the opening score.

The fly half nearly made amends almost immediately with an excellent break into the opposition half. The attack was only stopped as a result of a deliberate knock-on under the posts, which, surprisingly did not result in a yellow card. This time, however Camps were able to translate the territorial possession into points with a forceful drive from number 8 Rob Hill who fed second row Dan O’Grady (pic) who went over for the first try of the season. "Nobby" Freeman was unable to make the conversion but, soon after, he made an excellent break which, again, was only stopped by foul play close to the line and on this occasion the referee produced a yellow card and "Nobby" was successful with the penalty attempt.

The three point advantage did not last for long, however, as Camps failed to clear their lines, were penalised and conceded the lead to a well-struck penalty. Shortly afterwards the referee awarded another penalty against the home side, this time for a high tackle, and an even better struck penalty from the 10 metre line sailed over the posts.

Another good kick ahead from Ben Taylor was recovered and excellent interplay between the fly half, hooker Adam Willis and Freeman nearly resulted in a try in the corner. The momentum of the attack was stopped by a head injury to a Veseyans player which, thankfully, turned out not to be serious but it was only a temporary respite for the visitors. Number 8 Hill again picked up at the base of the scrum and this time he needed no assistance to score the try.

Camps now just needed to see the game out but unfortunately turned the ball over in their own 22 as time expired. The resilient visitors made the most of the opportunity to run in their second try and snatch the win and a place in the next round.

Next week, Camps travel to Walsall to start what promises to be a very competitive league campaign.

The seconds also travel to Walsall for a 1 o’clock kick off with the 1 st XV kicking off at 3.00.