A DRAMATIC late penalty allowed Effingham and Leatherhead to leave Camberley with the points even though director of rugby Dom Cornwell admitted they had played "badly".
The Eagles stretched out an 11-0 lead before a yellow card for exuberant footwork in the ruck saw the game's momentum shift.
Two quick tries put the home side in the ascendancy, and the two sides traded slender advantages until, in the dying seconds, hearts were pumping when Camberley's penalty attempt to secure victory sailed narrowly wide.
The result left Cornwell relieved, but disappointed not to have wrapped things up sooner.
"We had two or three opportunities to score in the first half which we threw away," he said. "It was one of those games – Camberley at home is always going to be extra difficult with their big forwards, they just need a bit more confidence in winning.
"We have eight first team players out at the moment through a number of injuries. From a positive perspective, coming away with the points when we are not happy with our performance is always good.
"This league is very tough with some very good sides around to make it competitive – more so than last year. If we get to the top quarter by the end of the season, that will be job done."
The Eagles travelled to Watchett Road ground on a surprisingly sunny, mild, and relatively windless December afternoon and were soon a try to the good as winger Richard Smith exploited a gap in Camberley's defence to dot down in the corner, though Brian Collins went just wide with the conversion.
Two more penalties extended the lead to 11-0, before one of Camberley's own got their side of the scoreboard ticking as half-time beckoned.
First blood after the break went to the Eagles as Richard Smith, again, outstripped the home defence to cross the whitewash for 16-3, though the extras again were eschewed.
As the Eagles sought to defend, an Eagles forward was carded for feet in the ruck and banished to the naughty step for ten minutes. By now the Camberley forwards had the bit between their teeth and upped the ante leading to the concession of two tries, with Brown converting both to take Camberley into the lead, 16-17.
Cue Smith again, who finished off a sweeping move orchestrated by Ed Ralph and Jason Evans to cross the try line for his and the Eagles third try for 21-17. The lead changed yet again as Camberley scored from close range following a 5m scrum, though similarly unimproved, for 21-22.
The tension was tangible as play entered the final minutes – and the Eagles took the decisive lead through the boot of Collins once more. It seemed Effingham and Leatherhead were home and hosed until Camberley were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds - a kick to win.
It drifted wide, and the Eagles wings are still flapping.
Eagles: Ellinson, Quinn, Cave, Mullen, Thornton, Stocker, Prior, Ellis, Mullen, Losardo, Collins, Evans, Ralph, Smith, Penny, Fee
Subs: Foster, Diprose and Followes
