Camborne continue superb start by winning Sale FC thriller at the Recreation Ground

CAMBORNE held out in a tense finale to secure a deserved win over Sale after a ten-try thriller at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

In front of another big crowd, the Cherry and Whites and their established National One opponents traded scores throughout in a real nip and tuck encounter.

Playing down the slope, the Lancashire side took a ninth minute lead with an unconverted try from Oli Longmore, before the hosts responded midway through the half with prop Jon Drew barging over for Fraser Honey to add the extras.

On 32 minutes the visitors’ powerful maul delivered a second touchdown as Joe Green converted Longmore’s brace for 12-7. But ‘Town’ were quick to hit back as hooker Sam Matavesi crossed following No.8 Herbie Stupple’s charge for the line. Fly-half Honey’s conversion restored the home lead.

Ding dong it went as the interval neared with a converted Sale effort from Arthur Scrase swiftly answered by the home side. Prop Tommy-Lee Southworth’s deft pass sent flanker Jago Sheppard racing clear to exchange passes with Dan Roderick to go romping over. Honey’s regulation kick took the half-time score to 21-19.

Camborne began the second half strongly with scrum-half Roderick having the ball knocked from his hand in the act of scoring, before a Josh Matavesi chip ahead caused hesitation in the Sale defence, creating the bonus point try-scoring opportunity this time taken by man-of-the-match Roderick.

The visitors would not lie down however and a corner score on 53 minutes from Ned Edwards narrowed the deficit to 26-24.

Midway through the half the Cherry and Whites increased their advantage when replacement Adam Hughes burst clear before finding skipper Matavesi with plenty to do to go 25 metres and crash over under the crossbar. Honey added the extras for a nine-point lead.

Again Sale hit back with a try 15 minutes from time via Josh Brown which set up a nailbiting finish. On the final whistle the visitors worked their way to the turnstile corner from where a driving maul was halted, as Camborne kept their line intact with a final act of resolute defence.

The Cornishmen will now head into a week’s break in a satisfying third spot in the National One table and reflecting on a superb seven-game block of fixtures that has seen just a solitary defeat at the hands of leaders Plymouth Albion.

CAMBORNE: Oli Roberts; Frankie Nowell, Joel Matavesi, Josh Matavesi, Matt Shepherd; Fraser Honey, Dan Roderick; Tommy-Lee Southworth, Sam Matavesi (capt), Jon Drew; George Smith, Barnaby Waddell; Jago Sheppard, Jordan Nicholls, Herbie Stupple. Replacements: Jack Andrew, Ben Woodmansey, Adam Hughes, Ben Power, Alex Ducker.

Tries: Drew, Matavesi (2), Sheppard, Roderick; Convs: Honey (4); Pens: N/A.

Cherry and Whites’ man-of-the-match: Dan Roderick.