A HAT-TRICK of Cornwall Cup final victories is still possible for Camborne after beating Truro on Saturday, writes Martin Symons.

It was a hard fought battle for the hosts but they eventually broke down their lower league rival's resistance down in the last 20 minutes to record a 24-5 win.

In excellent conditions at the Recreation Ground, the City club seeking a first final since 2003/4 took an early lead building a spell of pressure ending with prop Darren Jacques crossing on the blindside for a try.

Though the Cherry and Whites playing down the slope dominated territory for much of the remainder of the half, errors and determined Truro defence prevented any scoring and even a straightforward 28th minute penalty shot came back off a post.

As the interval neared, Camborne finally opened their account with a regulation David Mankee penalty.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Town continued to be frustrated until fly-half Mankee knocked over a 50th minute penalty from 40m to give his side the lead.

On the hour visiting fly-half Craig Williams failed to find the target with a long range penalty and soon after Camborne attacked relentlessly through their forwards until former Truro lock Ben Kemp plunged over for their opening try and an 11-5 advantage.

Falmouth Packet:

Cherry and Whites full-back Grant Thirlby attempts to get through a tackle. Picture: DAVID J BLANKS/CARTEL

Well inside the final quarter, Mankee hit the target coolly with a 30m drop goal to put Camborne crucially two scores in front and inside the final ten minutes the same player made the game safe with a simple third penalty success.

In time added on the Cherry and Whites added further gloss to the victory when from a scrum on the left, Alex Ducker came off his wing to scythe through the visiting cover and send scrum-half Taron Peacock racing over at the Committee Room corner flag.

Mankee's majestic touchline conversion gave the final score line a somewhat flattering look with battling Truro having competed throughout and been in touch for a long period.

For the second season in a row, Camborne will take on St Austell in the final with the match taking place on May 2.

CAMBORNE: 15 Thirlby, 14 Floyd, 13 G Mankee, 12 Kenward, 11 Ducker, 10 D Mankee, 9 Peacock; 1 Endean, 2 Sheers, 3 Hearn, 4 Kemp, 5 Whittle, 6 Bone, 7 Goldsworthy, 8 Roberts.

REPS: Moyle, Pascoe, Woolcock, Reynolds, Allen, Zachorovas.

TRIES: Kemp, Peacock.

CONS: D Mankee 1/2.

PENS: D Mankee 3.

DROP GOAL: D Mankee.

TRURO: 15 Seviour, 14 Cross, 13 Riches, 12 Trescothick, 11 Badcock, 10 Williams, 9 Dunstan; 1 Jacques, 2 Carlyon, 3 Gilbert, 4 Denning, 5 Marsh, 6 Tidball, 7 Heath, 8 Gayton.

REPS: Bowyns, Eley, Champion, Hinds, Roseveare, Martin.

TRY: Jacques.