Camels Through To Cup Final!

A big crowd turned out on a sunny morning, and saw Camels edge a tight game with a strong Liskeard side and give themselves a shot at the Cup.

Selection:
1 - Liam
2 - OliM
3 - Billy
4 - Dom
5 - HarryB
6 - Ferg
7 - Saul
8 - Cory
9 - HarryP
10 - Jack
11 - Sam
12 - Thomas
13 - Ethan
14 - Aljo
15 - Rhys
Reps: OliB, Stan, Jordan, Tristan

Unlike last week Camels started the game well, turning over possession and working their way into Liskeard territory through a strong run from Thomas. Play was switched left then right, but resolute defence from the Liskeard back line kept Camels at bay. When a sweet move involving Ethan and Aljo ended with a foot in touch the danger seemed to have passed, but HarryB disrupted the Liskeard lineout and Ferg, anticipating cleverly, pounced on a loose ball to score a well deserved try.

Camels then relaxed and allowed Liskeard a spell of possession, which allowed them back into the game - a simple move creating a try on the right to even the scores at 5-5. Despite some high quality rugby from both sides - Camels forwards gradually cranked up the pressure in the scrum and at the breakdown, but Liskeard's three-quarters looked dangerous whenever they had the ball - the scores remained level at the half.

Camels started the second half in the same way as the first. An immense drive from the scrum won turnover ball and sparked a quick attack, desperate defence from Liskeard conceding a 5m scrum. Camels secured safe ball, and with the defence anticipating a forward pick-up Harry and Jack whipped the ball to Thomas in the centre, who drew both Liskeard's centres into the tackle while still feeding quick ball back - Billy picked up to thunder through the stretched defence and score.

Ethan missed a straightforward conversion, but soon made amends. The pack won another turnover near halfway, and when the ball was shipped to Ethan he put a perfectly judged kick ahead, outpaced the defence and touched down near the corner for a sublime try - then knocked the tricky con over, to put Cams 17-5 ahead.

With some legs tiring Camels made some changes, and concentration slipped for a moment - that was all Liskeard needed for their three-quarters to engineer another good try. At 17-10, with cup rules dictating that in a drawn game the away side progresses, the game was set up for a dramatic finale.

It looked like Cams were going to close the game out safely. Ethan put in another great kick to pin Liskeard in their own 22, Saul won another turnover from the lineout, and the pack drove for the line - HarryB broke free and seemed certain to score, but the Ref penalised Cams, and Liskeard were able to clear. The last couple of minutes were spent in the Camels 22 with the boys defending desperately, until Cory put in a huge tackle on his opposite number8, knocking the ball loose and ending the game.

A huge performance from Cams. Picking a MoM today would be unfair - everyone played their part in a complete team performance.

Whoever Camels meet in the final, if they play like this they can win it.