Camborne 29-31 Weston

Weston staged a fantastic comeback and snatched victory with James MacKay’s last second conversion sealing the result and the double over their old Cornish rivals.
Weston had made the long journey to Camborne with a very thorough preparation behind them. Players and spectators alike assumed that the high winds would make a significant difference to the game but it was a series of mistakes and some indiscipline which were the deciding factors.
Weston got off to a cracking start and their forwards drove play deep into the Camborne 22. Brocks picked up an early ball from the base of the scrum and darted over from short range despite the despairing tackles of the home side back row. Mackay’s conversion was good.
A penalty infringement enabled Camborne to kick for touch and they attempted to catch and drive from the lineout. Their first drive was thwarted but they regrouped and drove over in the corner. The extras were missed but Camborne quickly took the lead after a defensive error and a missed tackle allowed their fly half to race through for the home side’s second try which was converted.
The game was evenly balanced for the next 15 minutes but a second defensive error allowed Camborne to release their backs and their talented right wing crossed unopposed. The conversion kick from the touch line went wide but Camborne looked comfortably in front.
They extended their lead just before half time when an interception allowed them to put huge pressure on the Weston defence and the right wing crossed for his second try in less than 10 minutes. Attempting to convert his own try from near the right touchline the ball hit the upright and bounced through and the home side looked to be secure with a 24-7 score.
With the wind at their backs Weston hoped for a better second half but after 12 minutes the Camborne pack drove at the Weston line, sucked in defenders and then spun the ball to the left where they had a clear overlap and they secured their fifth try and a 22 point lead. The conversion went wide as the wind strength increased.
Weston looked dead in the water with half an hour left to play but they then staged the most remarkable comeback. Suddenly they seemed to have greater energy and physicality. All the team were tackling well and Charlie Brabham led the way with some brilliant defensive work as he tackled time and again. At a scrum on their 22 the Weston pack drove the home forwards back fully 25 metres. They continued to muscle their way down field and from a scrum inside the Camborne 22 Brocks broke quickly to the right, flipped a short inside pass to Bignell who streaked over the last 10 metres to score near the posts. Mackay made no mistake but Weston still looked a long way short.
Just three minutes later Jones, on for Watkins, was put into space on the left wing. He still had plenty to do and worked his magic as he evaded one defender and then wrong footed another and sprinted away to the line. MacKay’s conversion was just wide but the visitors had closed the gap to 10 points.
Indiscipline by Camborne saw their number 8 earn a yellow card and from the penalty Weston took full advantage and they drove the home side over the line. Bignell touched down the pushover try. The conversion was wide but Weston were in touching distance as the clock ran down.
Weston made great progress from their own half, the backs were released and Dickson carved through and made twenty metres toward the try line. The forwards recycled the ball and from a series of pick and drives they worked closer to the line and eventually Streeter muscled over for the try. The referee had indicated that this was the last play and the scores were level at 29 apiece. For the second game in a row a result would be secured with the final kick of the game and the ice cool Mackay slotted the kick. The final whistle went and the Weston players and a small band of jubilant travelling supporters celebrated in style.
This five point bonus win was a wonderful result for Weston and demonstrates great tenacity and determination from the whole squad. Few sides come away from Camborne with a win and the home supporters can rarely have seen their side lose after being in such a dominant position with half an hour to play. The result does not alter Weston’s position in South West Premier but widens the gap between themselves and the bottom five sides.