Photo – Darren Jacques Truro’s skipper
The weather almost won the day last weekend with many league and cup matches having to be postponed and those that were played having to contend with fierce wind and driving rain.
I went to Truro to see their game in Tribute Western Counties West against Devonport Services along with about fifty other hardy souls!
Thankfully the referee passed the pitch fit following great work during the morning by the Truro ground staff.
Truro prevailed 28-8 with three tries scored by full back Luke Tidball plus one from player-coach prop Darren Jacques. Daryl Riches kicked a penalty during the first half whilst his replacement “Eggy” Williams kicked a penalty and converted Jacques’ try.
It proved to be the only Cornish success at this level last weekend. St. Austell lost at home to leaders Kingsbridge 7-12. Andy Ashwin converting a penalty try to at least give the Saints a losing bonus point.
Saltash were defeated at Moorlands 0-40 by Cullompton!
Wadebridge Camels, who were due to play in the Intermediate Cup against Okehampton but were given a bye, played their originally scheduled league game against Torquay Athletic lost 29-13. Jake Grubb with their try, whilst James Grubb converted and kicked two penalties.
Penryn’s game at Crediton was a non-starter.
The Cornish Pirates got 2016 off to the best possible start with 38-21 Championship win at Rotherham Titans. Prop Marlen Walker bagged himself three tries with Laurie McGlone, Sam Arnott and Tom Duncan also crossing. Laurence May kicked four conversions.
The Pirates had a scare when Titans scored three tries whilst McGlone was in the bin to come back to 21-33 but Duncan’s late score soothed the nerves.
In National League 2 South on Sunday Redruth won at Southend 21-10, thanks to two tries from Kyle Marriott and one from Tom Cowan-Dickie, all converted by Dave Mankee. That result consolidates Redruth’s fifth place in the table prior to the visit of Bury St. Edmunds this Saturday.
Launceston’s game against Canterbury was postponed and will be played on Saturday 27th February which is a weekend set aside for the England Counties fixture against Scottish Clubs XV at Netherdale, Galashiels on the Friday evening.
Camborne extended their lead at the top of Tribute South West 1 West back to eleven points after a last-gasp win at Bideford 17-16. Alex Ducker, who has re-signed for the club he left last summer, proved to be the hero scoring the winning try deep in injury time. Rhys Brownfield and James Goldsworthy scored the other tries with Brownfield kicking a conversion.
There were just two games that survived in Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth Eagles demolished Newquay Hornets 51-0 mat the Rec. Tom Job (2), Justyn Irons (2), AJ Geach, Tom Edmonds and Dave Jones all scored tries with Irons kicking five conversions and two penalties.
Newquay Hornets were also due to play in the Senior Vase but (wisely) conceded their tie to Withycombe.
Bodmin lost 25-12 at Plymstock Albion Oaks with Josh Taylor slotting four penalties.
There was a cup tie played when Veor travelled to the Brickfields to play Tamar Saracens in the Junior Vase but lost 29-8.
Two other re-arranged Tribute Cornwall Club Cup ties between Liskeard-Looe and Camelford and Stithians v Helston were also rained off.
