Old Patesians 23, Camborne 22

Camborne went down by the narrowest of margins against an Old Patesians side scrapping for survival at the wrong end of the South West Premier table.

The Cherry & Whites will reflect on a number of missed opportunities particularly in the opening period that contributed to this awayday defeat at the Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham.

Exchanges were even early on before the visitors took the lead midway through the half when centre Declan Matthews strode through the midfield defence for a trademark try. Fly-half Rhodri Mcatee landed the regulation conversion from in front of the posts for a 7-0 lead.

Before half time the home side hit back with a converted score of their own to level matters at the break.

Early in the second half the home kicker and Alex Ducker exchanged penalties to leave the sides still locked together at ten points apiece.

Old Pats took the lead with a converted try on the hour but Camborne roared back to cut the deficit with lock Andrius Zacharovas being bundled over from a lineout catch and drive.

Trailing 17-15 Camborne saw teenage full back Adam Long go very close to a first senior try before crucially conceding a brace of penalties in the final quarter to fall further behind at 23-15.

In a late rally ‘Town’ snatched a deserved losing bonus point patiently going through several phases of attack before No 8 Dave Roberts slipped a pass to right wing Lewis Thomas who went over wide out.

Left wing Ducker slotted an excellent conversion with the final kick of the match.

Camborne: A Long, L Thomas, J Semmens, D Matthews, A Ducker, R Mcatee, T Peacock, M Hearn, T Southworth, J Drew (capt), A Zacharovas, D Cook, A Riches, J Nicholls, D Roberts, (reps) N Stanleick, L Chapple.

Scorers: Tries - Matthews, Zacharovas, Thomas. Cons - Mcatee, Ducker. Pen - Ducker.