Try scorer Dan Lewis seen here supported by fullback Alex O’Meara – picture by scrumpix
After their dreadful start last week, Cam got off to the dream start against already relegated Bognor when Dan Lewis retrieved the visitors defensive kick from the kick off and made 30m - from the ruck the black and ambers spun the ball wide for Alex O’Meara to cross for the opening score within a minute of the start. The try was converted by Ed Smith and the home team were up and flying – at least thats what the home supporters felt.
In fact the next 20 mins was very scrappy with lots of whistle blowing which seemed to upset any flow that might have been there. Bognor were clearly here to try to win in style and so opted to kick for touch rather than for goal on several occasions probably because their pack seemed to have the nudge on the black and ambers.
However when Cam won their lineout in the visitors 22 they drove towards the try line and when the ruck was formed quick ball saw Dan Lewis come in off his wing to touch down under the posts and with Ed Smith converting the score moved on to 14-0 after 25 mins. This scoreline didn’t really do justice to the Bognor pack who were certainly causing the Cam 8 a number of problems but on 35 mins a driving maul from the lineout saw skipper Hill cross for Cams third try making the score 19-0. However just before half time Cam were reduced to 14 when one of their locks was red carded – the view from the touchline was that the player should have taken the pre match advice and dyed his bright pink boots black!!!. So with the pack already up against it this was a huge blow to the home side who had just over 40 mins left with 14 men.
The second half started very scrappily again with the regular interruption of the official but the Cam 14 stuck to their task and after almost 60mins were awarded a penalty which was converted by Ed Smith making the score 22-0. The final 20 mins saw the official making even more use of his whistle, mostly at the expense of the home side, and this finally brought a score for the visitors when they were awarded yet another penalty close to the Cam line and this time they crossed for a converted try in the 48th minute of the second half, a half in which there had not been any apparent serious stoppages.
Overall this was a very scrappy match, which was never allowed to flow, with the visitors making a real fight of things up front although when the ball reached the Cam backs their defence seemed to be somewhat lacking. With the other results and the sudden points deduction for Twickenham Cam now appear to have moved clear of any thoughts of relegation but will need to tighten things up before their visit to London Cornish on the 14th.
The pack, reduced to 7 for more than half of the game, worked very hard with The Hoff and Andy tackling their hearts out and the backs looked very dangerous with ball in hand. Special mention to scrum half TT who was playing his last game for Cam before his move to Essex in the summer.
