Camborne produce epic comeback on National League One debut

CAMBORNE marked their historic first-ever National One game with a memorable away comeback victory at Leeds Tykes on Saturday.

For the longest trip of the season, the Cherry and Whites gave league debuts in the backline to Fraser Honey and Oli Roberts, whilst the three Matavesi brothers – skipper Sam, Josh and Joel – lined up together for the first time in a competitive match.

‘Town’ made a dream start when hooker Ben Priddey powered over off the back of a close-range forward drive for fly-half Honey to convert. However, the hosts soon countered with an unconverted try for newcomer George Worthington.

In a five-minute purple patch midway through the half, Leeds then bagged a quickfire 19 points, including touchdowns from Ewan Laughton (2) and Charlie Venables, leaving the Cornishmen with a mountain to climb at 24-7.

Needing a response, the visitors worked a good field position on 34 minutes and Priddey completed his brace as his forward pack drove strongly over the home try-line. Again Honey converted to cut the arrears to ten points.

On the half-time whistle, however, Leeds were over for their fifth try - again through Worthington - for 29-14 at the break.

The visitors came out fired up for the second period and soon established a foothold in the game as centre Josh Matavesi barged over after an unstoppable 20-metre charge for Honey to add the extras.

Another prompt score would be crucial for ‘Town’ and this duly arrived midway through the half. Young wing Roberts and replacement Jay Toogood combined well to take play deep into home territory from where the forwards attacked, ending with lock Jamie Prisk plunging over. Rory O’Kane’s well-judged conversion made the score 29-28.

Almost from the resumption, with Leeds on the attack, prolific wing Alex Ducker intercepted a pass to race fully 70 metres to touch down and give his team the lead. Full-back O’Kane slotted the regulation conversion for a six-point cushion.

Having impressively notched 21 unanswered points the momentum was now with ‘Town’ well inside the last quarter.

In a tense finale, the Tykes hit back taking a narrow advantage with a 71st minute converted score from Connor Walker, but Camborne were not to be denied and late on O’Kane coolly landed a long-range penalty to send the visitors and their small band of supporters home happy.

Sporting director Ricky Pellow praised the Cornish outfit’s performance, saying: "You look at the age of the squad, and there’s a lot of young players in there that have played their first game for the club and also Nat One, so they’re going to learn a lot.

“Obviously the boys are going to be apprehensive going into the game, not knowing what Nat One rugby would be like, but now they know, and they know that they can compete, and they know that they can challenge the top teams in the league.”

The small matter of Plymouth Albion at home awaits this Saturday (3pm).

CAMBORNE: Rory O’Kane; Oli Roberts, Josh Matavesi, Joel 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: Dec Prowse, Ben Woodmansey, Harrison Hayman, Jay Toogood, Will Hennessy.

Tries: Priddey (2), Josh Matavesi, Prisk, Ducker; Convs: Honey 3, O’Kane 2; Pens: O’Kane.