1XV head for promotion Play-Off after Home 'W' against Walsall

In an exciting game and in front of a large crowd at Haslucks Green Road, Camp Hill won their 10 th consecutive league game to secure second spot and a home play-off game next week.

With a one point advantage over third placed Leek at the start of play, Camps knew that a bonus point win would guarantee runners-up spot and they started with a purpose.

A huge kick from fly half Barney Edwards sent play deep into the visitors’ 22 and an excellent run from returning winger Liam Lindsey was only stopped at the expense of a five-metre scrum in front of the posts. From the scrum, back rowers Stephen Halbert and Harry Cunningham combined to carry the ball to within inches of the line and prop Jan-Erik Andersen was on hand to finish things off. Barney converted to give Camps a 7-point lead within the first 10 minutes.

Camps continued to press and a superb break from scrum half Lloyd Roberts nearly resulted in another score almost immediately. As it turned out Camps had to wait until the half hour mark before they added to their lead. An excellent line out saw the forwards rumble to within 5 metres of the Walsall line where they were halted illegally. A yellow card for the Walsall tight head resulted and Camps opted for the scrum. A further two penalties stopped the forwards recording a pushover try but when the ball squirted out of the third scrum Barney Edwards picked up, dummied and crashed over the line. He made light of the difficult conversion to stretch the lead to 14 points.

Almost immediately, another break by scrum half Roberts sent the ball through the hands of the backs and winger Matt Clarke scored the try in the corner. The half ended in frenetic style with two further tries and chances at both ends. Firstly, Walsall took advantage of an error at a line-out to touch down in the corner to reduce the deficit to 14.Camps came straight back and the combination of Roberts, Halbert and
Andersen nearly resulted in a try. When the ball came loose, however, Walsall nearly went the length of the field before conceding a penalty deep in the Camp Hill 22. From the resulting line-out on halfway, scrum half Roberts produced another break and although he was stopped, the ball bounced into the hands of replacement Number 8 Jan Van Der Walt and he stormed over from just within the 22.

With the try bonus point in the bag, Camps just had to make sure that they kept their noses in front but Walsall soon showed that this might not be that easy as, with slope and breeze in their favour, they soon scored a try in the corner.

Camps were now under pressure and also falling foul of the refereeing decisions. Walsall soon added a third try, this one converted from, under the posts and there was still half an hour to play. Things were not improved for Camps when Harry Cunningham was yellow carded for a late hit but Camps survived the 10 minutes with the help of some missed opportunities by the Walsall backs.

The game ended with Camps under heavy pressure but 3 successive line out steals from Rob Hill, Mark Newton and Oz Bolger kept the opposition at bay.

With Stourbridge Lions winning they took the automatic promotion place and Camps will contest the other promotion spot against Silhillians RUFC next Saturday.

Beechouse, Solihull 'MOTM' - Adam Pinfield (pic)