Camborne saw a 14 point lead disappear in the last quarter of this Cornish derby as the Camels came on strong to avenge last year’s narrow Western Counties title deciding reverse.
For the Cherry & Whites skipper Dave Roberts was a tower of strength at No 8 whilst fit again scrum half Dean Pascoe and young flanker James Goldsworthy had big games.
‘Town’ made a dream racing to 10 -0 up early on. First Ashley Hosking fired over a penalty before the same player intercepted deep in his own half and raced nearly the length of the field to touch down at the posts. The fly half then duly knocked over the simple conversion.
The home side then had a good period of pressure and reduced the deficit to only 2 points with a Dan Prout penalty and an unconverted try.
Before the interval Hosking stroked over a straightforward penalty but on the half time whistle he could not find the posts with another effort.
Early in the 2nd half Hosking found the target with a simple penalty and soon after another well struck kick increased the Cherry & White lead to 19-8.
Although Wadebridge were looking dangerous when Hosking slotted his fifth successful penalty on 55 minutes it looked as though ‘Town’ were out of sight.
The Camels would not lie down and former Launceston centre Tom ‘O’ Donnell squeezed over to touch down in the corner and cut the deficit.
Going into the closing stages a converted try narrowed the Cherry & White lead still further to set up a tense finale and with only six minutes left centre Prout sent over a long range penalty for 23-22.
In the dying moments Hosking who scored all his side’s points saw a tricky penalty shot sail wide and lock John Griffiths saw red for a 2nd yellow card offence as Camborne were left with only a losing bonus point as consolation for the narrowest of defeats.

Camborne; Joe Parma, Dan Arthur, Laurie Manna (rep Ryan Cox 69m), Tom Hinds, Shane Woods, Ashley Hosking, Dean Pascoe, Nigel Endean, Ben Priddey, Scott Macdonald (rep Mark Tonkin 45m), John Griffiths, John Lamsin, Martin Woolcock, James Goldsworthy (rep Sam Bartle 69m), David Roberts (capt).
Camborne try Hosking con Hosking pens Hosking 5