Transition to hooker paying off for Terry
IT’S almost two years since Cameron Terry made the transition from the back row to hooker at Ealing Trailfinders and despite a difficult journey, the 23-year-old has enjoyed learning the dark arts of the scrum.
Having been out on loan at National One side Chinnor last season, Terry is relishing his first full season playing for the Championship holders and feels he’s adjusted to the step up well.
He said: “I was quite lucky with injuries to start with and got my shot, and have been involved in 11 games now. This level is absolutely fine. I played one game for London Scottish against
Bedford and then Ealing called me back. It’s a step up from National 1. I’m enjoying it and the boys have been behind me.”
Terry played in Gloucester’s back row in three Premiership Cup games during the 2018/19 season but was put in the throwing group by Ealing director of rugby Ben Ward two years ago due to his lack of spring at 6ft.
He added: “I don’t think I was tall enough to play back row and I wasn’t very good at jumping in the line-out, so Wardy put me in the throwing group to teach me how to throw with a few extra sessions here and there and it’s transitioned from there.
“I hit my first scrum two years ago this month, so it’s been a hard journey with a lot of learning of the dark arts but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Ealing possess an embarrassment of riches in most positions and at hooker in particular they are strong, so Terry enjoys picking the brains of his teammates.
He said: “The experience at hooker is ridiculous; you’ve got Alun Walker who’s transitioned me to hooker and has helped me so much, Kevin O’Byrne has got 90-plus caps for Munster, Shaun Malton has played in the Premiership for Exeter, and Jan Henning Campher has played Super Rugby. So learning from them has helped me so much.”
Ealing haven’t had it all their own way this season losing three of their last five games in all competitions. Terry knows they must treat every game going forward as a cup final if they are to achieve their goals of winning both the Championship and the Championship Cup.
He said: “Away to Caldy wasn’t the best result for us and we’ve had three losses from five with a bit of rotation against Jersey
last weekend. I can’t really put my finger on it.
“There’s disappointment in ourselves after losing those three games. I think the boys know it’s not like us and I think every week all we try to do is our best and hopefully get the win each week.
“I want to be involved as much as I can in reaching the end goal of winning the league and the cup and hopefully securing promotion. If I’m not involved and the team make that then I’ll still be delighted to have played a part. We haven’t heard anything from the RFU in regards to promotion to the Premiership, so we’re just focused on trying to win games and win the league, then hopefully everything else can take care of itself.”