Matchday Report - Camden v University

Camden Rugby Park April 11 2015

Colts

An historic day with the return of Colts to Camden Rugby Park after an absence of 10 years. Camden had a height and weight advantage which they used early in the game to their advantage .

Camden scored first with a charge down and a length of the field run to our Captain Josh Watson. In general play our outside backs were well served by our Halves Kyle Taylor and Josh Institoris.

Uni managed to score 2 tries out wide that were not converted. Despite Camden winning several good lineouts on Uni’s throw, a Camden dropped ball gave Uni the opportunity to again score out wide.

Shortly after Corey Russell scored a good bullocking try, James Walgers scored wide out to make the score 17 -15 to Camden. However Uni then scored to make the score 20 – 17 to Uni. Camden showed a lot of maturity, keeping ball in hand with Josh Institoris  scoring a good hard running try which he then converted making the final score Camden 24 Uni 20.

Camden’s best were Josh Intitoris, Austin Mcourt, Adam Lenehan & Anthony Mathyi.

3rd Grade

Uni raced to a 7-0 lead over a Camden side with plenty of experience. Mark McGuinness scored a good opportunist try again quickly followed by a Uni raid down the Western touchline which resulted in a try in the corner.  Club Stalwart Andrew Redman  scored in the Western Corner after a long build up in which Venu Ahsam featured prominently

After holding out a Uni raid from the kick off which was stopped by determined defence 1m from Camdens line, Camden attacked down the centre of the field with scoring under the posts with Venu Ahsam being prominent in the run down the field.

Camden and Uni then exchanged try for try with Camden being the victors 24 -19.

Third grade’s outstanding performances came from debutant Dominic D’Souza, Jono Rae & Jamie Greenwood.

2nd Grade

Uni and Camden both came out playing open Rugby which led to 2 quick tries – the Camden try being scored by Cameron Luke midway between the posts and the  south West corner. After a period of sustained pressure Camden scored from a penalty leaving the score at ½ time 10 – 7 to Camden.

After ½ time Camden allowed Uni to escape to ½ way after having them pinned on their line. There was a period of heavy forward  clashes with Cameron Luke and Willie Ahsam  prominent  while Ben Black controlled the midfield.

After a period of being held on their own line, Uni broke out with the ball scoring against the run of play making it 12 – 10 to Uni. From the ensuing kick off Camden gained control of the ball and scored in the corner, Camden winners by 15 points to 12.

The rams were lead strongly around the park by halfback Ben Black, whilst debutant Ed Mactaggert and Andrew Lynch both had stand out games.

1st Grade

A replay of last years Grand Final lured a good crowd to  Camden Rugby Park. Following the kick off Uni controlled the ball and kicked an early penalty. then kept ball in hand after a ruck penalty and scored in the corner to make it 8 – 0 to Uni.

After the kick off Uni attacked and eventually scored another try near the south Western corner – the conversion was missed score 13 – 0 to Uni. The first ½ was played out with both sides attacking the opponents ½ and both sides having unsuccessful kicks at goal.

Despite continuous pressure from Uni, Camden held them out early in the 2nd half. The roles reversed and uni scrambled to hold out repeated attacks by Camden on the Uni line.

The Camden team all put in  with new players Scott Shoesmith, Mitch Hardy and Ramon Meredith all having  big games. Tyler Aitken was a welcome return and will help Camden ensure they are there in the finals again this year.

Camden’s best on a tough day were Captain & Co-coach Gavin Holder, halfback Michael Messina, lock Tim Windle and Hooker David Gleeson.

 

Camden move their focus to this weekend against Tech Tahs at Saunders Oval.

Please make the trip down and support our boys as they look to push their seasons ahead against the boys from Wollongong Tech.

 

Yours in Rugby,

Phil Wakeford

 

Kick off times

12:20pm - 3rd Grade v Tech Tahs

1:30pm - 2nd Grade v Tech Tahs

3:00pm - 1st Grade v Tech Tahs