Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory

Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory

In a game where the lead changed 10 times and the result was always in doubt and it was Camp Hill who edged victory in the dying moments. The wind and rain made thing difficult for both sides but the Lions took advantage of the elements with an early Owen Wiiliams penalty.

Camp Hill soon retook the lead with their forwards exerted pressure in the Lions 22 who were penalised for taking down a maul and when the ball was finally released the Camp Hill backs who went through for a try which they were unable to convert.
Camp Hill were dominating the set piece and Stourbridge were very competitive in the loose. The Lions regained the lead with another well-struck penalty from fly half Owen Williams who put a clever kick through the Camp Hill defence, which was picked up by George Tildsley who drew his man and then put Owen Williams through for a try in the corner to take the Stourbridge lead to 11-5.

Camp Hill were then awarded a penalty, which the kicked into the corner. The resultant maul took them over the line, but with the referee deciding the evidence was inconclusive it only delayed the inevitable as the resultant scrum walked the Lions back over their own line for a try that was also converted. At half time Camp Hill lead 12 -11

The lead changed hands again early in the second half when the Lions started a sweeping back move from deep in their own half that ended up with an excellent George Tildsley try in the corner to restore the lead by a point.The Camp Hill forwards were still a force and another drive saw them stopped just short of the line. Their resulting scrum did it’s work again, driving the Lions back over their own line for another try. The lead was short-lived as more Stourbridge initiative resulted in a penalty being conceded in front of the post Owen Williams did his duty and Lions were back in front.

Camp Hill edged back into the lead when a wonky drop goal just crept over the posts. The Lions then struck back with another piece enterprising back play which again saw George Tilldsley over the line for fully deserved try, converted by Owen Williams and the Lions now leading 24-20 with just 3 minutes left on the clock.

An indiscretion by the Lions gave away a penalty which Camp Hill kicked to the corner. The Camp Hill catch and drive had been working well all afternoon and this was no different with the forwards maul pushing the Lions backwards and over their own line for what was to be the winning score with just 15 seconds left on the clock.

Not a game of two halves more of a game of two contrasting styles with the Camp Hill forwards dominant, particularity in the set pieces and the Lions backs carving out space and opportunities whenever they moved the ball out wide.

Final score Camp Hill 25 -24 Stourbridge Lions