The Exiles welcomed Camberley to a stormy Meads for what turned into a competitive contest between two evenly matched teams. The game was a slow burner with the first twenty minutes involving both teams trying to punch through respective defences. Candidly possibly a bit too much of the game at this stage was being played in the Chipstead half, but despite the occasional break neither side could deliver the consistent passage of play to open up the gaps and convert possession to points. Eventually the Exiles secured a penalty inside the visitor’s 22 and, utilising a strong Mead’s type wind, elected to kick for goal (3-0). These points were the only additions to either sides’ scores in the first half.

As with the first period, both packs continued to be quick at the breakdown and set pieces and this was cutting down options for spreading the ball out wide; however, in the second half we started to see more open rugby emerging. Camberley had the advantage of the wind in the second half and used it to probe for territory. Eventually the visitors got the break and, as the game entered the final quarter, they went over for a converted try (3-7).

The Exiles however both kept their composure and kept ball in hand; and a series of driving mauls from the line-out started to bear dividends in terms of building territory and momentum. It was from one such maul that the Exiles pushed Camberley back over their line and dotted the ball down. The conversion fell agonisingly short, but Chipstead went into the last period one point ahead (8-7). Inevitably Camberley came back to try and regain the lead, however the Exiles were resolute in closing down the game and play out the final few minutes to emerge as victors.

Many thanks to Camberley for a real contest and congratulations to the Exiles’ squad for putting in a hard shift. In gusty conditions this was a gutsy, controlled, performance from all the Exiles; well done.