Camborne 36 - 29 Redruth

A crowd of 2,678 saw Camborne beat Redruth 36-29 in their first competitive league derby in 32 years thus securing local bragging rights that had been held for many years in the Redruth camp.
Camborne's promotion to National Two West last season resurrected the derby, which had been dormant since the early 1990’s.
In bright hot sunshine the two teams served up nine-try feat of rugby with the result in doubt right to the end showing the passion that the people of the Mining Division have for the game of rugby football.

The newly promoted Cherry & Whites made a dream start with hooker Ben Priddey’s early try being converted by Aaron Simmonds but the lead was short-lived as a home mistake allowed Redruth centre Jack Simmons to romp over with Nat Dart adding the extras.
Fly halves Dart & Simmonds then traded penalties before a try from visiting prop Tommy Phillips midway through the 1st period put Redruth ahead for the first and only time.
The Cherry & Whites then enjoyed a scoring purple patch before the break that would ultimately prove the difference between the two teams.
First Alex Ducker went on a dazzling run to set up a Josh Matavesi touchdown to level the scores. Wing Ducker was then denied a try as a pass was adjudged forward but soon after centre Matavesi showed his strength by barging over to complete his brace, Simmonds converting.
On half-time Camborne’s forwards drove infield from a close-range lineout setting up centre Connor Gilbert to charge in under the crossbar. With Simmonds slotting the extras the home side led 29-15 at the half-time break.

Early in the second half Redruth cut the deficit with a try from No 8 Sam Stevens converted by Dart. Redruth seemed set for a comeback similar to the week before when they had overturned a 21 points deficit against Old Redcliffians but it was not to be.
That however was as close as the Reds would get as Camborne defended resolutely for long periods including seeing out two yellow cards which saw them down to 13 men for a spell. Despite this Redruth could not force a score.
Late in the game, Camborne ensured victory as they camped on the Redruth goal line eventually earning a penalty try to go clear at 36-22.
Redruth would not lie down and before the final whistle bagged two losing bonus points courtesy of hooker Mackenzie Oliver’s try converted by replacement Rhys Brownfield.

Comments from Redruth Head coach – Richard Kevern
"We just missed the big moments and we conceded some soft tries and missed our opportunities, and second half that became costly,".
"You sit there and think, 'did we create enough opportunities to win the game?'. Yes. 'Did we take them?' No.
"That's where we are as a team at the moment; we've got to be better at taking those opportunities.
"But looking at it from a league point of view we've come away from home and got two league points, so the bragging rights might not be with us at the moment, but league-wise we're still up there."