FORMED in 2008, Camelford Rugby Club is now competing in its eight season of competitive rugby and are only looking up towards a bright future.

Last season saw the club finally move to a home ground in the town after being resident in Tintagel for the previous four seasons, but this is currently an ongoing temporary arrangement. This ground has kindly been lent to the club by Keith Vassey and his wife and is situated at Lane End.

The club hope to secure a long term tenure on this ground in order to be able to get financial support from Cornwall RFU to build some changing facilities, but in the mean time, they continue to seek sponsors and helpers.

It has been a challenge getting the club to where it is today due to the corner of Cornwall it is situated not having a traditional rugby club, however, ‘The Ford’ has flourished through the hard work of the committee, coaching staff and a band of dedicated players, and is now a highly competitive force in Tribute Cornwall Two League.

Camelford entered the seasonal break with two wins from five league games played, but knowing that they had been highly competitive in them all. In the first game of the campaign they lost 14-19 at home to St Just then lost by exactly the same score, on the road, to Stithians. Both these games gained a bonus losing point for the league table.

Next came an 18-0 win over Redruth Albany followed by a victory away to Lankelly Fowey by 32-17. In their most recent league game, The Ford narrowly lost 3-6 against Roseland — once again earning a losing bonus point. With a bit more luck and some better decision making Camelford could easily have been top of the division for Christmas. With that said, there is still a lot of rugby to be played.

The playing progress reflects the overall progress of this well managed rugby club. Club coaches, Wayne Roberts and Luke Palmer, continue to put the players through an excellent training regime and they are fundamental in getting the side competitive for Skipper Carl ‘Kiwi’ Rockell. The club has recruited well, but whilst the current crop of players are competitive the squad does need to develop, especially with the onset of mid-season injuries.

With that in mind, The Ford invites ex-players to come back and dust their boots down and they are always seeking new blood.

Recently the committee has begun attempts to start junior rugby for Camelford, tapping into some of the excellent youngsters from Sir James Smith’s School in the town. It is hoped that an U14 boys side will be fielded by the new year. In order to make this and the club sustainable they are seeking more volunteers, especially parents, who might be willing to help with the juniors.

The club have also been thinking about how to get a Ladies’ squad together.

Who knows where this adventure will end, but the club are certainly determined to be the club of first choice for all the rugby fraternity in this patch of North Cornwall.

The Ford asks all in the town and surrounding areas to give them support as they develop their playing and social sides.

If you are interested in playing for the club or just getting involved, please contact Nic Osborne, Club President, on 07725801331 or visit: www.pitchero.com/clubs/camelfordrugbyfootballclub