CAMBORNE began the New Year by slipping to a narrow defeat in heavy conditions at Clevedon against a team battling to retain their South West One status, writes Martin Symons.

Heavy downpours forced the game in Somerset to be switched to a nearby school pitch.

Making the trip up the M5 for Town were Alex Ducker who returned to the squad while Callum Moyle was a late call up to the three-quarter line.

Despite the home side taking an early 3-0 lead, Camborne began strongly and a fine run by full-back Ducker soon created a corner try finished off by winger Moyle.

Grant Thirlby converted from the touchline to make it 3-7, but not long after hooker Sam Bartle limped off to be replaced by Stuart Milliner.

Though Clevedon got closer with another penalty from Mike Taylor, on 35 minutes Dave Roberts took a quick tap penalty to release lock Ashley Lawton who made ground before returning the ball to number eight Roberts who powered over.

Fly-half Thirlby’s conversion success gave Town an eight point advantage, but before half time the home side got closer with a third penalty goal.

Falmouth Packet:

In deteriorating conditions, the Cherry and Whites began the second period well but Thirlby was unable to find the posts from four tricky penalty shots at goal.

These came during a period where the hosts were down to 14 men twice when the Biggins brothers, Rory and Owen, spent time in the sin-bin.

However, when Town were reduced to 14 men after repeated fouls in rucks, Clevedon made the most of it with a try from Dean Ashfield which was converted.

Trailing by a slender two point margin, the visitors could not find their way over in a disjointed closing quarter and near the end a speculative drop goal from Taylor made the game safe for determined Clevedon.

The Cherry and Whites know they can ill afford many more reverses if they are to keep their play-off hopes alive and will look to return to winning ways this weekend when relegation threatened Cullompton visit the Recreation Ground.

CAMBORNE: 15 Ducker, 14 Floyd, 13 Parma, 12 Kenward (c), 11 Moyle, 10 Thirlby, 9 Peacock; 1 Endean, 2 Bartle, 3 Hearn, 4 Kemp, 5 Lawton, 6 Goldsworthy, 7 Whittle, 8 Roberts.

REPS: Woolcock, Milliner, Stanlieck.

TRIES: Moyle (12), Roberts (35).

CONS: Thirlby 2/2.