Big crowd see Pirates go down against London Irish

 

The Cornish Pirates played a home game on Saturday when they entertained Championship leaders London Irish at the Mennaye.

Despite a crowd of 2,043 packed in at the Mennaye the Pirates couldn’t deny Irish as the exiles continue their march back towards the Premiership following their 35-24 win.

Alex Day and Sam Simmonds (2) scored tries for the Pirates all three were converted by Will Cargill and Laurence May (2), Cargill also landed a penalty. The game also marked skipper Chris Morgan’s 200th appearance for the club.

Former Pirate and Scottish International Blair Cowan made a return to the Mennaye despite not playing to catch up with old friends.

In National League 2 South, Redruth saw a smaller than usual gate 620, for the visit of Bishop’s Stortford. Those present saw a fine forward orientated game with the Reds winning 24-13.

All the Red’s tries came from catch-and-drives with Kyle Marriott, BJ Chapman and Pale Nonu crossing. Angus Taylor converted all three scores as well as penalty.

There were quite a few members of Trelawny’s Army at the game with presentations of TASC clocks made to both clubs at half-time in recognition of their support for the County Championship.

In National 3 SW, Camborne, after a week’s break, got back to winning ways 13-11 against visitors Bournemouth.

Roko Kurusasa  scored Town’s only try, converted by Dave Mankee who also added a couple of penalties.

Launceston lost at home to Bracknell 19-6, Fraser Honey with a couple of penalties for the All Blacks.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro are back on top of the table after defeating Crediton 13-12 at St. Clements Hill, thanks to a Jake Champion penalty.

Truro led 10-0 at half-time thanks to a Jack Tidball try converted by Champion who also kicked a penalty. Crediton came back to lead 12-10 before Champion’s kick won the game.

St. Austell defeated previous leaders Exeter Uni 22-7 at Tregorrick Park. Max Duggan (2), Hector Bright and Andy Ashwin scored the Saints’ tries with Ashwin landing a conversion.

Bude did themselves a power of good with a 15-10 home win against Wellington. Olly Mounce scored both tries with Dan Pearce kicking a conversion and a penalty.

St. Ives won at Wadebridge Camels 22-18. Martyn Lawrence, Tom Nicholas and Paul Thirlby scored tries for the Hakes with Jordan Gott kicking the other points.

For the Camels, Adam Blackmore and Mike Rawlings scored tries with Danny Thomas kicking the rest of the points.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish remain unbeaten notching up win number nine 67-18 against Old Tonbridgians scoring ten tries in the process.

The exiles have made no bones that promotion to London 1 South is the goal this season having come un-stuck in the play-offs for the last two seasons.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth remain top despite their game at Tamar Saracens being called off due to a water-logged pitch.

Saltash are up to second following their 23-7 win against Bodmin. Shaun Crawford (2), Ryan Rayner and Phil Eatwell scored the tries to give the Ashes a bonus point win with Harrison Reburn kicking a penalty. For Bodmin Mark Trevarthen scored a try converted by Josh Taylor.

Penryn have slipped to fifth spot following their home defeat at the hands of Paignton 36-14.

Matt Williams scored a couple of tries for the Borough both converted by Matt Horton.

Prior to the game, family and friends of the late Roger Harris gathered at the memorial bench in his honour situated just outside the Learning centre. The bench was blessed by the club Chaplin, and former teammate Ken Plummer spoke of Roger’s career as a player in front of the club’s Under 14s who were also present.

Pirates Amateurs beat Lanner 19-3 in a game played on the Mennaye following the Pirates clash with London Irish.

Ashley Weston, Ryan Stanley and Jamie Barrett scored tries with Dan Mcgee adding a couple of conversions.

In the Tribute Cornwall League, Hayle maintained their unbeaten run with a 38-5 win at home to St. Agnes.

See the Cornish rugby fixtures/results page for all the other results.

Josh Matavesi played for Fiji against England on Saturday. England ran out winners  58-15.

Penryn Under U.13 & U.14s were at Twickenham and provided the guard of honour as both sides ran on to the pitch.

On Sunday Cornwall girl’s U.18s lost to their Devon counterparts 54-0 at Wessex RFC allowing Devon girls to retain the U.18 Tamar Cup. Despite the score-line the Cornish girls gave a good account of themselves and will have learned much going forward.

The draw for Semi-finals of the Tribute Cornwall Cup;

St. Austell v Falmouth

Wadebridge Camels v Truro

Both semi-finals to be played on Saturday 18th March 2017.

The date of this season’s senior men’s Tamar Cup is Monday 10th April at Tiverton RFC kick-off 7:30 pm.

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