Camden have kept the pressure on Picton at the top of the Group Six Rugby League ladder following a 32-20 win at home over a dogged Appin outfit on Sunday afternoon, reports MIKE SHEAN.
Both sides were desperate for the two points from the round 13 clash, with the teams well inside the top five as the business end of the season approaches.
James O’Neill finally opened the scoring for the home side after 15 minutes.
Chris Browne added his name to the Camden tryscorers’ list five minutes later, to take the score to 12-0 in favour of the Rams.
Alex Canham scored a third for Camden six minutes later, and the Rams seemed to be in control of the match at 16-0.
However someone forgot to tell the visitors, who returned fire with two quick tries of their own.
Touchdowns to Blair Blanchette and Sou Kamuta went unconverted but there was no doubt Appin were back in the game at 16-8 when the first stanza was completed and the players headed to the sheds.
The Dogs resumed barking after the restart when Tom Moon, playing in the front row, scored early to set up the match for the visitors.
Indeed the Dogs went to the lead for the first time in the match when Matt McCauley crossed in the right corner.
That was 10 minutes into the second half and the score read Appin Dogs 20 Camden Rams 16.
Rams supporters would have got a little nervous at this turn of events, but they shouldn’t have worried.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]The Rams ramped up the intensity to show why they’re being considered a serious premiership threat – scoring four tries to wrap up victory and the two premiership points.[/social_quote]
Centre Dean Collis levelled the scores at the hour mark, following a nice movement down the Camden right side.
Alex Canham then bagged a second six minutes later to put the Rams back in front, before Chris Browne scored his second for the day, giving him the 200 point milestone for the season in the process.
Collis finished the scoring with a second try of his own, after Browne set up the try with a nice run upfield late in the match.
Camden captain/coach Scott Borg was again a relieved man after the match, admitting his side hadn’t been at their best for the entire 80 minutes.
Borg said his side clocking off early in the second half was a concern, especially with the competition not being a foregone conclusion as many experts believe.
Borg admitted his side needed to focus on their efforts against The Oaks next week and then prepare for the remainder of the season.
ROUND 13 RESULTS:
First Grade
Narellan Jets 36 Campbelltown City 4;
Moss Vale Dragons 28 Oakdale Workers 12;
Camden Rams 32 Appin Dogs 20;
Thirlmere Roosters 4 Mittagong Lions 36;
Picton Magpies 32 The Oaks Tigers 22
LADDER
Camden, Picton 22
Appin 15
Moss Vale 13
Mittagong 12
Narellan 10
The Oaks 9
Campbelltown City, Thirlmere 7
Oakdale 5.
Reserve Grade
Narellan 50 Campbelltown City 16;
Moss Vale 0 Oakdale 78;
Camden 40 Appin 4;
Thirlmere 24 Mittagong 30;
Picton 40 The Oaks 0
Under 18 (1)
Narellan 26 Campbelltown City 16;
Thirlmere 8 Camden 18;
Picton 20 Warragamba 24
Under 18 (2)
Camden Rams Red 12 Campbelltown City 36
Second Division
Bargo Bunnies 18 Bowral Blues 10;
Narellan Jets Blue 28 Bundanoon Highlanders 30;
Robertson Spuddies 30 Mt Annan Knights 34;
Picton Magpies 30 Warragamba Wombats 12
Next week (Deferred matches – Round 11, First Grade only – Home Teams Listed First):
Moss Vale vs Campbelltown City (Sat 7.30pm);
The Oaks vs Camden;
Mittagong vs Narellan;
Picton vs Oakdale (all Sun 2.30pm)
