CAMBORNE 29 BOURNVILLE 24
Bourns travelled to Cornwall for the second time this season and once again, almost came home with a win after a pulsating fixture at high-flying Camborne.
With a hardy bunch of supporters supplemented by the club’s newest friends from Weoley Hill Cricket Club under the wing of vice chair Alex Bann in fine voice, Bourns had the better of the first quarter pinning the home side in their own half. Two penalties went either side of the posts that would have been reward for territorial advantage, but Bourns scored first after a driving line out that saw second-row Ben Meakin crash over in the corner.
Bourns then saw yellow in the second quarter as flanker Ben O’Sullivan, who was having a stormer, had to rest for a high tackle. This galvanised the opposition who threatened for the first time and they scored two tries in each corner before Ben returned, firstly the opposite 6 bounced off tackles in the 22 and a well-worked try from phase play saw the home right wing feed the left wing. So half time 10-5 to the home side.
Bourns penalty count in the second half was very regular which put the team under pressure. Early on after the re-start prop James Burgoyne was binned for collapsing a maul in the red zone. Forced into a front row change as the home side opted to scrum, Bourns were pushed back for the 8 to score which was converted. Bourns then had a period on the home side try line and after a series of drives, our other second row Nick Murphy burrowed over under the posts whilst a man down, which Jacob Fewtrell converted. Returning from injury, Rhys Williams replaced Jacob and it was game on. Bourns were guilty of some cheap penalties which allowed Camborne to gain yardage and they scored two quick tries from a driven line out and a backs move in the corner to lead 29-12 with 15 to go.
It was all Bourns for the rest of the game as Bourns came really close to getting the win. The forwards set up a score for wing Nathan Decalmer in the corner and after more pressure in the 22 Rhys Williams scored a fine try kicking ahead and easily winning the race to the touchdown which he converted himself to make it 29-24 with 3 minutes to go. Camborne held on and Bourns earned a try bonus and a second losing bonus point. So close once again.
