Camberley 28, Thurrock 18

THURROCK RFC travelled to high -ranking Camberley on Saturday in search of a much needed away victory only to come away empty handed after a hard fought game between two evenly matched teams.

Thurrock had brought back Charlie Currie for his first game in 18 months. The outstanding young prop has been recovering from a serious leg injury but there was no sign of that as he thundered back into action!

Thurrock got off to their usual bright start and started to pose some serious questions of the Camberley defence and after a series of encouraging attacks and forward drives Sam Stanley put Thurrock ahead with a straightforward penalty.

Camberley restarted and were immediately on the attack. A good run and chip ahead by Jaid Wiltshire was repelled by some Essex doggedness before the home side were awarded an attacking penalty. From the resultant line-out the forwards drove strongly towards the Thurrock posts and, after a crab-like movement, hooker Dylan Emerton touched down for fly-half Matt Dalrymple to convert.

Now there was all out attack from Camberley with Dalrymple pulling the strings and second-rows Sammut and Bryant providing plenty of line,-out possession. Thurrock had been forced to select captain,Russo in the second row and the lack of height was a bit of a handicap.

Just when it seemed as if the pressure was beginning to tell, a mid-field manoeuvre was identified by brilliant Kiwi Dylan Fearon and he intercepted a Joe Price pass before haring for the Camberley line.

Just as the cover defence seemed to be in control of the situation, the ubiquitous Joss Nunn appeared in the outside channel. There was no stopping this fine athlete as he sprinted away from the distraught defenders!

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Once again Thurrock reverted to type with Camberley on the attack. However the heavy conditions,exacerbated by a broken water main,were taking their toll. After a series of inconsequential long passes,the ball went to ground. Opportunism is key to Dan Stone's game and the 10 ,turned winger,saw his chance.Latching on to an ill-conceived move, he fly-kicked the loose ball on the volley. Accelerating through the mud he gathered on the run to score a fine individual try in the corner which Sam Stanley failed to convert.

With half-time approaching,Camberley launched an attack from deep. Left winger, Alex Turton made a great break down the left wing only to be denied by a magnificent cover tackle from the hard chasing Dan Stone. However, Turton managed to set up a maul and No.8 Ryan Gregory crashed over. Dalrymple added a difficult conversion to send the home side in with an unexpected half time lead.

At the start of the second half Charlie Currie replaced young Jack Cowman to make his ling-awaited return to Thurrock colours and what a powerful statement he made! After a series of powerful drives only a difficult dropped pass denied the Oakfield outfit and then ,with Thurrock's forwards showing great tenacity Anthony Catchpole drove over in a style reminiscent of his father, ex Saracens and Pontypridd back rower, Dave! Again, conversions were proving difficult with the heavy ball resembling those of the 1960s!

Against the run of play, Camberley were given a series of penalties and their line-out began to restore some sort of order to their game. First Lewis Bryant was able to capitalise from a series of driving mauls and after a fine break from Josh Wright, Camberley were back on the attack.

At this point,Thurrock were forced to re-arrange their back division. Earl Gorman who had been outstanding up to that point, was forced from the field. The thick, cloying mud had tugged away at his hamstring and he sought relief with physio, Alex Evans in attendance. This meant that back rower, Rob Murphy moved to the çentre and the brilliantly versatile youngster Kodie Holloway providing real dynamism in the back row. Alex Jones brought experience to replace Jake Bedding.

After a number of brief sorties,another isolated Camberley drive enabled scrum-half Tom Chennell to scamper over. Dalrymple poured on the agony by nailing the conversion.

Stanley re-started and immediately Thurrock were on the attack. First a deliberate knock on and a series of off-side incidents led to a succession of penalties against the home side. Thurrock opted for the corners in a bold attempt to win the game. Time and time again they were held up close to the line.

There were six penalties in the "Red-Zone" which would normally have led to a "yellow card", but Camberley, somewhat luckily, were able to withstand the crisis! Sad for Thurrock who had played their part in a thoroughly competitive game and had,at least,deserved a share of the spoils.

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This Saturday Thurrock entertain Belsize Park at Oakfield. Kick-Off is at 3pm.

Prior to that Thurrock pay tribute to outstanding Team Manager Kevin Hymas whose funeral will be held at St John The Baptist Church, Tilbury at 11:00 am on Friday.