Cornwall League

Redruth Albany 15

By Nic Osborne

CAMELFORD’s first game for a number of weeks due to player shortages ended in a tight defeat to Redruth Albany at Lane End.

Following a lunchtime deluge, this game kicked off in sunshine, much to the pleasure of the spectators and referee.

It was the home side who started well and from the off the Ford pressurised Albany.

With only a minute or so gone, Camelford almost got their first score as the ball was spun down the line, however the opportunity went begging as the final pass could not be made to put Craig Thompson in at the corner.

With continual pressure, it looked certain that Camelford would take the lead, but this proved not to be so. With ten minutes gone Albany were awarded a penalty just inside the home sides half. Their swift thinking scrum-half caught the whole of Camelford by surprise as he did a quick tap and go. He out stripped most of the defenders and finally popped the ball out to his only supporting player who duly dotted down to give Albany a five-point lead.

With the conversion missed, Camelford were stung into action and again put pressure on Albany. It was 20 minutes in before they could make their efforts count.

Some tremendous work at the break down gave them a turnover and fast ball. This was swiftly and accurately transferred through the backs to flanker Alex Horsington who broke the defensive line with ease before passing wide for Craig Thompson who outstripped the Albany defence to touch down between the sticks. Rich Jasper duly slotted his conversion to give Camelford the ascendancy they deserved at this point in the game.

A few moments later they were unable to take advantage of some excellent scrummaging and penetrated Albany’s defence again, but this time they failed to cross the line.

Albany’s response was controlled as they worked their way deep into Camelford’s half through a combination of running and kicking. There close quarter work in the pack saw them move into the Ford’s 22 and keep the home defence penned in for a number of minutes. Camelfords resilient defence held strong and eventually they gained a drop out. This was taken and kicked long by Rich Jasper. Unfortunately, Camelford were far too tardy in their efforts to chase the kick, which was fielded by Chris Cordell at full back for Albany. He set off at pace from the halfway line and out ran the whole of the home team to score by the left hand upright. The conversion was, inexplicably, missed, but Albany finished the half 10-7 up.

Two minutes into the second-half and Albany were continuing in the same vein as they had finished the first. Great pressure was heaped on the Ford as the visitors cut back inside time and again to gain more ground. The line was getting closer and closer but at a lineout, just metres from the line, the Albany centre pairing encroached too soon and Camelford were able to clear their lines with the penalty kick.

Camelford responded well and worked their way back into the game. On 52 minutes Albany lost their centre to the sin bin for a straight-arm tackle. Camelford should have used the man advantage, but failed to do so and when Albany returned to a full 15 they were still three points ahead.

At 65 minutes Camelford made two changes; bringing on Elford and Bridgway for Tharme and Collier respectively and the game continued it’s ebb and flow.

It was Albany who managed to have more meaningful incursions into enemy territory. With just five minutes remaining the visitors pressure resulted in a scrum five metres from the home line.

They got their third try and the hosts were down to 14 men as Ian Burnard was yellow-carded after being deemed to have forced the scrum up.

Again, the simple conversion was missed, but Albany were eight points up.

The home side rallied for this final five minutes and got close to getting more points on the board.

A few moments of indecision meant that they failed in their final push, but both teams contributed to a really entertaining game of rugby.