Camborne well beaten by clinical Plymouth Albion in National League One

PROMOTION-hopefuls Plymouth Albion proved too strong as Camborne’s first-ever home match in the third-tier ended in defeat at the Recreation Ground.

A huge crowd of 2,619 – swelled by several hundred supporters from Devon – saw the visitors cruise into a 20-0 lead at the break, an advantage they never looked like giving away despite the Cherry and Whites crossing the whitewash three times.

Camborne were forced into four changes from their opening day victory at Leeds Tykes a week earlier as backs Fraser Honey and Rory O’Kane were injured, while lock Jago Sheppard and No.8 Herbie Stupple were unavailable and replaced by Adam Hughes and Cornish Pirates loanee Barnaby Elderkin.

Coming in on the outside were the versatile Will Hennessy who lined up at outside-centre, while Frankie Nowell came in on the wing as teenager Oli Roberts moved to full-back.

The Cornishmen threw the ball around well in the early stages, but fell behind seven minutes in as fly-half Iwan Jenkins slotted an easy penalty from just outside of the 22.

The hosts lost lock Jamie Prisk to injury soon after to be replaced by debutant Harrison Hayman, and it got worse just before the quarter-hour. Josh Matavesi was yellow-carded for late tackle and the resulting line-out saw skipper Huw Taylor crash over from close-range.

The hosts were relieved to see winger Noah Fenton drop Jenkins’ pass with space in front of him, but Taylor was fortunate to stay on the pitch after 20 minutes for appearing to aim punches which went without any punishment.

Camborne finally got into the Albion 22 midway through the half, however they were done for crossing from the line-out.

On 27 minutes they fell further behind when Fenton was set away by outside-centre Chris Preen, and although the hosts had their moments, they conceded again shortly before the break. A superb 50/22 from Plymouth ended a short while after with hooker Harry Wilkinson burrowing over following a ‘catch and drive’.

The Cherry and Whites needed the next score, however it went to Albion six minutes in as a flowing team move down the left ended with winger Fenton taking a pass from replacement Frankie Dart before doing the rest.

Joel Matavesi went off injured after the try, but within five minutes Camborne were on the scoreboard with hooker Ben Priddey finishing off a ‘catch and drive’. Roberts added the first of three excellent conversions.

Albion flanker Sam Daly appeared to have scored only for the referee to chalk it off for obstruction, but their fifth try arrived on the hour with Wilkinson finishing off another well-worked line-out.

Camborne emptied the bench in a bid to turn the tide and in the final stages crossed twice.

Home man-of-the-match Jordan Nicholls charged in from 15 metres on 74 minutes before the final play ended with Sam Matavesi finishing off yet another line-out from close-range.

In the end, the visitors’ clinical nature showed as the Cherry Whites prepare for next Saturday’s trip to Rosslyn Park.

CAMBORNE: Oli Roberts; Frankie Nowell, Will Hennessy, Josh Matavesi, Alex Ducker; Joel Matavesi (Harry Larkins, 46), CJ Boyce (Jay Toogood, 52); Tommy-Lee Southworth (Declan Prowse, 61), Ben Priddey, Jon Drew (Ben Woodmansey, 52); Jamie Prisk (Harrison Hayman, 8), Adam Hughes; Barnaby Elderkin, Jordan Nicholls, Sam Matavesi (capt).

Tries: Priddey, Nicholls, S Matavesi; Convs: Roberts (3); Pens: N/A.

Cherry and Whites’ man-of-the-match: Jordan Nicholls.