Dover Over Again .....

Facing Camberley in this London 3SW League fixture they mustered a supreme effort with minutes remaining to take the lead for the first time in the match when Nick Owen scored his second try of the match - 26-25. This left Camberley with barely enough time for a re-start; however the visitors secured possession from the kick off and quickly re-cycled the ball keeping it alive - something they had been effectively doing all game. PJF switched off and the Camberley centre broke through to score under the posts. So Camberley posted a 5 point win, scoring 4 tries to PJF's 3. PJF did manage a bonus point staying within 7 points, but this was scant consolation as they believed they had the game won.

Camberley set out their stall early from th kick off as they proved to be the more sprightly of the two sides, effectively stringing together good support play with quick re-cycling. They ran PJF backwards and forwards across the paddock, and when PJF ran out of cover the visitors ran in their first try down the wing. PJF responded with a Dan Martin penalty which was negated as PJF infringed at the breakdown allowing Camberley to slot a penalty in response. A passage of ill discipline from their opponents allowed PJF to work their way down the park and encamp for 10 minutes or so only metres from the try line. An attack saw the ball bounce awkwardly(one of many during the game) for PJF and up into the hands of the Camberley fly half, who broke quickly with good support and finding no one at home, had a clear run in from 40 yards out. The conversion took us to half time with the score at 3-15 in Camberley's favour.

Dan Martin's second penalty early into the second half gave PJF the momentum to take the game to the visitors and they stretched the cover across the park. From a breakdown some 10 metres out wing Nick Owen muscled himself across the line for his first of two tries in the game. Camberley kept apace with another penalty. Soon after Camberley's centre was yellow carded for a high tackle and during the 10 minute spell PJF secured another 3 points through the boot of Dan Martin. Just as PJF were beginning to assert themselves another bouncing ball popped up into the hands of the Camberley backs, and as PJF were committed to the attack, there was no cover and Camberley ran in their third try - 14-25.

From here it was all PJF as they attacked hard and fast. Flankers Callum Law and Phil Jones looked for work all afternoon and were very effective in punching holes around the base of the breakdowns. PJF's set plays in tight and line out were impressive as the front five secured solid possession and on a couple of occasions took the ball against the head. From deep in their own half Club Captain Dan Leidecker, broke and freed Dan Martin who's aggressive run saw him eat away the yards up the pitch. Up in support was Hooker Dan Crumplin who took the final pass and crossed the whitewash to score. Martin converted to take the score to 21-25. Then PJF's final assault ending in Owen's second try and the belief that they had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Alas no - it wasn't over until the Fat Lady sang, and in this instance it was for Camberley that she warbled.