FARMINGTON – Some times even the best effort doesn’t stand up.

Matt Creamer executed a takedown with 13 seconds left and then countered Will Plancon’s efforts in a 6-5 clinching decision as Camden Hills remained unbeaten with a 46-28 victory over Mt. Blue.

Undermanned Gardiner was crushed by both the Cougars and Camden Hills

Mt. Blue (9-2) had stayed within striking distance following a pin by Jared Merrill at 152 pounds. The Cougar wrestler applied constant pressure and eventually secured a cradle to stick John Frost.

“We knew Camden would be tough,” Mt. Blue coach Nate Platt said. “It was a battle and a couple matches could have gone either way. I thought that we’d win at 140, but the 152 match went our way. Then Hazon Pingree wrestled strong at 160, but it wasn’t enough.”

Ben Audet was caught in a head and arm by Randy Lemar at 140.

Shane Webber, 2004 Class A state champion, who had tied the score at 22, finally pinned Derek Young with a flash.

“I just try to stay aggressive,” Webber said. “I try not to waste a lot on energy on the mat. So, when I get a pinning hold on an opponent, I follow it through.”

Webber (14-0) also won a hard fought 4-0 decision against Kyle Sleeper of Gardiner.

Mt. Blue had jumped ahead 12-0 on pins by Nate Childs and Josh Brougham at 215 and 275. Childs also had a 13-second pin against Gardiner.

Camden Hills (13-0), the five-time defending Class B champions, received a shot in the arm with three-straight pins. Ivan Bragg stuck Kateleen Roberts. In a battle of freshmen, Murphy McGowan stuck in a spadle on Sam Webber at 112.

Gary Begin of MB won a 10-0 major decision at 125. Pingree lost 2-1 to Windjammer state champion Harry Pearson.

“I’m pleased with our performance,” Camden Hills coach Pat Kelly said. “Mt. Blue has a strong team and wrestled hard. We had 10 freshmen and sophomores on the mat.”