Tribute South West One West

Camborne 35, Bridgwater & Albion 0

AN injury-ravaged Bridgwater & Albion were comprehensively beaten in Cornwall on Saturday - but it wasn't down to a lack of effort, writes Tony Pomeroy.

Bridgwater had first use of the elements and exerted early pressure without really looking like scoring.

The home side made one superb break involving scrum half, David Mankee and full back, Joe Parma, that moved play some 60 metre but the visiting defence held out.

The boot was on the other foot when scrum half Roger Drabble snaffled a loose ball in midfield and released Nick Francis - playing his final game before leaving for a year in Australia.

Francis was tackled just short of the home line in an incident that saw home flanker Cameron Bone shown a yellow card.

Bridgwater were penalised and Mankee opened the scoring with a short-range penalty.

Minutes later, as Camborne obstructed a Bridgwater attacker; Heal pulled a 24 metre penalty attempt.

Bridgwater centre Will Kerry was then sent to the sin bin and from the resulting penalty, Mankee sent the ball between the uprights for a 6-0 lead.

Almost from the kick off, home full back Parma, who was a dangerous runner throughout his time on the field, scythed through for the first try of the game.

Bridgwater did not lie down and Ollie Dunn and Roger Drabble were both prominent in trying to get points for Bridgwater.

However it was the home side who went further ahead when number eight David Roberts got an unconverted try in the corner.

When Sam Knights tried to run a ball out of defence, his pass was intercepted by home winger Robert Floyd who cruised in for the third try converted by Mankee.

The bonus point try did not take long and with a burst from the scrum the influential Roberts got his second try, converted by Mankee.

A good move to the right saw a second try for Floyd before Bridgwater ended the game with a concerted attack that eventually came to naught deep in injury time when possession was lost.

Bridgwater host Cullompton on January 4 in their first game of 2014.

Bridgwater Team: Sam Knights, Joel Clark, Rob Allen, Will Kerry, Nick Francis, Stu Heal, Roger Drabble, Gary Saunders, Ollie Dunn, Joe Bussell, Doug Page-Symonds, Matt Northey. Dan Kemmish (Capt). George Sluman, Tayler Buller.

Replacements used : Scott Woolford, Brian Webb Replacement not used : Simon Martin Referee: Ryan Cook (Cornwall) Scorers Camborne Tries : Roberts (2), Floyd (2), Parma Cons: Mankee (2)