Compelling and Competitive at Camberley

Regardless of which club you followed this was an absolute treat of a game to watch. Like all good stories it ebbed and flowed, all protagonists (on both sides) had important parts to play and the ending wasn't certain until the last plays of the game. Gripping!!
Camberley won the toss, chosing to revieve and Alton opting to play into a stiff breeze for the first half on what was otherwise a bright crisp autmumnal morning.
Both teams were quickly into their work. Direct, strong and with good support Camberley had the upper hand. However Alton were resolute in defense, and despite having the smaller pack put Camberley under considerable pressure in the scrums. But in the early exchanges it seemed it would be only matter of time before Camberley would break through, and indeed they did 10 mins into the first quarter.
By now Alton having spent considerable time defending started to find their feet going forward. Passes started to find their targets and agressive accurate rucking meant Alton had a better platform to launch repeated forrays over the gain line! They were eventually rewarded with a try in the final minutes of the quater. After a series of direct pick and go with, close support, phases Sam Thirwall went over to draw level.
This was certainly the theme for the next three Alton tries quick recycled head ups rugby with Gethin Burfoot, Conor Furey and Zeph Perring rewarded with excellent blind side sniping tries.
However Camberley rallied pulling 2 tries back going into the final quarter. 1 try in it!! Alton 20 Camberley 15.
Alton with the wind on their backs used the elements to their advantage. Camberley were pinned their half and kicking into the breeze. Reminiscent of the Farrell, Ford, Daly counter to score aganist Wales in the 2019 Six Nations, Will Pack collecting a clearnace, attacked the vacant right flank drew first defender to Charlie Kavanagh who in turn shipped to Charile Rand for superb finish in the corner. By now Alton confidence was high, off the back of a scrum on the Camberley 22 Pack straightening cutting inside the first defender quickly moved the ball wide through the hands of the backline for Charlie Jones to finish off the 'team try' of the encounter. Alton up 30:15.
With 5 minutes remaining Camberley were certainly not wilting! With the comfort of a 3 try lead Alton defended as if it was much closer.
Such a great game for both sides to have been part of and we hope we can conjure up more of the same when Camberley come to Antsey later in the season. Well done boys!