Not the best day at 'The Office' for the 1XV

A game that was so important to both teams resulted in the visitors registering a bonus point victory whilst Camps were left pointless and ruing some elementary mistakes and their inability to turn possession into points.

Things started badly when, after player-coach Halbey was forced to withdraw due to an injury in the warm-up, the initial kick-off was dropped and Camps then conceded a penalty to go behind within 2 minutes.

Camps responded with a typically robust run from Number 8 Steven Leach but they were soon 10 points down when the visitors took a quick penalty in the Camps 22 and their powerful back-row forced their way over for the converted try.

Camps continued to see plenty of the ball with Leach and full back Ian Briggs both breaking the line without an end product. The latter had a penalty denied him when the referee overruled his touch judges before making another superb break and, this time, finishing the job himself with a try under the posts.

Unfortunately, Camps were again unable to clear their lines from the kick off and conceded a penalty to go a further three points behind. Worse was to follow when Rugby’s second row broke through and kicked ahead and when he somehow recovered the ball it was quickly transferred out to the winger for a second try. Camps trailed 18-7 at the break.

A bright start to the second half resulted in Rugby conceding a penalty on their 10-metre line, which Ian Briggs converted with ease.
Again, however, the comeback was short-lived as Camps won the ball from a scrum but gave the ball away for Rugby to add a third try. Camps were then caught sleeping as a cross-field kick was caught by the Rugby winger who slipped the ball inside for his centre to score an easy try. With the score now 30-10 to the visitors Camps were chasing the game but couldn’t quite turn their possession into points. Replacement prop, Oz Bolger was held up over the line after a strong run from a lineout and fly half Brandon Lea just knocked on as he was diving for the line. Another line break from Ollie Linnett supported by scrum half Stu Watts saw the latter’s kick just elude winger Dan Robinson in the corner.
After these missed opportunities, Rugby showed how it should be done with a length of the field move started by their Fijian full back, whose pace was a threat all afternoon, and ending in a fifth try.

Further breaks from Briggs and Adam Pinfield again came up short before Rugby rounded off their successful afternoon with a penalty and a sixth try as time expired.

On Thursday evening Camps travel to Billesley Common for the rearranged game against Moseley Oak. Kick off is 7.45 and all support will be welcome.