CAMBORNE finished as runners-up in National League Two West, going down to defeat in the final game of the season after an 11-try thriller on a glorious spring afternoon in Cheshire.

The Cherry & Whites can still look back with pride on a magnificent campaign that has seen the club finish in the highest league position in their history.

The frustrating tone for the day was set early on as ‘Town’ went on the attack only to see Alex Ducker denied by a last-ditch tackle before a Josh Matavesi dot down was adjudged as held up.

Continuing the onslaught Camborne’s forwards battered the line but Ben Priddey saw a brace of catch-and-drives chalked off still inside the first quarter.

On 25 minutes the home side went in front from a long-range converted try before flanker Jordan Nicholls promptly charged over for 7-5.

Macclesfield then pounced on a lineout error from the visitors to go 14-5 up, but left wing Ducker soon replied with his 30th try of the season, well-converted by fly-half Sam Walker to cut the deficit to only two points at the break.

Early in the second period, centre Matavesi blasted through the midfield from close range before popping a pass to co-centre Will Hennessy who touched down for a 17-14 lead.

Though the home side went back in front on 51 minutes with another well-taken converted try, it was still anybody’s game until momentum swung on a scrum penalty decision early in the final quarter.

Camped in the home 22, the Cherry and Whites pack shunted the scrum backwards only to be penalised and soon after Macclesfield rubbed salt into the wounds with a thrilling bonus point try.

Thereafter, the game unravelled for a misfiring ‘Town’ as two further home tries took the score to 40-17 with time running out.

Late on Camborne first gained the consolation of a losing bonus point when Priddey was driven over wide out to equal the club’s try-scoring record held by team-mate Ducker.

Then with time almost up, the veteran hooker fittingly repeated the dose in the opposite corner to bag a remarkable 45thtry of the season setting a new record that could stand for many a year.

CAMBORNE: Harry Larkins, Jack Davis, Will Hennessy, Josh Matavesi, Alex Ducker, Sam Walker, CJ Boyce; Tommy-Lee Southworth, Ben Priddey, Jon Drew (capt), Jack Andrew, Jack Heazelton, Jordan Rose, Jordan Nicholls, Aden Brassington. Replacements: Declan Prowse, Chris Fuca, Cameron Bone, Freddie Veimosoi, Will Tanswell.

Tries: Priddey (2), Nicholls, Ducker, Hennessy; Convs: Walker; Pens: N/A.

THE Reds finished eighth in the table as they finished their campaign with a 36-26 over their visitors from Weston-super-Mare.

The home side got the scoreboard moving with a catch-and-drive which was finished off by man-of-the-match Tom Cowan-Dickie, but after the visitors scored three tries, Jack King finished off a try to get them back to within seven at 21-14.

But with just 40 minutes left of the season they scored four second half tries to run out deserved winners as forwards Cowan-Dickie, Matt Pritchard and Jamie Prisk all rumbled over.

Fly-half Dean Wills was superb with his range of kicking as the Reds finished just two points off Luctonians in fifth.