Cleve 28, Dings Crusaders 16
Camborne convincingly recorded a memorable double over champions elect Dings Crusaders with a superb display on a bitterly cold afternoon at the Recreation Ground.
A pumped up ‘Town’ made it four wins in a row under Director of Rugby Liam Chapple with an excellent team performance in the testing conditions.
Playing down the slope the visitors took a first quarter lead when their powerful forwards mauled over wide out.
The Cherry & Whites soon opened their account with lock Damien Cook crashing over in the turnstile corner and David Mankee striking a superb touchline conversion for a 7-5 advantage.
The league leaders quickly responded with a fortuitous corner try followed by a penalty to lead 13-7 after half an hour.
The home side hit back in great style as an excellent break from No 8 James Goldsworthy followed up by an astute chip and gather by wing Rhodri Mcatee delivered a try for centre Jake Champion easily improved by fly half Mankee to regain the lead at 14-13.
As the interval neared Camborne deservedly extended their advantage when after a series of close range attacks flanker Phil Hinchley dotted down near the posts. Once again the reliable Mankee fired over the conversion for a 21-13 home lead at half time.
Sam Newman then came on for his debut on the wing replacing player coach Mcatee as ‘Town’ went in search of a 4th try with the slope advantage.
With snow falling the Cherry & Whites took the game to a rattled Dings and their collective efforts delivered the bonus point score on 45 minutes. Following sustained pressure centre Declan Matthews cut a superb angle through the Dings defence to race over for an excellent solo touchdown with Mankee booting the conversion for a decisive fifteen points lead.
Although Dings promptly narrowed the deficit courtesy of a 2nd penalty success the home side controlled the final quarter and full back Harvey Bell was unlucky to be called back after emerging from a maul to stroll over.
A jubilant Camborne side comfortably saw out the win to ensure that the visitors must wait at least another week to secure the South West Premier title.
• Camborne will look to consolidate their mid table position with another victory on Saturday when bottom placed Lydney make the long journey to the Rec (2.30pm)
Camborne: H Bell, M Blee, J Champion, D Matthews, R Mcatee, D Mankee, T Peacock, A Zacharovas, S Bartle, M Hearn, D Cook (capt), K Westlake, A Riches, P Hinchley, J Goldsworthy. Reps T Southworth, J Nicholls, S Newman.
Scorers: tries, Cook, Champion, Hinchley, Matthews; cons, Mankee 4.
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