Rams back in winning circle Vs Vikings

Saturday 30th May 2009
1st Grade: Camden 24 vs Vikings 7
2nd Grade: Camden 22 vs Vikings 19

After a few tough losses, a return to Wire Lane also spelt a return to the winning circle for the Rams. Knowing they would be up against a fired up Vikings outfit, and with numerous changes to the squad due to injury and representative duties, the Rams knew they would have to hit the ground running.

After a tense opening first quarter where neither team seemed to gain the ascendency, Camden finally broke the shackles with a try to winger Jake Saddler after a crisp backline movement and was converted by Dean Mayer. Camden had to continue to battle for field position in the second half and were rewarded with a second try to Saddler, from a quick tap and two half field passes gave him room to move. Camden continued to punish the Vikings team for ill discipline and loose ball retention, dominating the breakdown and coming up with field position and possession, which they used efficiently as centre Lee Russell strolled over out wide to give the Rams a 17 point buffer. Only moments later Camden again capitalised on a Viking mistake, with scrum half Mayer swooping on a loose ball, easily evading one defender and out-sprinting two others 45metres to the line. He converted his own try and the bonus point victory was sealed. The only disappointing part of the game came in the dying minutes when Camden allowed a soft try to the Vikings, which took the final score to 24-7. Coach Al Le Good was understandable pleased with the performance stating that he was “rapt with the way all the boys played today, they put Vikings away with good rugby across the park.” Among many notable performers were Russell, skipper Pete Graham and Saddler.

In the curtain raiser, in terms of points on the points table, the Rams had the same result, but it was a vastly different performance. After a steady first half, 8 turnovers in the second half kept the Viking team in the game, and always within an inch of stealing victory. Early tries from fly-half John Nettle and fullback Rhys Dodson seem to indicate to the fans a drubbing may have been on the cards. Unfortunately as the rain started to drizzle, the game became scrappy and second grade had a war of attrition on their hands. Going into the break with a 10-7 lead, Camden should have reverted back to their game plan but instead began to throw the ball around. This proved costly as Vikings took the lead soon after. Camden bounced back with tries to Nettle who bagged his second in his comeback from injury and one to centre Graham Martin, who was fed the ball by hooker David Gleeson chiming into the backline. Moments later, an event that has had rugby purist Mike Merino choking on his glass of Port for the first time since the advent of white boots, Prop Ryan Martin stepped up to the kicking tee. The crowd went silent and from about 5metres in from touch, Martin calmly stepped up and slotted the goal to take the score to 22-14. The final minutes had spectators a little worried as the ball was continually turned over, giving Vikings valuable field position and a sniff of victory. On the buzzer the Vikings boys ran in a try but it was to no avail, Camden keeping the full allocation of points in a 22-19 victory. Best in a scrappy affair were winger Wade Chandler who threatened with his speed, Gleeson and flanker Nathan Prior.