A SIX to three try-count in favour of Wadebridge Camels underlined their general dominance against Penzance and Newlyn in their Regional Two South West encounter at the Mennaye Field.

After the early rain had all but stopped, the Pirates started in lively fashion. A score from the start looked on but after displaying admirable defensive qualities, the Camels in a flash took play to near halfway from where wing Will Pengelly ran in a try to the right of the Penzance posts. Scrum-half Harvey Orchard added the conversion.

At line-out and scrum time the Pirates looked sound. However, they were being tested in the tackle area and were guilty of making a few too many basic errors.

A second try for the Wadebridge side, unconverted, was scored by hooker Callum Bate, but the Pirates then managed to hit back with a try of their own. Skipper and fly-half Oscar Marr executed a fine cross-field kick, and wing Sam Cahill gathered to touch the ball down. Full-back Ben Wragg’s successful conversion made the scoreline 7-12, which is how it stayed to half time.

The opening period of the second half proved disappointing for the Pirates, as all but from the outset it was Camels’ centre Jack Sander who made it to the line for a converted try scored at the Newlyn posts.

Confirming their general dominance, and looking more experienced and streetwise, two more tries followed for the visitors. The first was scored by wing Dom Hawkey on the left, and then there was one for flanker Will Symons, who cantered over at the Newlyn gate corner.

The Pirates needed to show spirit and score again, which they did. Centre Josh Semmens showed his usual determination with ball in hand, wing Joey Norways, who throughout looked dangerous with limited opportunities, scored out wide, and young back-rower Kaea Griffiths, a product of the Pirates youth section who was on loan from Camborne, impressed.

A third try for the home team would soon materialise, which followed Wragg’s 50-metre penalty kick out of hand that landed close to the clubhouse corner. Winning the resultant line-out, backs then joined forwards on a drive to the line, and when the ball was moved back right, it was Cahill who registered his second try of the afternoon.

There was certainly credit to the Pirates who played some enterprising rugby in the last quarter. However, it was the Camels who deservedly had the last say when prop Ollie Derry scored the final try of the match.

Penzance and Newlyn: 15 Ben Wragg; 14 Sam Cahill, 13 Josh Semmens, 12 Rhys Brownfield, 11 Joey Norways; 10 Oscar Marr (captain), 9 Rhodri McAtee; 1 Dec Prowse, 2 Wes Eddy, 3 Joe Best; 4 Ben Martin, 5 Nick Nowell; 6 Kaea Griffiths, 7 Tom Hutton, 8 Sam Carroll.

Replacements: 16 Ben Taylor, 17 Zak Chenoweth, 18 Harris Eddy.

Wadebridge Camels: 15 Ollie Haggis; 14 Will Pengelly, 13 Jack Sander, 12 Owen Howell, 11 Dom Hawkey; 10 Danny Thomas (captain), 9 Harvey Orchard; 1 Rich Treleaven, 2 Callum Bate, 3 Ollie Derry; 4 Josh Slater, 5 Mark Grubb; 6 Henry Tucker, 7 Will Symons, 8 Adam Blackmore.

Replacements: 16 Charles Bryon, 17 Aidan Cullis, 18 Ben Johnson.