Darts welcome Camberley

Darts entertained Camberley hoping to improve on the fixture earlier in the season. While Darts have been competitive in the forwards throughout the season injuries in the backs has meant that they have been unable to field a consistent set of backs and this showed against Camberleys classy backs. The match started at a fast pace with Camberley putting on the early pressure and after forcing Darts to concede a penalty took an early lead. 0-3. Darts hit back with some good play between the backs and forwards and their confidence grew when they demolished the visiting scrum against the head. Darts phase play was excellent and the defensive organisation of the Camberley was outstanding but both sides were rackling ferociously. There was nothing between the sides with Darts not allowing the visitors any time or space but it was Camberley who added the next score with another penalty. 0-6. Skipper Si Briggs playing in the centre from his normal flanker position was putting in a great shift supported well by Ollie Edwards and both wings Liam an d Ashley were keeping the opposition backs under control. Following a great break by Si the ball found the excellent James Burton who took the ball on before chipping the ball behind the defence. A great chase forced a penalty which was taken quickly but Camberley were not bck 10 and another penalty awarded. An off the ball moment saw Camberley reduced to 14 men with a yellow card and Darts didn't take their foot off the pedal and their pressure eventually created space out wide for Ashley Hadler to score in the corner. Mike Briggs converted to give Darts a 7-6 half time lead.
Straight from the kick off Darts were on the front foot and with their scrum dominant never allowed Camberley to get back on the front foot. Another quickly taken penalty by James Burton got the ball going forwatd and the visitors couldn't recover and after a couple of quick phases the ball was moved wide to Liam Brencher who dodged over the line. 12-6. The match was well poised with the final result in the balance and both sides were still playing at a high pace but unfortunately for the home side they gave away another penalty which allowed the Camberley fly half to kick deep into the Darts half. From the line out Camberley went back to basics and kept the ball close and after a series of drives went over for their first try which was well converted from out wide. 12-13. The game became a little scrappy as both sides were beginning to feel the pace of the match but this seemed to suit the visitors better and after conceding a couple more pens which put play into the Darts half and again it was basic tight play which extended the Camberley lead to 12-20. Darts did all they could to get back into match and at least get a bonus point but the defensive strength of the visitors stifled every attacking moment.
Although aloss it was a vast improvement on the previous encounter and with a bit more patience could have possibly won the match and clearly showed they deserve to be in this league. There were many good performances but Player of the Match was given to 19 year old James Burton who showed great skill and maturity at scrum half.