The Group Six Rugby League premiership has taken a twist, after Camden mauled the Picton Magpies 32-18 at Kirkham Park on Sunday afternoon, reports Mike Shean:
The match was billed as a heavyweight battle, and for over 40 minutes that’s what the large crowd got on a fine afternoon for open, attacking football.
Rory Vale opened the scoring for Picton after 10 minutes, following a long ball down the Picton left, which allowed the speedy winger to score in the corner.
Camden blew a golden opportunity to score on 20 minutes, when winger Josh Goulton appeared to cross, but stepped on the sideline before planting the ball down.
Opposite winger Alex Canham finally crossed for Camden, with 12 minutes before halftime, following a long run from fullback Chris Browne, which led to the Rams first try.
Picton hooker Anthony Provost scored a typical try six minutes before halftime when he ran from dummy half to the tryline and extend the Picton lead to 12-4, which was the scoreline at the break.
The game came to life eight minutes after the resumption when Ben Weir and Jakiel Mariner were both sent off for fighting after a scuffle following a tackle.
Camden seemed to respond better to the adjustment in personnel, with halfback and captain/coach Scott Borg scoring a solo try to reduce the margin for the locals.
Minutes later Canham bagged his second after Scott Borg kicked a 40/20 kick that gave Camden field position in the Picton half.
Chris Browne added his name to the tryscorers list following a set move which saw the fullback cross to give Camden an eight point lead with 18 minutes remaining.
Ryan Borg then added a late double in the space of nine minutes which sealed the victory for the Rams, despite Jack Twist crossing inside the last 10 minutes to make the match interesting for the visitors spectators.
Borg’s second try with three minutes on the clock produced the final score, a 32-18 win for the home side.
After the match Camden were presented with the inaugural Harvey Shepherd Shield.
Camden captain/coach Scott Borg was pleased with the efforts from his side after the game, but said he wasn’t getting too excited with the result. Borg said his side was completely different from the team which met the Magpies in the first round of the season.
Borg also recognised the tough challenges ahead, including taking on third placed Appin Dogs next weekend.
Borg praised his brother Ryan’s performance in the win, along with Sam Campbell, who was among the better forwards for the Rams.
RESULTS, FIRST GRADE:
Campbelltown City 38 Mittagong Lions 10;
Oakdale Workers 22 Appin Dogs 22;
Camden Rams 32 Picton Magpies 18;
Narellan Jets 48 The Oaks Tigers 32;
Thirlmere Roosters 20 Moss Vale Dragons 34
Reserve Grade:
Campbelltown City 36 Mittagong 20;
Oakdale 20 Appin 10;
Camden 18 Picton 18;
Narellan 46 The Oaks 6;
Thirlmere 24 Moss Vale 12
Under 18 (1):
Camden 32 Picton 10;
Narellan 26 Warragamba 4;
Thirlmere 72 Moss Vale 10
Under 18 (2):
Campbelltown City 16 Mittagong 32
Second Division:
Bundanoon Highlanders 40 Bargo Bunnies 20;
Mt Annan Knights 14 Picton Magpies 12;
Narellan Jets White 32 Bowral Blues 6;
Robertson Spuddies 20 Narellan Jets Blue 24
Next Week – Round 13 First Grade:
Narellan vs Campbelltown City (Sat 7.30pm) Narellan Sportsground.
Moss Vale vs Oakdale (Sun 2.30pm) – Community Oval, Moss Vale;
Camden vs Appin (Sun 2.30pm) – Kirkham Park, Camden;
Thirlmere vs Mittagong (Sun 2.30pm) – Thirlmere Sportsground;
Picton vs The Oaks (Sun 2.30pm) – Victoria Park, Picton.
