Camden Finds Form! (Camden v Kiama Match Report)
The Glorious Sunshine was out, it was a bonus the fact that it was also Ladies day! So the Beautiful Day was echoed by the Beautiful Ladies and it was by far the best Looking crowd we have annually!
Being always a well organised event, this year was no exception, with the Club nominating as a whole to play in Pink socks, in its support of battling a terrible disease that effects 1 in 9 women!!
The awareness shown by the Clubs playing committee was tremendous and showed solidarity throughout the Clubs ranks, with every player including 3rd grade, who weren’t taking the field donating $10 for the socks, to the Jane McGrath Foundation.
Saturday’s Game against Kiama highlighted how far the Club has come. It showed the true depth of its ranks, with a few Players making their Debuts for the year in both First grade and Second grade.
It demonstrates the raw truth about mid season injuries, and how hard the club has worked on its playing group as a whole.
Missing no more than 8 Regular players from 1st grade through Injuries, the Players that came into the team fitted in seamlessly.
This highlights the fact that the top 30 players initiative is no doubt starting to bear fruits.
While the win’s were far from pretty for either grade, they were none the less bonus point wins.
Kiama provided the danger games for the top 2 grades, and instilled the belief that you must treat your opposition with the respect you show the perceived bigger teams in the competition.
Ladder positions mean little going into a game, all that matters is the points that are up for grabs. In the weekend round.
1st XV
Having come off a tricky road trip, the toll was still being counted with regular first graders out through injuries and other commitments.
The bonus though, was having Regular Captain Gavin Holder back after 2 weeks of Country Representation.
1st grade started strongly, posting a try in the first 10 mins.
Kiama however did not play to the script and took the lead through a converted try and penalty.
Camden however snatched the lead back just after halftime, to go ahead at 12-10.
However Kiama did not go away, and were awarded a Penalty soon after and again nudged ahead 13-12. The game was a see sawing affair, with both teams showing some enterprising play and thrilling the stands with some of their off the cuff ball movements.
However that was never going to win a game of this magnitude, and Camden reverted back to its tried and tested structure. Led around the park well by Tommy Mulready and Michael Messina, first time halves pairing, the team started to respond. Structure started to click, and Camden firsts were ready to pry open any weakness in what was a solid Kiama defence.
Tyler Aitken replaced Mulready, and got involved almost instantly putting Ethan Whittington down the sideline, in a move that ultimately saw Jake Sadler cross to give Camden the Lead to which they never relinquished.
Tim Windle took the ball off the kick off, and raced 40 meters up field, then 15 across to set up what is traditionally known as the 1-2 KO Punch. After circling around the winners Circle for 3 weeks, finally Camden were back in it.
Special mention to Jordan O’sullivan, Michael Messina and Dane Kelly who made their 1st grade debuts for 2012.
Strong contributors were Tim Windle, Willie Ah Sam, Mark Morrison and Ethan Whittington.
2 XV
Camden entered the game on the back of some patchy games in the last 2 weeks. After some real soul searching, and coming off a bonus point win against Vikings, the game against Kiama presented a different challenge, WHICH WAS COMPLACENCY.
Having seen their unbeaten season stop at Shamrocks, 2nds were keen not to let that performance catch them short again.
It was a stern Test, and Kiama were ready to play. Both teams showed great strength in defensive organisation, highlighted by a 5-0 half time score to Camden.
After a few stern words from the coach Matt Searle, and reaffirmation of Instructions from Captain Brady “Steve” Millar, the 2nd half was all Camden.
The depth of the Club was highlighted strongly in this round.
Another strong performance from second grade, and so early on in the year the club has gone through and could very well be experiencing its first all hands on Deck scenario.
It is hardly an ideal situation coming up against Avondale, but a challenge no doubt Camden is better prepared to handle.
Our Next 2 Games are traditionally the 2 hardest of the year, and given the current situation with a Weekend off in between the big games is a blessing in disguise.
As mentioned above, Kiama 3rd Grade were a late scratching and Camden 3rds officially are on a streak of 3! Yeppah!!
Camden next Host last years Club Champions, and Premiers of 3rd and 2nd Grade and Grand Finalists in 1st Grade Avondale Wombats.
Come down and show your support, and get behind the Lads!
MDR
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