Victory snatched from the jaws of defeat

In a game where the lead changed 10 times and the result was always in doubt it was Camp Hill who edged victory in the dying moments, at the same time claiming the full 5 points.

The wind and rain made thing difficult for both sides but the visitors took advantage of the elements with an early penalty.
Camps soon took the lead, however, with a first senior try for centre Jon Betty. The forwards exerted pressure in the Stourbridge 22 after the visitors were penalized for taking down a maul and when the ball was finally released to the backs Betty burst through for a try which Barney was unable to convert.

Camps were dominating the set piece, strong in the scrum and winning line out ball with Shawn Jon Lindeque and Rob Hill prominent. Stourbridge were very competitive in the loose, however, and regained the lead with another well-struck penalty from fly half Owen Williams. The fly half then put a clever kick through the Camps defence, which resulted in a try in the corner to take the Stourbridge lead to 11-5.

Camps were then awarded a penalty, which Barney kicked into the corner. The resultant maul saw Camps over the line, seemingly with Stephen Halbert touching down, but the referee deciding the evidence was inconclusive. It only delayed the inevitable as the resultant scrum walked the visitors back over their own line and number 8 Rob Hill scored the try. Barney converted and Camps turned round with a 12-11 lead.

Camps, with the wind at their backs, started the second half on the front foot but when they lost possession deep in the Stourbridge half the visitors backs took advantage and a sweeping move ended up with an excellent try in the corner to restore their lead by a point.

The Camp Hill forwards, however, were still dominating and after another strong run by Oz Bolger was stopped just short of the line and Adam Willis was held up over the line, the scrum did it’s work again driving the visitors back over their own line for another Rob Hill try. (Pic)

The lead was short-lived as more Stourbridge enterprise resulted in a penalty being conceded in front of the post and Lions were back in front.

Camps edged back in front with a wobbly drop goal from Barney Edwards which just crept over before Stourbridge struck back with another try which their enterprising back play fully deserved and a lead of 24-20 with little time left on the clock.

There was just enough time for another line-out on the Stourbridge 22 which Camps won and drove on, the maul finally getting down to prop Jan-Erik and coach Halbey in possession and the former carried the latter over the try line for the winning score.