Photo – Ben Hilton who has again been called up by England Counties
The Southwest derby between Redruth and Taunton was another cracking game. Despite the low score 8-5 to the Reds, it was a game packed with action and incident.
It really did look like the Reds would be up against when they reached half-time level at 5 all and Taunton with the slope and wind in their favour.
Heroic rear-guard action saw them weather the Taunton onslaught at the start of the second half. The whole match day squad were heroes to a man and they got their just rewards when Ashley Hosking picked what proved to be the winning penalty 1 minute from time.
You can read my report from the West Briton in the link.
Despite tries from Ryan Westren and Jamie Salter, Launceston lost at Chinnor 24-12.
Good news for All Blacks Ben Hilton who has once again been selected for England Counties in their upcoming fixtures against Scottish Clubs XV (new opponents this season) at Fylde and France Fédérale in Périgueux.
Read Bill Sobey’s report from Sunday’s WMN.
In Tribute South West 1 West 1, Camborne’s faint chance of making the play-off have virtually evaporated following their 20-18 defeat at home to Ivybridge.
Ivybridge ran in four unconverted tries with former Cornwall player Lewis Paterson amongst the scorers.
For the Cherry and Whites Dave Roberts and Taron Peacock scored tries with Dave Mankee kicking the other points.
Another home defeat, this time 10-9 to Drybrook, sees St. Austell slip periously close to the drop zone once again this season.
It was three Andy Ashwin penalties for the Saints as against two un-converted tries for the visitors.
In Western Counties West the derby went the way of Truro who defeated Penryn 12-8 at St. Clements. Matt Bankhead and Eggy Williams scored Truro tries with Williams also adding a conversion.
Tom Hoban scored a try for the Borough and James Salisbury kicked a penalty.
In form Wadebridge Camels chalked up another win defeating Sidmouth 22-6. Gary Gynn, Jack Oulton and James Grubb crossed for tries with Grubb bagging a conversion.
Camels travel to Penryn on Saturday for an eagerly awaited derby.
St. Ives slipped to loss fourteen as they went down at home to Teignmouth 26-0. The game was abandoned after 68 minutes due to the referee being injured. It’s is likely the result will stand with Teignmouth having bagged the bonus point.
In London 2 SW, London Cornish battled back from a half-time 17-19 deficit to defeat Warlingham 40-19.
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon league it was top versus bottom and unsurprisingly top won 60-0! Saltash ran in ten tries with Ollie Mulberry bagging four.
Bude defeated Falmouth 22-13 at Bencoolen. Tries for Bude were scored by James Comber, Steve Yates and Bruce James with Olly Denford kicking two conversions and a penalty. Falmouth scored a try through Nick Carne with Justyn Irons kicking the conversion and two penalties.
Bodmin defeated visiting Hayle 22-13 at Clifden Park to boost their prospects of staying up. Lee Taylor (2), Mark Trevarthan and Cody Armstrong scored Bodmin’s tries.
Pirates Amateurs game against OPMs was called off.
In Tribute Cornwall 1 Camborne School of Mines wrapped up their league program with a 41-17 win over runners-up Veor.
Stithians re-arranged game with Newquay Hornets was again postponed due to a water-logged pitch and it’s hoped to play this Saturday.
The Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup pool fixtures start on Saturday 14th February.
We await to see if Jack Nowell makes the England side for Friday night’s opening RBS 6 Nations game against Wales in Cardiff. We wish him well.
