Match Report - Camden v Kiama

Camden Rams have gone down to Kiama in a tough and physical Round 3 encounter on Saturday afternoon at Wire Lane. 

The Rams went down 25-11, but the scoreline doesn’t show the type of game played, in heavy conditions, with little opportunity for scoring points.

To be fair to both sides, the game never really got going, with a string of penalties and stoppages preventing any chance of opening flowing rugby being played.

The opening score came on 12 minutes, with Rams’ fullback Michael Midson kicking a penalty goal from a rare attacking chance inside the Kiama half.

Kiama spent more time inside the Camden half than wanted by the home fans, but they had little opportunity for points. A penalty goal on 25 minutes saw scores level at 3-3, and a fair indication of the type of game played.

The opening try of the day came six minutes before halftime, when Kiama fullback Donte Efaraimo scored on the end of a backline move.

Camden, however, weren’t about to lie down, and replied with a try to winger Evan D’Souza. The most impressive part of the try wasn’t the movement, which had quick hands, and neat passing, but the acrobatic putdown by D’Souza in the left corner just before halftime.

Camden trailed 8-10 at halftime, but many felt the Rams were well and truly in the game, with a fair share of possession and territory key to any hopes of a home-town win.

This wasn’t to be the case however, as poor handling again plagued the Rams, while Kiama took advantage of their chances, with second half tries to halfback Paul Bell, who was among their better players giving the visitors the win.

Camden managed just one penalty goal in the second half, with Midson kicking two from three with the boot in blustery and difficult conditions.

Among Camden’s better players on Saturday were the backrow of Charlie Payne, Josh Fee and veteran No.8 Willie Ah Sam, while halves Shane Neasy and Nick Crouch tried to crack the Kiama defensive line repeatedly. The front row of Keeran McCourt, Brady Millar and Jack Dolan held their own against the Kiama pack, and have been a mainstay of the side’s improved showings.

The Rams will need to regroup, with a tough fortnight ahead of them, with a trip across the Nepean Bridge to meet Campbelltown at Campbelltown Showground next Saturday, before a home game against Shamrocks, when the Rams host a Shute Shield match between Norths and Western Sydney. Both these games will be broadcast on the Camden Rugby facebook page with commentary from the Macarthur Sports Radio’s Running Rugby team.

Camden, without a win to date this season, will need a minor miracle to climb up the ladder quickly this year, and with no finals being held, any hope of a title has all but slipped for the Rams in 2020.