Camborne Capitalise on Navy Discipline to Secure Victory

On a mild but blustery evening at The Recreation Ground, home of Camborne RFC, the Cherry and Whites welcomed the Royal Navy U23s for what proved to be a hard-fought fixture despite the scoreline.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, with Camborne applying early pressure from the kick off. Driving forward phase after phase, the hosts edged ever closer to the Navy try line. However, determined defensive work from the visitors forced a knock-on, relieving the immediate danger. From the resulting scrum, Navy fly-half Jake Bosher showcased excellent footwork, weaving his way past three Camborne defenders to move his side safely out of their own 22.

As the first half progressed, Navy discipline began to let them down, conceding a number of penalties and allowing Camborne to maintain territorial pressure. After around ten minutes of sustained attacking rugby, Camborne eventually found a breakthrough. Although Navy scrum-half Owen Jordan produced a huge tackle in defence, the hosts recycled possession and crossed the whitewash for the opening try. The conversion drifted wide, leaving the score at 5-0.

After 20 minutes, Camborne returned to the Navy five-metre line after winning another penalty and kicking to touch. A clean lineout set up a powerful driving maul that looked destined for the try line. However, the Navy pack dug deep, halting the maul and forcing a scrum. From there, Bosher who was having an excellent game, produced a huge clearance kick to ease the pressure once again.

Despite these defensive efforts, further infringements proved costly for the visitors. A succession of penalties resulted in Bosher receiving a team yellow card, and with the Navy reduced to fourteen men, the referee awarded Camborne a penalty try. The score moved to 12-0.

Camborne capitalised ruthlessly with the advantage. With confidence growing, the hosts struck twice more in quick succession, scoring two converted tries within four minutes. The Cherry and Whites headed into the break firmly in control.

Half-time: Camborne 26-0 Navy

The second half began positively for the Navy, but it was Camborne who struck first after the restart. A well-worked attack saw the home side score beneath the posts, making the conversion straightforward and extending their lead to 33-0.

Rather than allowing their heads to drop, the Navy responded with renewed determination. Their scrum began to gain dominance, driving Camborne backwards and creating opportunities in attack. After securing possession at the back of a powerful scrum and winning the ensuing breakdown, the ball found No 8 Aeron Greenland, who burst through the Camborne defence with blistering pace. Beating three defenders, Greenland carried play deep into the hosts' territory.

The pressure told when Camborne conceded a penalty inside their own 22. The Navy kicked to the corner and secured clean lineout ball. From the resulting driving maul, captain and hooker Lloyd Evans, powered over the line from the back of the maul to score the visitors' only try of the evening. The conversion attempt from replacement centre Joe Thorpe drifted wide, leaving the score at 33-5.

Unfortunately for the Navy, discipline issues resurfaced during the closing stages. More penalties handed Camborne valuable field position and the hosts took full advantage, crossing beneath the posts for their final try of the evening. The conversion was added to complete the scoring.

Full Time: Camborne 40-5 Navy

U23s: B Chaston, L Evans (C), B Hannaford-Waddington; T Moss, G Provost; C Thompson, R Tozer, A Greenland (VC); O Jordan, J Bosher (VC), R Bennett, C Newell, J Rowland, L Leeman, C Crawford.

Replacements: W Jarret, J Foy, K Mackenzie, R Hawkshaw, J Thorpe, D Seales, J Leggett.

Words by Russ Keitch

Images by Chris Burton