II's continue winning form v SWF 67-7

W. Baldwin, Kyle, Jones (2), Ward (2), Trapp (1), Lynch, P Ronayne (1), Cussen, L McEvoy (1), T Ronayne, D Ryan, Joe Arnone (1), O'Reily, Brown, D McEvoy (1), Tucker, McMurray (1), Tiernan, Carter, John Arnone (1)

After two victories on the road, our first home league game of the season had an international flavour to it with the return from their American sabbatical of the pony tailed duo Liam McEvoy and Sam McMurray and the return of Mike Carter from Australia.

The back line lost its recent weeks speedsters in university bound Ollie Lee, Mike Hogan and Joe Fennessy, to be replaced by the guile of captain Tom Ronayne back from a 6 month injury stint and Liam McEvoy at half backs with man of the match Danny McEvoy at full back, all making a first appearance of the season. Irishman Danny Ryan made his debut on the wing. In the pack, hooker Rob Kyle added his considerable power and experience on his first appearance of the season and, sprung from the bench earlier than he expected due to an injury to Will Baldwin, prop Rich Tucker's first appearance marked 33 consecutive years in Campion colours. Thanks also to Niall Tiernan for making up the numbers for SWF who arrived with 14 players. Niall was possibly their MOM in a SWF side which battled to the bitter end, particularly impressive alongside Niall were the 7 and 15 for the opposition, whom powerfully ran the ball with intent at every opportunity.

Campion ran in 11 tries in total, with Will Brown having a better success rate this week converting 6, and while we can't be to critical the same failings that we saw at Old Brentwood's last week were there to see again in not being clinical enough in taking our chances.

The hot conditions and hard pitch were not conducive to SWF strengths which laid with their busty ball carriers and big booted number 10. Instead Campions mobile pack were able to get around the pitch to compete at every ruck. Another positive to the game were the scrums, winning 3 scrums against the head against a much larger pack.

The solid second row pairing of Tom Ward and Will Trapp once again provided a solid platform in the engine room with both getting themselves on the score sheet. Will Trapp bought out those jinky hips in a great solo effort to go in under the posts. Tom Ward went over twice after picking from the base of the ruck despite the attention of the defence. That's 4 in 3 games for Ward.

Experienced heads John Arnone and Richard Tucker both sprung from the bench early in the first half and provided some spectacular handling skills eventually seeing John stroll in the corner after beating 4 opponents with his mesmeric footwork.

Joe Arnone finally got himself on the scoreboard after being cruelly denied last week. Joe and Kev have provided a solid platform in the centres excelling in both attack and defence providing a platform to develop Campions game.

Danny McEvoy ran the ball back from the big boot of the oppositions 10 and found space down the wing where he played a one two with Tom Ronayne whilst Richard Jones got in on the act to eventually to put openside Pat Ronayne in under the posts. One of the tries of the game spanning a 70m return.

Campion ran in some well worked team tries getting the ball wide to Liam McEvoy, who slotted in at 15 with Danny moving to 10, providing a stepping masterclass to go over the line after good link up play with his brother and Danny Ryan on the wing.

Fellow American dreamer Sam McMurray made his return to action in the back row this week. Moving off the back of a rolling maul Sam went undetected to go over the line much to his delight. However, the best was yet to come with McMurray making a trademark bulldozing run and then producing a deft overload in the tackle to set up another try.

It's not often that a prop scores two in one match, however Rich Jones provided some of the best moments of the match. Going over from a driving maul and a barraging run from 20m out. Jones could have been on the end of two more tries after finding himself charging down the wing 30m out only to be stopped by the opponents speedy 9 and 15 sending him crashing in to touch only inches from the try line.

SWF openside went over for a consolation late on after a powerful run from the base of a ruck after some sustained pressure with the pick and drives. On his return Mike Carter was particularly relishing the tackle practice he was having around the rucks, knocking back some inconceivably large men.

A good match played in great spirits by both teams. Man of the match was awarded to Danny McEvoy who caused numerous problems throughout the afternoon, returning every kick back avoiding any defender who attempted to stop him. Prop Richard Jones was a very close second, providing a dazzling display handling and footwork throughout the match, any prop who can run 30m down the wing and get stopped just short deserves an accolade.

With more players coming back from exile and injury Campion hope to keep pushing on and start challenging the leagues big hitters on a more consistent basis, as well as positions in the 1XV.

Currently no match next week, but the 1XV have a cup game at home which some of the lads will be hoping for squad places.