2/4/2008

Sport

Rugby - Second half display earns Vandals win

Weybridge Vandals          20      
Camberley                            3

A SUPERB second half performance by Weybridge Vandals in which they scored two converted tries gave them a hard fought but well deserved victory over Camberley side at Brownacres on Saturday.

Despite playing with a wind advantage in the first half, Vandals were slow out of the traps.

The Weybridge side dominated the forward exchanges in the first half but struggled to convert pressure into points and had only a precarious six point lead from two penalties by half time.

Camberley must have been pleased with their first forty minute's work in which they denied Vandals' try scoring opportunities, but come the second half their attacking play was exposed as fundamentally weak and lacking any real presentation and Vandals, having defended for long periods, took the game by the scruff of the neck forcing Camberley first to concede a penalty try and then to leak a second.

There was no way back for Camberley and Vandals held on to a match winning lead to record a comfortable win.

Playing with the wind in their favour Vandals gained plenty of possession, but were unable to find a way through for an early try.

Their frustration was compounded by conceding several penalties at crucial points but they eventually did take the lead when a kick from Darren Livett forced the visitors to concede a penalty that Hunt converted.

The same player put over a second kick after Camberley were again forced to fall foul of the referee, but Vandals needed a try to establish a more solid lead before half time.

This was not forthcoming and Camberley turned round perhaps wondering why they were only down by six points, but also confident now that the elements were in their favour that they had every chance of overhauling Vandals' total and going on to take the spoils.

Camberley duly pressed hard in the opening minutes of the second period, and after missing an early penalty made amends with a second kick which gave them the impetus they needed.

But it was at this point of the game that their lack of flair in attack was exposed and as hard as they tried to get a vital try they were repelled by a resilient Vandals' defence who were determined not just to hang on to their lead but to establish a scoreline from which Camberley would be unable to recover.

With Vandals winning the battle up front, the visitors had to attack from behind the gain line. Two vital turnovers to Vandals gave them the confidence needed to re-establish their authority on the game.

They moved upfield and created a firm footing inside Camberley's twenty two and they rushed forward from a maul forcing Camberley to collapse it and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

This may have been too harsh a  decision but the advantage was now with Vandals and they duly settled the outcome when flanker Hedger and scrum half Clark set up a try for centre Painter.

Camberley rallied with spirit and determination but could not penetrate a rock solid Vandals' defence.

Victory for Vandals was  welcome after defeats by Gosport and London South Africa.

Should the Weybridge side complete the double over Petersfield in their last league match they will probably finish midtable after a torrid start to the season.

First printed in: News & Mail Series