The Camden Rams have shown their ability to bounce back with a comprehensive 42-6 win over Appin on Sunday afternoon in Round 4 of the Group Six Rugby League Premiership.
Last weekend the Rams had returned to Camden completely empty handed after copping a 52-0 rout at the hands of the Magpies in Picton.
At yesterday’s match cool conditions greeted players at Appin Sportsground, with a strong breeze at the back of the home side in the first half.
Camden winger Alex Canham opened the scoring early on for the visitors, following a long run from fullback Chris Browne, who had a field day against the Dogs.
Kyle Weh gave the Appin faithful, who turned out in good numbers despite the threatening weather, something to cheer about when he crossed, but it was the only highlight of the day for the Dogs’ fans.
Browne opened his try scoring account for the day almost immediately after Weh’s try. It resulted from an Appin error from the kickoff, which allowed the Rams to retake the lead 12-6 after 15 minutes.
Browne’s next try didn’t come until the shadows of halftime, with the Rams receiving a penalty in the lead up to the try, which saw Camden lead 18-6 at the break.
Whatever the Camden coaching staff said at halftime seemed to work, with the Rams dominating the second half, with another four unanswered tries to the visitors.
Lee Russell opened the second half scoring for the Rams, with 10 minutes gone on the clock, giving the Rams an 18 point lead, and a degree of confidence.
Jake Dooner charged through some feeble Appin defence shortly after to give Camden a 30-6 lead, before Browne bagged a third minutes later.
The game seemed to settle down after that, with Appin resigned to the fact they wouldn’t be keeping their perfect record intact against a determined Camden side.
Nick Crouch ended the scoring with 10 minutes left, and the Rams supporters headed back home to Camden content they had seen their side return to a degree of form against a difficult Appin outfit.
Camden captain/coach Scott Borg was much happier with this week’s performance from his team, knowing they had delivered on the potential which has seen them elevated to among the favourites for the premiership.
Borg said Chris Browne was among the best players for Camden, but paid special praise to Alex Canham, who bounced back from a disappointing match against Picton Magpies last week.
Appin coach Dane Wooden was understandably frustrated after the match, saying the side’s poor completion rate hampered any chance of consistency from the Dogs at home.
Group Six round 4 results:
First Grade – Appin Dogs 6 Camden Rams 42; The Oaks Tigers 10 Picton Magpies 32; Campbelltown City 32 Narellan Jets 34; Mittagong Lions 16 Thirlmere Roosters 18; Oakdale Workers 16 Moss Vale Dragons 36.
Ladder – Picton 8; Moss Vale 7; Camden, Appin 6; The Oaks 4; Campbelltown City 3; Mittagong, Narellan, Thirlmere 2; Oakdale 0
Reserve Grade – Appin 14 Camden 24; The Oaks 6 Picton 26; Campbelltown City 20 Narellan 36; Mittagong 20 Thirlmere 28; Oakdale 28 Moss Vale 4
Ladder – Picton 8; Campbelltown City, Narellan, Camden, Oakdale 6; Thirlmere 4; Mittagong, Appin 2; The Oaks, Moss Vale 0
Under 18 (1) – Campbelltown City 28 Narellan 6; Warragamba Wombats 40 Picton 10. Camden Rams Red – BYE
Ladder – Camden 8; Warragamba 6; Campbelltown City, Thirlmere 4; Moss Vale 2; Picton, Narellan 0
Under 18 (2) – Mittagong 42 Bowral Blues 4
Ladder – Camden Rams Red, Mittagong 4; The Oaks 2; Campbelltown City, Bowral 0
Second Division – Bowral Blues 10 Bargo Bunnies 11; Bundanoon Highlanders 20 Narellan Jets Blue 20; Warragamba Wombats 10 Picton Magpies 12. Mt Annan vs Robertson – Deferred until July 11.
Ladder – Narellan Jets White 8; Picton, Robertson* 6; Mt Annan*, Bargo 4; Bundanoon, Narellan Jets Blue 3; Warragamba, Bowral 2
ROUND 5 first grade:
No matches will be played during this Anzac Day weekend). May 3 will see the resumption of the competition:
Appin vs The Oaks;
Camden vs Moss Vale;
Narellan vs Picton;
Oakdale vs Mittagong;
Thirlmere vs Campbelltown City.
All matches 2.30pm kick off.
• BY MIKE SHEAN
