Rugby Union
Brain points the way at Camp Hill

Camp Hill 12 Stratford 16

STRATFORD made it four wins in a row as they secured a hard earned victory at Midlands One West basment-boys Camp Hill on Saturday.

It came down to a points contest between the two stand-offs with Stratford’s Simon Brain scoring 16 points and Ian Brookes 12 for the home side.

On a dull afternoon, under grey skies, Stratford had the better of the early exchanges and better handling would have given them a score on ten minutes as the backs carved open the home defence.

Camp Hill countered and sustained pressure by their forwards on the Stratford line almost gave them a 15th minute try.

Stratford responded and opened the scoring midway through the first half when Brain kicked a long range penalty.

Five minutes later a break by winger Dan Whitby gave the supporting Brain the opportunity to touch down besides the posts. The successful conversion gave the Black and Whites a useful lead.

The home side showed plenty of spirit and Brookes kicked two penalties in as many minutes to reduce the deficit before Brain slotted another penalty for offside just before the interval.

The second half developed into a scrappy affair partly due to the conditions but Camp Hill looked more dangerous and they reduced the arrears to a single point as Brookes kicked two more penalties.

Stratford had to dig deep to repel the home side as they now became more confident.

It was Brain, again, who settled the nerves of the team and the travelling support as he notched another three points from a penalty after 72 minutes.

Although the home side continued to press in the final minutes Stratford held firm.

Stratford, who are sixth in the table, welcome fourth placed Burton to Pearcecroft this Saturday (2.15pm).

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