Rugby Union
Camps triumph in hard fought battle

Camp Hill 38 Whitchurch 16

Midlands One West

DESPITE the convincing nature of the final scoreline, Camp Hill's superiority was only evident in the final quarter of an intriguing contest on Saturday.

Good early cohesion from Whitchurch was turned into points when centre George Brereton collected and dived over for a fourth minute try.

The visitors continued to dominate possession and looked the more likely to add to the their lead but they were made to pay for losing possession at a scrum as Jan van der Walt drew Camps level midway through the half.

Ian Briggs' conversion put the hosts ahead but the lead was short-lived as a result of Whitchurch prop Steve Bloore diving over for a 24th minute try and a 10-7 advantage.

The final score of a keenly contested first half came when Briggs' quick tap penalty allowed him to release fellow centre Simon Edwards to run in for a converted try.

Camps eased further clear at the start of the second half when moving the ball across the pitch superbly for Briggs to provide Edwards with a second converted try.

The 11-point advantage was quickly cut to five though thanks to two Danny Nicholas penalties to leave the contest in the balance going into the final quarter.

It was from this point that Camps took control with their superior fitness coming to the fore.

Briggs' penalty stretched the lead to eight points before a superb Edwards run ended with him feeding right winger Mark Lisle to touch down for his first try in Camps' colours, Briggs converted.

Lisle did not have to wait long to score a second when he intercepted a stray pass to speed over and Briggs conversion completed the scoring in what was an absorbing affair.

The victory leaves Camps eighth in the table, two places below Lichfield who they visit on Saturday (2.15pm).