All Blacks running into form at right time

Redruth v Launceston 211213Photo – Action from last season’s pre-Christmas derby at Redruth

The Cornish All Blacks 25-15 win over Canterbury at Polson on Saturday made it three wins on the bounce for the East Cornwall side.

Having been on the wrong end of some close calls this season this little run of wins has helped propel the All Blacks up the table and they have now leap-frogged their West Cornwall rivals for the first time this season in the league.

Saturday’s game against Taunton, who have slipped in recent weeks, will be a good measure prior to the Redruth game at Polson on Saturday 20th December kick-off 2:30 pm.

Tries from Ryan Westren, Jamie Salter and Jake Murphy along with the boot of Kieron Lewitt got the All Blacks home against Canterbury.

You can read Suzanne Cleave’s report from the WMN in the link

Conversely, Redruth’s form has dipped in recent weeks. Saturday’s 33-12 reversal at Chinnor was their third game on the trot without picking up any points.

Saturday’s game against Lydney at the Rec is now a vital one, as the Severnsiders are third from bottom just five points behind the Reds with a game in-hand!

Redruth need a moral boosting win prior to their trip to Polson, hopefully Greg Goodfellow and Damien Cook, who both missed the Chinnor trip will be fit to play.

You can read Ed Bawden WMN report in the link.

Three late converted tries by Doncaster Knights has put the Yorkshire side firmly in control of Pool Four in the British and Irish Cup as they staged a remarkable to pip the Cornish Pirates 31-30 at the Mennaye.

Next Saturday’s final pool match against Bedford Blues at Goldington Road kick-off 2pm will determine who finishes runners-up in the pool with hopefully it being sufficient to qualify for the quarter-finals as one of the three best pool runners-up.

You can read Nigel Walrond’s WMN match report in the link.

Ian Davies’ reaction to his side’s defeat in this link.

In the Tribute South West 1West league, Camborne maintained their third place with a hard-fought 28-16 win over North Devon side Bideford at the Rec.

You can read my report on the game via West Briton link.

It was a very emotionally charged day at Tregorrick Park when St. Austell faced Avonmouth Old Boys. Prior to the match both sides observed a one minute silence in memory of St. Austell player Roy Williams who unexpectedly passed away last week.

The Saints then turned on a performance that their former teammate would have been proud of as they defeated the Old Boys 40-25 to alleviate their position in the bottom half of the table. Tries were scored by skipper Miles Davey (2), Ian Venner, Dan Pearce, Alex Welland and Ben Chenoweth with Pearce also adding a couple of penalties and conversions.

In Tribute Western Counties West, a blow to Truro’s promotion hopes as they were beaten 33-14 at St. Clements Hill by Devonport Services,  Luke Tidball and Darren Jacques scored both of Truro’s tries which were converted by “Eggy” Williams.

Penryn had a good win at home against Tavistock 53-7.  Full-back Josh Chambers scored three tries with Mitch Vague and Ben Hoban both bagging a brace each, Matt Williams with Ben Jordan scoring the other tries. Callum Hinchley kicked four conversions.

Wadebridge Camels defeated St. Ives 105-10, scoring seventeen tries in all. Dom Hawkey scored five tries and James Grubb kicked ten conversions.

London Cornish lost their top-of-the-table clash with Tottonians 19-6 in London 2 SW, see Ben Gilbey’s match report in my previous blog post.

In Tribute Cornwall and Devon League, Saltash are level on points with Withycombe at the top of the table following their 34-10 win over Bodmin.

Ashes scored six-tries against Bodmin through Ryan Cruickshanks (2), Ollie Mulberry, Max Veneables, Steve Hillman and Shaun Crawford.

Bodmin scored tries through Pooley and Carter.

Falmouth won 52-0 at Liskeard-Looe, the Eagles scored eight tries through Olly Church, John Tyson, Matt Symons, Nick Carne, Olly Williams, George Hooper, Tom Spiller and Symon Bailey with

Justyn Irons kicking six conversions.

Hayle lost at Honiton 23-8, Rob Rowe with Hayle’s sole try and Scott Harvey with a penalty.

Bude defeated Pirates Amateurs 20-18.

The final games in both Cornwall Leagues 1 & 2; prior to the New Year took place last weekend.

Newquay Hornets failed to pick up maximum points for the first time this season as Camborne School of Mines held them to a 17-22 margin.

Veor kept the pressure up in second place with a 58-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Roseland.

Illogan Park won 46-21 at Helston, whilst Stithians had a walkover against Perranporth.

In Cornwall 2, Lanner won 59-12 at Lankelly-Fowey to remain top. St. Agnes defeated St. Just in the far tip of Cornwall 54-7, whilst Camelford beat Redruth Albany 20-5.

Finally best wishes to Truro School Old Boy Tom Pascoe who has been chosen by Cambridge University to play at hooker in the 133 rd Varsity Match this Thursday against Oxford University at Twickenham. The game will be reffed by Devon’s Luke Pearce.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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