By Nigel Walrond
WADEBRIDGE Camels player-head coach Mike Rawlings described his side’s display as “absolutely fantastic” after they beat Truro 42-31 at Molesworth Field on Sunday to reach the Tribute Cornwall Cup final.
“We asked the lads for a performance, and I think we delivered more than that, and it was just brilliant,” he said.
“With the support we have had here today, it just goes to show how much the fans appreciate what the players are doing, and I am really pleased for the guys and the club.”
Wadebridge trailed 17-15 at the break, and 24-15 early in the second half, but they fought back very well in the last 25 minutes of the game.
“We decided we would play into the wind in the first half, and if we could get some scores on the board, the second half would be a bit easier,” explained Rawlings.
“The first 10 minutes of the second half maybe didn’t show that, but we weathered the storm and then ran away with it, which was really pleasing. The guys stuck to the game plan, and it worked.
“It was definitely our best performance of the season, and it is a shame we couldn’t have done that all season, because then we would be in a cup final and celebrating promotion, but it is something to build on.
“The guys now know how well they can play, and they really want to finish the season on a high.”
Rawlings was full of praise for fellow back rower Adam Blackmore, and said: “He is a class player and he showed that today. He leads the line-out well, and his attack and work rate are great, and he deserved his two tries.”
Wadebridge now face St Austell in the final at Redruth on Easter Monday, April 17, and Rawlings is looking forward to meeting their league rivals again.
“We like playing them because it is always a good battle on the field, but we always have a really good time with them after the game,” he said.
“The two clubs are really starting to click and get along, so it should be a good day for both clubs and their supporters, and hopefully we will bring home the silverware.”
Truro player-coach Darren Jacques had no complaints and was very sporting in his praise of Camels.
“I can take losing to the better team, and on the day Wadebridge were,” he said.
“I thought they were by far the superior side in the first half, we didn’t see a lot of the ball, and we were over the moon to take a lead into half-time, but when we went nine points clear it almost felt like we thought it was job done, and then we got a yellow card, and Wadebridge were clinical in the time we were down.”