Despite the score line bearing a similarity to last weeks heavy defeat, London Cornish played a full and combative part in this match before going down by 52-16 at the hands of title contenders Camberley in London 1 South on Saturday. The home side have made no secret of their ambition and are open about how they are funding their drive, but you still have to take it out on to the park and they used their weaponry well in the 2nd half in particular.
On a cool, breezy day Cornish opened playing towards the clubhouse with the wind at their backs and nearly conceded in the opening stanza when a dropped pass ended a Cam attack when a score seemed more likely. It only took a couple more minutes for the home side to take the lead however, one of their forwards busting through a few tackles out wide and shipping a ball inside for a runner to send their right wing over for a try converted by a fly half who had faced Cornish a few weeks earlier in Irish colours. These early exchanges saw the visitors pinned in the top left hand corner of the pitch as a series of penalties ceded field position. Try as they might, Cam could not add to their score during this period and on 16 minutes the exiles landed points of their own when Ciaran Slater won a penalty just inside the home half and George Kimmins drove a long range penalty between the uprights. It was somewhat against the run of play when Cam added to their score on 20 minutes, a dog legged kick chase seeing the title contenders return the ball with interest to cross in the same place as their opening try, this one also improved. Rather than open the floodgates as many watching suspected, it was Cornish who now wrestled the momentum back. Adam Wheeler and Ed McCord drove play deep into the heart of the Cam half, and a quick recycle caught the home backline offside, Kimmins lifting his kick over to double the exiles score. More was to follow, this time following a bullocking Robbie Mackay run, Dan Phoenix producing a decent drop goal attempt, which flew narrowly wide of the right hand post. This was Mackays first appearance of the season after the best part of 2 years out with injury and his return alone is cause for Cornish celebration on the day as Cornish have missed his line breaking finishing. On 33 minutes the exiles stunned the home support when they narrowed the deficit further again. Phoenix made the initial incursion and when George Jackson reversed play, Mike Edworthy joined the line to break through and give Ben Lines the chance to crash onto the line for an unconverted try. Cam responded but a huge defensive set by the exiles forced a knock on 5 out from the line. This was at a cost however, Joe Lynch badly cut and Pete Boele on in his place. With time just about up, the home side had one last crack at the Cornish line and when their initial maul was repelled, one of their props broke off unseen to plunge across the line for an unconverted try, Cam 19-11 to the good at the break.
The visitors had to start the 2nd period well to have any chance of taking something from the game, but they gave up an interception on halfway in the opening minute of the half that had them back pedalling. When they cleared the danger another poor kick chase allowed too much room for Cam to break through and send a forward over just to the left of the posts, the conversion taking the lead out to 15 points. For the second time in the match, Cornish responded when the reverse seemed the likelier outcome on 48 minutes. This time Kimmins was the initial architect, arcing through a gap, Phoenix then looping a back of the hand pass to the waiting Kieran Rodda. The wing still had plenty to do, but a quick switch of the afterburners saw him brought down 5 out from where he simply reached out and planted the ball over the line for a great counter attacking try (pictured). Back came the exiles again, Phoenix kicking ahead and regathering down the left wing before quick hands sent Mackay into the Cam 22 only for the ball to be intercepted as it came back the other way and the chance was lost. Two tries on 52 and 57 minutes from the home side seemingly put the match to bed as a contest, the score now out to 38-16, but still Cornish would not lie down. On 61 minutes it was Slater breaking through close to a ruck and only hauled down in the shadow of the posts, Nick Goss taking play on before Wheeler was felled by a high tackle as the ball came back, a Cam front row given a 10 minute rest. Whilst your correspondent was typing his notes it appears Cam cleared their lines and Cornish had a goal line drop out, which went badly wrong and ended up as a try to the hosts, also improved. Further Cornish attacks on 68 and 71 minutes saw Rodda twice go close again, McCord, Dave Chalkley and Dave Theobald combining to drive the hosts back. Lines pulled a hamstring in the first of these and was replaced by Jack Skerritt, himself just back from a hamstring problem, and Chris Hayes on in place of Goss, who had enjoyed a solid return to action. The final action of note saw Cam benefit from a missed knock on at the back of a lineout, the referee unsighted as the beneficiary sheepishly ran the ball in wide left for a converted try.
Camberley are the most complete side Cornish have faced in London 1 South this season, with a clear set of plans for most eventualities. They have been the bridesmaids in this division for a few seasons now and this may well be their year. They remain decent hosts and we will miss our league visits to Watchetts as Cam appear both well set for, and well suited to, promotion to the higher level.
Cornish will take plenty from this day into their last match before a brief and welcome break. They continue to blood new signings and have landed a few more this week as the build towards the new season gathers pace.