TRIBUTE CORNWALL KNOCK OUT CUP FINAL
By Bill Hooper at St. Clements Hill, Truro
Camborne made it three cup wins in a row to equal Launceston’s triple success in the mid nineties, however they needed extra-time to finally overcome a valiant St. Austell side who ended up once more losing finalists against Town.
Full-back Dan Pearce for St. Austell and man-of-the-match fly-half Dave Mankee for Camborne kicked early penalties before St. Austell’s early dominance was rewarded with a try scored by flanker Ian Venner with Pearce adding the extras.
A high tackle by St. Austell’s James Martin on Mankee saw the winger dispatched to the cooler for 10 minutes by referee Kevin Williams.
Although Mankee reduced the deficit with second penalty it was St. Austell who continued to enjoy the better of it until almost up to half-time when Dave Roberts fed Mankee from a scrum and the dancing feet of winger Alex Ducker did the rest for a score under the posts and a simple conversion for Mankee to give the Cherry & Whites an improbable 13-10 half-time lead.
Pearce missed with an early penalty at the posts in the second half as St. Austell looked to up the tempo. A string of kickable penalties came their way but each time they looked to the corner, and each time they lost possession!
Prop Hugh Noot appeared to have made the line for Saints but on the officials were unsighted. Then Camborne’s James Goldsworthy managed to get an arm under the ball as St. Austell again drove over the line. It was heroic stuff.
It looked like Camborne would hang on for the win but when skipper Steve Kenward was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on, Pearce had the chance to level the scores, he did not miss, we were into extra-time.
The pivotal moment came on 87 minutes when centre Richie Kevern charged down a Callum Wilson clearance, the ball went loose and Mankee was on hand to dot down and convert the try for a seven point lead.
Mankee then added another penalty just four minutes from time to seal the win.
St. Austell’s cup of woe was complete when lock Rob Jeffs was given a red card for a head-butt on replacement scrum-half Dean Pascoe, but by then “Up Camborne Hill” was ringing out across St. Clements Hill!
Camborne 23 pts
Tries: Ducker, D Mankee; Cons: D Mankee (2); Pens: D Mankee (3).
Yellow Card: Kenward
St Austell 13 pts
Try: Venner; Con: D Pearce; Pens: D Pearce (2).
Yellow Card: Martin
Red Card: Jeffs
Camborne: G Mankee, R Floyd, R Kevern, S Kenward (capt), A Ducker, D Mankee, T Peacock, N Endean,S Milliner, A Zacharovas, T Whittle, B Kemp, C Bone, J Goldsworthy, D Roberts.
Replacements used: K Westlake, D Pascoe, M Woolcock, N Stanleick, S Bartle, S McDonald.
St Austell: D Pearce, J Martin, C Wilson, S Rhodes, B Chenoweth, L Freeman, A Ashwin, H Noott, M Davey (capt), M Martin, J Vian, R Jeffs, J Grigg, I Venner, A Kellow.
Replacements used: A Pearce, P Winterbottom, A Barbery, D Pellow, A Mason-Maxwell, D Johns.
Referee: Kevin Williams (Cornwall RRS).
CAMBORNE REACTION – POST MATCH
Following the on-pitch presentation of the cup and mementoes to the players, Camborne’s head coach Liam Chapple spoke about his pride in his player’s performance. “I am really pleased for the boys they deserve it, not just for today but the season as a whole.
“Fair play to St. Austell they gave us a good game and it was tight, they had penalty chances which they perhaps surprisingly kicked for the corner rather than take the points, they felt confident with their forward drive but we didn’t help ourselves during the second half we made some silly decisions and tried to push things when they weren’t really on and should have played a bit more territory. In extra-time we were almost like a different team we woke up and played and got the result we deserved.
“We will enjoy the moment but for me attention has already turned to next season. We will be looking to recruit having had the injury problems we have had you have to have a bigger squad of players.
“Players will get a bit of rest but pre-season isn’t far off and myself Phil Angove and Scott Macdonald will be putting in place our plans to get the squad ready for next season. Phil helped out with a few sessions leading up to the final, the players will respect the experience and knowledge he has from 30 years of coaching, he won’t stand any nonsense and maybe that’s what some of the lads need now and again.”
Camborne’s man-of-the-match fly-half Dave Mankee was also delighted to finish the season retaining the cup: “We have had a hard season, loads of injuries and I think morale went’ down with that. Today we showed real character, that period in the second half when we had to defend we really dug deep really showed what we are about.”
Mankee felt that the turning point was his try from the charge down kick: “That was the crucial first score in extra-time and it gave us control. Kicking was difficult out there today with the swirling wind luckily I was able to judge it well and got those crucial penalties when we had the chance.”
Mankee also hopes that his season isn’t over as he hopes to be involved with the Cornwall side during the campaign: “I really enjoyed being part of the Tamar Cup win on Tuesday night and although I am not part of the squad this coming Saturday I hope I can get in at some stage during the campaign.”
In the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup played before hand, Veor secured their third cup success with a 10-7 win over Lanner.
It was a fitting send off for club stalwart Kevin Mankee playing his last game.
All the points came in the first half with Veor scoring a try through centre James McInnes converted by winger Bevin Stone.
Alan Rule at scrum-half was having an influential game for Lanner and they levelled matters when No.8 Mikey Allen went over with fly-half Marc Britton adding the extras.
Just before half-time Stone kicked what proved to be the cup winning penalty from in front of the posts.
Lanner threw everything at Veor in the final moments with Allan almost grabbing a second try but it was not to be for the village side in their first ever final.
Veor’s No. 8 Andrew Lancaster was voted man-of-the-match.
