Camborne 13 St Austell 13
Camborne and St Austell played out a pulsating draw in the top of the table Cornish derby clash in front of a four figure crowd at the Recreation Ground.
Town will reflect that on the day they had more try scoring opportunities particularly in the 1st period but that the Saints took their limited chances more decisively.
For the Cherry and Whites young Joel Matavesi came in on the right wing replacing Aaron Hunt whilst Leigh Hocking started at prop.
The Cherry and Whites began purposefully playing down the slope but an early David Mankee drifted wide before a 5th minute opening try. Strong running by Sam Bartle and flanker Cameron Bone took the ball to the posts before it was slipped left for full back Joe Parma to dot down wide out.
Outstanding home No 8 David Roberts unluckily knocked on in the act of scoring before still inside the 1st quarter hooker Bartle touched down at the bottom of an unstoppable maul from a lineout catch and drive for a 10-0 lead.
Camborne then failed to clear the kick off and conceded a penalty 25 metres out that fly half Matt Shepherd stroked over to cut the deficit.
On the half time whistle fly half Mankee banged over a monster long range penalty for a 10 point home advantage at the interval.
The visitors began the 2nd period strongly and soon cut the deficit with skipper Shepherd and wing Ashley Taylor combining to send full back Dan Pearce in at the corner flag.
Mankee narrowly missed with a long range 58th minute penalty before No 8 Adam Kellow was sinbinned but the Cherry and Whites failed to capitalise on their extra man with St Austell’s impressive flanker Ian Venner making several telling turnovers.
With the score 13-8 in Camborne's favour the game entered time added on and flanker Paul Winterbottom surged over the try line to tie the scores. Shepherd then failed with the pressure conversion before a last gasp home attack was thwarted to ensure matters ended even.
Camborne face another tough away fixture this weekend when the visit Chard with the Somerset side sitting one place below the Cherry & Whites in the table.
Camborne tries: Parma, Bartle. Pen: Mankee
St Austell tries: Pearce, Kellow. Pen: Shepherd
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