Blues fall just short in Cornwall

CAMBORNE 11 v 7 NEWBURY BLUES
Blues fall just short in Cornwall
Saturday 21st Oct 2017, 3pm KO South West Premier

Newbury Blues produce a good defensive display at Camborne and just miss out on a win but get a losing bonus point

Blues set off for Cornwall on Friday evening but a closed M4 means the journey takes 7.5 hours and they get to their hotel at 1-30 and straight to bed.

Storm Brian had threatened heavy rain but the game began in bright sunshine with a very strong cross wind. In the early exchanges, the Blues had the upper hand, making good ground. Camborne managed to stop the Blues, but conceded a penalty, Trevaskis sets the ball out wide but the wind pushed the kick across the face of the posts.

12 mins, Blues then had a line out on half way, Walsh wins the ball and taps back, which then launches a fluid attack where offloads and passing defy the conditions and Joe Pigott releases Toby Thorne to score in the corner, Ryan Trevaskis realigns his sights and kicks a superb wide conversion 0 – 7

Blues take the kick off well and launch another attack and at this point are looking the better team, keeping Camborne in their own half. After a sustained amount of pressure, Camborne give away another penalty, Trevaskis again sets the ball wide, but unfortunately the wind didn’t push it towards the posts.

This missed seemed to galvanise Camborne and they began to string some phases together, they made good ground and found themselves in the Newbury 22, the referee then decided that after 2 consecutive penalties, it was time to take action and issued a yellow card to Blues

The hosts decided top keep the ball alive and with the extra man scored a well worked try, conversion missed. 5 - 7

Both teams then raised their respective games and tackle kicking then came to the fore, it was the hosts that won this battle after the Blues kicked directly to touch. This pressure resulted in a penalty in front of the posts which was converted, making the half time score 8 – 7.

By the time the second half started the wind speed had increased and was making it hard for both teams to put any significant phases together, but the Blues started well, but couldn’t convert what possession they had into any real scoring opportunities.

44 mins – Kyle Doel off, Adam Neal on

Camborne then went back to route one rugby and pinned the Blues in their own half for 15 mins, the hosts were awarded a series of penalties which were quickly taken looking to catch the Blues unguarded, but the hosts could not penetrate the resolute Blues defence, who thwarted numerous Camborne drives.

The referee then judged that Blues had infringed at the ruck and issued the Blues 2nd yellow of the day.

Camborne continued to take scrums instead of kicks at goal, but this proved worthless as the 7 man Blues pack held firm and at times pushed Camborne back, eventually a penalty was given in front of the post and the hosts made it 11-7 with 22 mins to go.

Ollie Spanswick & Ben hicks off, Dylan Stewart and Graham Stewart on
The weather then took a turn for the worse with driving rain and an even stronger wind battering the players. The Blues now grabbed this game by the throat and took it to the hosts. They made some excellent ground into the home sides 22, but a knock on stopped this attack in its tracks. The home side then tried to run the clock down by playing 1 out rugby, for 15+ phases. Little ground was made, but time was running out.

The Blues then launched an attack and got up to the hosts line, a series of drives were pushed back and with they earnt a penalty with 8 mins to go in front of the post. Blues opted for a scrum and the hosts pushed early so a free kick was awarded, Joe Pigott took a quick tap, but was called back by the referee, who adjudged that it had been taken in the wrong place and awarded the scrum to Camborne.

The hosts failed to clear their lines and in the last few minutes it was all Blues, who only needed a try to take the spoils, drive after drive pounded Camborne’s weary but strong defence. The Blues went for broke and the Camborne defender got on the ball and attempted to hold up the ball carrier, the referee then made a very quick call of “maul” and Camborne turned the ball over, which effectively ended any chance of the Blues winning this game.

Final score 11 -7

Unfortunately, the Blues fell short this week, despite a herculean effort from all and the disappointment from the players and coaches at the end was evident, but with limited possession, 2 yellow cards and some key decisions going against them, this was always going to be a tough ask. At least the drive home was quicker.

Thanks, must go to another good Blues crowd who travelled down to Cornwall to support the Blues and to hosts Camborne, who looked after the players, coaches and supporters during the day. The box of pasties were delicious.

Next week, Blues are at home in a big Berkshire derby against rivals Maidenhead in what will be a humdinger and not to be missed.

Newbury Squad
Ben Hicks, Rob Drysdale, James Macauley, Kyle Doel, Josh Winfield, Finn Walsh, Ollie Spanswick,
Alex Millar, Joe Pigott, Richard West, Toby Pearce, Josh Love, Dan Thorne, Toby Thorne,
Ryan Trevaskis, Graham Stewart, Adam Neal, Dylan Stewart,

Report courtesy of Lee Goodall

Camborne's Report

Town overcome late withdrawals to grab victory

Camborne dominated the 2nd period to secure a deserved hard fought victory at a windswept Recreation Ground.
The Cherry & Whites gave a debut to wing Harvey Bell and in two late changes to the pack stalwarts Martin Woolcock and Dave Roberts came in to add their experience and guile against much heavier opponents.

To mark his 250th appearance for ‘Town’ hooker Sam Bartle lead out the side whilst Dave Mankee took over as captain with Jon Drew injured.
Given first use of the slope the visitors began positively but an early kickable penalty was blown off target by the wind gusting across the pitch.
Eventually Newbury took the lead on 13 minutes with a well worked try dotted down wide on the right to which the full back added the extras from the touchline with a superb kick.
From the restart Camborne took play deep into the visiting half from where impressive newcomer Bell went very close to scoring.
Midway through the half the Cherry & Whites laid siege and the visitors infringed in front of their posts with skipper Mankee knocking over the resulting penalty.
On 27 minutes left wing Bell was not to be denied his debut try as he did well to go over to finish off a move on the left flank initiated by a storming run from veteran Roberts.
Although the conversion was missed the home side had their noses narrowly in front at 8-7 and matters stayed that way up to the break.
The 2nd half began with Camborne pinning Newbury at the bottom of the slope where they stayed for long periods. Some resolute visiting defence repeatedly kept the home side at bay though first flanker Phil Hinchley in front of the West Bank and later backrow colleague Jordan Rose went desperately close to touching down.
Inside the final quarter the Cherry & Whites again attacked relentlessly and when Newbury infringed fly half Mankee booted a regulation penalty to stretch the lead.
Late on the visitors broke out to establish good field position as the weather conditions worsened but every attack mounted was met with resolute Camborne tackling in defence ensuring the spoils were secured.

Scorers: try, Bell; pens, Mankee 2.

Camborne: M Westren, B Tyler-Guy, J Semmens, J Champion, H Bell, D Mankee (capt), T Peacock, A Zacharovas, S Bartle, M Hearn, M Woolcock, J Goldsworthy, P Hinchley, J Rose, D Roberts. Reps J Nicholls, T Southworth, T Clark

Camborne will be looking to make it back to back home wins this weekend when Cleve are the visitors (2.30 ko).