EDF Energy National Trophy, 1st Round South Wadebridge Camels 10 – 5 Old Colfeians

Old Colfeians’ first game back in Cornwall since the heady days of National League Three South was at least a sunny weekend away from London.

In the local paper, the team coach said the Cornish side had little idea of what to expect from their London-based visitors. In truth, they appeared to expect a tough game and that they would lose.

Wadebridge Camels had won the Cornwall Cup last season, and claimed to be the lowest league side to ever appear in the EDF National Trophy.

But after 20 minutes there was no score and their players were calling out to each other “Come on, we can win this.” What Old Colfeians didn't know was that the Camels had lost only one home game in three years.

The sides were evenly balanced, and at half-time the score was only 3-0 to the home team, through a penalty by flyhalf Leigh Charles.

Within three minutes of the start of the second half Old Colfeians’ centre Alex Wicks scored an unconverted try in the corner. They now led 3 – 5. Would they now start to impose themselves?

Five minutes later the Wadebridge Camels were back in the scoring zone. After a few phases from the forwards, scrum half Shaun Hawkey went blind and fed the ball to right wing Angus MacLennan. He angled his run towards the posts to a roar from the crowd and players. A conversion from Charles saw the home team re-take the lead 10 – 5.

OC’s appeared lacklustre and were not linking together well in attack. The home team definitely appeared to want to win the game more, but could not break through Old Colfeians’ defence again.

With 10 minutes left, a heavy tackle left OC’s winger James Sarjeant writhing on the floor. Nearby spectators said they had heard his leg snapping.

Play was held up for 25 minutes as first an ambulance and then a helicopter arrived to take the injured player to hospital.

It’s a sad thing to say, but this finally lifted the Colfeians’ players and they put some urgency and passion in their play. What was left of the game was played totally in the Camels’ half, but the visitors could just not break through to score again.

On the final whistle the home players and their supporters erupted. They were in Round 2 and were going to continue making history at this proud club in Cornwall.