Top of the table clash ends in stalemate

The biggest gate of the season witnessed a titanic arm wrestle between the top two sides in Regional 1 South-Central.
Camberley came to Hooks Lane, top, and six points clear although Havant have two games in hand.
Selection saw the return of Joel Knight after his lengthy time on the sidelines. The pack had one change from the win over Bournemouth the week before, Tam Lindsay replacing the unavailable Jez Smith. Luke Marks was making his 164 appearances from the bench and Reuben Knight making his 50th appearance. There was a impeccable minutes silence for Peter Byng (former player, supporter and grumpy).
Havant made a quick start but found themselves having to make an early change with hooker Sean Shepherd taking no further part in the game. Luke Marks found himself in an unfamiliar position but still in the front row. A couple of play later and Camberley infringed, the resulting penalty was kicked by captain Jacob Knight, Havant led 3-0.
It was not long before we saw Camberley on the attack and a 5meter catch and drive resulted in the first try of the afternoon. The conversion missed Camberley led 3-5.
Jacob Knight had another penalty chance but nudged it wide before a little bit of fortune for the Camberley winger, kicking ahead he ran into a static Joel Knight who received a yellow card. The result was the same as before. Although the penalty to touch was clearly dead and flagged by the linesman only to be overruled. The catch and drive resulted in a 2nd try with the after's again missed Camberley led 3-10.
This sprung Havant into life and after a fair amount of pressure, the whitewash was crossed for the first time when Dylan Lawley smashed his way over. Jacob Knight’s conversion saw the game tied at 10-10.
It was still end-to-end with neither side giving an inch, but Havant forced themselves back in front with time approaching half-time, Harrison Young this time finding space out wide to score under the posts. The faithful in full voice, Havant had the lead 17-10. A full ten minutes of injury time was played with Armandus Morgan yellowed for handbags on the touch line, with the Camberley coach also told to go (we won’t mention the hand signals to the crowd). Right at the end of it Camberley tied the game with another try, this time converted.

Half-time Havant 17 Camberley 17

With Sean Shepherd and Dylan Lawley both off with injury. The 2nd period started without Joel Knight too, the backline was re-shuffled, and Robbie Hume started on the wing.
Camberley started the brighter and soon found themselves back in front with their bonus point try.
Step up Luke Marks, after more Havant pressure near the try line, he found a way through under a sea of bodies and this see-saw game was tied again at 24-24 with just over twenty to play. Back came Camberley and they re-took the lead with another well worked try 24-29.
The calm head of Jacob Knight, saw him convert a crucial penalty with less than ten minutes to go and Havant were within two points, the noise level was through the Mick Chalk stand roof as the faithful urged the blue and whites on, but it was Camberley again striking what they thought was the winning blow. Another try, their sixth but crucially the conversion was missed. A chink of light!
With time in the red and Havant hammering on the Camberley door Luke Marks found space again for Havant’s fourth try and bonus point. Jacob Knight converted, and the game was level. Surely no more time for another twist? The final whistle blew, and Havant celebrated a well-deserved three points. The abject faces of Camberley clearly showing on the pitch.
So still all to play for. One game at a time and up the hill together!

Full-time Havant 34 Camberley 34

Will Knight’s thoughts after the game
“What a cracking game in front of an amazing crowd. The top two in the league going at it full on for 80 minutes.
You couldn’t really make it up in terms of injuries - to lose such key players was a real challenge but the bench were amazing especially Luke Marks playing out of position and coming up with two crucial tries.
Today showed just how much spirit this group have they were just not prepared to give up or let it go.
We may look on this one as a key moment at the end of the season.”