Camden Rams rugby club have confirmed their revival is well and truly under way after defeating neighbours Campbelltown Harlequins in a local derby thriller, reports ANDREW CHOICE:
In the 2024 season return bout of the local derby, Camden squeezed out Harlequins 33-29 at Camden Rugby club on Saturday.
Despite scoring five tries to three, Campbelltown were always chasing the game in the face of a mounting penalty count.
Inside six minutes Harlequins were down 6-0, courtesy of two penalty goals.
Quins hit back quickly to score but soon leaked a try to trail 11-7 with 20 minutes gone.
Harlequins scored again to lead 14-11 however another Camden penalty goal as the halftime hooter blew saw the teams go to the break locked at 14-14.
The scores again seesawed through the second half and with a minute to go Camden found themselves in front 30-29.
Off the re-start a puzzling penalty gave Camden the opportunity to close the game out by adding another three points to the total to win the thriller.
While the Harlequins may be disappointed with the penalty count and a dubious try, they need to address the inability to take the referee’s decision making out of the game.
They are capable of winning this competition, however they need to become more clinical at the breakdown and generate more momentum from phase play.
It has been a disjointed five weeks for them, having played just one game during this period.
While this could be seen in the disjointed first grade performance, it was fully exposed in second grade.
Missing a number of key players, seconds found themselves down 29 points to 7 at half time.
A spirited performance in the second half saw Quins close within 10 points midway through the second half.
Down on numbers fatigue set in for them though, and Camden ran out winners 39 points to 19.
It was a very courageous effort against the competition leaders and the group should take heart as they push toward the semis.
Earlier in the day there was some much better news for the Quins with their women’s team defeating Western Sydney Raptors 34-0.
The win showed the progress that has been made within the group since the Raptors ran away with a convincing win in round one.
The Sydney Women’ competition has split into two divisions for the second round and Quins are in Division B.
While disappointed not to be in the top group the Harlequins ladies are now firm favourites to take out Division B – it is looking like a great first year for the girls.
IDR ROUND 13 RESULTS – FIRST GRADE:
Bowral 48Defeated Tech Waratahs 22
Camden 33 DefeatedCampbelltown Harlequins 29
Shamrocks 45 Defeated Vikings 12
Kiama, Shoalhaven, Bye
SECOND GRADE:
Bowral 40 Defeated Tech Waratahs 19
Camden 39 DefeatedCampbelltown Harlequins 19
Shamrocks 12 Defeated Vikings 10
University 24 Defeated Shoalhaven 22
Kiama Bye
