The weather once again played it’s hand in this weekend’s fixtures. The Cornish Pirates’ Friday night fixture at Kingston Park against Newcastle Falcons was the first to get called off.
In National League 2 South, Redruth’s match at Canterbury also fell foul as the Kent side’s pitch was under a blanket of snow. Redruth, who have only played one league game since Christmas, will hope to play next Saturday at the Rec against league leaders Worthing. It promises to be a red-hot affair!
The Cornish All Blacks managed to play and recorded a fine win over Henley Hawks at Polson. Josh Lord scored their only try and Kieron Lewitt kicked 14 points in a 19-15 win over the Oxfordshire side.
In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne followed up their fine win last weekend against Wadebridge Camels with another five point haul, this time against Somerset side Cleve by 32-15. The Cherry & Whites scored five tries with flying winger Rob Floyd getting a hat-trick of scores. No.8 Martin Woolcock and and centre Laurie Manna scored the other tries. Luke Johnson kicked the other points.
Wadebridge Camels bounced back from last Saturday’s defeat at Camborne with a 26-14 win at home against Sidmouth. Hooker Matt Ballard, Jake Grubb, Will Pengelly and Ben Scott scored the Camels’ tries with James Grubb adding three conversions.
In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell slipped to a second consecutive defeat. Having lost at Penryn last weekend, Saints slipped up this time at Torquay where the home team won 28-17. Alex Welland (2) and Matt Shepherd scored the tries with Shepherd adding a conversion.
Penryn maintained their improved form with a 34-14 win at Tavistock. Alex Ducker scored three tries for the Borough with Jake Seviour and prop Ethan Patterson scoring the other tries.
Truro beat Kingsbridge at St. Clements 14-10. Luke Trescothick scored a try with Jake Champion kicking three penalties. Bude’s match against Honiton was postponed.
Up in London, London Cornish’s game at Effingham & Leatherhead went ahead in London 2 SW, but another poor defensive display from the exiles saw them lose 43-18.
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St. Ives and Pirates Amateurs saw their games postponed. Hayle won the battle of the Lions beating Liskeard/Looe 31-3 with tries from Tony Matthews, Rob Goodman, Scott Harvey (2) and Talan Daniels. Martin Strick adding a couple of conversions, whilst Mark Moody kicked a penalty for the visitors.
Falmouth beat Newquay Hornets 23-12 at the Rec. Gareth Lever, Billy Berner, Kieran Rodda and Paul Saberton scored the tries for the Eagles. Saberton also added a penalty. For the Hornets, Connor Riley and Ashley Taylor scored tries with Riley adding a conversion.
Saltash lost at leaders Teignmouth 27-8. Joe Skinnard with a try and Max Veneables with a penalty.
In Tribute Cornwall 1, leaders Veor hand a walkover as Roseland couldn’t field a front row. Stithians beat St. Agnes 10-3 to move up to second place. Helston defeated Perranporth 27-7.
In Tribute Cornwall 2, Bodmin stretched their comfortable lead at the top beating second placed School of Mines 25-17. Illogan Park won at Redruth Albany 10-6 and St Day defeated Camelford 22-5.
Exeter Chiefs brought their U.18 league fixture against Saracens to Tregye on Saturday with the Chiefs winning 15-10 with a side containing many young Cornish stars of the future.
Truro School progress to the Quarter-finals of the Daily Mail U.18 Cup after defeating RGS High Wycombe 20-10. They will play Hampton School at home this coming week in the next round.
“CORNWALL RFU PREPARE FOR THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP”
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) has started it’s preparation for the 2013 Bill Beaumont County Championship campaign that gets underway in May.
Selectors and coaches have been observing games and watching eligible players at all levels since the start of the season. An enlarged squad has been selected and invited to attend a team building session at Kingsley Village, Fraddon, on Monday 11th February.
CRFU President Ken Plummer said “I am delighted with the work of the selectors and coaches in the early preparation for the upcoming County Championship”.
Cornwall face 3 games in the opening group stages in May before the final that is held at Twickenham on Sunday 26th May.
Chair of selectors Terry Carter said “selecting an enlarged squad for the Kingsley Village event has been challenging, but we feel we have a good balance of players with experience and determination to wear the Black and Gold of Cornwall”.
He went on to say “Further players may be included at a later stage if injuries or form preclude selected players”.
The Kingsley Village event is designed so that coaches and players can meet informally and discuss in detail the tactics and training plans for the Championship
Following the Kingsley Village event a number of training sessions have been programmed in, to the build-up to the first game that takes place on Saturday 4th May.
Cornwall head coach Dave “Benji” Thomas said – “The 2013 season will be very challenging, with away games to Gloucester and then Kent before our only home game against Hertfordshire on Saturday 18th May”
Cornwall will travel to face Gloucestershire on Saturday 4th May, and then travel to Kent on May 11th before the home match against Hertfordshire which will be played at Camborne RFC on Saturday 18th May.
CRFU Chair Denis Preece said “We hope that the people of Cornwall will once again get behind the team and come and support them throughout the campaign and especially on the 18th May at Camborne”.
There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Alan Mitchell in the first instance. Email – cb-honsec-cornwall@therfu.com
Cornwall Under 20’s, conclude their pool stage of the County Championship with a “winner take all game” against Devon on Sunday 10th February. The game to be played at Ivybridge RFC and will decide which team progress to the quarterfinals. Further details are available from Chris Lea U20’s manager email chris_lea21@hotmail.com
One more postponement and Redruth’s fixtures will start overlapping the county championship…