Camden gallant in defeat against Club Champions
1st Grade: Camden 12 Avondale 40
2nd Grade: Camden 17 Avondale 39
3rd Grade: Camden 0 Avondale 0
In what will almost certainly go down as a year of missed opportunity and unfulfilled potential for the Ram’s first grade squad, the boys could certainly hold their heads high after the final round. Coming up against a stacked Avondale side that samples the best of club Rugby from both the Illawarra and Sydney, who will almost certainly be in the running for the Grand Final in a few weeks time, Camden’s mismatched top team that consisted of several debutants and players starting who had played 70 minutes of third grade football, Camden held out the Wombats with great zeal. After 40 minutes the Avondale team had sent their battering rams at the line constantly and only managed to score three tries from pick and drives. Camden exploded into the second half and looked the far more creative team. Fullback Jake Saddler joined the line in an attacking raid and slipped through for the first Ram try. From a clever chip and chase from fly half Tyler Aitken, Saddler regathered and passed to his man on the money Ethan Whittington to cruise to the line outpacing the Avondale prop-sized winger. Avondale eventually tired Camden and ran away with several tries as they continued to pressure the line, but the Wombats appeared apathetic and flat, and this reporter is sure Shoalhaven and Tech will be either licking their lips in delight or equally wary of a slumberous Avondale. Camden were well served by Saddler, David Gleeson, Aitken and half Dean Mayer.
Camden’s reserves always had a tough task against outright minor premiers Avondale who boasted size and speed. However fly half Alex Ban turned the game on its head early with a neat grubber, regather and then dived over for the first 5 pointer. Avondale regrouped and crossed for 3 tries in the first half. Camden’s backs were in fine form defending like men twice their size and also chipped in with two tries out wide, one from a Chris Ravlich line break who popped a clever ball for centre Wade Chandler and the second to winger Nick Daly who collected a deflected pass to sneak over. Avondale continued to return serve and ran away 7 tries to 3 winners. Camden’s best were locks Mark Nightingale and Ed Whiteman and Ban.
A nil-all draw does not usually conjure up images of a tense and exciting game of rugby but that’s what was delivered when the Third Grade Rams took on an Avondale side that they will again meet in the first elimination semi. Camden created several chances and had two knock-ons over the line. Camden out-muscled the bigger Wombats squad and remained unfazed by their baiting, constant indiscretions and blatant thuggery, meaning penalties tended to maintain important field position. A final snapped field goal attempt from 40m out remained slightly short and the teams split the irrelevant points distribution. Camden will remain squarely on Avondale’s radar after shaking them up a notch. Best for Camden were veteran centre Toby Searle, flanker James Gatt and hooker Christian Paige (with the former two having to complete almost full games in the top grade). Camden will be playing semi finals next week on Saturday and Sunday at Kiama and Shoalhaven respectively.
