Titles are never won in December but they can certainly be lost and the Old Boys were acutely aware of this as they took on league heavyweights Norwich on Saturday. Not for the first time this year it was the Campion 8 that lay the foundations for this win. The set piece functioned well with Campion’s maul and scrum in particular proving a potent weapon.

The start was frenetic and was only halted due to a serious injury to the Norwich winger who fell awkwardly chasing a clever Rory Crisp kick in behind. All at Campion wish him a speedy recovery. Despite Campion dominance on the paddock the away side were struggling to assert themselves on the scoreboard.

Wave after wave of attack were stifled by a game Norwich defence who proved effective at turning over ball at key moments. Campion were also guilty of attacking too narrow and leading their strike runners down blind alleys. Crisp eventually got Campion noses in front with a penalty.

Campion eventually breached the Norwich line mid way through the half when returning fly half Joe Gaze took the ball flat and fed a lovely pass out to Ollie Waugh. Waugh with work left to do, did well to wrong foot the Norwich full back to score under the posts.

Further inaccuracy saw the Old Boys head into half time with only a 10 point cushion. The Campion players were rightly frustrated with their performance and Coach Larner did well to focus the minds of his charges.

Campion headed out for the second period keen to kill the game off, however Norwich who had enjoyed a coaching clinic from England coach Graham Rowntree during the week had other ideas. Missed tackles and mis-communications led to Norwich’s forwards manufacturing a try from close quarters.

Buoyed by their growing support on the side lines Norwich breached the line again in similar fashion minutes later to take a surprise lead. Under the posts the Campion players were fuming and Captain Dan Walshe called on his men to up the intensity levels. Conor Canny heeded his captain’s call from the resulting restart to nail the Norwich catcher.

After a series of Campion driving mauls in the corner Norwich eventually crumbled and gave away a penalty try. By this point the home side were on the rack with two men in the bin for repeated infringements. From the next kick off Campion broke quickly with Gleeson breaching the Norwich defence on half way and driving into the opposition 22. The move broke down after the ball was fed back inside to the impressive Luke Tilly and the referee bizarrely penalised Campion for aggressive rucking. Momentum was gained however and Campion learning their lesson from earlier in the game spread the ball wide to send Andy Lewis over in the corner. Lewis showed his finishers instincts by getting over the line in limited space and did himself some harm in the process.

Norwich knocked over a later penalty however they were unable to work their way back up the field to sneak a later win. The Campion players were disappointed with themselves after the game feeling they were not at their best. Coach Larner however was delighted with the win which continues Campion’s strong recent form. Man of the match was awarded to James Ngan with Ollie Waugh unlucky to miss out.

December does not get any easier for the Old Boys as this Saturday they take on Diss who’s tails will be up following a crushing 57 – 0 win at home to league leaders Chelmsford.

1. Hoggard 2. Kyle 3. Tilly 4. Canny 5. Gleeson 6. Ngan. 7. Bolton 8. Canny 9. Crisp 10. Gaze 11. Walshe 12. Armstrong 13. Waugh 14. Lewis 15. Lyons

Subs – Baker, Carr, Ronnayne.

Auctore Deo.

Campion RFC

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