Camborne on Trevithick Day is probably not the best time to play your final league game of the season, the weather certainly didn’t help as the Pirates lost to London Welsh 10-8 in a very average game, which will only live in the memory for the sole fact that we said farewell to a good number of the present squad, non more so than Heino Senekal and Iva Motusaga whom have been immense during their time with the Pirates. Today’s confirmation as well that Bertrand Bedes has signed for Bristol next season. Bon vent Bertrand.

The defeat to their National League 1 opponents left the Cornish Pirates with a 7th place finish in the final table. Trailing 3-0 at half-time to an Aled Thomas penalty, the Pirates conceeded a penalty try early in the second half after a series of collapsed scrums near their line, Thomas’ conversion giving the Welsh exiles a 10-0 lead. And that’s how it stayed untill 10 minutes from the end as finally Marika Vakacegu, another making his final apperence in a Pirates shirt, flew in to score a fine try. Rhys Jones couldn’t land the conversion, but he did a penalty a few minutes later, but that was as close as the Pirates would get.

So a lot of work for the new coaching team prior to the start of the Championship next season. Brett Davey had this to say about his time in the Duchy. “I have enjoyed it here, it’s been frustrating at times and there are a few things I would change. But what you have here is a good supporter base, it just needs a stadium. I think the stadium for Cornwall is massive, I don’t think you can underestimate how important it is because with that you are not just talking about the Pirates being a Championship side, but possibly one of the top sides in England, that is how important it is.

“I think you would get the cream from a lot of places with a great support base. You only have to look at Munster, it is a very, very similar situation. It’s very parochial and you have an idenity here. It needs one thing. Hopefully that one thing will come but that’s for other people to decide.”

In National League 2, Birmingham & Solihull duly confirmed their promotion to the Championship next season with a 31-7 win over long time league front runners Redruth. Redruth’s first-half try was scored by Damien Cook with Brett Rule adding the conversion.
Despite this Redruth finish up in 3rd place their highest ever placing in the league structure.

The Cornish All Blacks, after a string of poor results finally nailed a win with a 33-23 win over Southend at Polson. The All Blacks scored five tries through Tom Rawlings, Hamish Smales (2), Jason Luff and Gary Kingdom. Adam Staniforth anf Jon Fabian kicked the conversions. A result that leaves Launceston 6th for the moment though Cinderford could overtake them as they have two games still to play.

Mount’s Bay ended the season as they began with a defeat to Tynedale this time going down 32-14 at the Mennaye. Dan Hawkes and Sam Roberts scored Bay’s tries with Hawkes adding the conversion. Bay will look to re-group next season a rung below in National 2 South.

Liskeard and Looe were the only Cornish side involved in the league play-offs this season and the Lions duly secured a spot in the Cornwall & Devon League next season with a 20-0 win over Torrington at Lux Park, thanks to tries from Lewis Elliot, Baz Hocking and Andy Sheer. Hocking adding a conversion and penalty.

There was a great deal of anxiety on Saturday evening when news came through of Graham Dawe’s injury. We were all delighted to hear yesterday that Dawsey had been released from hospital. Dawsey hang those boots up m’ ansome, you’ve done enough!!

A great evening on Saturday at the Lostwithiel Golf and Country Club when Trelawny’s Army hosted members of the 1999 County Champioship winning team. Although not everyone was able to make the evening a great time was had by those who could make it. It was great to see Deano, Jimmy Tucker, Jason Atkinson and the others once more. A great night.

Poor old Brett Davey was as baffled as the rest of us as he seeked to come to terms with the latest disappointing performance from the Cornish Pirates as they lost for the first time in Cornwall to the Doncaster Knights by 33-23 yesterday at Camborne. It wasn’t just the players who gave a below par performance. Not for the first time this season the standard of refereeing was once more called into question by a bizarre performance, which left many a seasoned onlooker more than just perplexed. With the game at this level moving more and more professional then performances by the officials need to be up to scratch, people’s livelihoods will depend on it much more, a fact of the modern game.

Both sides had a player dismissed Matt Evans for the Pirates for stamping and Adam Kettle for Doncester for throwing a punch. For the visitors, former Pirate and son-in-law of Pirates CEO Rod Coward, Wes Davies scored a couple of tries, Davies is rumoured to be heading back to Cornwall next season according to today’s Western Morning News. There other tries were scored by scrum-half Matt D’Arcy and a penalty try, following a succession of collapsed scrums near the Pirate’s line. Jamie Lennard chipped in with a couple of conversions, two penalties and a drop-goal, For the Pirates there were tries from Marika Vacacegu, Nicky Griffiths and Heino Senekal with Rhys Jones adding a couple of penalties and a conversion.

So Saturday the Pirates will look to round off the season with a win against London Welsh, but given the up and down nature of this season there is no certainty of success. For many of the current squad it will be their final apperance in a Pirate shirt as well as coach Brett Davey who is moving on after taking over in January after Mark Hewitt’s dismissal.

Next Saturday will also mark the final commentary from Dave Martin who has been the voice of rugby on BBC Radio Cornwall for many years. Thank you Dave for bringing many wonderful matches to us over the years.

In National League 2 it was party time at Redruth as the Reds finished on a high at home winning 18-14 against a Stourbridge side who were fighting to stave off being dragged into the relegation battle at the foot of the table. Young scrum-half Nick Simmons scored a fine try with Rob Thirlby grabbing another during the second half. Mark Scrivener kicked a penalty and conversion, whilst Brett Rule added a second penalty early in the second half. The match marked Richard Carroll’s final game for Redruth. What a sevent he has been to both Redruth and Cornwall, though he may still feature for Cornwall in this season’s County Championship!

The Cornish All Blacks lost at Westcombe Park 34-19. The CAB’s scored their 19 points when they were already 34-0 down. Adam Staniforth, Jason Luff and Tony Roques scored tries with Staniforth adding a couple of conversions. The end of season can’t come soon enough at Polson.

Likewise for Mount’s Bay once again rocked by late withdrawls before their fixture at Waterloo. to their credit they did at least score four tries through Brett Stroud, Richard Bright, Duke Seymour and Tim Mathias, in a 51-31 defeat to claim a bonus point. Dan Hawkes kicked all four conversions and a penalty.

It was the final day in the Tribute South West Leagues. In South West 2 West, St. Ives lost their final game at Sidmouth 21-20. For the Hakes Hano Dirksen and Tom Outram scored tries with Rudi Meredith and Dirksen adding the conversions. Meredith ended the afternoon at Exeter Hospital following an ankle injury. Dirksen added a couple of penalties. St. Ives finish in 4th position in Tribute South West 2.

In Tribute Western Counties West it was a day of utter frustration for Wadebridge Camels as they lost out on a play-off place as they were defeated at North Cornwall rivals Bude 25-16. For Bude Lee Weston, Matt Trewin and Olly Denford all scored tries with Ollie Rayner kicking the other points. For the Camels Alisdiar Maclennan scored a try with Josh Taylor adding the conversion and three penalty goals. A third place finish for the Camels they will hope for more next season, whilst Bude ended up eleventh.

Newquay Hornets ended their season witha 39-20 defeat at Devonport Services to leave them in sixth place in the league. Camborne lost 32-3 at Weston Hornets with just a Joe Parma drop-goal for their efforts a very disappointing season sees them finish a lowly ninth!

In London 3 SW, coach Dickon Moon’s call for a “big finish” fell on deaf ears as the exiles lost at home to London Irish Amateurs 17-9. It has still been a fair season for Cornish who finish 5th in the league. Next season Cornish will hope to challenge for promotion to London 2 South.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn clinched the league title with 23-7 win at Crediton. A couple of tries from scrum-half Dave Pascoe and a try by No.8 Rob Trevaskis helped the Borough on their way. Truro finished in third place and will be promoted thanks to the league re-jigging. They finished their program with a 110-3 win over Saltash scoring sixteen tries with Luke Trescothick grabbing five of them and Joe Williamson three. Ashes finished in tenth spot in the league. Hayle lost to Tavistock 19-3 to finish in nineth,whilst Falmouth propped up the table after another big defeat 76-0 at home to Okehampton.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, Stithians followed up their Skinners Cornwall Clubs Cup final win over Bodmin with a second win over the same opponents in a week 49-10 to claim the Cornwall 1 title. St. Austell who won 71-3 at Helston go into next weekend’s play-offs against Devon side Torrington for promotion to the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League. Veor ended up champions of Tribute Cornwall 2, but of course Cornwall 1 and 2 combine for next season to form one league.

In front of an excellent 4,306 Easter Sunday crowd at Camborne the Pirates defeated old foes Plymouth Albion 30-14 in a gripping National League 1 encounter. A result which leaves Graham Dawe’s charges uncomfortably too close to the relegation battle with tricky fixtures to come against Leeds and Moseley!

For the Pirates it was a first success in the league against Albion since the 2005/6 season. Rhys Jones helped himself to a 20 point haul scoring a try two penalties and three drop-goals! Pirates other tries came from flanker Blair Cowan and replacement full back Paul Devlin after some great work from Rhodri McAtee. The best Easter treat for the Cornish fans as the Pirates look to end their season on a high with a mouthwatering fixture against Doncaster Knights at Camborne next Sunday before rounding off their season the following week on Saturday 25th April again at Camborne against London Welsh.

Congratulations to Stithians on their 33 – 15 win over Bodmin in the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Club Cup Final at St. Austell on Easter Monday. Also to St. Ives on winning the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup 10 – 3, thanks to two unconverted tries scored by Stuart Turnbull and Richard Humphreys. Well done the Hakes.

Cambridge will be the only side to complete the league double over the Reds this season as they defeated their visitors 21-18 at Grantchester Road to finally end Redruth’s lingering hopes of promotion to next season’s “Championship”.

It was certainly a fine match with the result in doubt up to the final whistle as Redruth searched for a score to win the game. For the Reds Lewis Vinnicombe and Emyr Lewis scored tries with Brett Rule converting a try and kicking a penalty, Mark Scrivener a replacement for Rule during the second half kicked a further penalty.

A plus for the Reds during the last two games has been the maturity shown by the young half back pairing of scrum-half Nick Simmons and fly-half Rule.

Redruth will no doubt want to close out the remaining two fixtures of their season on a high with Stourbridge the visitors to Redruth a week on Saturday in their final home match of the season.

The Cornish All Blacks were held by Blackheath at Polson in an 18 – 18 draw. Gary Kingdom scored both the Cornish All Blacks’ tries after half-time also adding a conversion. Adam Staniforth kicked two early penalties first half.

Mount’s Bay, although now confirmed as relegated put up a spirited second half performance to get a bonus point scoring four tries in a 40-26 loss. Brett Stroud (2), Tim Mathias and a penalty try award were the Bay’s try scorers with Dan Hawkes adding three conversions. Bay’s injury woes continue as centre Sam Parsons had to go off with a dislocated shoulder!

In National League 1, the Cornish Pirates picked up the five points on offer at Park Lane with a performance that was like the curate’s egg, good in parts, pretty ordinary in others. The Pirates scored five tries in their 35-27 win with Aisea Havili, Heino Senekal, Paul Devlin, Rhodri McAtee and Mike Burak all crossing the whitewash. Simon Whatling adding tow conversions and two penalties. With their away fixtures now finished the Pirates have three games at Camborne to complete the season starting with Plymouth Albion on Easter Sunday, an Albion side in need of points to keep out of the relegation dog-fight.

In the Tribute regional leagues, South West 2 West, St. Ives with only fourteen men after flanker Justin Paul was sent off for foul play, lost at home to Clevedon 7-6, Karl Martin kicked a couple of penalties for the Hakes.

In Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels kept their hopes of a play-off place alive with a 27-7 win over Devonport Services. Dan Briskham (2), Tom O’Donnell and Matt Angwin scored the four Camels’ tries with Josh Taylor kicking a conversion as well as a penalty and Jake McCarroll a further conversion the other points.

Newquay Hornets couldn’t do their neighbours any favours as Ivybridge won 41-16 at the Sportscentre to keep a point ahead of the Camels. Romey Vassell scored the Hornets’ only try with Sam Cullen adding the conversion and a penalty.

Camborne had a good win at home against Tiverton 21-12 ahead of their Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup final against St. Ives on Easter Monday at St. Austell. Alex Hinds, Stuart Milliner and Dave Mankee scored Town’s tries with Mankee adding all three conversions.

Bude won the basement battle at Withycombe 13-7, though neither side will be relegated due to the league re-structuring. Paul Williams scored Bude’s try with Ollie Rayner adding the conversion and two penalties.

Up in London 3 SW, London Cornish’s play-off prospects look over as they lost at Tottonians 16-10. Dickon Moon’s match report will appear in the link.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn secured promotion with a 60-8 win at the Memorial Ground against local rivals Falmouth. Matt Symons led the scoring with four tries, whilst Syd Savvas (2), Dave Pascoe (2), Taron Peacock and Charlie Ross also crossed the Falmouth line. Peacock also added five conversions. For Famouth Steve Roe scored a try and Tom Spiller added a penalty.

Truro are likely to go up to Western Counties West as well after their 32-0 win at Hayle. Luke Trescothick, Matt Trevail, Ross Martin and Michael Patterson all scored tries with other points coming from the boot of Scott Martin, 3 conversions and a penalty with brother Ross adding a drop-goal.

Saltash lost at Moorlands 23-6 to Bideford, Steve Down kicked two penalties.

Well done to Truro College on their win last Wednesday in the final of the Daily Mail RBS U.18 Cup Final at Twickenham winning 39-18 over St. Peter’s Gloucester.

This weekend sees the usual Easter program with old favourites Old Dunstonians returning to Cornwall for the 75th year. Their opening game on Good Friday will be against Penryn 5-30pm before playing Falmouth on Saturday and Truro on Easter Monday. On Easter Sunday there is the Penryn Tribute 7’s whilst Imperial Medics are also on tour playing at Redruth on Good Friday, St. Ives on Saturday and Pirates Amateurs on Easter Monday.

So the format for the Championship and the British & Irish Cup has been announced (in the Rugby Times at least). With the Championship set to run from the first weekend of September until May 2010. The regular season will see each of the 12 teams play each other home and away (22 matches), after which the top eight sides will be split into two pools of four to contest the championship, the winners and runners-up of each pool will play semi-finals with the final probably at Twickenham, whilst the bottom four sides will play-off for relegation. This format currently is used in France in their Federale Championships.

The Cup sounds exciting, with teams from the four Irish provinces, six Welsh Premiership clubs, and both Scottish districts joining the 12 Championship clubs with pools of 4 x 6 clubs to play each side once (5 games) with either two home or three away or three home two away. matches to be played during the 6 Nations with only the pool winners advancing to the semi-finals, the final to be played in May. The RFU want the pools to be regionalised so it could be the Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion, Exeter Chiefs, Cardiff RFC, Leinster and Edinburgh!!!!

Finally good luck to the clubs contesting the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup Finals on Easter Monday, only two finals now that the much maligned Super Cup has been scrapped for this season as the fixtures have not been completed in time.

Bodmin v Stithians in the Clubs Cup Final at 12-00 pm

St. Ives v Camborne in the Cornwall Cup at 2-30 pm

Both finals will be played at St. Austell RFC.

It was always going to be a tall order and so it proved at Tynedale Park on Saturday as Redruth’s promotion prospects were dealt a mortal blow by a spirited Tynedale side who rallied from 24-16 down to score three late tries to topple the Reds from top of National League 2 to triumph finally 35-24.

Redruth will be disappointed to have conceeded those three late scores, also not to have killed the game when they had the opportunity. Despite going 10-0 down early on Redruth fought back with a penalty try converted by Scrivener before the fly-half added the extras to an Emyr Lewis try for 14-13 lead at the break. Both sides swapped penalties early in the second half, before Redruth scored a third try through Luke Collins with Scrivener again adding the extras for an eight point lead. Redruth were held up over the line, before the impressive home finale broke Reds’ hearts.

Fellow promotion chasers Cambridge had all the points swen up by half-time at Polson Bridge as the Cornish All Blacks found themselves 24-0 down. No further scoring during the second half allowed the visitors to coast home and maintain their challenge.

So Saturday’s visit of Redruth to Cambridge will still be very interesting, Redruth have some unfinished buisness with Cambridge following their one-point win at the Recreation Ground back in December.

Mount’s Bay’s lack of front row players enforced the postponment of their game at Southend along with a 2 point deduction, which virtually confirms the inevitable relegation that has stalked them all season long.

In National League 1 on Sunday the Cornish Pirates put up a very strong performance against Leeds Carnegie before being overrun by in the final few minutes giving the homeside a 33-9 win, which flattered the league leaders somewhat. Rhys Jones kicked a couple of penalties and dropped a goal for the Pirates who will hope to get back to winning ways at Sedgley Park next Saturday, their final away game of the season.

In the Tribute regional leagues it was a pretty mixed bag of results. In South West 2 West St. Ives travelled to Newton Abbot only to lose 28-0.

In Western Counties West, a good win for Wadebridge Camels as they won 33-21 at Cross-in-Hand defeating Ivybridge. Dan Briskam (2), Josh Taylor, Matt Ballard and Tom O’Donnell scored tries for the Camels. Their play-off prospects remain intact with just two games to play.

Devonport Services beat Bude at the Rectory 36-0. Withycombe defeated Camborne 22-13, to get only their second win of the season. Shane Woods scored Town’s try, with Dave Mankee converting and adding a penalty, Joe Parma slotted a penalty as well.

Newquay Hornets lost 13-10 at Minehead, Stuart Williams scored a try with Rob Ley adding the conversion and a penalty.

In London 3 SW, London Cornish’s play-off prospects were severly dented following a shock 30-21 home defeat to KCS Old Boys.

In the Cornwall and Devon League, Penryn retuned to winning ways after a couple of rocky performances with an emphatic 66-13 win at Plymstock, to maintain their two-point lead at the top with two games to play. They entertain old foes Falmouth next saturday at the Memorial Ground, Falmouth who lost at home to Wellington 30-13. In the Cornwall derby at Hayle, Saltash surprised the homeside winning 8-7, with Rich Skinnard scoring Ashes’ try. Finally Truro scored 15 tries in defeating OPM’s 95-7 at St. Clements.

The Tamar Cup was relinquished by Cornwall on Sunday as they lost to Devon at Okehampton 13-11. Plymouth Albion’s Jack Yeandle scored a first half try for the homeside, before Camborne’s Dave Mankee replied with a penalty. Mount’s Bay’s Dan Hawkes then put Devon further ahead with a penalty before Mankee struck again before half-time with a second penalty. Hawkes scored a second Devon try before Cornwall scored a late try through replacement Dan Job.

Finally good luck to the students of Truro College in the Daily Mail RBS U.18 Cup Final against St. Peters Gloucester at Twickenham on Wednesday afternoon.

REDRUTH did everything that was expected of them on Saturday against bottom side Waterloo, a big win 96-5, scoring fourteen tries with full back Emyr Lewis leading the try-scoring with five touchdowns. With just four league games left, Redruth know that they can’t afford any slip ups. The run-in is daunting starting with the long,long trip to Tynedale on Saturday. Congratulations to Darren Jacques and his selection for the Barbarians in the annual Mobbs Memorial match at Bedford against the Bedford Blues. After his two recent England Counties caps this is another deserved honnour for Darren who on Saturday established a new record for consecutive apperances for Redruth. You can read my match report here also an interview with Darren Jacques and Luke Collins following the Waterloo match.

Not such good news for our other two Cornish clubs in National League 2, with the Cornish All Blacks going down 26-24 at Wharfedale. CAB’s scored tries through Jon Fabian and the Rawlings brothers Tom and Mike, with Adam Staniforth kicking all three conversions and a penalty. To cap it all joint head coach Chris Brown announced that he is to step down due to family reasons, with Keith Brooking taking over as forwards coach. He will be sorely missed having given so much to Launceston these past few seasons.

Mount’s Bay lost at the Mennaye 40-14 to fellow relegation candidates Westcombe Park with former player Tyron Child scoring a hat-trick of tries to pour further misery on Bay. Richard Bright got Bay’s try with Dan Hawkes kicking three penalties. It’s a big struggle for Bay at the moment with all the off field buisness going on and scratching around for players to make up a team. As I write there are concerns as to whether Bay can fulfill next Saturday’s fixture at Southend!

In the EDF-Energy Junior Vase semi-final played at Lux Park, Liskeard & Looe booked their place in the Twickenham final with a 26-19 over Lowestoft & Yarmouth win thanks to an injury time try scored by centre Andy Sheer. Coach Chris Hocking was a happy man “It’s a really good feeling to be taking a team to Twickenham.” The final will take place on Saturday May 9th when they will play Brighton with a 1 pm kick-off. Well done Lions you’ll do Cornwall proud.

Up in London 3 SW, London Cornish caught up on their fixtures when they drew with London South Africa 36-36 to maintain their play-off chances. You can read Dickon Moon’s match report here.

The Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup finalists are now known, this year’s final to be played on Easter Monday at St. Austell RFC will be between Camborne and St. Ives. Camborne booked their place in the final for the first time in 17 years with a 37-25 over last season’s losing finalists Bude. St. Ives had a closer tussle against Truro at St. Clements winning 19-16.

In the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Clubs Cup the final will be between Bodmin who beat Helston and Stithians who overcame a still celebrating Liskeard & Looe on Sunday.

Also on Sunday Cornwall’s U.20’s completed their County Championship campaign with another defeat this time to Somerset at Camborne by 38-20 to end up with the wooden spoon in the group. Congratulations to Gloucestershire, reigning champions, who topped the group once again.

Belated congratulations to Truro College on their fine performance on reaching the final of the Daily Mail U.18 Cup Final at Twickenham on the 1st April where they will meet St. Peter’s Catholic High School from Gloucester after a 19-19 draw at the end of the game the result was decided by a kicking contest with Redruth’s Aaron Penberthy dropping the winning kick against John Fisher School.

I am always fascinated when I wonder around Twickenham or any other major rugby ground as to whom you might bump into or see. Last Sunday was no exception at the England v France game, there are always plenty of charcters to have a chat to whether from this side of the Channel or the other. Plenty of former Internationals to wandering around or some working as was Austin Healey for his new show, he was interviewing Ben Kay. Not far away a posse of former French Internationals, Fabien Galthie and Vincent Moscato, himself a radio show host these days on Radio Monte-Carlo. I wonder if he bumped into his old foe Brian Moore during his visit!!! The commanding presence of former French captain Abdelatif Benazzi always happy to chat and shake a hand or two. Jeff Tordo and Philippe Benetton sat just in front of me during the game sat impassivly during the first half as France shipped 29 points, they had seen it all before and at the end of it as they shook English hands were told “Good game!” It’s a phrase that has stuck in French throats. So it is now a tradition that whenever a French side beats an English one “Good game” is the parting French comment, pay back time.

I suspect our Cornish lads Darren Jacques, Luke Collins and Josh Lord were on the receiving end of “Good Game” as France Federale beat England Counties 27-19 at Twickenham on Sunday evening. It was a good game between two evenly matched sides, however the French had in winger Bertrand Artero a goal kicker who punished English indiscretions with a 14-point haul from the boot. The Cornish trio competed well throughout and Luke Collins took his second half try really well after James Kellard’s initial break.

It was also good to see Phil Vickery pop out during the game and chat to some of the players. There was a moment during the main game on Sunday when England were pressing in the French 22, full back Bevon Armitage was caught up in the ruck and guess who was covering full back with no other English player within 50 yards….. Phil Vickery!!! It was a very good game.

What a fantastic program of events laid on by the Cornish Pirates on Sunday with their first St Piran’s festival. There was something for everyone to enjoy and the club are to be congratulated on a marvellous PR job. The only thing missing was the result but in typical Cornish style, the weather played it’s part a real mad March blow spoilt the game as a spectacle.

If the players suffered in the conditions then you had to feel for the lovely ladies from Redruth Amateur Operatic Society, who gave a half-time dance performance in front of the grandstand, they must have felt frozen! So to the minis from Redruth and Truro U. 8’s who battled bravely against the elements.

Having lost a close encounter 6-5 to Bedford Blues who thus gained revenge for the Pirates win at Goldington Road earlier in the season, players and coach were clearly upset. Adryan Winnan looked very downcast after the game the disappointment clearly etched on his face. Brett Davey said that the result “hurt”, you sensed a berevement in the family, hopefully that will spur the boys on next Sunday when they entertain Esher. If John Inverdale looks in discomfort on the TV, then the news from Camborne could be the reason rather than another England flop!!!!

You can read my match report from Camborne here

Redruth survived the “bananna skin” at Cinderford winning 25-20 to keep their noses ahead in National League 2. Tries from lock Luke Collins, winger Lewis Vinnicombe and full-back Emyr Lewis set the Red’s on their way but crucially they couldn’t get that vital fourth try, so their lead at the top has been trimmed by another point and the Bees and Cambridge both got maximum points.

The Cornish All Blacks had a narrow win against a Blaydon side missing winger Andrew Fenby who turned out and scored for Newcastle Falcons on Sunday, (which should make the England Counties selection interesting this week ), 23-19, thanks to a couple of tries from Ryan Westren and Jon Fabian, Adam Staniforth’s boot added the other points.

Mount’s Bay survival took a telling blow at Blackheath as they crashed to the home side 55-21. Bay managed three tries from Dan Hawkes, Craig Goodfellow and Ben Hilton with Hawkes kicking all three conversions.

In the Tribute regional leagues a good win once more for the Hakes in South West 2 West as St. Ives won 23-7 at Yatton thanks to tries from Tom Outram and Louis Stevens and 13 points from the trusty boot of Karl Martin.

In Western Counties West, no doubt that the result of the day and one that made one or two eyebrows raise Camborne 55 – 0 Kingsbridge. Town scored eight tries through Rob Floyd (3), Sam Matavesi (2), Joe Parma, Dave Mankee and Laurie Manna, with Mankee kicking three conversions and three penalties.

Wadebridge Camels were held at Weston Hornets 11-11, a disappointing result for the Camels. Luke Davidson scored the Camels try with Josh Taylor kicking a couple of penalties.

Tiverton beat Newquay Hornets 18-13, early tries from Rob McIntyre and Rob Ley gave the hornets a flying start but Tivy came back to take the spoils.

Bude lost at Ivybridge 20-10 Ollie Rayner kicked a penalty and converted Olly Denford’s try.

in London 3 SW, London Cornish put in a storming second half performance to defeat visitors Bognor 34-14. Dickon Moon’s report is here.

Match of the day in the Cornwall and Devon League was atSt. Clements as Truro entertained leaders Penryn with the city club winning 23-7. Truro scored three tries through Ross Martin, Garth Dodson and Joe Williamson with Scott Martin kicking a conversion and penalty and brother Ross another penalty to complete the scoring. For the Borough Matt Biggins converted a penalty try.

Hayle had a good win over OPM’s 22-0 with tries from Cullam Osborne, Adam Redgrave and Leon Phoe, Paul Lello adding two conversions and a penalty.

Falmouth lost at the Rec to visiting Bideford 23-13. Steve Rowe got Falmouth’s try converted by Tom Spiller who also added a penalty, James Instance dropped a goal.

Steve Down kicked Saltash’s only points as they lost at Moorlands 48-3 to Okehampton.

Wishing “One & All” a very happy St. Piran’s Day, flying of St. Piran’s flag, wearing of Cornwall rugby shirts, consumption of Cornish ale, partaking of Cornish Pasties, digestion of “thunder and lightening” and some heavee cake all obligatory!! PROPER JOB!

It was always going to be a “David & Goliath” encounter, Mount’s Bay having already this season seen the pace and power of a National League 1 side in Esher, knew they were in for a tough afternoon down at the Mennaye. The final score of 7-66 will come as no surprise to those who have witnessed Nottingham this season at first hand. For the record Ben Hilton got Bay’s only try with Dan Hawkes kicking the conversion. Nottingham now face Leeds Carnegie in the semi-final of the EDF-Energy National Trophy. Well done Bay for getting this far the extra revenue will have been a godsend.

Congratulations to Liskeard & Looe for reaching the semi-finals of the EDF-Energy Junior Vase, they are now just one game away from a Twickenham appearence. The Lions 29-10 win over fellow Cornish side St. Austell sets up a home semi-final against Lowestoft & Yarmouth. Four tries for the homeside thanks to Phil Bennett, Ryan Morris, Andy Sheer and Baz Hocking, who also added three penalties. For St. Austell a late consolation score by Milo Bright converted by Paul Newnham who earlier kicked a penalty was scant comfort.

On Friday evening three Cornishmen were in the England Counties team that earned a 13-13 draw with AIB Irish Clubs at Leinster’s Donnybrook ground in Dublin. Redruth’s Darren Jacques and Luke Collins teamed up with last season’s Cornwall captain Josh Lord of the Cornish All Blacks. All three Cornishmen were in the starting XV. Well done lads you did Cornwall proud.

I felt sorry for poor old Phil Vickery on Saturday as that yellow card he received and the vilification in certain quarters of the press look likely to have scuppered his chances of leading the British & Irish Lions in South Africa this summer. He didn’t deserve that not for all he has done for the English in the past! Come on home to Cornwall m’ andsome you’re always welcome down ‘eere.

A few catch up league matches this wekend with the Cornish Pirates travelling up to Monk’s Lane to play the Newbury Blues, and another five points in the bag with a 39-10 win in National League 1. The Pirates scored five tries thanks to Bertrand “Allez France” Bedes, Jimmy Moore with a brace, Nicky Griffiths and Darren Dawiduik, Rhys Jones kicked four conversions and a couple of penalties.

In Tribute South West 2 West, St. Ives continued their fine form with a 35-15 win at Walcot to go level on points with 3rd placed Avonmouth. Tries for the Hakes by Rob Rowe, Tom Outram, Craig Williams and Ben Taylor with Karl Martin kicking three conversions and three penalties.

No joy for Camborne in their Western Counties West game at Ivybridge as they lost 25-0.

In London, our exiles club London Cornish beat Guernsey 31-10 in London 3 SW. Coach Dickon Moon’s report can be found in the link.

In the Cornwall & Devon league, Saltash lost 27-11 at Plymstock. Rob Wooldridge with a try and Nigel Owen two penalties scored the Ashes’ points.

In the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup, last season’s beaten finalists Bude made the last four again this season with a comfortable 55-10 win over Falmouth at the Recreation Ground.

On Sunday, Camborne after their league whitewash the previous day had more to smile about as they defeated Hayle 21-6 to also reach the last four of this season’s Cornwall Cup. Camborne will now face Bude in the semi-finals, whilst Truro will host St. Ives in the other. Ties will probably be played over the weekend of 21st March.

In the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Clubs Cup semi-final 1st leg played also on Sunday, Liskeard & Looe after their heroics of the previous day lost by a point at Lux Park 13-12 to Stithians.

Cornwall U.20’s got their County Championship campaign off to a losing start when they lost to Devon up at Barnstaple 26-10. Chris Morris (Cornish All Blacks) scored Cornwall’s try with with clubmate Josh Coles adding the conversion and a penalty. Cornwall next play in two weeks time when they take on reigning County Champions Gloucestershire up at Lydney. More details in the link.