Saturday, October 6

National Junior Vase quarter-final (Cornwall section)

St Agnes 48

CAMELFORD were knocked out at the quarter-final stage of the Cornwall qualifier after RFU Junior National Vase after losing 48-7 at home to Group Two winners St Agnes.

‘The Ford’ were surprised to have this fixture as they had not expected to make the last eight which left them short of a number of regular squad members who had chosen to use what was expected to be a free weekend, as family time.

Both teams arrived at Lane End expecting a 2.30pm kick-off, but instead it was at 3pm.

This meant that each squad were warming up for over an hour.

In Camelford’s case this was a hindrance as they seemed ill prepared for the St Agnes onslaught, which continued for most of the match.

From the kick-off, St Agnes sprinted into action. The ball was caught from the kick for ‘Aggie’ to set up their first maul.

They attacked close in evading any back-row cover and easily dodging the attempted tackles. The ball was eventually thrown wide and an inevitable try was scored with under a minute played. The conversion was not successful.

Two minutes later and there was a carbon copy of the first score as St Agnes broke out of tackles again.

Again, the try went unconverted and Camelford were stuck on the back foot and ten points in arrears.

St Agnes tried to turn the screw of pressure and almost scored a third a few minutes later, but The Ford had awoken and repelled the thrusts from St Agnes attacks.

Twelve minutes in and St Agnes snapped up a third try, which they converted. It was all looking a bit ominous for the home side, but they rolled their subs bench to develop some pressure of their own. Camelford began to realise that they needed to play a slow possession game against this sharper St Agnes set-up.

They began to assert a stronger dominance in the set pieces and built pressure with which St Agnes started to struggle.

The final ten minutes of the half really belonged to ‘The Ford’ as they drove deep into enemy territory.

On 40 minutes Camelford put immense pressure on a five-metre scrum and as the visiting scrum-half tried to clear from his own line it was Mike Wilshire who reacted for Camelford. He was able to charge the kick down and simply dot down in the in-goal area. Dan Stuckey added the extras to ensure a 17-7 down at scoreline.

St Agnes were clearly instructed to be a touch more adventurous for the second period and again they shot out of the blocks running the ball wider more often. Camelford were resolute for seven minutes but some excellent three-quarter work saw St Agnes extend their lead with another good try.

Five minutes later and St Agnes extended their lead as their excellent fly-half made a superb solo break to touch down between the posts.

This was converted to create a 22-point advantage for the visitors.

Camelford rallied again and prevented more tries whilst getting on top of the possession game. It was 65 minutes into the match before St Agnes notched another score.

Camelford, uncharacteristically, conceded their own scrum and ‘Aggie’ responded quickly. The ball was spun to the fly-half who neatly grubber-kicked just behind the try line. This was easily seized upon by their outside-centre who added another five with the try. At 34-7 down, Camelford attempted to shore things up and keep the score respectable against this highly competent St Agnes side. Unfortunately for Camelford, it was not to be as St Agnes finished off with two more converted tries to finish as 48-7 victors and reach the last four.

Camelford start their league campaign on Saturday.

Camelford —

Buckley, Jenkins, Jasper, Wilshire, Welch, Stuckey, Lovell; Burnard, Richardson, Jenkins, Headon, Baker, R Hawken, Boundy, Yeatman

Tries: Wilshire

Convs: Stuckey

Pens: N/A