The Saturday prior to Christmas saw just our four National League clubs in action with only Mount’s Bay getting a win thus consolidating their top spot in National League 3 South.

It was vital for the Bay to post a win following their slip up the previous Saturday at Cinderford, this they did, though not without a fright from opponents Bridgewater & Albion winning 34-17. Bay scored a couple of early un-converted tries through Tom Outram and Lee Jarvis, before scoring a third just before the break by Jon Marlin to leave the home side 15-3 up at the break.

Bay lost flanker Steve Dyer to the sin-bin having previously seen full back Tim Mosey sit out a ten minute spell during the first-half. Albion prompltly scored a couple of converted tries to snatch a 17-15 lead after 64 mins. Bay stormed back lead by an inspired Richard Carroll who scored Bay’s fourth try and had a big hand in Bay’s sixth try scored by Chris Morris, sandwiched in between was a try for replacement lock Adam Nicholls, Jarvis kicked a couple of conversions to complete the scoring.

The Cornish Pirates gave Northampton Saints a good run for their money at Franklin’s Gardens in front of 12,868 crowd before losing 26-10 in National League 1. Winger Vunga Lilo intercept try converted by Gareth Steenson gave the Pirates a 7-3 lead after 18 mins, that was a good as it got for the Pirates as they fell foul of replacement referee Greg Garner on numerous occassions thereafter! Trailing 16-7 at half-time an early Steenson penalty proved to be their only points of the second half as the Saints confirmed the win scoring a conveted third try to deny the Pirates anything from the match.

Up at Polson the Cornish All Blacks slow start saw them lose yet another home match trailing 27-3 at half-time with just a Jon Fabian penalty to show for their efforts, Matt Jess’ try in the second half was mearly a consolation for the All Blacks as they remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Not a good day for Redruth in National League 2 as they hoped to get out of the bottom three, instead they were well-beaten at Stourbridge 34-0 with a number of players picking up injuries! At least the Reds have a week’s rest to prepare for the visit of Southend on January 5th in what will be a vital game for their survival prospects in League 2.

The news that has broken in Cornwall during the last 24 hours that the Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC are willing to join forces to build a stadium so that both clubs can persue their aims is to be both applauded and welcomed.

I very much hope that the members of Penzance & Newlyn RFC will give this proposal their backing to empower their President Dicky Evans to progress matters when the club membership meets on Tuesday 14th January in the St. Johns Hall in Penzance.

Exciting times indeed.

Traditional Boxing Day fixtures to be played on Wednesday 26th December, it is advisable to check with the home club for kick-off times;

Bude vs. President’s XV
Camborne vs. Redruth (2-30pm)
Helston vs. President’s XV
Newquay Hornets vs. Chairman’s XV (KO 11am)
Penryn vs. Falmouth (2-30pm)
Perranporth vs. Chairman’s XV
St. Ives vs. Hayle (2-30pm)
Veor vs. Illogan Park

It leaves me to wish “One & All” Nadelek Lowen ha Bledhen Noweth Da, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

It may have been Super Sunday up country for soccer, but in the Duchy we had our own version with the oval ball at Camborne. What a festive cracker we all enjoyed, you can read my match report on the main site, suffice to say that thanks to their 43 – 12 win the Cornish Pirates have moved up to third place in the table, whilst the All Blacks remain at the foot of the table with a big mountain to climb during the second half of the season if they hope to play National League 1 rugby next season. With it being the season of goodwill, I wish both clubs the very best in their respective quests in the New Year.

On Saturday Redruth entertained Henley Hawks in a match, which before the season commenced looked likely to b a top of the table encounter as opposed to a relegation dog-fight. It was the Reds who grabbed all five league points with an impressive score-line 44 – 3. A more detailed report on the match is available on the main TASC website. A win next Saturday at Stourbridge and Redruth could well climb out of the bottom three by Christmas, which would be great Christmas to coach Nigel Hambly from his players.

It was first versus second in National League 3 South on Saturday as hitherto un-beaten Mount’s Bay travelled up to Cinderford. A win for Bay would have given them a commanding lead at the top of the table going into the New Year, however their fine run was brought to an end as impressive Cinderford won 17 – 0 at Docking Road. Boasting several players with Premiership experience such as Matt Cornwell and Andy Deacon along with Tristan Roberts who has been capped by England Counties, they set about their task to down the league leaders. An early drop goal by Roberts set the scene as Jarvis missed with a penalty attempt for the visitors. The loss of Richard Carroll to the sin-bin didn’t help Bay’s cause as during his absence Cinderford increased their lead with a converted try scored by Dan Trigg, Roberts adding the extras.

Cinderford increased their lead with a second converted try in the second half scored by scrum-half Will Merivale. Bay were back down to fourteen men as John Griffiths was obliged to sit out for 10 mins for pulling a man down in the line out. Bay were unable to rescue the game a result which still leaves them top but only with a three point advantage over their victors.

In the regional leagues it was the final round of matches before the Christmas/New Year break. In Southwest 1, St. Ives had an important game at fellow strugglers Bournemouth, despite taking an early lead thanks to try from hooker Ben Taylor converted by Matt Thomas the Hakes were pegged back before half-time. The home side then took the lead with a couple of tries, before St. Ives rallied with a second try scored and converted by Josh Stevens to trail by only three points, Bournemouth then scored a fourth try in injury time to seal the win and leave the Hakes firmly rooted at the foot of the table five points away from safety.

Not much better in Southwest 2 west as Camborne suffered another defeat this time at home to Weston Hornets 27 – 10, town’s tries were scored by Andrew Smith and Cameron Bone. The result leaves Camborne firmly at the foot of the table seven points adrift of safety.

In Western Counties West, Bude took advantage of Wadebridge Camels re-arranged EDF-Energy Senior Vase tie to leap-frog their North Cornwall rivals in the table with 17 – 10 win over visitors Tiverton. Leading 5 – 0 at the break thanks to a try from Julian Morris, the home side went on to build a 17 – 0 lead during the second half thanks to further tries from replacement Ian Wickett and Dave Uglow with Olly Denford adding a conversion. Tiverton mounted a come back of sorts scoring a converted try and a penalty, however Bude held out for the win.

Still no joy for Penryn as they lost their basement tussle with Withycombe 7 – 3 at the Memorial Ground, Taron Peacock kicked the only points for the Borough. Penryn are now six points adrift of their conquerors and look set to return to the Cornwall & Devon League next season.

Hayle lost up in Somerset to Minehead Barbarians by 28 – 5.

In London 3 SW, London Cornish enjoyed a fine win over Old Wimbeldonians 62 – 5 to help them digest last week’s Senior Vase defeat. Once again Dickon Moon has written a fine report on the game which can be read in the forums of the TASC site.

In the Cornwall & Devon League it’s suddenly become very tight at the top as for the second week running the top two Newquay Hornets and Truro were beaten. Hornets remain top by a point despite losing 27 – 7 at fast improving Cullompton. Hooker Luke Bazeley scored the Hornets try which was converted by replacement Ryan Johns.

Truro slip from second to fifth following their 26 – 18 loss in North Devon at Bideford.

Falmouth are up to third having beaten Honiton 28 – 10 at the Rec. What price Falmouth being in a higher league than the Borough next season?

In the postponed Senior Vase tie from last week, Wadebridge Camels booked a trip to Frome in the next round with a 24 – 13 win at Ivybridge. No such joy for Stithians in the Junior Vase as they crashed out 50 – 6 at Bristol Saracens.

Very little league rugby this weekend as it was National Cups day from level 3 down.

In National League 1, Launceston’s big day hosting Northampton Saints was called off following the torrential Saturday morning rain, which left a small section of the Polson pitch waterlogged.

The Cornish Pirates secured an important win at Old Deer Park by 20 – 17, thanks to a long-range Gareth Steenson penalty which proved to be the only score of the second half. The Pirates got off to a storming start leading 17-3 by the end of the first quarter, two players returning from injury centre Steve Winn and full-back Adryan Winnan scored the Pirates tries, both converted by Steenson who also kicked a first half penalty. Sam Ulph kicked a penalty for the Welsh exiles, before the Pirates conceded two tries within three minutes from London Welsh skipper Richard Martin-Redman, Ulph converting both to tie the scores at half-time.

In the only other league encounter involving a Cornish club, St. Ives made the trip up to Oxfordshire to play Chinnor in Southwest 1 and lost 77-0.

Result of the day has to be Mount’s Bay’s narrow win at Southend in the National Trophy 13-12. A giant-killing act indeed as the ever-improving Bay claimed the scalp of a National League 2 club. The result could easily have gone the other way as Bay were rescued by an up-right which deflected a last-gasp drop goal attempt from South end’s Ben McKeith. Jarvis kicked an early penalty before Southend took the lead with a try from winger Tyson Lewis. Bay fell further behind on 27 mins conceding a second try this time scored by full-back Simon Hoult who also added the conversion. Jon Marlin scored a try for Bay before half-time which Jarvis converted to leave them trailing by just two points. Jarvis’ 60 min penalty success then clinched the tie.

Redruth stormed into the fourth round with a comprehensive win over an under-strengthed Stourbridge side 64-7 scoring ten tries in the process (See my match report on the main site).

The fourth round draw concerning Cornish sides is detailed below with three of the four ties scheduled to be played in the Duchy on the weekend of 12/13 January.

In the Senior Vase 4th round, Wadebridge Camels tie at Ivybridge was another game to fall foul of the weather with Ivybridge’s Cross-in-Hand pitch being deemed unplayable. The tie should take place this coming Saturday.

The only other Cornish interest in this competition ended on Saturday as London Cornish lost to Hammersmith & Fulham 20-19 (Dickon Moon has a complete match report on the forums).

The Junior Vase 5th round ties, Stithians tie at Bristol Saracens was postponed. St. Austell defeated Liskeard & Looe in the only all-Cornish tie of the round 14-8, whilst Saltash lost at Southmead 25-8.

In the three Skinners Brewery Cornwall Clubs Cup 1st Round ties that were played on Saturday;

Newquay Hornets 45 – 0 Camborne School of Mines
Bodmin 7 – 31 Helston
Redruth Albany 28 – 20 Roseland

The 4th Round draw for the eDF-Energy National Trophy made at lunchtime today;

Saturday 12th January

CORNISH PIRATES VS. NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

NUNEATON VS. CORNISH ALL BLACKS

Sunday 13th January

REDRUTH VS. LONDON WELSH

MOUNT’S BAY VS. COVENTRY

What a cracking draw for Cornish clubs with three out of the four ties to be held in the Duchy.

Another difficult Saturday afternoon for the Cornish All Blacks as they visited Goldington Road to take on the Bedford Blues in National League 1. The Cornish side certainly gave it a good lash, leading 16-14 at the break thanks to a try from flanker Wayne Sprangle converted by full-back Jon Fabian, who also kicked three penalties. That was as good as it was to get. The Cornish All Blacks were hit by a four try burst during the third quarter by their hosts who eventually ran out comfortable winners by 43 – 16.

In National League 2, Redruth made the difficult trip to league leaders Manchester losing by eight points 22 – 14. Reds’ coach Nigel Hambly felt his side had made too many errors facilitating the Cheshire side’s task. Redruth scored tries through prop Darren Jacques and No 8 Mark Bright with fly-half Gareth Griffiths bagging both conversions. Wharfedale, who were only five points ahead of the Reds before match, had a fine win at Blaydon pushing the Northumberland club down to one place above the Reds but the deficit has grown now to seven points. Stourbridge visit the Rec on Saturday in the EDF-Energy Trophy.

Top met bottom at the Mennaye as leaders Mount’s Bay met North Walsham in National League 3 South. The Vikings, who flew down from Norwich on the morning of the match, have for many seasons been one of the pacesetters in this league, sadly for them though not at the moment. Skipper Nick Burnett scored the Bay’s opening try from a catch-and-drive after only 9 mins. Richard Carroll scored a second try for the Bay from a similar move on 24 mins, before half-time Bay were awarded a penalty try which Lee Jarvis converted along with Carroll’s earlier score for a 19-0 advantage. Bay got the all-important fourth try after 55 mins following a fine run from winger Chris Morris, for the third time Jarvis adding the extras. North Walsham had the final say with a converted try near the end. On the back of this 26-7 success Bay turn their attention to the EDF-Energy National Trophy next Saturday with a testing tie at National League 2 side Southend.

St. Ives had no match in the league this weekend as they were in Dubai competing in the International Overseas Trophy reaching the Quarter-Finals before losing to Dinamo 31 – 0.

In Southwest 2 West, Camborne made the long journey to St. Mary’s OB’s only to find the match postponed.

In Western Counties West, Hayle defeated Tiverton 8-3, thanks to a try from Adam Keverne.
Wadebridge Camels once again racked up the points this time by 52-5 over visitors Devonport Services. Three players scored twice, Alisdair MacLennan, Jamie Kneale and Dan Briskham with Gary Gynn and Sam Stone grabbing the other tries. Kneale kicked six conversions for a 22 point haul.

Bude beat Withycombe 7-5 thanks to Ollie Denford converting Dave Risdon’s try.
Still no joy for luckless Penryn at the bottom of the league as they lost 38-0 at Kingsbridge.

Up in London, London Cornish’s recent winning streak was brought to an abrupt halt by highflying Purley John Fisher in London 3 SW, 29 – 12 (See Dickon’s match report on the TASC forums). On a brighter note London Cornish 4ths, the Dukes, had a fine win at London French, 65-10 and were then entertained to a four-course meal with wine by their Gallic hosts!!!! There is a match report on this cornu-franco encounter of the London Cornish thread in the forums.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, there were defeats for the top two sides Newquay Hornets and Truro. The Hornets lost by the narrowest of margins 13-12 at Okehampton. Rob McIntyre and Steve Potter scored tries for the Hornets with Ryan Johns kicking a conversion.

Truro suffered a heavy defeat up at Cullompton 34-5. Falmouth had a good win at Teignmouth by 15-0 scoring three tries through Justin Doney, Tim Hill and Tom Sommers.

To round off this week a glance across the Channel so see how rugby in Brittany is faring this season. Brittany’s topside Vannes are handily placed in their group chasing an end-of-season play-off place in Fédérale 1. On Sunday they won 18 – 6 at Poitiers as they reach the half-way stage of the opening pool stage.

Many will remember Cornwall’s trip to Quimper last season, well I am pleased to report that Quimper are thus far having a good season in Fédérale 3 lying second in their pool. Sunday saw them take on local rivals from up the road Plouzané (Brest) with Quimper winning a hard fought and at times feisty affair 27-6 scoring five tries in difficult conditions.

The Cornish Pirates ground out a 15-7 win over visitors Moseley on Sunday afternoon at Camborne in National League 1. The first half will not be remembered for long by those who were present, quite simply it was one of the most boring, uneventful halves of rugby I have witnessed in over 38 years of following the game. The game was played almost exclusively in the Pirates’ own half, this with the Pirates having the wind at their backs! Moseley were totally negative playing a pick-and-go game grinding out a few yards, or should that be meters, here and there, playing a game akin to sterile trench warfare from World War 1. To their credit and disciplined play, the Pirates only gave Moseley’s goal kicker Macdonald one shot at goal during the first half, from in front of the posts, about 23 meters out, which he promptly missed! The Pirates had one meaningful incursion into the Moseley 22 during the first half with a dart from Fairhurst with McKeen unable to hold on to the pass. No surprises then that half-time was reached without the scoreboard being troubled! Moseley left the pitch to chants of “Boring, Boring” and boos from the assembled faithful.

The second half resumed with the same scenario being put in place by the visitors. Suddenly the Pirates had a penalty with fly-half Gareth Steenson tapping and going, injecting some pace into the game, eventually the ball was in the hands of centre Vunga Lilo who arched through the visitors line to score in the scoreboard corner of the ground to the huge relief of the crowd, Steenson kicked a fine touchline conversion to put the Pirates 7-0 up. The advantage was short-lived as Moseley got a penalty and kicked to the town gate they set up a catch-and-drive which in the first instance took them to the line only to be held up, the second bite of the cherry proved more fruitful as skipper Neil Mason was driven over by the pack. Macdonald made up for his earlier penalty miss with the conversion to tie the scores after 56 mins.

The Pirates were trying to play rugby, Lilo was close to try but was held up over the line down in the club house corner, the Pirates had a 5 metre scrum, from second phase ball Iva Motusaga who had come on for the returning Stan Mckeen powered over to notch up the Pirates second try on 60 mins, Steenson’s conversion attempt failed having taken a staggering flight akin to a drunken man first left, then right before going across the posts, no doubt, the former BBC rugby commentator Bill McLaren would of found the right words to describe it.

The Pirates went in search for further tries but in the end their only other score was to be a penalty kicked by Steenson from in front of the posts earned following a scorching break from Rhodri McAtee on for the injured Ollie Thomas, which made sure that Moseley’s negative game plan got it’s just rewards on the day ….absolutely nothing!

Cornish Pirates 15 pts

Tries- Lilo, Motusaga, Conversion & Penalty- Steenson

Moseley 7 pts

Try – Mason, Conversion- Macdonald

Cornish Pirates: Thomas (McAtee 70), Moore, Lilo, Winn (Devlin 70), Koko, Steenson, Fairhurst, Paver (capt), Kemp (Dawiduik 61), Heard (Seal 61), Senekal, Beardshaw, McKeen (Motusaga 49), Cracknell, Evans.
Replacement (not used) – Cook, Hobson.

Moseley: Winter (M. Williams 72), Sharples, Binns, Cox, Bressington, MacDonald, Ireland (D.Williams 70), Williams (Buxton 40), Caves (McMillan 72), Sigley (Bayliss 61), Bignell, Tuohy, Mason (capt), Atkinson, Evans
Replacements (not used) – Stott, Taylor.
Referee – Mr. D. Rose (RFU)

The majority of the Cornish clubs results this weekend were as dismal as the weather, the exception being Mount’s Bay who once again picked up a fine win on their travels at Midlands side Luton. Trailing only 6-3 at half-time thanks to a Lee Jarvis penalty Bay soon had the lead following a fine break by Tyron Child which saw John Marlin in at the corner, Jarvis adding the conversion. Following some fine work by the pack Bay increased their lead with a second converted try this time from Ben Hilton. The visitors superiority upfront was then rewarded by the awarding of a penalty try which, Jarvis converted for a 24-6 lead. To their credit Luton never gave up and were rewarded by two tries one of which was converted for a final score of 24-18 to the Bay who thus cemented their position at the top of National League 3 South.

Not a good day for either of our sides in National League 1, the Cornish Pirates lost the local derby with old rivals Plymouth Albion 9 – 6 at the Brickfields. Ross Laidlaw kicked three first half penalties for Albion, whilst Gareth Steenson replied with two for the Pirates. A record crowd of 6,381 saw the drama unfold.

It wasn’t any better at Polson Bridge where the Cornish All Blacks lost at home 0 – 20 to Esher the side who were promoted with them last season from National League 2. Coaches Chris Brown and Jon Hill will be very disappointed to have been nilled at home. Their run of matches up towards Christmas doesn’t get any easier with Bedford next up!

Redruth found it difficult against a well-organised Otley side who came down from National 1 last season losing at the Recreation Ground 13 – 7 (See my match report on the main site). Mark Richards scored the Reds’ try with Gareth Griffiths kicking the conversion. Redruth are still five points from getting out of the relegation zone in National League 2.

In the regional leagues some joy for St. Ives as they registered their first point since the opening day of the season with a 7 – 7 draw at home to Weston-super-Mare in South West 1. Stuart Turnbull scored the try for the Hakes, which was converted by Josh Stevens.

In South West 2 West bottom side Camborne hosted top dogs Exmouth, with the visitors only just prevailing 16 – 15 in a hard fought encounter. All the Cherry & Whites scores came through tries all scored by the forwards, hooker Andrew Smith, prop Ryan Worden and lock Nathan Curnow. Hopefully this close result will give the boys heart to have run the league leaders so close.

In Western Counties West it was Cornish derby day for all four of our sides. Bude hosted Wadebridge Camels in the North Cornwall derby with the boys from Bude running out winners by 12 – 7. Bude scored a couple of tries either side of half-time through prop Matt Williams which was converted by brother Paul and flanker Dave Uglow. Sean Hawkey scored and converted the Camels only try.

At the Memorial Ground Penryn took on Hayle in a match between two struggling sides this season. The Lions took the honours with a 13 – 6 win to leave the Borough rooted to the foot of the table. Penryn did lead at one point 6-3 thanks to two Taron Peacock penalties to one from Stuart Trathen before Richard Spear scored a try to leave the Lions 8 – 6 up at the break. James Jago then scored a second try for Hayle to clinch the win.

In the Cornwall & Devon league the top two Newquay Hornets and Truro both won to pull away slightly from the rest of the chasing pack. The Hornets saw off visitors Honiton 38 – 7. With the elements behind them first half Newquay wasted no time in building up a good advantage scoring five tries for a 33 – 0 advantage at the break, thanks to tries from Scott Martin, Andy Dixon (2) and Sam Cullen, with Ryan Johns kicking three penalties and a couple of conversions. Although Honiton scored a converted try in the second half, Hornets had the last word when Rob McIntyre scored their fifth try of the game.

Up in London 3 SW, London Cornish enjoyed another fine win at the Richardson Evans Memorial Ground defeating K.C.S. Old Boys by 54 – 13 (the usual excellent match report from Dickon Moon can be found on the London Cornish thread in the forums).

Truro beat Wessex in a fiesty match at St. Clements 18 – 7. Scott Martin kicked a couple of penalties for the home side before having to leave the field with a head injury which required a trip to Treliske. Justin Irons and Mitchell Ewins scored tries the first of which Ross Martin converted.

Falmouth entertained Okehampton at the Rec winning by a point 14 – 13. Falmouth’s try was scored by former Redruth and St. Ives player Ashley Lawton with James Instance kicking three penalties.

The CRFU have unveiled plans for a new shirt to mark the CRFU’s 125th Anniversary. The new shirt, which will be manufactured by Kooga, will appear next year and will be available through Whirlwind Sports outlets. A training shirt will also be available and that should be in the shops next month.

Lady luck isn’t shining much up at Polson at the moment as the Cornish side let slip a 20-5 advantage after 50 mins to lose at Monks Lane 24 – 23. Matt Jess scored Launceston’s first try which, was converted by Jon Fabian, Newbury hit back whilst the visitors were down to fourteen men after Neil Clark had been sent to the sin bin, with former Cornish Pirate Chris Morgan grabbing the try. Launceston added two Fabian penalties to stretch their lead to 13-5 at the break.

Just after the re-start, Scott Ireland made a strong break linking with Fabian who in-turn found Andy Birkett who galloped in for a score, Fabian’s conversion put the Cornish All Blacks in a strong position. It was not to be, ironically it is the driving maul, which Launceston have used to such great effect these past seasons which is now their undoing, they were also undone by the unpredictable England 7’s player Isoa Damudamu who set up Newbury’s second and third tries scored by Tim Walsh and Dave Rees. Hooker Paul Fincken scored the Blues fourth try from the a catch-and-drive which Walsh converted to nudge the home side ahead, despite a late rally Launceston couldn’t score again. With the Pertemps Bees winning, Launceston are back on the bottom of National League 1.

On Sunday at Camborne the Cornish Pirates made hard work of overcoming a limited Rotherham side by 28-18, however they did manage to claim all five points in scoring four tries. The Titans built up a 10 point lead early in the first half with Jamie Blackwood kicking a penalty and then converting a try by former Pirate Neil Chivers. At last the Pirates got on the scoreboard with a try from lock Joe Beardshaw converted by Gareth Steenson to leave the Pirates 3 points adrift at half-time 10-7.

It wasn’t long before the Pirates edged ahead when hooker Nathan Kemp barged over for Steenson to add the extras, 14-10. Blackwood pegged the Pirates back with a penalty after 47 mins. The Pirates brought on fresh legs to maintain their momentum, with one of the fresh players scrum-half Ed Fairhurst darting in for the third try which Steenson again bettered, 21-13. Following a stoppage for an injury to Titan player Neil Cochrane, the Pirates sealed the bonus point when Iva Motusaga scored the Pirates fourth try with Steenson adding his fourth conversion of the match. The Titans did have the final say when Jamie Sutton scored a late try for the visitors to complete the scoring.

In National League 2, Redruth gave their best display of the season to date with 27-9 win over high-flyers Stourbridge scoring four tries in the process. Flanker Nathan Pascoe scored the first Reds try after only 4 mins following good work from No8 Mark Bright. Four minutes later and it was hooker Glen Cooper scoring from a catch-and-drive. The Reds scored a third try after 24 mins through Mark Bright who combined well with PJ Gidlow, Griffiths’ second conversion saw the Reds leading 19-0. Stourbridge did get back into the game with their fly-half Rod Petty kicking three penalties to bring the Midlanders back to 19-9 early into the second half. Griffiths calmed any nerves with a neat drop goal on 75 mins before Lewis Vinnicombe skated in to the corner after the Reds pack took a heal against the head to seal the five points. Redruth will look forward to entertaining Stourbridge again on December 8th in the EDF-Energy National Trophy 3rd Round.

There was only one other league encounter involving a Cornish club this weekend Falmouth lost in a re-arranged Cornwall & Devon League encounter at Wessex 16-6.

Elsewhere and it was EDF-Energy Cup weekend. In the National Trophy 2nd Round, Mount’s Bay easily booked a third round tie at Southend when they defeated Hertford by an impressive 74-3. The Bay ran in eleven tries with Lee Jarvis and Jamie Semmens each grabbing three-a-piece. Tim Mosey scored a brace whilst their were also tries for debutant Tyron Child, Jon Marlin and prop Tony Stevens. Jarvis kicked a penalty and four conversions with Mosey kicking a further four conversions to wrap up the scoring.

No such joy for the other Cornish club playing in the 2nd Round, St. Ives found Ealing to hot to handle losing 40-3 with Josh Stevens kicking the Hakes only points.

In the Intermediate Cup, Cornish interest was ended when Camborne lost at home to Coney Hill 33-17, Andrew Smith, Dave Roberts and Joe Parma scored tries for the Cherry & Whites.

In the Senior Vase 3rd round, Wadebridge Camels won at Minehead Barbarians 30-16, Camels scored five tries with doubles for Alisdair MacLennan and Richard Trealeaven, with Neil Maneer also dotting down.

London Cornish are also through following a fine 47-10 win at Old Ashmoleians (see Dickon Moon’s fine report in the forms).

Bude bowed out beaten 24-0 at Cullompton.

In the Junior Vase there were 4th Round wins for Liskeard & Looe 35-28 over South Molton, Saltash winners at Totnes 34-3, Stithians who saw off Devonport HSOB’s 59-10 and St. Austell victors over Torrington 19-13. There was defeat for Perranporth who lost at home to OPM’s 26-3.