FINANCIALLY-STRUCK Plymouth Albion rounded off their home fixtures in front of Sky Sports cameras on Friday night with a 19-14 win over the Cornish Pirates, which effectively puts paid to the Pirates hopes of reaching the semi-finals. It wasn’t the greatest spectacle to put before the cameras and with RFU President John Owen and RFU Management Committee Chairman Martyn Thomas in attendance food for thought for the men from HQ about the Championship and other pressing matters in the rugby world!
I enjoyed the coverage from SKY SPORTS and hope that we get a few more games next season, Dewi Morris was in his usual best form and is now a keen fan of Pirates’ supporter Rod Lyon, as a former Grand Bard, I am sure Rod would be happy to put Dewi straight on all matters Cornish!!
You can read Mark Stevens report from the Western Morning news in the link here
So the focus now turns to Sunday’s British & Irish Cup semi-final at Camborne against Doncaster Knights. I am sure a big crowd will turn out to support the boys and that they will need very little motivation to turn over the Knights and make the FINAL, which if they do will be held at CAMBORNE on Sunday 16th April at 6pm.
In National League 1, the big news at Redruth on Saturday apart from five very welcome league points against Sedgley Park thanks to a 33-13 win was the news that Reds’ head coach Nigel Hambly will be stepping down at the end of the season. Nigel is a great guy and it’s been a privilege for me to get to chat to him after the Reds’ home league games, he always had the club at heart and always put his players first, he will be a hard act to follow, but I am sure he will be the first to congratulate and encourage whoever is appointed as his successor for next season.
Saturday’s win just about puts the Reds’ safe but to be absolutely certain should the results go against them 1 point from their final two games would make them safe, not easy on current away form , nor when you have to play Cambridge and champions Esher! Match details can be found here
The Cornish All Blacks picked up the five points on offer at Manchester with a 71-8 win. Manchester, as they have all season in adversity, competed with great courage and dignity and I am sure we all hope that they will be able to re-group and one day return to National League 1. For the All Blacks the runners-up spot is still a possibility going into next weekend’s final match. With a home game against relegation haunted Cinderford, and London Scottish, whose form has slipped in recent weeks travelling to Sedgley Park, Launceston could pip them.
In Tribute Western Counties West, Camborne still in party mode lost at Devonport Services 27-10 to complete their program. Dave Roberts and Sam Matavesi scored Town’s tries.
Newquay Hornets ended a disappointing season with a loss at Tiverton 29-12, Adam Rayer and Stuart Williams scored their tries with Sam Cullen adding a conversion.
In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Liskeard & Looe defeated Torrington at Lux Park 48-6, whilst Saltash won the battle of the relegated sides defeating Plymstock 43-20 at Moorlands. Falmouth finished on a high with a 20-5 win at OPM’s.
In the Tribute Cornwall League, Veor clinched the play-off spot with a 18-16 win over third place Bodmin. Champions Roseland rounded off their program with a 47-17 win over Lankelly-Fowey, whilst their were wins for Perranporth at Redruth Albany 33-10 and for St. Agnes at home over Illogan Park 24-21. The match between St. Day and Helston was called off when the referee failed to appear.
Sunday saw the 2nd leg of the Skinners Brewery CRFU Super Cup FINAL at Redruth, which saw the Reds overcome a 1st leg deficit winning 32-9 to lift the cup. Details in the link here
Next Sunday 25th April sees Trelawny’s Army at Hayle RFC in force supporting the U.18’s Finals Day. A feast of youth rugby is assured. The rugby gets underway at 12-30 pm with the Bowl Final and ends at 6-15 pm with Cup Final. The program is as follows;
12.30 bowl St Austell v Saltash
2.00 Plate Launceston v Bude
3.15 Salver Liskeard & Looe v Wadebridge Camels
4.30 Shield Penryn v Penzance & Newlyn
6.15 Cup Redruth v Truro
Trelawny’s Army will be in attendance all today with our merchandise stall and details of our trips to support Cornwall at Hertfordshire on Saturday May 15th and hopefully at Twickenham for the County Championship Final on Sunday 30th May.
