1XV say goodbye to Midlands 1 (West)

Game between these two clubs at Haslucks Green Road have tended to be high-scoring with 72 points in the 2014/15 season and 100 points last season. Saturday’s game produced another 72 points and unfortunately, as had been the case in those previous encounters Camps could not come out on the winning side.

Camps started the game well and after an excellent run from the outstanding Adam Pinfield nearly produced a try the Camp Hill forward power enabled them to take the lead after 15 minutes. Camps elected to take a scrum from a penalty award 5 metres out and the forwards drove the visitors back over their own line to give Number 8 Stephen Halbert the easy touch down.

Unfortunately, in a scenario that was to be repeated all afternoon, Camps failed to deal with the resulting kick-off and Stourbridge were able to turn the ball over and respond immediately with a try of their own.

A period of Camp Hill pressure just failed to secure a try after good work from fly half Brandon Lea, Mark Lisle and Jan Van der Walt but it was the visitors who finished the half on top. A line out in the Camps 22 was taken and the ball went through the backs before a neat inside pass sent the centre over under the posts. Stourbridge led 12-5 at the break.

Camps pushed the self-destruct button shortly after the restart, disputing the referee’s call in the opposition 22 and then failing to deal with a high kick from the resulting penalty that was regathered by the Lions who ran in a simple try.

The Camp Hill forwards then showed their power once again driving the opposition back in a scrum in the opposition 22 forcing the referee to award a penalty try.

Unfortunately, Camps failed to deal with the following kick-off and Stourbridge took advantage with another try in the corner. The home side were now looking to be more expansive to force their way back into the game but an over-ambitious long pass landed in opposition hands and a further try for the visitors was the result and Camps now trailed 29-12.

There was always hope, however, whenever the forwards had an opportunity in the opposition 22 and another superb effort pushed the opposition back over their own line for Halbey to register his second try.

Another restart produced another problem and this time the concession of a penalty and a yellow card for skipper Mitch Lee resulted in Lions scoring another 3 points and shortly afterwards some inaccurate handling in the backs provided the opposition with another opportunity which they happily accepted to register their 6th try of the day.

At 39-19,the game looked over but Camps kept going and managed a fourth and fifth try of their own. A neat pass from Lea put winger Matt Clarke through and he was able to regain his perfectly judged kick ahead and score under the posts. Camps exerted more pressure as time ran out with Will Wallwork, Jan Van der Walt and Lloyd Roberts all gaining good ground before big Jan forced his way over under the posts for the try, Brandon Lea’s conversion was the final action of the day.

Next week we travel to Sutton Coldfield for the final game of the season and all support will be very welcome.

Beech House, Solihull awarded to Jan Erik Anderson (pic)