Falmouth put in a controlled performance to push Hayle closer to a relegation dogfight as the Eagles recorded a bonus point victory at the Recreation ground on Saturday.
Eagles legend Steve Lightfoot had brought together many of the 1970s County league and Cup winners to watch a local derby that fizzled but never quite caught fire, until Hayle, throwing caution to the wind, scored 2 tries in the last 5 minutes.
Number 8 Tom Simmons was the outstanding player on the park, scoring two tries, making hard yards, even demonstrating his kicking skills with a 30 metre downfield chip. In a dominant performance he had the unerring skill of finding himself wherever the ball was all round the field.
Hayle fly half Lynes scored first from a penalty before Justyn Irons, threatening with ball in hand all first half, spotted a gap and fed Simmons to score before converting.
Centre David Jones, who has been in fine try scoring form since Christmas, bagged the second, following good work from Symons. Falmouth had total control but were not quite up full speed and missed opportunities to increase the lead by dropping passes and losing concentration in the scrum.
Following half time Simmons, flirting with offside, poached an interception pass from the back of the maul and cantered between the posts as the rest of the players, barring the galloping Jon Baglow, in support, stopped in expectation of the referee's whistle blast.
Replacement wing Paul Saberton made one of his trademark mazy runs, for the bonus point score, bewildering defenders as he scampered in from his own half, Irons extending the lead to 28-3 with his fourth successful conversion.
Falmouth had defended well all match but with the bonus point secured took their foot off the pedal, Danny Clackworthy, always a danger led the Hayle comeback barging his way across the line, before replacement forward, Nicholls, scored following a series of pick and drives from close range, converted by Lynes.
A satisfactory performance from the Eagles who nevertheless will need to play better and smarter around the tackle zone if they are to win any of their last 3 matches which are all away from home.
Falmouth:
Symons, Rowe, Job, Jones, Lea, Irons, Spiller, Cock, Geach, Searle, Instance, Baglow, Tonkins, McColl, Simmons.
Reps: Varker, Saberton, David.
Written by James Instance.
