>>>> The ii's travelled to local rivals Barking on the first Saturday in March to experience the Parisian like early spring weather with the sun shining and the ground underneath firming up. With all the talk of how rugby has become boring the perfect conditions for running and expansive rugby, saw a Campion team stick to their routes to play a fluent game from the off. To their credit, Barking, who are in the process of rebuilding from their own ranks after a tough few seasons, were of a same mindset which led to an open and high scoring game.
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>>>> It was a great game to watch from a spectator's viewpoint, good to see Chairman Sam's and first team forwards coach, Pat Curley, in attendance, no doubt looking for future talent.
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>>>> Campion ran in 8 tries, 7 of which were converted by no.8 George Rogers, to rack up a score of 56 points, however, our defence was severely tested at times and was not as strong as in earlier weeks and we conceded 33 points to the home side.
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>>>> The return of the experienced Danny McEvoy, in for the injured captain Tom Ronayne, saw him orchestrate matters from fly half and we also saw the return after a long paternity leave absence of back row Pat Cussen. Thanks to Slatts for refereeing the first half (had his best game in a long time and a new career beckons) and a Barking official who reffed the second half in the absence of an official Essex RFU ref.
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>>>> Lynch, Dunne, Jones, J. Baldwin, Animashaun, Cussen, Rogers, Carter, Frost, D. McEvoy, Hobbrough, Arnone, O'Reilly, Ryan, Whitcombe. Subs - Bogard, P. Ronayne, Pitkin, Storer, Slattery, John Arnone,
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>>>> Campion got off to a flying start running in four tries, all converted by Rogers to put us into a 28 - 0 lead before a few high calibre Barking substitutions got them back into the game. As in the previous week's game versus Woodford, the forwards provided the platform and the backs delivered the tries. It was full back Callum Whitcombe's turn to run in a hat trick of tries this time, flying wing George Hobbrough and half backs Mitch Bogard and Danny Mac each scored one. The forwards also got in on the act with hooker Ryan Dunne and impact sub the mighty Glen Storer getting on the scoreboard. Schoolboy second row Jonnie Animashaun followed up his impressive debut the previous week with another strong showing and the returning Pat Ronayne (on for the heavy blowing Cussen at half time) gave a typical hard hitting performance. Barking had some very talented players on view and put our defence to the sword at times with some real speedsters in their ranks. Their wingers and big flanker stood out causing Campion many problems. Scoring 3 tried and making two try saving tackles after tracking Pat Ronayne down after a break from the 22, Barkings winger probably was the MOM, however we let Slatts have it.
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>>>> MOTM - Slatts (for his refereeing role, not his playing one).
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>>>> Harlow II's gave us a walkover in the cup last weekend so we continue our cup progress without kicking a ball in anger. We play Southend II's in the next round, in what will be a huge challenge given many of their team play at National Level for their first team squad.
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>>>> Before that we finish off our league campaign at Cottons Park next Saturday (2PM KO) taking on Southend III's who we beat away in the first game of the season way back in September. A repeat of the running rugby we displayed that day and in our last two recent games would be a fitting end to our league campaign and a top three finish. Everyone make a big effort to be available for selection.
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>>>> The first team play their final home league game of the season versus Norwich next weekend so there should be a large attendance with all three 6 Nations matches to be played in the club.