Havant spoil Cam party with late converted try
IT WAS hosts Havant who were happier with the result as Camberley drew their top-of-the-table clash in Hampshire on Saturday.
The Regional One South Central game ended 34-34 to leave Camberley six points ahead of their hosts, having played two more games.
Havant’s brisk start saw them win a penalty in front of the posts, which they duly slotted after just four minutes.
The restart was well managed by Camberley and Ray Morunga put play deep into the red zone. Another good break by Connor Hayhow saw a five-metre lineout on the other side, this time with Camberley throwing in. The well-constructed lineout drive was too much for the Havant No 8 with Antonio Ripata crossing for an unconverted try.
Camberley were lucky when a penalty straight on to the posts was pushed wide and then, following another great defensive set, Hayhow played a perfect 50/22 although the lineout did not go to plan. George Owen was flattened as he returned the defensive kick and this proved costly to the hosts as the tackler won 10 minutes on the naughty step while the resultant penalty again took Camberley into the red zone. After another perfectly executed lineout catch, Ripata claimed his second try of the day and, although it was not converted, Camberley were ahead 10-3.
However, this lead was destined to be short as the hosts again showed their competitiveness by building pressure again in the Cam 22, and on 25 minutes they crossed for a converted try; 10-10.
With five minutes of the half remaining, they then retook the lead, for 17-10.
The final moments of the half were nothing if not exciting as, first, another Havant player was given 10 minutes in the sin bin before George Owen crossed for a textbook score, with Max McCarthy adding the extras; 17-17.
The first 10 minutes of the second period saw Camberley pull out all the stops and eventually, from an uncontested scrum 10 metres from the line, Mac Duaibe charged over for another converted try and a 24-17 lead.
Yet the hosts equalised again with a converted try, but Camberley pushed 29-24 ahead when, from a good scrum in the Havant half, Alex Young went over for a well-worked five points.
Into the last 10 minutes and Havant opted for a simple penalty to make things tasty at 29-27.
In the dying minutes some magic hands between forwards and backs saw Owen again in the right place at the right time to force his way over in the corner. The conversion slid wide but the score moved to 34-27 into time added on. A couple of unforced and uncharacteristic errors from the restart saw the advantage swing to the hosts and in the dying moments they managed to breach the tired Camberley defence and score with a conversion, taking the score to 34-34 at the final whistle. The Camberley squad were absolutely gutted and the home side jubilant.
Camberley are next in action on Saturday January 27 when they host Tunbridge Wells.