Camborne RFC

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Rugby union club, based in Camborne, Cornwall

title: "Camborne RFC" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["rugby-union-teams-in-cornwall", "rugby-clubs-established-in-1878", "camborne"] description: "Rugby union club, based in Camborne, Cornwall" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camborne_RFC" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Rugby union club, based in Camborne, Cornwall ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox rugby team"]

FieldValue
teamnameCamborne
imageCamborne RFC logo.png
unionCornwall RFU
fullnameCamborne Rugby Football Club
nicknameThe Cherry & Whites
founded
locationCamborne, Cornwall, England
groundRecreation Ground
capacity7,000 (780 seated)
chairmanMartin Symons
presidentTerry Williams
top scorerBen Priddey (45 tries 2024 - 25 season)
coachTom Kessell (Head Coach), Josh Matavesi (defence coach), Kyle Moyle (attack coach), Chris Fuca (Forwards/scrum coach), Ben Priddey (Strength and Conditioning Coach)
urlhttps://www.cambornerfc.co.uk/
leagueNational League 2 West
season2024–25
position2nd
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pattern_ra1_red_hoop
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body1ffffff
rightarm1ffffff
shorts1000000
socks1ff0000
pattern_la2_red_hoop
pattern_b2_redhorizontal
pattern_ra2_red_hoop
pattern_sh2_redborder
leftarm2000000
body2000000
rightarm2000000
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socks2ff0000
::

| teamname = Camborne | image = Camborne RFC logo.png | imagesize = | union = Cornwall RFU | fullname = Camborne Rugby Football Club | nickname = The Cherry & Whites | shortname = | countryflag = | countryflagvar = | founded = | region = | location = Camborne, Cornwall, England | ground = Recreation Ground | capacity = 7,000 (780 seated) | chairman = Martin Symons | ceo = | president = Terry Williams | captain = | top scorer = Ben Priddey (45 tries 2024 - 25 season) | caps = | coach = Tom Kessell (Head Coach), Josh Matavesi (defence coach), Kyle Moyle (attack coach), Chris Fuca (Forwards/scrum coach), Ben Priddey (Strength and Conditioning Coach) | url = https://www.cambornerfc.co.uk/ | league = National League 2 West | season = 2024–25 | position = 2nd | pattern_la1 = _red_hoop | pattern_b1 = _redhorizontal | pattern_ra1 = _red_hoop | pattern_sh1 = _redborder | pattern_so1 = | leftarm1 = ffffff | body1 = ffffff | rightarm1 = ffffff | shorts1 = 000000 | socks1 = ff0000

| pattern_la2 = _red_hoop | pattern_b2 = _redhorizontal | pattern_ra2 = _red_hoop | pattern_sh2 = _redborder | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = 000000 | body2 = 000000 | rightarm2 = 000000 | shorts2 = 000000 | socks2 = ff0000 Camborne RFC was established in 1878, known locally by fans as 'Town', are one of the most famous rugby union clubs in Cornwall. Having been promoted from Regional 1 South West, a level five league in the English rugby union system, Camborne RFC play in National League 2 West finishing in 2nd place in the 2024 - 25 season, missing out narrowly to Clifton RFC.

When the rugby union leagues were introduced in 1987, Camborne was the highest placed Cornish team and played in Area 4 South. They are also one of the most successful club sides in Cornwall having won the Cornish Cup ten times as of 2016 – level with local rivals Redruth – following a record fourth title in a row in 2016. Camborne enjoys a strong a rivalry with neighbours Redruth, with the two clubs meeting each year, in what was once erroneously believed to be the world's longest enduring rugby fixture.

History

Many original players were involved in the local tin mining industry especially at Camborne's Dolcoath mine which at that time was the deepest mine in Britain, and many were employed at the local machine tool manufacturer at Holman Brothers producing mining equipment. The first Camborne RFC game was played against Penzance in front of some 600 spectators in November 1877. At the start of the 1880–81 season the ground was a field near Camborne Consols (described as an ″old mine″), adjoining Holman Brothers' stone yard.

In 1909–10 Camborne was the top Cornish team and in the following season no Cornish side managed to score a try against "Town" as they were then known. When the tin mining recession hit Cornwall in the late 19th-century many Camborne men and their successors were forced to emigrate to places such as South Africa, Australia and North and South America and along with their mining skills they also helped establish the game of rugby in these areas.

After the First World War in the early 1920s, rugby established a huge following in Camborne. Teams would change at a local hotel and march to the ground behind the Town band. In 1924 a crowd of 19,000 people gathered at Camborne to watch Cornwall, with no less than seven Camborne players, take on the New Zealand All Blacks, and matches against local rivals, Redruth, invariably pulled in crowds of around 6,000. Captain Crawshays Welsh Touring XV started to include Camborne on their fixture list in 1923. Crawshays teams were chosen from the leading clubs in Wales, and consisted of seasoned internationals and up and coming players who would usually go on to be internationals. In 1926–27, Camborne, also known as the Cherry and Whites were the top club in Cornwall and had their first win over a Crawshay side.

With the end of the Second World War the club was back in business and John Collins made his debut for the reserves team in 1946–47 and was selected to play at full back for England in 1952. The 1950s and 60's saw many more successful teams, and Camborne became the first Cornish side in 1968 to beat Ebbw Vale in eighteen Cornish tours.

The team became the most consistent and successful side in Cornwall in the 1970s, winning the Cornish league and cup in 1977–78, the league for the next four years running until 1982, again league champions 84–85 and 85–86, were the highest placed Cornish national league club 87–88 and 88–89, and achieved further Cornwall Cup wins in 1985, 1987, 1990 and 1992. Giant lock Andy Reed joined the Cherry and Whites in 1987, who was later to play for the all-conquering Bath Rugby team of the nineties and represent Scotland and the British and Irish Lions. In 1989 Cornwall reached the final of the County Championship at Twickenham against Durham and were represented by nine Camborne players out of the twenty-one man squad.

More recently youth development products Josh Matavesi and younger brother Sam have gone on to represent Fiji at International level. They are the sons of Camborne and Cornwall legend Serelli Matavesi.

Recreation Ground

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Recreation_Ground_Camborne_RFC.jpg" caption="View of the grandstand at the Recreation Ground, home of Camborne RFC"] ::

Camborne is one of the grounds used by the Cornish rugby team and has hosted many notable international sides including the New Zealand All Blacks in 1905, 1924 and 1953, Australia in 1908, 1947 and 1967, South Africa 1960, United States 1977 and numerous other touring sides such as the South African Barbarians and Canterbury (NZ).

In 2006 it was agreed to ground share the Recreation Ground with RFU Championship team the Cornish Pirates and the ground underwent a major refurbishment including a new stand for the 2007–08 season. This arrangement has now ceased and the Pirates returned to play at the Mennaye, Penzance in 2010. The first stand was built in 1901 with a £400 loan from the local order of Oddfellows.

The capacity of the Recreation Ground has varied over the decades. Up until the 1980s it was one of the largest rugby grounds in England with an official capacity of 18,582, while a 1990 ground capacity estimate was down to 11,000 (all standing).

The current capacity (2018) is much reduced on this due to much tighter safety measures, being approximately 7,000, which includes 780 seated in the grandstand. The Cornish Pirates came close to achieving a capacity crowd at the ground with a club-record attendance of 6,487 watching the Pirates play Northampton Saints on 9 September 2007.

Season summary

::data[format=table]

SeasonLeagueNational Cup(s)County Cup(s)Competition/LevelPositionPointsCompetitionPerformanceCompetitionPerformance
1987–88Area League South (4)4th12John Player Cup1st Round
1988–89Area League South (4)3rd13Cornwall CupRunners up
1989–90Area League South (4)4th13Cornwall CupWinners
1990–91National 4 South (4)4th12Pilkington Cup2nd RoundCornwall CupRunners up
1991–92National 4 South (4)6th14Pilkington Cup3rd RoundCornwall CupWinners
1992–93National 4 South (4)4th (relegated)14Pilkington Cup1st Round
1993–94Division 5 South (5)4th14Pilkington Cup2nd Round
1994–95Division 5 South (5)8th10Pilkington Cup2nd Round
1995–96Division 5 South (5)13th (relegated)4Pilkington Cup1st Round
1996–97South West 1 (5)12th (relegated)0
1997–98South West 2 West (6)5th24
1998–99South West 2 West (6)5th23
1999–00South West 2 West (6)7th18
2000–01South West 2 West (6)7th20Tetley's Bitter Cup1st Round
2001–02South West 2 West (6)11th (relegated)8Cornwall CupQuarter-finals
2002–03Western Counties West (7)7th21Powergen Intermediate Cup1st RoundCornwall CupSemi-finals
2003–04Western Counties West (7)1st (promoted)41Powergen Intermediate Cup4th RoundCornwall Cup1st Round
2004–05South West 2 West (6)6th24Powergen Intermediate Cup5th RoundCornwall Cup2nd Round
2005–06South West 2 West (6)8th16Powergen Intermediate Cup2nd Round
2006–07South West 2 West (6)4th26EDF Energy Intermediate Cup2nd RoundCornwall Cup4th Round
2007–08South West 2 West (6)12th (relegated)3EDF Energy Intermediate Cup2nd RoundCornwall CupSemi-finals
2008–09Western Counties West (7)9th14EDF Energy Senior Vase5th RoundCornwall CupRunners up
2009–10Western Counties West (7)1st (promoted)47RFU Intermediate Cup4th Round
2010–11South West 1 West (6)5th69Cornwall CupWinners
2011–12South West 1 West (6)4th83Cornwall CupSemi-finals
2012–13South West 1 West (6)2nd (lost play-off)99Cornwall CupWinners
2013–14South West 1 West (6)3rd93Cornwall CupWinners
2014–15South West 1 West (6)6th71Cornwall CupWinners
2015–16South West 1 West (6)1st (promoted)110Cornwall CupWinners
2016–17National 3 South West (5)3rd77
2017–18South West Premier (5)7th66
2018–19South West Premier (5)9th70
2019–20South West Premier (5)9th55.20
2020–21South West Premier (5)Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.
2021–22South West Premier (5)11th49
Green background stands for either league champions (with promotion) or cup winners. Blue background stands for promotion without winning league or losing cup finalists. Pink background stands for relegation.
::

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Current standings

Honours

  • Cornwall League/Merit Table champions (10): 1909–10, 1910–11, 1926–27, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1985–86
  • Cornwall Cup winners (10): 1977–78, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1991–92, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Western Counties West champions (2): 2003–04, 2009–10
  • Rodda's Cup winners (3): 2011 (1), 2013 (1), 2018 (1)
  • Tribute South West 1 West champions: 2015–16
  • Cornwall Super Cup winners: 2016–17
  • Regional 1 South West champions 2022–23

Notable former players

Notes

References

References

  1. (2 May 2016 }}{{Dead link). "Camborne overpower Penryn to make history with fourth Tribute Cornwall Cup win in a row". Western Morning News.
  2. (6 January 2014). "Three generations of Rodda family on hand to see Camborne claim Rodda's Milk Cup". Falmouth Packet.
  3. (21 October 1880). "Camborne Football Club". The Cornishman.
  4. [http://www.cornish-pirates.com/news_club_06/ground_share.htm Pirates to groundshare at Camborne RFC]{{dead link. (January 2018)
  5. (17 January 1901). "The Recreation-Ground Grand-Stand". The Cornishman.
  6. "JOT - Hillsborough Independent Panel". Hillsborough Independent Panel.
  7. (1990). "Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91". Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
  8. "Facilities". Camborne RFC (Pitchero).
  9. (9 September 2007). "Cornish Pirates 26 Northampton Saints 35". Cornish Pirates.
  10. "Courage League - Division 5 1993/94". The Rugby Archive.
  11. "Courage League - Division 5 1994/95". The Rugby Archive.
  12. "Courage League - Division 5 1995/96". The Rugby Archive.
  13. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1996-97".
  14. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1997-98".
  15. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1998-99".
  16. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1999-2000".
  17. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2000 - 2001".
  18. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2001 - 2002".
  19. (3 January 2002). "Truro power to cup win". South West Farmer.
  20. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2002 - 2003".
  21. (26 September 2002). "Same result, better display". South West Farmer.
  22. (15 March 2003). "SATURDAY 15TH MARCH". Trelawny's Army.
  23. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2003 - 2004".
  24. (22 January 2004). "Brave effort, but cup run over for Camborne". South West Farmer.
  25. (25 March 2004). "Home cup game with Bude for Penryn". South West Farmer.
  26. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2004 - 2005".
  27. (27 November 2004). "SATURDAY 27TH NOVEMBER". Trelawny's Army.
  28. (6 January 2005). "Camborne beaten after pulsating tie". South West Farmer.
  29. (18 December 2004). "SATURDAY 18TH DECEMBER". Trelawny's Army.
  30. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2005 - 2006".
  31. (19 October 2005). "Camborne's cup hopes dashed". South West Farmer.
  32. (17 October 2005). "Rugby Union Results". Daily Telegraph.
  33. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2006 - 2007".
  34. (22 November 2006). "'Town beaten in cup clash'". South West Farmer.
  35. (2 November 2006). "Camborne safely through". South West Farmer.
  36. (10 January 2007). "Derby treat". South West Farmer.
  37. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2008 - 2009".
  38. (21 November 2007). "Coney Hill's pace sets up cup win". South West Farmer.
  39. (18 October 2007). "EDF Energy Intermediate Cup and Vase draws". Rugby Week.
  40. (22 March 2008). "Wadebridge Camels: Archive Match Reports". Pitchero.
  41. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2008 - 2009".
  42. (19 January 2009). "OIRATES KEEP THE FLAG FLYING".
  43. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2009 - 2010".
  44. (2 March 2010). "Old Redcliffians end Camborne's Twickenham dream". South West Farmer.
  45. (2 March 2010). "South West Division Cups". England Rugby.
  46. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2010 - 2011".
  47. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2011 - 2012".
  48. (17 March 2012). "Saints draw Bude in Cornwall Cup Semi Finals". St Austell RFC (Pitchero).
  49. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2012 - 2013".
  50. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2013 - 2014".
  51. "Tribute South West 1 West 2014–2015".
  52. "Tribute South West 1 West 2015–2016".
  53. "National League 3 South West 2016–2017".
  54. "South West Premier 2017–2018".
  55. "South West Premier 2018–2019".
  56. "RFU confirms league positions".
  57. "Club Honours". Redruth Rugby Football Club (Pitchero).
  58. (22 March 2015). "Camborne RFC: Honours 1". Pitchero.
  59. (1983). "The First Hundred Years". Cornwall RFU.

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rugby-union-teams-in-cornwallrugby-clubs-established-in-1878camborne