The Campbelltown Harlequins paid the price for poor discipline by narrowly losing to Camden 24-19 in round four of the competition.
Harlequins scored three tries to two, but an enthusiastic Camden team deserved their victory in front of their fans at Camden Rugby Park on Saturday.
Yet it was the visitors who scored first 17 minutes into the first half. A good sequence of play down the left hand side of the field led to a Campbelltown try out wide to lead 5-0.
Off the back of a number of penalties, Camden were able to mount sustained pressure and were rewarded with a lineout eight metres from the line.
A well constructed drive toward the Harlequin line resulted in a Campbelltown infringement and a penalty try to Camden, who jumped to the lead on the scoreboard, 7-5.
Campbelltown then started to get some field position and constructed a good attacking raid in the 30th minute only to see the ball spilt in the goal.
Camden responded with a long range penalty in the 34th minute to extend their lead to 10-5.
From the kick off Harlequin immediately went back on the attack and their persistence was rewarded in the 38th minute with a try to lead 12-10.
But in what was becoming a trend, Harlequins immediately gave away yet another penalty which was converted to see Camden Lead 13-12 at the break.
Early in the second half, Camden capitalised on a defensive error from Harlequins to score again to extend its lead to 20-12.
After going long periods without the ball, Campbelltown finally got some possession midway through the second half to score and reduce the margin to 20-19.
Just moments later Camden received a penalty, which was successful and once again extended their lead, this time to what the final score, 24-19.
While Harlequin dominated territory for the rest of the game, repeated errors and a rising penalty count prevented them from scoring more points.
Earlier in the day Camden defeated Harlequins in second grade 32-19.
The lady Harlequins traveled to Gordon only to go down to Gordon 22-10 in what was a tight game for the girls.
It was another disappointing result for the young team against one of the competition heavyweights, however they are improving each week.
This week they will be looking forward to getting home this Saturday to take on Warringah at 5pm at Campbelltown Showground.
The men’s teams are also at home this Saturday, when they will host the Shamrocks in round five.
Second grade will kick off at 1.30pm, followed by first grade at 3pm, followed by the women’s clash at 5pm.
Sounds like a great afternoon of rugby, see you all there.
- By ANDREW CHOICE
ILLAWARRA DISTRICT RUGBY UNION ROUND 4 RESULTS – FIRST GRADE:
Vikings 21 Defeated Bowral 15
Camden 23 Defeated Campbelltown Harlequins 19
Kiama 34Defeated Shamrocks 25
Shoalhaven Bye
SECOND GRADE:
Bowral 35 Defeated Vikings12
Camden 32 DefeatedCampbelltown Harlequins 19
Shamrocks 33 Defeated Kiama 22
Tech Waratahs 24 Defeated University 21
Shoalhaven Bye
