AFTER a long summer of waiting, Camborne head to Leeds Tykes tomorrow afternoon (2pm) for their first-ever match in National League One.

The Cherry and Whites – heavily backed by Tony Chapman and his CLX professionals in recent years – won 22 of their 26 games last year to win the National League Two (West) title and haven’t stood still since, signing a host of players as they look to get to grips with life in the third-tier of English rugby.

Close to a dozen signings have been made, including 25-year-old Canadian international lock Barnaby Waddell from Bridgend in Wales, back Joel Matavesi – the third brother of skipper Sam and defence coach Josh, former Cornwall fly-half Fraser Honey and Scotland Under-20 international prop Craig Davidson. Flanker Barnaby Elderkin has also arrived on loan from the Cornish Pirates.

Influential No.8 Herbie Stupple has committed after joining towards the end of last season, but former Gloucester and Cornish Pirates full-back Kyle Moyle has retired and Connor Gilbert has joined neighbours Redruth.

Head coach Tom Kessell admits the Cornishmen can’t wait to get going.

He said: “It’s amazing for Camborne to play at this level and several of our squad have never done so, so it’s going to be an incredible experience.

“However, we’ve got to remember that it’s 15 versus 15 with a referee in the middle and that we’ve got to go and impose ourselves.

“But the atmosphere has been building all week, training has been really good and we’re looking forward to the year.”

Kessell played for the Cornish Pirates in the second-tier, and with several members of the squad having been at this level or much higher, he knows the importance of keeping it simple.

He continued: “We go into it with a big winning mentality after last year, and although we know we’re playing at what will be a much better level, we’ve got to figure it out as we go, but also to enjoy what you’re doing.

“Yes we’ve got an attacking DNA and a way we like to play, but we’re also here to win games so we’ll come up with a gameplan each week and if we need to adapt that to give us the best chance of success, that’s what we’ll do.

“The boys have been working really hard, particularly physically and in the gym as we know we need to be as fit and as strong as we can possibly be, but of course we’ve been working on how we want to play as opposed to worrying too much about other people.”

The Tykes, who play at The Sycamores, won promotion two years ago before ending their first season in a respectable ninth.

Kessell continued: “Leeds look to be a very physical team who will fancy their chances facing a promoted side at home, but we don’t want them to dictate to us, so we’ll see how we get on.”

Camborne won 12 of their 13 outings at the Recreation Ground last year, and Kessell knows victories in the Duchy are paramount.

“It’s really important we’re good at home. We know how hard it is for opposing teams to come to Cornwall and last year we won a lot of games, so we need to make it a fortress if we are to become a sustainable team in this league.

“But it’s amazing to see how the club has grown. We had nearly 2,800 in for the pre-season friendly with the Pirates and people around here have fallen back in love with the club. But we also need to focus on tomorrow and trying to pick up a positive result in Leeds, just because that will create an even bigger buzz ahead of next week’s first home game with Plymouth Albion.”

Camborne were regularly at Step Six, back after a promotion and two years in National Two, and Kessell wants them to enjoy the moment.

“If you said to me five years ago we’d be preparing for our National One debut I’m not sure I’d have believed you,” he continued. But it’s a credit to everyone at the club and Tony for his investment that we’re where we are.

“We know it’s not going to go our way every week this year, but it’s a journey we need to really make sure we enjoy.”

Camborne’s team for tomorrow has a familiar look to it as the Matavesi brothers - Sam, Josh and Joel take the field together for the first time in a league game for their hometown club.

There are just three new signings in the starting XV, although several players – including the likes of Jack Andrew, Matt Shepherd and Luke Barnes are missing through injury or suspension - while Waddell is on the bench for Canada against Japan.

Winger Oli Roberts, who has returned to his home county starts on the right wing, while Joel Matavesi lines up alongside brother Josh in the centres. Honey goes straight in at fly-half to partner CJ Boyce at half-back, while Moyle’s place at full-back goes to Rory O’Kane.

Tommy-Lee Southworth and Jon Drew have recovered from season-ending injuries to line-up either side of the evergreen try-scoring machine Ben Priddey in the front row, while Adam Hughes is away with Jamie Prisk and Jago Sheppard patrolling the line-out.

Skipper Sam Matavesi will wear the six shirt with Jordan Nicholls at seven either side of powerhouse Stupple.

The five-man bench has four new faces with props Declan Prowse and Ben Woodmansey returning to the club, while new signings Harrison Hayman and Jay Toogood – a back-rower and versatile back respectively – will look to make an impact in the second half.

CAMBORNE at Leeds Tykes (2pm): Rory O’Kane; Oli Roberts, Joel Matavesi, Josh Matavesi, Alex Ducker; Fraser Honey, CJ Boyce; Tommy-Lee Southworth, Ben Priddey, Jon Drew; Jamie Prisk, Jago Sheppard; Sam Matavesi (capt), Jordan Nicholls, Herbie Stupple. Replacements: Declan Prowse, Ben Woodmansey, Harrison Hayman, Will Hennessy, Jay Toogood.