CAMBORNE 28 – 28 REDRUTH

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground

Having fought out a 19 all draw at Redruth 10 days ago, once again the two teams could not be separated in this Boxing Day thriller.

It certainly proved to be a game of two halves. Camborne deservedly leading 28-0 at half-time and seemingly heading for a Rodda’s Milk Cup win, yet Redruth turned the tables during the second half mounting the mother of all comebacks to earn a share of the spoils.

A large crowd assembled with late arrivals still pouring through the gates after kick-off, I would estimate some 2,000, who were royally entertained.

Conditions were perfect. Playing down the slope Camborne were the quicker to settle into their stride. Quick ball from Liam Jolly set his backs into action.

Some lovely play from Harry Larkins down the grandstand touchline put Jordan Nicholls into space, the flanker needed no bidding to charge to the line to the roar of the West Bank.

Aaron Simmonds added the first of his four conversions.

Redruth thought they had scored through centre Sam James but Mr Milliner adjudged a double movement as he stretched for the line.

Instead it was the West Bank again roaring it’s approval as the excellent George Edson weaved some magic down the touchline to feed inside to Larkins who scampered over.

It was time for the Camborne forwards to take charge. Twice before half-time they struck, both came from a catch and drive, firstly Tommy-Lee Southworth was driven over and then top try scorer for Town Ben Priddey.

The Camborne supporters cheered their favourites off at half-time 28-0 to the good.

Redruth made some changes at half-time, Tommy Phillips, Jack King, Dan Rutter  and Nat Dart came on whilst shortly later Chris Rovery, a guest player who plays for Dings entered the fray.

The Reds set about their business. An early penalty was kicked to the corner from the catch and drive it was Sam Stevens who scored the first try of th second half, Rutter adding the extras.

Two minutes later thedeficit had been halved, Harry Hocking bamboozled th Town defence with Harry Andrewartha cutting back through the gap to dot down at the posts. Game on!

Redruth had their tails up as they continued to press in Camborne territory. From a scrum the ball went to James this time the try was good, Redruth were back to within a score.

The Redruth faithful who had made the short trip were in full cry as the clock ticked down.

Redruth piled on the pressure, eventually it told as the forwards drove over, was it Tyler Gendall or Phillips? Rutter’s conversion levelled the scores.

Camborne tried desperately to fashion another score but the Redruth defence held firm.

What a game!

Camborne will be disappointed to have let their half-time advantage slip and feel they should have won, however Redruth showed great courage to stage such a comeback.

The TASC Tony Pill Memorial Cup for the man-of-the-match went to Redruth’s Tommy Phillips

Camborne: A Simmonds, Larkins, Edson, Long, Vinnecombe,  Simmonds, Jolly;  Southworth, Priddey, Prowse, Fuca, Hughes, Sheppard, Nicholls, Rose (C).

Replacements: Drew, Dower, Looker, Hazelton, Harrison-Evans, Trengove, Brooksbank, Bone

Redruth: Bonds, Thomas, Andrewartha, James, Bowden, Brownfield, Tanswell; Barnes, Hocking, Gendall, Osborne, Pascoe, Fox (C), Stevens, Chapman.

Replacements: Pritchard, Phillips, King, Rovery, Allen, Dart, Rutter, Swan, Hall, Chapple.

Referee: James Milliner-Woodcock

Below are the fixtures we are aware of. There maybe other fixtures which we can add to if notified.

Would advise you check with the home club regarding kick-off times.

BOXING DAY FIXTURES 2023 FRIENDLIES

CAMBORNE – REDRUTH  2 PM

BUDE – PRESIDENT’S XV 11 AM

PENRYN – FALMOUTH 2 PM

 ST. IVES XV  – GURNARDS XV 2:30 PM

NEWQUAY HORNETS  –  CHAIRMAN’S XV 11 AM

LAUNCESTON  CLUB XV –  HOLIDAY  XV 11 AM

PERRANPORTH – CHAIRMAN’S XV 2 PM

FALMOUTH II – PENRYN II 11 AM

LANKELLY-FOWEY – ST. AUSTELL XV 11 AM

SALTASH – ST. BONIFACE OLD BOYS 11 AM

 HARBOUR LIGHTS XV – ST. JUST 2 PM (MENNAYE FIELD)

REDRUTH II – CAMBORNE BARBARIANS XV 11 AM

HELSTON – EXILES 11:30 AM

ROSELAND – TRURO XV 1 PM

REDRUTH 19 – 19 CAMBORNE

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground.

The much anticipated Cornish Derby ended with honours even in front of large festive crowd that filled all sides of this famous old ground.

A special day for both Redruth’s Dean Bonds playing his 200^th game, and Camborne’s Tommy-Lee  Southworth racking up his 150^th game for the Cherry & Whites. Both deserved the applause they received as they entered the field.

After the game both coaches felt the result was fair, however each felt that their side could have won.

Redruth’s head coach Richie Kevern said. “I am very proud of my team, I asked for a big performance and they certainly delivered. We started so well and dominated the game during the first quarter, we got two early tries but we needed a third try before the break to put the pressure on Camborne, instead they pulled back a try and that gave them momentum  going into the second half. We showed character to come back to draw the game.”

Camborne’s Director of Rugby Steve Larkins was equally pleased with Camborne’s performance. He said. “It was a fair result, however we felt we let slip a chance towards the end, the lads felt a little flat in the post match huddle. What a marvellous spectacle from both sides in front of another big crowd who got their monies worth today.”

What followed was high drama, the like of which a new generation of rugby followers had never seen from a Mining Division League Derby.

Both sides went at each other hammer & tong from the off, with crunching tackles that made you wince.

Bonds, on his special day, was playing like a man possessed popping up everywhere tackling every Cherry & White in sight.

It was the forwards that set up the opening try for the Reds with prop Tommy Phillips powering over after a series of pick & go’s. Fly-half Rhys Brownfield added the conversion.

Redruth domination continued as they pushed Camborne back towards their line with centre Jamin Hoffman slicing through the cover to dot down. The Redruth crowd roared their approval.

As expected centre Josh Matavesi started to influence the Camborne back play, whilst lock Adam Hughes started to punch holes in the Redruth defence.

Wing Harry Larkins bored down on Hellfire corner only to be denied by that man Bonds who dislodged the ball in the covering tackle.

Just before the break Camborne got their reward when flanker Jordan Nicholls went over following great play from Matavesi and fellow centre Nico De Battista, full back Aaron Simmonds adding the extras, for 12-7 at the turn. The Camborne faithful had something to cheer.

Camborne maintained their momentum, skipper Jordan Rose and Hughes made space for flanker Jago Sheppard out wide to score in the corner and tie the scores early doors second half. More excitement from the Camborne end with their flags waving hard, it was all to play for.

The Reds pushed hard but the Cherry & White defence held firm. Redruth had a player yellow carded and from a tap and go near the Red’s line top try-scorer hooker Ben Priddey was driven over with Simmonds converting. Cue Camborne Hill.

With time running out Redruth battled away in frenetic finale, it was Camborne’s turn to have a man in the bin. “Cometh the hour, cometh the man” as a well known former Cornish rugby reporter often said, the Red pack having the final word when prop Tyler Gendall was driven over under the sticks to huge cheers from a packed Hellfire corner. Brownfield tied the scores to make it a good Christmas for all, until Boxing Day!

REDRUTH: Beckerleg, Levick, Hoffman, James, Bonds, Brownfield, Tanswell, Phillips, Pritchard, Williams, Hattam, Pascoe, Fox, King, Wickham.

Replacements: Barnes, Gendall, Hocking, Stevens, Thomas.

CAMBORNE: Simmonds, Larkins, Gilbert, Matavesi, Ducker, De Battista, Jolly, Southworth, Priddey, Drew, Heazelton, Hughes, Sheppard, Nicholls, Rose.

Replacements: Rodman, Prowse, Fuca, Edson, Kessell.

Referee: Neil Sweeney (RFU)

Crowd: 2,850