A Grand Day out at Webb Ellis Road

Camps secured their third away league victory of the season with a thrilling victory at Webb Ellis Road much to the delight of the vociferous visiting supporters.

Unusually these days, the opposition pack was bigger than the visitors but that did not prevent Camps from taking their first opportunity to show their forward power. A penalty kick into the corner, a well executed lineout and the forwards worked their way over for the returning Harry Cunningham to get the final touch.

The home side came back strongly and Cunningham was prominent in defence as Camps struggled to keep the Lions at bay. The power of the home pack told, however, when they were able to go over from a line out within the 22 and the conversion gave the home side a 2-point lead.

This lead was increased to 7 shortly afterwards from a similar position. Strong defence held out the initial burst but they were unable to stop the second row going over from a yard out.

The home side’s momentum was stalled when a high tackle on winger Harry Garrett resulted in a yellow card but they continued to have the better of the first half. Only a superb tackle from winger 'Nobby' Freeman prevented a score in the corner and then in a rare attack by the visitors Matt Clarke was only just short after an excellent chip and chase. Half time arrived and whist Camps remained out in the middle the home side took to the dressing room.

The visitors started the second half the brighter of the two and gradually took control. The forwards were beginning to gain control and the steady flow of ball enabled half backs Lloyd Roberts and debutant Brandon Lea to have an increasing influence. It was, however, a typical piece of flamboyance from centre Ian Briggs that brought the scores level when a side step and break sent him clear under the posts. The conversion was a formality.

It was now all Camp Hill with the Lions unable to get out of their own half as a series of effective carries with replacements Rob Hunt and Jonny Betty prominent gave Lions all they could handle. One break from the latter, supported by Harry Cunningham looked to be a certain score but the final pass just went astray. Barney Edwards was then just kept out on the other wing and a clever kick from the impressive Lea nearly produced the breakthrough. Perhaps, inevitably, with so much ball, Camps became even more expansive in search of the try and an ambitious long pass fell into the arms of the Lions quickest back who went the length for a converted try against the run of play.

Camps continued to attack and a huge up and under from Edwards was brilliantly taken on the run by Briggs to set up another attack. At the next breakdown, scrum half Roberts saw his chance and picked up and raced through the tiring home forwards and ran in from 30 yards out. The missed conversion left Camps still 2 points in arrears with only 5 minutes to go.

They were soon back on the attack and only a deliberate knock on resulting in a second yellow card for the home side slowed them down.
With time running out fly half Brandon Lea produced the moment of magic that won the game.

Having not quite been able to break through with ball in hand, he opted for a cross field kick which was perfectly judged as it bounced up into the arms of winger Harry Garrett who clinched the win with his first 1st XV try.

Next week we entertain Stoke on Trent at Haslucks Green Road. Kick off is 2.15pm .

Please come along and support your team.