Camden Rams take Illawarra Rugby Union first-grade glory

CAMDEN Rams are the kings of the Illawarra Rugby after a comprehensive 20-10 win against Avondale.

CAMDEN Rams are the kings of the Illawarra District Rugby Union after a comprehensive 20-10 win against Avondale in the first-grade grand final at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

It was Camden's first premiership since 1995 and just the third in its history.

The Rams opened the scoring when powerful centre Sam Campbell broke the line and found full-back Tyler Aitkin in support, who raced to score and grab a 5-0 lead after 12 minutes.

Penalty goals from Avondale's Darryl Sanft and Camden's Lee Russell took the scoreline to 8-3.

Campbell then scored his own try and Russell converted for a 15-3 lead.

Another try through winger Dane Kelly gave Camden a 20-3 half-time lead.

Avondale tried desperately to reduce the deficit in the second half and crossed after Andre Itula broke the line and passed to winger Eli Sinoti.

Sanft converted for 20-10.

The Rams held out several Avondale attacks to take the grand final victory.

Russell won the Geoff Shaw Medal for player of the grand final.

Lock Mark Nightingale, halfback Josh Holman, Aitken and hooker Dave Gleeson were also standouts on the day.

Second grade Rams lost 45-18 to Avondale.

Following the first-grade match, 15 Camden and Avondale supporters were involved in a brawl outside the stadium. Police were called, but no-one was seriously injured in and no arrests were made.

IDRU president Peter Woods issued a statement: "Matters that arose from yesterday's grand final will be investigated ... and video footage of the games yesterday will be reviewed as a part of that investigation."