Shoalhaven Remain Unbeaten

By Ron Wood

Unbeaten Shoalhaven now sit just two points off the top of the Competition Table behind Kiama with several games in hand, after a rugged 20 points to nil win over Camden at Nowra Rugby Park. Camden took the match right up to the Premiers in a try-less first half, making a statement to all that they are to be reckoned with in 2024. 

Shoalies went into the match with inspirational Coach Will Miller sitting on the bench and, despite spending almost the whole first half camped in the Camden half of the field, they fumbled their way through the half in the face of a very committed fast-moving Camden defensive line.  Tries went begging on two or three occasions because of poor handling in the face of pressure from the enthusiastic Rams defence. The only points of the half came through a 48m penalty goal on the stroke of half time by centre Jack Watts. 

Camden successfully took the Shoalies on at their own game at the breakdown and in defence with their pack dominating at the set-piece scrum throughout the match. The Rams couldn’t make much headway in attack though to take full advantage of their first half effort only putting pressure on the Shoalhaven line on two occasions in the opening half.   

With the first 15 minutes of the second term mirroring the first half, something had to change. Will Miller entered the match which brought an almost immediate change over the game with Shoalies lifting the tempo and slowly the errors that had plagued them disappeared from their game and the attack flowed. 

Shoalhaven ran in three tries in a 15-minute period as the Rams big effort began to take its toll. George Miller forced his way over from the back of a Lineout from close range for the first before Steven Brandon finished of a sweeping backline raid to score wide on the left. Wingman Keiran Brandon then kicked and regathered for himself to score and convert and all of a sudden, the Shoalies were out by 20 – 0 with thirteen minutes left to play. George Miller appeared to score another but the final pass was ruled forward and the home side had to settle for the twenty-point margin, missing out on the bonus point.

Camden’s effort was full of merit although lacking in attack against the best defensive side in the competition. Newcomers Tuiraviravi Daveta in the centres and winger Apaola Apaola Tea Lama were strong while in the forwards Luke Platt and Keeran McCourt up front led the charge, with strong efforts also from Flankers Tom Cusack (Tow points in IDRU Player Award) and Ioane Luafutu. The huge effort the side put in early took its toll towards the latter stages of the match but all in all they showed in this match that they should figure in the end of season games.

Shoalhaven were off their game early but credit to Camden here who put the Premiers under plenty of pressure. With coach Miller’s injection into the game a discernible change in their performance was apparent, showing just how important his presence on the field is to the side. Tom Allen was there abouts all day, earning three points in the IDRU Player of the Year award, with the ever-busy Harri Hibbs taking one point as well. George Miller and Steven Brandon were a constant thorn in the Camden side throughout as we see each week. 

Shoalhaven 20 (George Miller 1 try, Steven Brandon 1 try, Keiran Brandon 1 try, 1 goal, Jack Watts 1 penalty goal) Def Camden Nil

Other Match Results

Kiama 64 Def Bowral 14

Campbelltown 36 Def Shamrocks 25   

University 15 Def Vikings 14