Rams Hold Out Vikings
ReportIn a dour defense oriented match at Camden Rugby Park on Saturday, Camden Rams held on to win their round 14 IDRU Builders Club Premiership match by 24 points to 19 over semi-final rivals Vikings. After running with the wind in the first half, the Rams held a 24 to 10 advantage at the break, hanging on to win after a try free second forty.

With a strong first half kicking game from fly half Ben Greentree

Camden had the better of the first half running in three tries to two, but it was Vikings who posted the first tries for an early lead. After five minutes rangy lock Chris Isles broke clear of the Rams defense on the halfway line and found the busy Simon Watts in support. Watts initially sprinted clear and when the defense closed in he kicked ahead and won the race to the ball to score the match’s first try.

Greentree kicked a penalty goal for the Rams three minutes later, but it was try time again for the Blueys at the twelve minute mark from a scrum on the halfway line. A superbly worked backline play saw fullback Chris Nanasi finish off with a forty meter run to the line for Vikings to take the lead to 10 – 3.

The next twenty five minutes till half-time belonged

Camden as they found great composure to control the play and score three tries before the break. The first came after seventeen minutes, when after four phases of play on the Vikings line, left winger Faaleiila Tuaoi popped up on the right to score and with Greentree’s conversion the scores were equal at 10 – 10.

Seven minutes later, with the Rams forwards again putting on three phases of play at the Vikings line it was lock Mark Morris who forced his way over for their second try. Converted again by Greentree the Rams were out to 17 – 10. Within two minutes of half-time it was the Rams backs turn to shine when full back Mark June swept into the backline went wide and made space for center Junior Mapesone to take the inside pass and score. Greentree added the extras for the 24 – 10 score line at the break.

The second half saw both sides fail to find the intensity in attack required to add to their try tally

In what can only be described as a dour second half, an overwhelming penalty count in their favor allowed Vikings to bridge the gap on the score board. Blues halfback Michael Maidment kicked three penalty goals to bring the Blueys within five points of the lead but neither side could mount sufficient pressure in attack to breach their opponent’s goal line.

Simon Watts was busy for the Blueys

Andrew Barrett made good use of the wind in the second half with his long kicking game keeping Vikings in good field position. Aaron Loxley had a strong match for the Rams and Junior Mapesone was effective in the backs troubling the Vikings defense on many occasions. Both sides defended well but will need to be more creative in attack if they are to figure in the big end of season finals matches.