Saturday, December 7

Tribute Cornwall League Two

Stithians 22

CAMELFORD travelled to fellow strugglers Stithians for their final league game of the season short on numbers, and despite putting in a good performance, eventually fell to defeat.

With only 13 men available through injuries, work, and yuletide commitments, a call was made and Helston handed them a lifeline by sending a body to help them out. 

Camelford, starting the game with 14 men started uncharacteristically quickly and dominated the first 20 minutes of play, pushing back the 15 men of Stithians, using the forwards to drive towards the home line.

As usual the Camelford scrum was dominant as props Aaron Tharme and debutant Tom Arkell quickly got the better of their opposite numbers. Unfortunately for Camelford, during one of there many drives for the line inside the opposition 22 metre line, the ball was spilled and quick thinking Stithians used the natural overlap and they were able to run the length of the pitch to score. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 5-0.

The first-half continued in the same vain with Camelford unfortunately missing two chances to get three points after penalties were conceded. In a moment where Stithians were able to dominate just before half-time, they camped out and managed to score out wide. Another missed conversion meant the half time score was 10-0.

The Second half started similarly with Camelford camping out in the opposition half and driving for the line each time. With ten minutes gone, Camelford’s attacking prowess was on show for all to see, after the forwards had driven hard through Arkell, Rob Headon and Ian Boundy. Full-back Matt Dyson saw an opportunity and took the ball blind after drawing many players on to him he offloaded expertly to outside-centre Alastair Kennedy, who had just enough space to sprint over in the corner for a well-deserved try.

The half continued with both teams having moments of attacking dominance. At one point a maul was set up by Stithians five metres from the Camelford whitewash, but determined defence stopped this surge and ‘the Ford’ were able to clear there lines.

In the end, fitness began to tell and Stithians were able to score two more tries, one converted, to make the score 22-5 at full-time and ensure they finish above Camelford in fourth.

Club chairman, Martyn Baker, said: “Although the result was hard to take, we were able to walk off the pitch with our heads held high after competing for the entire 80 minutes and in spells being dominant. Areas of what we’ve been working on in training were evident to see and hopefully the team can kick in the new year, with the cup competitions.”

“Honourable mentions go to debutant Tom Arkell, Helston’s winger Luke, Ryan Jones and Matt Dyson for many determined chases which stopped a couple of tries, and Lee Robinson for a strong display at scrum-half. But the man-of-the-match in the end was awarded to Ian Boundy, who was everywhere and secured many turnovers.”

Camelford —

Tries: Dyson.

Convs: N/A.

Pens: N/A.