Every Camden Rams player had a big smile on his face as he came back up to the Kirkham Park dressings room yesterday afternoon.
And no wonder, with the team most pundits have been tipping to win the Macarthur Conference rugby league premiership qualifying for another grand final after a Father’s Day romp at Kirkham Park against Mittagong Lions.
Camden, who had enjoyed a week off as reward for finishing as minor premiers, put 48 points on the Southern Highlanders, who posted 16 points of their own.
It was a nine tries to three mauling, with Camden second rower Jack Miller bagging two.
The match was played at the Rams home ground in front of a big crowd and in brilliant Spring sunshine.
Camden also converted six from nine goal attempts, while centre Bryson Goodwin kicked all three on offer for Mittagong.
It will be massive task for the Lions to recover from this heavy defeat if they can bounce back and win the elimination final against the Thirlmere Roosters this Sunday.
The venue for Week 3 of the finals is Victoria Park, Picton.
In the earlier game at Kirkham Park, Thirlmere broke the hearts of Oakdale Workers with a 20-18 win to stay alive in the 2023 premiership race.
The Workers looked set for another fairytale finish, but it wasn’t to be this season.
They have had another great season and should hold their heads high.
It was a four tries to three affair, with the Roosters kicking two from four, while Oakdale kicked all three on offer.
In the meantime, the Camden Rams get another week off to rest up for the big dance in a fortnight’s time.
They will play the winner of this weekend’s elimination final between Mittagong Lions and Thirlmere Roosters.
RESULTS: SEMI FINALS WEEK 2
Elimination final: Thirlmere Roosters 20 Oakdale Workers 18
Major final: Camden Rams 48 Mittagong Lions 16
SEMI FINALS WEEK 3: Victoria Park, Picton, Sunday, September 9, kick off at 3pm
Mittagong Lions v Thirlmere Roosters
