Saturday, September 7

Tribute Cornwall League Two

Camelford 36

Stithians 0

CAMELFORD got their Tribute Cornwall League Two campaign underway by dispatching Stithians 36-0 at Bodmin Rugby Club.

The fixture was played at Bodmin due to Camelford’s new pitch not being quite ready.

Stithians made the long trip short on numbers and after negotiations it was agreed to even the sides up, to play with 14 apiece, and allow the game to remain as a league encounter.

As the whistle blew, Camelford went about their business quickly, but determined tackling and defence from the valiant visitors stifled Camelford’s attacking prowess and multiple chances went abegging in the opening exchanges.

After ten minutes a gap appeared for returning flanker Luke Plummer to bash his way over for the opening try. Fly-half Dan Stuckey was able to add the extras with boot for a 7-0 lead.

This score spurred Stithians on and a mistake from kick-off allowed the visitors to have an attack. With the West Cornwall side under pressure from good Camelford defence, full-back Ben Palmer was able to perform an excellent interception and run in from his own 22, fending off a valiant defensive effort from his opposite number. Stuckey missed with his attempt at goal (12-0).

The next score came from a well-worked draw and pass system in the backline freeing up nippy winger Ian Boundy, who outstripped the defence and dotted down in the corner for the first of his two tries for the afternoon.

Due to an injury to a Stithians player, a natural overlap was created which Camelford took advantage of for the next score, when experienced centre Peter Thorne was able to use the same move as the previous try.

The conversion was made, making the score 24-0.

The next few minutes became a stalemate with Stithians doing there upmost to get themselves on the scoresheet. But again it was a Camelford try that came next, when veteran scrum-half and club captain Lee Grimes saw an opportunity to kick into space behind the defence, with the rest of backline wondering what he had done, Boundy was on the spot and collected the well-placed kick at pace and ran in his second try. With Stuckey successful with the conversion, it was 31-0. An unconverted try from Grimes was added before the break.

With Stithians starting to encounter injuries and a worry of depleting an already small squad, the decision was made to not continue after half-time.

Camelford squad —

Baker, Schofield, Tharme, Belsey, Luxton, Plummer, Yeatman (captain), Grimes, Stuckey, Daughtry, Willshire, Thorne, Boundy, Palmer, Ellacott (played for Stithians), Creber (played for Stithians).

Tries: Plummer, Palmer, Boundy 2, Thorne, Grimes.

Convs: Stuckey 3.

Pens: N/A.

Camelford’s man-of-the-match: Jak Luxton.