In the early stages of the match both sides attacked and missed potential scoring chances. In this time, great tackles by Cooper Shambrook, chasing back, and Max Boucher, battling manfully in the midfield to create the counter attack, were a feature of the game. A turnover and rampaging run by Harry Paul took Camberley up to the Richmond 22. Sustained pressure from the Camberley pack got them within striking distance and with the backline in great position to convert, Cam Reid dummied to his right and broke through for a good try near the posts. Camberley 5- 0 Richmond.

Richmond came back well and despite some solid individual defending in which Will Wilsons tackling was outstanding, Richmond scored and converted twice. In this spell Camberley had to rearrange positions and lost a bit of cohesion but never stopped competing. Camberley 5 – 14 Richmond

Camberley raised their game and with the pack beginning to dominate they powered through with some direct running and Big V the Fijian playing his first game for the club scored a fine try which went unconverted.

Throughout the first half it was clear Camberley had the edge in the scrum through the strength of Dafydd, Luke Stewart and Sean Gale and a good supply of ball from the lineout courtesy of a great performance by Jack Harding who caught brilliantly in the lineout all day. In the loose, Captain Ollie Davis and young 17 year old Evan competed vigorously with the opposition, while new player Doug was always in the action. Jack Johnson made some telling interventions to snuff out Richmond attacks. Dan Cavidi made good ground whenever he ran at the opposition and in drier conditions will have greater success in future.

Scrum half Harrison Dodd was busy and got the backline moving well and when James Donovan came on in the second half the link with Olly Paddison, now moved up to fly half from full back remained strong.

Inevitably, with all the positional changes and with new combinations testing out Camberley did lose some shape and continuity upon which Richmond were able to capitalise with further scores and to be fair a particularly good team try at the end of the game. Nevertheless, every single player from the Camberley side contributed to an overall good performance. We would like to thank the new players, Doug, Duchy, Big V and under 18 Evan for stepping forward to make the numbers.

After the game the referee was highly complimentary about the Camberley effort and general spirt. They did the club proud. Well done all of you!

JLS Snr