Enthusiastic Shamrocks power over Rams

2nd Grade 31 Shamrocks 27

On an unusually still day at Ocean Park, Woonona, the Camden side were none the less still blown of the paddock by a young and enthusiastic Shamrock team that is currently dragging themselves steadily away from the bottom of the ladder. Coach Andrew Suffell rued lost opportunities and was at a loss to explain why his usually dynamic backs were unable to penetrate the defence and his forwards outmatched in every facet of the game. “We were a team that didn’t turn up to play, and we were out enthused at the breakdown” he said.

The Rams continually gave the Shamrocks field position with poor kicking options and they were made to pay for their mistakes with two tries in each half with one particularly coach killer late in the first half, when a Shamrock back went through untouched from a simple set piece move. Camden were also ill-disciplined conceding two penalties to blow out the final score to 32-5. Thankfully mid-way throughout the second period after some strong lead up from the forwards, hooker Andrew Black powered over to get Camden on the board. Best for Camden in a defeated side were No 8 Clint Mclelland, lock Mark Morris and young prop Ed Whiteman who weathered a baptism by fire. Camden will be looking for a much stronger performance next week against a strong Avondale team; otherwise it may be a case of déjà vu.

 

The continuing shining lights of the club, reserve grade, put some smiles on the faces of the Camden fans in a thrilling try fest 31-27 win. From the opening exchanges Camden appeared dominant and laid on early tries to winger Wade Chandler and lock Mark ‘Flo’ Nightingale. However lapses in defence switched the momentum and kept Shamrocks in the game. Camden appeared to need to concede a try to bite back with intent.  Centre John Nettle put Camden ahead again and things looked like smooth sailing. Shamrocks score again midway through the second half and the lead was exchanged again. With less than 15 minutes to go, Camden trailed 20-19 and continued to thirst for the match winner. No 8 Matt Searle sniffed a try and flew onto a short ball to crash over and take the score to 26-20 after a successful conversion from fullback Chris Ravlich and the game looked to be sealed up. Another twist as so often before and the Shamrocks snapped up the lead with a runaway try down the left flank and the clocked looked to be Camden’s enemy. As Camden gained field position through pressure, cool heads prevailed and white line fever was erased for phase football and Nightingale arm wrestled his way over for his second with only a minute to go and ensured victory for his team mates and that he would get amongst the ‘best on field’ points. Others who impressed were skipper and scrum half Matt Dench, Searle, and Nettle.