Depleted Horsham fight valiantly in defeat at high-flyers

Match action from Horshams game at promotion-chasing Camberley. Picture courtesy of Richard Ordidge

Camberley were first out of the blocks with two tries in the first 13 minutes.

Dom Sammut was dominating the line-out and Dylan Emmerton scored off a driving maul and then Adam Pickett scored the first of his two tries from close range converted by Tom Dunn.

Horsham started to get into the game with a long period of possession in the Camberley 22 leading to a try for Giles Barber converted by Tom Johnson.

Johnson added a penalty awarded at the breakdown before Sammut stole another line-out to crash over and score with Camberley taking a 17-10 lead into the break.

Somewhat against the run of play Josh Sudder made an interception on halfway to finish with a fine handoff which was well converted by Johnson to level the scores at 17-17 after 41 minutes.

Thereafter it was all Camberley with tries from Tio Funaki, Ash Wright, two from Alex Turton and Pickett as the immense defensive performance from Horsham’s young and inexperienced side took its toll.

Head coach Nick Stocker said: “With our deep injury list combined with a lot of unavailability due to the rescheduled game, we anticipated a tough match and asked for a showing of character which we duly got.

“Our lads felt the scoreline did not reflect the game and to draw the scores level on 45 minutes was testament to the spirit in the young side.

“However, with our front line lineout operators absent and diminished power in the scrum as a result, quality possession was always a challenge.

“Despite the challenges, the positives are many, not least the fact that six teenagers were on display alongside a further three being under 22 which bodes well for the future.

“One of those youngsters played at loose head and according to the refs assessor, was the dominant prop.

“Our man of the match was awarded to a young player playing his first full 80 for the first team in the engine room of the scrum against a huge set of forwards.

“With strong carries and effective clearances at rucks, it’s great to see how young Luke Powell is developing.

“Next week we have a week off and a chance to recover some knocks ahead of the season run in commencing with a tough assignment at Havant on March 21.”