Havant remain top despite tough loss

Havant against Camberley does not disappoint, arguably the top two sides in Regional 1 South-Central (no disrespect to the other ten clubs), battled it out to a standstill at Watchetts Rec.
The rugby values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship will be adhered to, leaving my thoughts and impressions of how the game really played out unwritten.
With Will Knight again having to shuffle an ever-decreasing number of players around, the team took to the field with the faithful cheering. All that wore the shirt gave 110% as always.
So, let's begin, with a bright start for the men in blue and white hoops. On the front foot for the opening twenty-five minutes with only a penalty to show for all their endeavors would they rue the wasted opportunities? The break-down and line-out were working well giving the backs a platform, the scrum not so, with the big Camberley pack in control of that.
This game would be about mistakes and who would take advantage. The first was a loose pass in the backs and an interception try giving Camberley a lead which was extended further from a penalty making the score 10-3, against the run of play.
Havant however stayed calm and continued to make chances, Jacob Knight reduced the arrears with another penalty and right on halftime Harrison Young scored an excellent team try thus giving Havant a halftime lead. We will leave out the high hits and indiscretions in the maul.

Half-time Camberley 10 Havant 13

Remembering rugby values. The opening fifteen minutes was almost one way traffic with Camberley on Havant's 5m line. After nine resets! of the scrum and as many penalties oh and two yellow cards reducing Havant to twelve players! and non-contested scrums Camberley finally scored another try edging back in front at 17-13.
Another Jacob Knight penalty closed the gap, only to be cancelled out by a Camberley penalty this game was going to the wire.
Into the final ten minutes or so we thought. The volume of the crowd from the sidelines went up several decibels as both sets of supporters sensed an important win. The arm wrestle continued with no quarter given. With Havant having the upper hand, a clear try from Jarod Leat was chalked off for being held up. Then Camberley had a chance, but the move broke down due to a stray pass.
It was Havant's turn to apply some pressure again with the forwards advancing into the Camberley twenty-two. Closer and closer till they were on the try line, suddenly the ball was whipped out to the wing where James Wise was waiting to finish off the move, Havant back in front 20-21. The belief was growing, surely not a win at Watchetts? it would have been a first since the early 2000's.
It was not to be poor decisions had Havant back on their own 5m line and after only a brief period of pressure the referee went under the posts and signaled a penalty try whilst also reducing Havant to 14 with a red card. Camberley had their noses back in front at 27-21.
One more chance, a penalty kicked to touch, a 5m lineout and catch and drive. It all happened; the ending however was a bundle into touch with shouts of foul play falling on deaf ears.
The return is on the 13th of January I'll leave it there.

Full-time Camberley 27 Havant 21

Will Knight's thoughts after the game "
"Clearly, we are disappointed with the result. Camberley are a hard nut to crack especially at their place. We will look at our missed opportunities and move on. There wasn't much in it, and we probably played the better rugby but ultimately the period of repeated scrums on our line cost us. I thought our response when down to 12 was excellent but we failed to convert chances late on."