Larkins just loving it as Camborne celebrate

By BILL HOOPER

Camborne……… 24pts

Redruth…………..14pts

Delight: Camborne players celebrate with try-scorer Alex Ducker

Battle: Camborne captain Ben Priddey tackled by Redruth’s Jess Tompsett

PICTURES: Simon Bryant

A STRONG second-half performance helped Camborne complete the league double over neighbours Redruth in a thrilling derby played in front of a near 3,000 gate.

It was a performance that pleased Director of Rugby Steve Larkins. He said: “At half-time I was disappointed we went in trailing, I felt we missed several good chances during that period. Second half we kicked really well into the wind and set up some good attacking options.

“Today showed we can play in poor conditions and have the pack to grind out the result.

“We showed great patience, we didn’t rush it, bided our time and got the rewards from our forward domination near their line.

“Credit to Redruth, they gave us a stern test today, defended very well in the first half and took their chance for the half-time lead. We go into the New Year where we want to be.”

In driving rain, Camborne took the game to Redruth, but both sides committed errors, with the line-out proving a lottery throughout.

Redruth survived a yellow card for Jamie Prisk without conceding. Josh Matavesi put in some powerful runs, but the Redruth defence matched him.

With half-time fast approaching, it was the visitors who got the first score, as a good break put Matt Blewett away to score in the corner.

Dean Wills added the conversion to make it 7-0 to the Reds at half-time.

Camborne were fired-up after half-time, and they camped in the Redruth 22.

Another yellow card for the Reds gave Camborne an advantage that they didn’t pass up, as Kyle Moyle got amongst the forwards to dot down and also added the conversion.

Moyle then kicked a penalty to finally put Camborne ahead during the final quarter.

The Cherry & Whites from good field position patiently went through the phases, with Jack Andrew getting the try to give them some breathing space, Moyle banged over the extras.

The Reds pressed hard but a soft pass was snaffled by Alex Ducker who needed no invitation to run in Camborne’s third try in front of a jubilant West Bank, Moyle made it a seven-pointer.

Redruth tried to salvage something from the game, and they pressed hard during the final moments as Camborne’s Ben Priddey received a yellow card. They got their reward when skipper Edd Pascoe was driven over, with Wills conversion the final kick of the match.

Redruth’s head coach Richie Kevern was disappointed. “We didn’t manage the second half very well and got punished.”