By Martin Symons at the Recreation Ground

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO WEST

Redruth 35 Camborne 43

CAMBORNE swept to victory in the eagerly awaited first local derby clash of the season after a devastating opening half performance in front of a crowd of more than 2,500 at Redruth’s Recreation Ground.

The Cherry and Whites stunned the home side and their own supporters at the ‘Camborne End’ by running in six tries in that direction inside 36 minutes for an unassailable 43-0 lead.

First to cross at the base of the posts early on was skipper Jordan Rose after flanker Jordan Nicholls made a storming break up the middle. Josh Matavesi booted the conversion and soon after he added the extras to right wing AJ King’s dot down following a flowing handling move.

Centre Matavesi slotted a 14th minute penalty goal and still inside the first quarter he sent out a lovely long pass to Alex Ducker who used his pace before diving over wide out.

On the half hour a Redruth attack broke down following a strong Kyle Moyle tackle, and the fly-half then flicked out a deft pass to left wing Ducker who romped over from fully 80 metres for the bonus point score.

Matavesi added the conversion for 29-0 and almost immediately was on target again converting centre Connor Gilbert’s try.

As the interval neared the visitors gained a penalty in the scoreboard corner and quick thinking by man of the match Matavesi saw him tap and dive over. With a majestic wide angled conversion, the Fijian international took his personal tally to 18 points.

Redruth rallied and a strong forward drive saw them open their account with a try from replacement Chris Rovery converted by Dean Wills to make the score 43-7 at the break.

After the drama of the opening period of the game the 3rd quarter developed into a stop-start evenly contested arm wrestle for territory as both teams emptied their benches.

From the hour mark the Reds continued to battle back into contention and eventually they bagged a deserved try from centre Sam James bursting clear from a maul on 70 minutes. That was improved on by Wills.

With time running out replacement centre Bobby Wigginton, who is on loan from Plymouth Albion, made a jinking run to dot down a solo try which Wills converted to cut the deficit to 43-21.

In stoppage time the home side went in search of the bonus point, and following a number of close range attacks, were awarded a penalty try.

On the final whistle Redruth again showed their spirit to mount a final onslaught which brought a try for number eightShaun Buzza to be improved by Wills with the final kick of a pulsating match.

Once again the Mining Division giants had served up a fantastic spectacle played in great spirit and showcasing all that is good about grassroots Cornish rugby.

REDRUTH: Matt Bonds, Luke Johnson, Harry Andrewartha, Sam James, Charlie Levick, Dean Wills, Jacob Chapple; Tommy Phillips, Matthew Pritchard, Tyler Gendall, Jamie Prisk, Edd Pascoe (capt), Connor Triggs, Jack King, Shaun Buzza. Replacements: Jess Tompsett, Luke Barnes, Chris Rovery, Charlie Way, Bobby Wigginton.

Tries: Rovery, James, Wigginton, Buzza, penalty try; Convs: Wills (4); Pens: N/A.

CAMBORNE: Harry Larkins, AJ King, Connor Gilbert, Josh Matavesi, Alex Ducker, Kyle Moyle, CJ Boyce; Jack Andrew, Ben Priddey, Jon Drew, Jack Heazelton, Dan Marais, Jordan Rose (capt), Jordan Nicholls, Aden Brassington. Replacements: Sam Rodman, Declan Prowse, Chris Fuca, Will Tanswell, Will Hennessy.

Tries: Ducker (2), Rose, King, Gilbert, Matavesi; Convs: Matavesi (5); Pens: Matavesi.