BILL BEAUMONT CUP

CORNWALL 27 – 31 GLOUCESTERSHIRE

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Redruth

Cornwall showed character and resilience to almost claw back an opening quarter disaster – which saw them leak three converted tries – before eventually going down to old foes Gloucestershire who will once again advance to Twickenham next Sunday to contest the final of the Bill Beaumont Cup against Lancashire in a repeat of last season’s final won by the men from the red rose county.

With the match seemingly lost so early on the main focus turned to damage limitation and with the news filtering through from Hertfordshire that Devon were on the wrong end of a heavy defeat Cornwall knew they had a chance to stave off relegation if they could narrow the margin of defeat.

In glorious conditions, but a bone hard pitch, Cornwall began brightly with an early penalty success from fly-half Ian Morgan after just 2 minutes. Play was held up for eight minutes when Gloucestershire flanker Jack Preece was stretchered off in a neck brace.

Upon resumption it was Gloucestershire who took charge with fly-half Tim Stevenson running the show. The Cinderford fly-half used the following wind to pin Cornwall back deep in their own 22 time and again. Cornwall didn’t help themselves with some less than average tackling allowing centre John Gadd to score after 14 minutes. Stevenson added the conversion as he did for his side’s next two scores. Gadd once again making the most of some poor tackling before full-back Martin Knight gathered his own chip ahead escaped the clutches of the Cornish defenders to go in unopposed at the posts. At 3-21 Cornwall had a mountain to climb and you wondered what the final score could be!

Morgan chipped away with a second penalty, but Gloucestershire hit-back with a fourth try following a great run from winger Chris Holder set up his fellow winger Nev Codlin in the Strawberry Lane corner. Stevenson missed the conversion but Cornwall were staring down the barrel at 6-26.

Cornwall were desperate for a score before half-time, it came thanks to some fine work from No. 8 Mark Bright – who gave another towering performance in adversity – the Redruth player breaking from the scrum and powering over near the posts. Josh Matavesi slotted the conversion to leave Cornwall trailing 13-26 at the break.

Cornwall needed an early score, but instead it was Gloucestershire who got it as Codlin collected his brace as he again profited from poor tacking to score in the Piggy Lane corner.

Spurred on by the news from Hertfordshire Cornwall suddenly came to life. Gloucestershire had a player sent to the bin as Holder was adjudged to have deliberately knocked-on. Bright grabbed his second try of the game, which Matavesi converted.
Cornwall looked full of running a fine move involving Pale Nonu, Owen Hambly and replacement Tom Notman set the alarm bells ringing in the Gloucestershire defence. Cornwall eventually found their way through again as Nonu finished off a fine move and with Paul Thirlby adding the conversion Cornwall were suddenly just four points adrift. That was as close as they were to get. Gloucestershire camped themselves deep into the Cornwall 22 in the final moments and were twice denied having driven over the Cornish line in Hell Fire corner.

With the news confirming Devon’s 53-21 loss against Hertfordshire Cornwall had done enough to save their skins for another season in the top tier of the Bill Beaumont Cup.

After the match Cornwall’s head coach “Benji” Thomas had mixed feelings about his side’s performance “We were awful in the first half” admitted bluntly Thomas. “It was the worst rugby I’ve seen a Cornwall team play for years. So many missed tackles, we never got the ball, couldn’t win any line-outs it was the worst I’ve seen from any Cornish team in a long time first half. We had a few strong words at half-time, and in the second half I thought they played really well, we could have won the game in the second half, another five minutes I think we could have done it.

“We played for territory, scored some nice tries, we made a lot of changes in the second half and everyone we put on the field really came up trumps.

Thomas was at a loss trying to put a finger on why Cornwall had stared so poorly. “I don’t know, we had a good pre-match sort-out you couldn’t put your finger on one reason why we started so badly, some of the tackles we missed were awful, you wouldn’t expect your U.13’s to miss tackles like that and they just exploited us completely. I thought their ten (Stevenson) ran the game really well for them, in the first-half his kicking to the corners took us apart and they had some good field positions from that to run the ball and score some tries.

“Second half I thought we played really, really well and deserved the points we put up and we could have snatched the game at the end.

One further piece of news is that Luke Collins, who this week signed to play for Redruth next season, has been selected for the England Counties side tour to Canada. The squad departs from London after the County Championship final next Sunday.

All the best in Canada Luke and fly the flag for Cornwall.

Cornwall 27 pts

Tries – Bright (2), Nonu, Conversions – Matavesi (2). P Thirlby, Penalties – Morgan (2)

Gloucestershire 31 pts

Tries – Gadd (2), Knight, Codlin (2), Conversions – Stevenson (3)

Yellow Card – Holder

Cornwall: J Matavesi (Exeter Chiefs), R Thirlby (Moseley), R Westren (Cornish All Blacks), P Nonu (Camborne), C Bonds (Redruth), I Morgan (St. Ives)., M Richards (Redruth, capt); D Jacques (Redruth), O Hambly (Redruth), A Morcom (Newquay Hornets), L Collins (Cornish Pirates), D Cook (Redruth), M Rawlings (Cornish All Blacks), T Rawlings (Cornish All Blacks), M Bright (Redruth)

Replacements (used): D Clackworthy (Hayle), B Hilton (Cornish All Blacks), J Lord (Cornish All Blacks), L Webb (Cornish All Blacks), P Thirlby (Redruth), T Notman (Camborne)

Replacement (not used): B Priddey (Redruth)

Gloucestershire: M Knight (Lydney), C Holder (Lydney), C Ashwin (Bristol), J Gadd (Bristol), N Codlin (Cinderford), T Stevenson (Cinderford), T Richardson (Stourbridge); T Brockett (Dings Crusaders), P Finkin (Newbury Blues, capt), C Meddick (Dings Crusaders), D Hodge (Newbury Blues), R Cadman (Hartpury Coll), D Williams (Gloucester), J Preece (Birmingham & Solihull), G Curry (Dings Crusaders)

Replacements (all used): D Trigg (Cinderford), O Stott (Dings Crusaders), S Plummer (Dings Crusaders), B Purbrook (Clifton), S Wilkes (Clifton), E King (Cinderford), M Brown (Cinderford)

Referee: Mr. L Apgeriant-Roberts (RFU)

Crowd: 753

Man-of-the-Match: Mark Bright (Cornwall)

RESULT

HERTFORDSHIRE 30 – 32 CORNWALL

Cornwall’s head coach Dave “Benji” Thomas has freshened up his side prior to Saturday’s Bill Beaumont Cup fixture at Hertford.

Speaking to Trelawny’s Army at the conclusion to Wednesday evening’s training session at Redruth RFC, Thomas explained his side’s selection “We’ve made a few changes in the pack, Sam Hocking is unavailable this Saturday, so Mike Rawlings who came on, on Saturday and played very well takes his place. Damien Cook another who came on last Saturday and did well starts in the second row alongside Ben Hilton, Bryn Jenkins who started last week hasn’t trained this week due to illness. We’ve also got Luke Collins available this week and he comes in on the bench and will strengthen the side. Josh Lord will also brings a lot of experience from the bench.

One of the major changes is at fly-half where veteran Ian Morgan, player/coach at St. Ives, comes into the side with Josh Matavesi switching to full-back in place of the unavailability – due to injury- of Adryan Winnan. “We brought Morgan in to run the game for us, I felt we lacked that a bit on Saturday, Ian can kick us into the corners, also his goal kicking skills so hopefully if there are some penalties on Saturday he’ll be able to put them over for us. Otherwise we’ve brought Craig Bonds on to the wing for his footballing skills in place of Nick Simmons who will be on the bench. So it looks a well-balanced side really.

Asked about Saturday’s opponents Hertfordshire “Well they were defeated at Gloucestershire but on their own pitch they are going to be a handful, Cornwall have been up there twice recently and lost. It will be a different game to that against Devon and their forward orientated game, I think they will want to play a more fluid game which should suit us more and hopefully our forwards will be dominant”.

Cornwall: J Matavesi (Exeter Chiefs), R Thirlby (Moseley), R Westren (Launceston),P Nonu (Camborne), C Bonds (Redruth), I Morgan (St. Ives), M Richards (Redruth, capt); D Jacques (Redruth), O Hambly (Redruth), P Joyce (Redruth), D Cook (Redruth) B Hilton (Launceston), M Rawlings (Launceston), T Rawlings (Launceston), M Bright (Redruth)

Replacements: J Salter (Launceston), A Morcom (Newquay Hornets), L Collins (Cornish Pirates), J Lord (Launceston), L Webb (Launceston), N Simmons (Redruth), P Thirlby (Redruth)

Travelling reserve D Clackworthy (Hayle)

THIS SUNDAY AT 6PM the British & Irish Cup Final will get under way when the Cornish Pirates take on Munster ant Camborne’s famed Recreation Ground.

It really is going to be the “game of the season” down here in Cornwall and it’s been eagerly anticipated ever since the Pirates demolished Doncaster in the semi-final.

The build-up this week has been intense with a media awareness day held on Lemon Quay Truro yesterday at lunchtime before the Pirates went out live on the Laurence Reed show on BBC Radio Cornwall.

With ticket sales continuing a pace it looks like there will be a good crowd to get behind the Cornish Pirates as they take on the men from Munster. Entertainment pre and post match has been organised and the beer tent will be manned it promises to be a great evening and win or lose – may the best team win – it promises to be a great night.

Last Saturday Cornwall got their Bill Beaumont Cup campaign off to a disappointing start with a 31-17 loss at Camborne to Devon. Whilst the result on the field was keenly felt by all those who hold dear the Black & Gold shirt the antics of a few idiotic “Cornish supporters” let not only the game of rugby down but also the whole of Cornwall. The pathetic booing of Devon’s goal kicker Gary Kingdom was a disgrace, whilst the PA announcer from Camborne made an attempt to stop these idiots antics, the rest of us cringed in embarrassment apologising profusely to our friends from Devon for this sorry spectacle. Oh for the authoritative voice of Phil Westren.

Thankfully there will be no such repeat at Camborne this Sunday, if there is then these idiots will deserve to be ejected from the ground!

You can read my match report on the main page of the TASC site. This Saturday Cornwall travel to play their bete-noir of recent campaigns Hertfordshire at Hertford RFC. Captained by that wily campaigner at No.8 Dave Archer, despite losing to Gloucestershire they gave last season’s beaten finalists a tough afternoon and will be no pushovers. A tough match in prospect and one that Cornwall can’t afford to lose. There will be liver coverage on BBC Radio Cornwall with Dick Straughan and Graham Lemin providing commentary.

In the final play-off match, Veor lost their Cornwall & Devon league play-off game to Honiton by 43-12 thus remaining in the Cornwall league for at least another season.

A starting debut in the fly-half shirt awaits Exeter Chiefs’ and Fijian International Josh Matavesi on his old club ground at Camborne tomorrow afternoon against old foes Devon on the opening day of this season’s County Championship/Bill Beaumont Cup kick-off 3pm.

Cornwall have gone for an adventurous line-up with the young Matavesi forming a half-back partnership with Redruth’s Mark Richards who captains the side. Plenty of pace in the back-three with Adryan Winnan at full back and Rob Thirlby and Trelawny’s Army U.20 player-of-the-year for 2009 Wadebridge Camels’ Sean Hawkey on the wings. The mid-field sees former Mount’s Bay favourite Pale Nonu alongside Cornish All Black and last season’s county skipper Ryan Westren, who is of course also Trelawny’s Army current senior player-of- the- year.

Up front Cornwall field three England Counties Internationals in the Redruth trio of Darren Jacques, Owen Hambly and Peter Joyce, in the boiler house it’s the Launceston duo of Ben Hilton and Bryn Jenkins, whilst the All Blacks provide two of the back row with Sam Hocking and Tom Rawlings on the flanks with Redruth’s favourite Kiwi Mark Bright at No.8.

County sides are only allowed to field up to three non-eligible players for the England Counties squad.

Whilst having trained with the Cornwall squad earlier in the week the Cornish Pirates duo of Luke Collins and Greg Goodfellow are now sadly unavailable due the forthcoming British and Irish Cup Final against Munster on Sunday week.

Having won last season against Devon at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfield ground 33-25, the green and whites’ will be keen to turn the tables this time round with Plymouth Albion again providing the bulk of the squad.

Cornwall: A Winnan (Redruth), R Thirlby (Moseley), R Westren (Launceston), P Nonu (Camborne), S Hawkey (Wadebridge Camels), J Matavesi (Exeter Chiefs), M Richards (Redruth, capt); D Jacques (Redruth), O Hambly (Redruth), P Joyce (Redruth), B Hilton (Launceston), B Jenkins (Launceston), S Hocking (Launceston), T Rawlings (Launceston), M Bright (Redruth)

Replacements: J Salter (Launceston), A Morcom (Newquay Hornets), D Cook (Redruth), M Rawlings (Launceston), L Webb (Launceston), C Bonds (Redruth), J Murphy (Launceston)

Devon Squad: T Bedford (Exeter Chiefs), R Bright (Cornish Pirates), D Collier (Plymouth Albion), P Creek (Plymouth Albion), D Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), G Evans (Plymouth Albion), D Force (Teignmouth), K Fisilau (Plymouth Albion), T Kessell (Plymouth Albion), G Kingdom (Plymouth Albion), J Fleming (Exeter Chiefs), T Freeman (Exeter Chiefs), R Freestone (Plymouth Albion), S Kingsland (Exeter Chiefs), S Johns (Plymouth Albion), E Lewsey (Plymouth Albion), D McDonald (Plymouth Albion) B Moon (Exeter Chiefs) L Patterson (Launceston), D Porte (Plymouth Albion), M Ryan (Exmouth), J Tripcony (Plymouth Albion), S-M Stephen (Plymouth Albion) O Wickett (Bideford).

Both finals were played at Camborne RFC on May Bank Holiday Monday

Skinners Brewery CRFU Knockout Cup

St. Ives 21 – 26 Wadebridge Camels

Skinners Brewery Cornwall Clubs Cup

Roseland 23 – 18 Helston

THE BIG TALKING POINT on Saturday was the breaking news that Director of rugby at Launceston RFC Jon Hill had decided to step down. Having given guarded responses to reporters following the Cornish All Blacks’ final league game at home to Cinderford the previous weekend rumour had been rife as to Hill’s plans for next season. The unwelcome news for many Lanson fans comes on top of the cutbacks of up to 40% the club will have to make (as many other clubs will to) for next season. Keith Brooking has also left the club and has take a player-coach role at Cullompton. Speculation continues over the future of many of the current squad with top points scorer Tony Yapp and Jason Luff tipped to move to Taunton who have just been promoted to National League 2 South.

Launceston are hoping to announce a successor to Hill in the next week, though Hill has already confirmed that Malcolm Roberts is set to take a player-coach role at the club along with Tony Roques.

On the pitch the Cornish Pirates completed their Play-Off matches in Pool A of the RFU Championship with a 60-15 defeat at Camborne to Bristol. If ever there was a case of two sides taking the field with totally different priorities then this was it. Bristol knowing 5 points would guarantee them a home semi-final against the runners-up from Pool B set about their task and soon had points on the board as former Bath centre Alex Crockett crossed. It was the start of a try-feast as Bristol ran in ten tries against a Pirates’ side made up with many of the players who have been released by the club and were given the chance of a final hurrah in front of the home fans. Sad to see great servants to the club such as Matt Evans and Steve Winn departing and I am sure everyone wishes the players well in their future careers/clubs. The club are now looking to run on a smaller squad for next season around the 30 player mark with possibly a few extra players coming over once the New Zealand season is over, confirmed after the match Chris Stirling.

You can read Bill Sobey’s match report from the Western Morning News in the link.

The main focus for the Pirates is the British & Irish Cup Final against Munster on Sunday 16th May at 6pm. Speculation now on who may turn out for the Irish province following their exit from this season’s Heineken Cup at the hands of Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque in San Sebastian in yesterday’s semi-final, although the Irish province are still involved with the Magners’ League play-offs. Ticket sales have been brisk this week and you are invited to apply to the Cornish Pirates ticket office details on the Pirates’ website.

Also check the Pirates website for details of the end of season award winners, the President’s Cup went to all-action back row forward Sam Betty, well deserved.

Redruth ended their league campaign with defeat at Champions Esher where the home side won by 29-5. Reds’ skipper Darren Jacques got the visitor’s only try. Read Ed Bawden’s match report from the Western Morning News in the link

The only other league match was in the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League where Saltash lost at Champions Wellington 105-0. Wellington won all 26 matches this season so congratulations to them.

Bank Holiday Monday sees the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup Finals with Roseland taking on Helston in the Clubs Cup and then St. Ives (holders) against Wadebridge Camels (winners in 2008) in the Cup Final at 5pm.

Going back to the Pirates game on Saturday it was good to hear from Dicky Evans on the progress with Cornwall Council with regards to the Stadium for Cornwall, if you haven’t signed the petition yet click on the link on my blog roll, it looks likely that at long last we have a Council
with vision and drive to get this project off the ground. Let’s hope it’s not too long before we see the bulldozers on site and the stands being built!

IT’S THE FINAL that everyone dreamed of, the CORNISH PIRATES up against the mighty men of MUNSTER, here in the Duchy at the Camborne Recreation Ground on Sunday 16th May with a 6pm kick-off. The very first British and Irish Cup final is going to be an ALL-CELTIC affair with plenty of passion, and no quarter given nor asked. On the terraces the “SINGING”, Trelawny will mingle with the Fields of Athenry. It promises to be cracking craic and the beer will flow well into the night win or lose.

Having disposed of the Ulster Ravans 27-3 on Saturday in the warm up to the Munster – Ospreys game at Thomond Park. It was left to the Pirates to book their place on Sunday and they did so thanks to a 43-5 drubbing of the Doncaster Knights.

Full-back Wes Davies got the opening try and further score came from Jonny Bentley, Chris Morgan, skipper Gavin Cattle, nick Jackson and Laurie McGlone, Bentley adding five conversions and a penalty. For the Kinights Bevan Armitage got a first half consolation score.

High Performance Coach Chris Stirling was pretty happy with his sides’ performance “It was an outstanding result. There were some parts of our game that weren’t great today but those outweighed by the good ones.”

Before the “invasion” of the Red Army from the emerald isle, the Pirates have a small matter of their final “Championship Play-Off” match against Bristol on Saturday. Whilst having to concede that they are now out of the reckoning, Pirates will be up against a Bristol side looking for a win to confirm a home semi-final.

In National League 1, the Cornish All Blacks completed their season with a 26-19 win over struggling Cinderford. The win sees the All Blacks finish in third place in the league, three points behind London Scottish, who will be everybody’s favourites for the league next season.

The All Blacks scored four tries thanks to Ben Turner, Bryn Jenkins, Ryan Westren and Sam Hocking with Tony Yapp adding three conversions.

After the match director of rugby Jon Hill was keeping his options open with regard to next season “I’ve got some thinking to do over the next week or so, I’ve been here for eight seasons but I have got to weigh up in my mind whether it would be a natural time to end it and let someone else take over. I have been asked to stay and will make my decision shortly.”

Redruth got the point that they needed to be totally safe from the relegation scrap as they lost 15-10 at Cambridge. It’s a game that the Reds will feel “got away”. Lewis Vinnicombe scored the Reds’ try with Adryan Winnan adding the conversion and a penalty. Redruth complete their program next Saturday when they travel to Esher to take on the National League 1 champions, Jon Inverdale et al!!

Congratulations to Wadebridge Camels who on Saturday defeated Western Counties North runners-up Thornbury 25-21 to clinch a spot in Tribute South West 1 West next season. Camels try scorers were Ben May, Sean Hawkey and Ian Boyling with Luke Davidson and Dan Prout landing a conversion each and Davidson also kicking two penalties.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St. Austell completed their program with a 51-3 win at Plymstock, a result which sees them finish in third place. Relegated Saltash lost at home to Exeter Saracens 31-13.

Sunday also saw the Cornwall RFU U.18 Group Finals at Hayle RFC. Sponsored this year by Trelawny’s Army. A superb day’s rugby culminated in the Cup Final between Redruth and Truro with the Reds’ once again winning the Cup defeating Truro 12-6 in a tight, tense finale.

In the other finals played Penzance & Newlyn defeated Penryn in the Shield by 26-13. Wadebridge Camels won the Salver defeating Liskeard Looe 20-5. The Plate went to Bude who defeated Launceston 45-3, whilst the Bowl saw St. Austell defeat Saltash 13-10.

Congratulations to all the players who took part.

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.

NO. NOT A SINKING SHIP, but holed below the waterline after being blown off course following their heavy defeat at the hands of Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Saturday by 42-18. With both the Blues and Bristol grabbing five point wins, it is they, with two games to play who hold the whip-hand in Pool A of the RFU Championship Play-Offs.

Certainly the Pirates have a chance to get back in the mix on Friday evening when they travel to the Brickfields to take on a Plymouth Albion side who are out of the reckoning and who today announced that they are seeking an urgent injection of capital circ. 100K to see them through the summer!

Despite taking an early lead through full-back Rob Cook, the Pirates were rocked by two tries from Fielden and Pritchard both converted by the Canadian full-back. Cook landed a second penalty for the Pirates but then Dorrian scored a third try for the Blues for a 19-6 advantage, however Cook cut the deficit before half-time as he converted his own try to leave the Pirates 19-13 adrift at the break.

Despite a promising start to the second half by the Cornish side, they were rocked by Bedford’s fourth try scored again by the flying Fielden with Dorrian adding the conversion to penalty successes either side of winger’s try for a 32-13 lead. The match as contest was well and truly up. Rob Elloway on as a replacement grabbed a consolation try for the Pirates, but the Blues had the final say with Dorrian scoring and converting his own score, and then with the final kick of the match the Australian kicked another penalty for a personal tally of 23 points!

In National League 1, the Cornish All Blacks had a fine win in an entertaining match at Polson against visitors Wharfedale coming out on top by 38-24. Launceston out-scored the Yorkshire side by five tries to four, with Sam Hocking (2), Tony Yapp, skipper Tom Rawlings and Jake Murphy all crossing. Yapp added three penalties and two conversions to cement the All Blacks’ third spot in the league.

Redruth suffered another heavy defeat on the road as they lost 34-12 at the Rectory Field against Blackheath. To add insult to injury their casualty list now sees locks Damien Cook and Chris Fuca added. Adryan Winnan and Herbie Stupple scored tries for the Reds with Winnan adding a conversion. Redruth gave debuts to a couple of replacements Richie Keverne, who’s been having a fine season and has great potential, and prop Keith Barlow. Redruth really need to get a good win at home to Sedgley Park on Saturday to extinguish any lingering doubts about the drop before playing their final two matches away at Cambridge and National 1 Champions, Esher.

In the Tribute regional leagues, in South West 1 West, St. Ives signed off for the season with a win at Alexandra Rd against Clevedon by 20-19. Trailing to their visitors 19-0, the Hakes staged a great comeback. Full-back Harry Maunder got the revival under-way with an unconverted try before St. Ives scored three more in the second half through Pete Samu, Ryan Trudgeon and Ben Jenkins. St.Ives will now concentrate on defending their Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cuo against the 2008 winners Wadebridge Camels at Camborne on Monday May 3rd.

In Western Counties West, Camborne were crowned champions as they defeated Wadebridge Camels 12-10 at the Molesworth Field. Despite scoring the only try of the game through winger Sean Hawkey, the boots of Shane Woods with three penalties and Joe Parma’s drop-goal deep into time added on gave Camborne the title and promotion to South West 1 West next season. For Wadebridge there remains a play-off against the runners-up in Western Counties North Thornbury to join Camborne again next season.

Truro completed their league program with a 31-17 win over Devonport Services to finish in 4th place. Scott Martin scored 26 points with 8 penalties and a conversion of Simon Peters’ try.

Bude lost their final game at Withycombe 26-17, Paul Williams and Olly Denford scored Bude’s tries, with Denford converting both scores and a penalty. Bude finished up in mid-table just behind Penryn who have already completed their program. Newquay Hornets complete their program on Saturday with a trip to Tiverton. The two sides to be relegated from this league are Minehead Barbarians and Withycombe.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish finished their season with a defeat at Guildford 34-13.

In the Cornwall and Devon League, Stithians lost at home to Champions Wellington by 35-8, Lewis Vague scored the only try for the home side with Martin Strick kicking a penalty.

Falmouth defeated Bideford at the Rec by 15-14 with Matt Horton kicking a late penalty to secure a win for Black & Whites.

St. Austell defeated Hayle 23-3, thanks to tries from Meshak Esien and James Earp with Andy Ashwin kicking 13 points. Josh Rule scored Hayle’s only points with a penalty.

In the SE Cornwall derby, Liskeard & Looe won at Saltash 33-12. The Lions scored five tries through Sobey, Johnson, Curgenven, Grant and Elliot, with Ryan Morris kicking the other points. For Saltash, who will be back playing in the Cornwall League next season, Devonport and Sullivan scored tries whilst Toms added a conversion.

Congratulations to Roseland who have won the Cornwall League and will be promoted to the Cornwall & Devon League next season. The play-off spot will see either Veor or Bodmin through, both sides are set to meet in the final round of matches this weekend and both sides are currently level on points!

An interesting article in this Sunday’s local Independent by Neale Harvey, who also writes in the Rugby Times. In an interview with John Vale the RFU’s chairman of the finance and funding committee, Mr Vale let slip that the “Seamless Game” between the amateur community game and professionalism was up for review. “The question we’re asking now is: “Is the Seamless Game over?”. The topic is set to be an agenda item at the IRB forthcoming conference in May.

This will have significant ramifications for rugby from level 3 down i.e. National 1 should it come to pass. Personally I think it would be a retrograde step, but the RFU seem ruthless and determined in their attempts to make all rugby below level 2 strictly amateur and go back to the “Good old days!”