Cleve 27, Camborne 29

Camborne gained a superb bonus point win on the road at Cleve after an outstanding first-half showing which saw them dot down four excellent tries.

The Cherry & Whites, without player/coach Damien Cook in the pack, were particularly well served by Neil Stanleick standing in at lock alongside Tony Whittle who again gave an all action display.

‘Town’ started the encounter strongly and deservedly went ahead on ten minutes when Alex Ducker intercepted to race clear for the opening try. David Mankee fired over the conversion for 7-0.

The visitors quickly doubled their advantage midway through the half when prop Andrius Zacharovas burrowed over from close range for fly-half Mankee to again add the extras.

Though the home side then cut the deficit with a penalty, soon after Camborne extended their lead with left wing Ducker’s outside break bringing his second touchdown of the afternoon.

As the interval neared the Cherry & Whites bagged the try bonus point when scrum half Rhodri Mcatee spotted a gap in the Cleve defence to cross. Mankee’s conversion made the score 3-26.

Before the break Cleve managed a converted try but a Mankee penalty early in the second period saw his team 17 points clear and in control.

With a little over 20 minutes remaining the home side hit back with a converted try, before hitting the visitors with a further brace of tries in a purple patch.

Crucially, neither score was converted leaving Camborne with a two-point advantage, and from that point the visitors tightened their defence to see out an important victory.

Camborne: A Long, R Kurusassa, L Thomas, D Matthews, A Ducker, D Mankee, R Mcatee, A Zacharovas, L Trewhella, J Drew (capt), T Whittle, N Stanleick, J Nicholls, A Riches, J Rose. Reps: N Stannier-Smith, T Southworth, B Bawden.

Camborne: tries - Ducker 2, Zacharovas, Mcatee. Cons - Mankee 3. Pen - Mankee.