FALMOUTH 14pts WADEBRIDGE CAMELS 8pts

Falmouth fought out a scrappy home-win over Wadebridge Camels in appalling conditions last Saturday, despite being without two of their key players.

Both teams struggled to handle the ball in the wet and windy weather, but temperatures rose towards the end of both halves, with three Falmouth players being handed yellow cards.

Falmouth, missing second row Richard Warwicker and fly half Liam Chapple, defended superbly, especially toward the end of the game. Good kicking from Steve Larkins ensured they took the points from a close match, keeping them in third place in the Devon and Cornwall League.

Wadebridge took an early lead, with fly-half Andy Rescorla kicking a penalty after just three minutes.

But as the conditions got worse, Falmouth increased the pressure on the visitors. Grant Nicholls set up a drive following a line out, which hooker Toby Colvin capitalised on with a well-taken try to put Falmouth in the lead after a quarter of an hour.

Falmouth continued to put pressure on Wadebridge and player/coach Larkins kicked a penalty just before the half-hour mark to extend his side's lead.

The game was by no means a one-way affair, and Wadebridge looked certain to regain the lead when Rescorla broke through Falmouth's defence with a breathtaking solo run. Fortunately, a superb last-ditch tackle on the line by Falmouth flanker Jonathon Biggins kept the hosts in front.

Yellow cards for Nicholls (fighting) and Andrew Lancaster (dissent) put unnecessary pressure on Falmouth, but the 13 men held out until the break with Larkins kicking another penalty to give Falmouth an 11-3 lead at the interval.

Full story in this week's issue.