Retour
Camborne held out in a tense finale to secure a deserved win over Sale after a ten-try thriller at the Recreation Ground.
In front of another big crowd, the Cherry & Whites and their established National One opponents traded scores throughout in a real nip-and-tuck encounter.
Playing down the slope, Sale took an early lead with an unconverted try 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 2nd touchdown, this time converted for 7-12, but ‘Town’ were quick to hit back with hooker Sam Matavesi crossing 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 swiftly answered by the home side.
Prop Tommy Southworth’s deft pass sent flanker Jago Sheppard racing clear to exchange passes with Dan Roderick and go romping over.
Honey’s regulation kick took the half-time score to 21-19.
Camborne began the 2nd 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 then narrowed the deficit to 26-24.
Midway through the half, the Cherry & 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 which set up a nail-biting 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.
‘Town’ will now head into the week’s break in a satisfying 3rd 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: O Roberts, F Nowell, Joel Matavesi, Josh Matavesi, M Shepherd, F Honey, D Roderick, T Southworth, S Matavesi (capt), J Drew, G Smith, B Waddell, J Sheppard, J Nicholls, H Stupple (reps) J Andrew, B Woodmansey, A Hughes, B Power, A Ducker
Camborne: tries; S Matavesi 2, Drew, Sheppard, Roderick cons; Honey 4