Redruth 35 - Camborne 43

Camborne swept to victory in the eagerly awaited first local derby clash of the new season after a devastating opening half performance in front of a crowd of more than 2,500 at Redruth’s Recreation Ground, writes Martin Symons. 

The Cherry & Whites stunned the home side and their own supporters at the ‘Camborne End’ by running in six tries in that direction inside 36 minutes for an unassailable 43-0 lead.

First to cross at the base of the posts early on was skipper Jordan Rose after flanker Jordan Nicholls made a storming break up the middle. Josh Matavesi booted the conversion and soon after he added the extras to right wing AJ King’s dot down following a flowing handling move.

Centre Matavesi slotted a 14th minute penalty goal and still inside the first quarter he sent out a lovely long pass to Alex Ducker who used his pace before diving over wide out.

On the half hour a Redruth attack broke down following a strong Kyle Moyle tackle and the fly half then flicked out a deft pass to left wing Ducker who romped over from fully 80 metres for the bonus point score.

Matavesi added the conversion for 29-0 and almost immediately was on target again converting centre Connor Gilbert’s try.

As the interval neared the visitors gained a penalty in the scoreboard corner and quick thinking by man of the match Matavesi saw him tap and dive over. With a majestic wide angled conversion the Fijian international took his personal tally to 18 points.

Redruth rallied and a strong forward drive saw them open their account with a try from replacement Chris Rovery converted by Dean Wills to make the score 7-43 at the break.

After the drama of the opening period of the game the third quarter developed into a stop start evenly contested arm wrestle for territory as both teams emptied their benches.

From the hour mark the Reds continued to battle back into contention and eventually they bagged a deserved try from centre Sam James bursting clear from a maul on 70 minutes improved by fly half Wills.

With time running out replacement centre Bobby Wigginton on loan from Plymouth Albion made a jinking run to dot down a solo try which Wills converted to cut the deficit to 21-43.

In stoppage time the home side went in search of the bonus point with a number of close range attacks bringing a penalty try.

On the final whistle Redruth again showed their spirit to mount a final onslaught which brought a try for No 8 Shaun Buzza improved by Wills with the final kick of a pulsating match.

Once again the Mining Division giants had served up a fantastic spectacle played in great spirit and showcasing all that is good about grassroots Cornish rugby.

Redruth: M Bonds, L Johnson, H Andrewartha, S James, C Levick, D Wills, J Chapple, T Phillips, M Pritchard, T Gendall, J Prisk, E Pascoe, C Triggs, J King, S Buzza (reps) J Tompsett, L Barnes, C Rovery, C Way, B Wigginton Redruth: tries; Rovery, James, Wigginton, Buzza, penalty try cons; Wills 4

Camborne: H Larkins, AJ King, C Gilbert, J Matavesi, A Ducker, K Moyle, CJ Boyce, J Andrew, B Priddey, J Drew, J Heazelton, D Marais, J Rose (capt), J Nicholls, A Brassington (reps) S Rodman, D Prowse, C Fuca, W Tanswell, W Hennessy Camborne; tries; Ducker 2, Rose, King, Gilbert, Matavesi cons; Matavesi 5 pen;