We held our A.G.M. at the St. Austell Brewery Visitor Centre, President Sean Jarvis presiding.

With the club only just emerging from the covid lockdown, there was little in way of reports from the various posts on the committee, and regrettably no player presentations to be made.

Treasurer Viv Broadhurst reported that the club finances were in good order.

We were delighted to welcome our new Merchandise Secretary Jackie Thomas to her first meeting.

Both David Saunter, Chairman and Alan Milliner, Rep to the RFU Council represented the CRFU.

Alan gave us an update on where we were regarding the County Championship task group, the recommendations will go before council next month, fingers crossed!

David, came along to thank TASC for funding the rugby shirts for Bodmin College, one of which he brought along to show us with Trelawny’s Army on the front, looking very smart on the black and blue shirt.

David also mentioned that a donation would be made from the CRFU to TASC following the disposal of redundant kit.

This year’s A.G.M. was also the moment when two of the original committee from 1993 stood down, John and Margery Rowe, who have both given the club sterling service over 28 years. Our President made a presentation of Cornish goodies to them both and thanked them for all their work.

John hasn’t totally finished as he will still be organising our annual dinner in February.

Club member Lesley Wellington made a generous donation to the club on the night for which we are most grateful.

Following the singing of Trelawny a pasty supper was enjoyed by “One & All.”

Pictures credit: Barbara Hocking & Phil Trevarton

James Murray who plays his rugby at Redruth RFC was presented with his U20’s Cornwall cap recently at his home club.

James earned his tie on his first appearance for the U20’s back in February 2019 and was a regular squad member until the last game before Covid 19 struck in the away victory against Gloucestershire in March 2020.  Had it not been for the pandemic he would have potentially made several further appearances and had his cap presented at one of the games in front of his teammates!

James is currently studying at Cardiff Met University. The CRFU President John Sumnall congratulated James on his achievement and wished him well in his future rugby career.

Congratulation to James on this well-deserved presentation.

Colin Hatch

CornwallU20 Team Manager

Clubs and players have until next Sunday, 5th September, to get their names in for this season’s Under 20s selection.

Any eligible player who wants to have a go for the Cornwall Under 20 squad this season needs to get his club coach to nominate them using the form available from the CRFU website. Nominations need to be with Colin Hatch by 5th September.

Check out the link for the information

Any queries contact Colin Hatch (Team Secretary) email: hatch0348@btinternet.com

Jersey Reds 32   Cornish Pirates 31

In what was their final game in this season’s truncated Greene King IPA Championship, the Cornish Pirates fell just short of achieving a victory at the Jersey team’s Stade Santander International ground, reports Phil Westren

In the try stakes the Pirates outscored their opponents by five tries to four, but it was not enough, although they at least ended the match with two bonus points.

For their fleeting visit, flying in and out of the island on the day, team changes for the Cornish Pirates included welcoming back AJ Cant from injury. He slotted in at full-back with Tommy Wyatt moving to the wing. In the pack there were returns for loose-head prop Marlen Walker and for hooker Dan Frost ahead of him joining Wasps in the summer. Also, on the tight-head berth, former Namibian under 20s international Patrick Schickerling was set to make his debut.

As the Pirates ran out at Stade Santander International the sound of supporter applause was a welcome one. Missed because of Covid by the Pirates at home this season, it was the third occasion that the Reds had welcomed spectators since regulations on the island permitted.

In a match that in the first quarter gave no indication of a points flow that would ultimately follow, matters were also a little heated at times, at least providing proof that this was no flimsy end of season affair.

The Pirates had launched a first meaningful attack when it was ever busy hooker Dan Frost who linked with wing Maliq Holden and centre Will Butler. Play was taken to the right corner, and hopes were high of a score, but following a line-out six metres out scrum-half Jean-Baptist Bruzulier appeared to have been unluckily adjudged that the ball was nudged forward.

When the first points were registered, they went the way of the Reds. Referee Mr Richards had felt obliged to have a quiet word with Pirates’ lock Josh Caulfield following a contretemps, and after Jersey gained territory from a penalty award, from a second penalty offer it was the Championship’s top scorer, fly-half Brendan Cope, who started the scoreboard ticking.

Home supporters watching this affair were delighted, and even more so when just a couple of minutes later wing Tom Williams won a high ball challenge for him to then sprint in from halfway for a try scored to the left of the posts. Cope added the extras to make it 10-nil.

For the Pirates they now had a challenge on their hands, and one that demanded a response. Credit to them, therefore, that following a catch and drive it was debutant Schickerling who showed raw power to force his way over the line. Attempting the conversion from wide on the right, fly-half Arwel Robson’s effort drifted just wide.

Flanker Antonio Kiri Kiri soon twice showed the athletic pace that he offers as a backrower but, after the Pirates were next penalised again, from a resulting catch and drive hooker Eoghan Clarke scored a converted try to make it 17-5 to Jersey.

Approaching half time, the scoreline was one few might have expected, however the Pirates thankfully reacted once again, as Robson put centre Will Butler into space who timed his pass to enable the supporting Cant to run in an unconverted try.

Arriving at halftime with the score reading 17-10 looked much better, and although the performance thus far had been a little disjointed at times, that the Pirates had come back into the game surely boded well for an interesting second period.

The opening period of the second forty was evenly contested, however after the Pirates lost skipper Tom Duncan to the sin bin, the Reds extended their lead with a converted try scored by full-back Scott Van Breda.

Against a Jersey side that in general has gone from strength to strength in their decade competing in the Championship, it was time for the Pirates to respond once more, and they did, as some fine interplay ended with Frost scoring a try that was converted by Robson.

With play now entering the last quarter, a 61^st minute Cope penalty opened a 10 points gap, with it on the balance of play looking that the Reds would be winners. There was still time for Pirates, but too often there was frustration that opportunities created had broken down, and after the Reds scored their bonus point providing fourth try through replacement hooker Jack Macfarlane it was surely all but game over.

Well, that was not a script to be followed by the never-say-die Pirates, who deserved enormous credit in time remaining to provide a real grandstand finish. They were not able to sneak a victory but late tries scored by replacements Shae Tucker and Rhodri Davies, both converted by replacement fly-half Will Cargill, got them within a whisker of their hosts. A win was naturally sought, however in the context of this match to secure not just a four-try bonus point but also one for losing by less than seven points, was rightly some consolation.

After the game, and at the end of a season like no other, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle commented:

“We pride ourselves in never giving up and we saw that at the end, but at the same there were some aspects of our play that disappointed.

“In the set piece, and especially come maul time, Jersey had the upper hand, as we appeared at times to lack our usual energy.

“To finish fourth is for us a little frustrating because we wanted and aimed for a top three finish, but with a small squad anyway injuries unfortunately went against us.”

Jersey Reds:   15 Scott Van Breda, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Jack Roberts (23 Bader Pretorius, 75), 12 Dan Barnes, 11 Brendan Owen, 10 Brendan Cope, 9 Max Green (James Elliott 42); 1 Dan Richardson (17 Ollie Dawe, 72), 2 Eoghan Clarke (16 Jack Macfarlane, 55), 3 Ciaran Parker (18 Jack Higgins, 72), 4 Zak Farrance (19 James Scott, 60), 5 Sean O’Connor (20 Matti Williams, 72), 6 Macauley Cook, 7 Lewis Wynne (captain; 22 Josh Bainbridge, 62), 8 Max Argyle.

Cornish Pirates:   15 AJ Cant (23 Shae Tucker, 68), 14 Maliq Holden, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Will Butler, 11 Tommy Wyatt, 10 Arwel Robson (22 Will Cargill, 74), 9 Jean-Baptist Bruzulier (21 Rhodri Davies, 51); 1 Marlen Walker (17 Jack Andrew, 63), 2 Dan Frost (16 Tom Channon, 74), 3 Patrick Schickerling (18 Sam Rodman, 63), 4 Josh Caulfield (Fa’atiga Lemalu, 50), 5 Danny Cutmore, 6 Matt Bolwell, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri, 8 Tom Duncan (captain; John Stevens, 64).

Yellow card:   8 Tom Duncan (54).

Scorers:

Jersey Reds – tries:  14 Tom Williams (22), 16 Eoghan Clarke (34), 15 Scott Van Breda, (55), 16 Jack Macfarlane, (73); cons: 10 Brendan Cope (22, 34, 55); pens: 10 Brendan Cope (21, 61).

Cornish Pirates – tries: 3 Patrick Schickerling (26), 15 AJ Cant (38), 2 Dan Frost (58), 23 Shae Tucker (77), 21 Rhodri Davies (79); cons: 10 Arwel Robson (58), 22 Will Cargill (77, 79).

Referee:   Dean Richards

Cornish Pirates 52   Hartpury 26

By Phil Westren, at the Mennaye

Playing their penultimate fixture in this season’s somewhat shortened Greene King IPA Championship campaign, in what was also their last home game the Cornish Pirates won convincingly against Hartpury.

It was an entertaining encounter, with both sides playing their part. A total of 12 tries were registered in the match – four for the visitors and eight for the Pirates, including a hat-trick apiece for skipper Tom Duncan and replacement hooker Dan Frost.

There were several changes in the Cornish Pirates team that won at Coventry last time out. In the backs, with a fit again Maliq Holden returning on the wing, Will Butler reverted back to inside centre. Also, at scrum half, after several appearances off the bench, Jean-Baptist Bruzulier returned to the starting line-up.

As for the forwards, Hayden King wore the number ‘1’ shirt, whilst Tom Cowan-Dickie, who had made three appearances as a replacement since recovering from injury, was about to make his first start of the season. As for the pack’s back five, they remained the same.

Playing towards the Newlyn end of the ground it was Hartpury who opened the scoring. Fly-half Josh Bragman made a jinking run inside the Pirates ‘22’, and with the ball ultimately worked left it was wing Ben Foley who scored an unconverted try in the old Western National corner.

In the same period of play Cowan-Dickie’s match also cruelly came to an end, the luckless hooker having to depart proceedings because of a neck injury.

Hartley had a sprinkling of experienced performers in their ranks, and none more so that Botswana-born No. 8 Iain Grieve, who is a former Bristol, Plymouth Albion, and Ealing Trailfinders player. However, soon after home full-back Tommy Wyatt twice impressed to take a high ball under pressure, the first example seeing him light up the Mennaye with an excellent kick ahead and chase, the Pirates worked the ball left for Holden and Butler to apply pressure at the scoreboard corner. With the Pirates scrum also showing dominance, referee Mr. Thomas had no hesitation in awarding the Pirates a penalty try.                                     

The visitors strived to respond, but in the process Pirates’ wing Alex O’Meara suddenly intercepted and immediately put on the burners to run half the length of the field for a score at the Penzance posts. Fly-half Arwel Robson’s conversion made it 14-5.

Hungry for more points, the Pirates cause was being helped by the mounting penalty count against Hartpury. Able to post the ball to the corners, the opportunities to set up potent catch and drives delivered the goods, with firstly converted tries for Duncan and Frost, the latter’s a bonus point providing effort, and then another for Frost, this time unconverted.

Yes, 33-5 looked good on the scoreboard, but there was still time before the break to enable the Pirates to further extend their lead, which they did, when Duncan’s second converted try, scored in the 39^th minute, made it 40-5.

During the afternoon, the club flag at the Mennaye Field flew at half-mast. This was a mark of respect to the memory of former 500 games player and team secretary Keith Stirling who had passed away during the week. Words were also expressed in memory of Camborne stalwart Peter Floyd and to Barry Chadwick, brother of Pirates’ match day volunteer Mark Chadwick, following news that they too had sadly died.

Back to the rugby action, the last 40 minutes at home for the Pirates this season, there was every hope that they could kick on and register still more points. They did, with the energetic Frost and Duncan each securing their hat-tricks, but there was credit also to Hartpury who, on the scoreboard at least, troubled the operator most. The impressive Bragman scored a try and two conversions, and there were also fine tries touched down by centre Robbie Smith and wing Sam Goatley, whose final try of the game was converted by centre James Williams

Speaking at the end of Saturday’s encounter, Cornish Pirates joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Naturally we are pleased with scoreline, as it is one we would certainly have taken before the game, and although I didn’t enjoy the first or last 10 minutes we played some good bits of rugby in between.

“In the first half our catch and drive worked very well, with Arwel kicking well out of hand to put us in good positions which enabled us to apply the pressure close to the Hartpury line, and it is something we could perhaps have made more of in the second period, the lesson being don’t get bored of what works.

“Our front row also formed a powerful unit and that again also gave us a platform to help keep the scoreboard ticking over.”

Gavin added:

“We were a little disappointed that Hartpury managed their bonus point try at the end, but through playing catch up rugby and shifting the point of contact they deserved it.”

Cornish Pirates:   15 Tommy Wyatt 14 Alex O’Meara 13 Rory Parata 12 Will Butler 11 Maliq Holden 10 Arwel Robson 9 Jean-Baptist Bruzulier; 1 Hayden King 2 Tom Cowan-Dickie 3 Jay Tyack 4 Josh Caulfield 5 Danny Cutmore 6 Matt Bolwell 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri 8 Tom Duncan (captain).

Replacements (all used):   16 Dan Frost 17 Marlen Walker 18 Sam Rodman 19 Fa’atiga Lemalu 20 Paddy Ryan 21 Rhodri Davies 22 Will Cargill 23 Joe Elderkin.

Hartpury:   15 George Simpson 14 Sam Goatley 13 Robbie Smith 12 James Williams 11 Ben Foley 10 Joshua Bragman 9 Oscar Lennon; 1 Olly Adkins 2 Will Crane 3 Mitch Walsh 4 Dale Lemon 5 Arthur Clark 6 Joe Howard 7 Will Safe 8 Iain Grieve.

Replacements (all used):   16 Luke Stratford 17 Ash Challenger 18 Ciaran Knight 19 Ehize Ehizode 20 Morgan Monks 21 Matt Jones 22 Luke Eves 23 Ervin Muric.

Yellow card:   Knight.

Scorers:

Cornish Pirates – tries: Duncan (3), Frost (3), Penalty Try, O’Meara      cons: Robson (5).

Hartpury – tries: Foley, Bragman, Smith, Goatley; cons: Bragman (2), Williams.        

Referee:   Alex Thomas (RFU).

Coventry 19   Cornish Pirates 30

Playing this Round 8 match in theGreene King IPA Championship match away to Coventry, the Cornish Pirates emerged deserved ‘May Day’ winners at the Butts Park Arena, reports Phil Westren.                                                

Performing for the first time this season on a plastic pitch, changes in the Cornish Pirates line-up saw starting returns for the front-row of Marlen Walker, Dan Frost and Jay Tyack, along with lock Danny Cutmore and No. 8 Tom Duncan, who once again took over the skipper’s armband. With John Stevens picking up a knock the previous week, Antonio Kiri Kiri was selected at open-side flanker. In the backs, there was also a first start in Pirates’ colours for fly-half Arwel Robson, plus a fit again Shae Tucker returned at inside centre to partner Rory Parata. With several wingmen presently injured, Will Butler moved out onto the wing.

Obviously looking to bounce back from their disappointing home defeat against Ampthill, the Cornish Pirates started well. Good work at the breakdown by Kiri Kiri led to a penalty award some 30 metres out, with it Robson who was called up to duly slot the opportunity offer. He did.

An in-form Coventry side, who likely fancied their chances of upsetting the Pirates, responded to show their potential, and after lock Nile Dacres unfortunately fumbled the ball over the line it was not long before they opened their account. A strong carry by their experienced skipper Ryan Burrows, followed by a fine pass by-half Tony Fenner and an excellent run from wing Will Butts, ended with supporting prop James Harper enthusiastically cantering over for a try that Fenner then converted.

From the restart both hooker Frost and Duncan carried well for the Pirates before Duncan was forced off through injury. Yes, it was frustrating, however Paddy Ryan proved an able replacement and there was an extra plus when Parata received the ball and immediately took space on offer to breeze in for a converted try to the left of the posts.

Robson was displaying his all-round ability, including making a clever break. Support was unable to reach him but when a scrum penalty was awarded his successful kick made it 13-7 to the Pirates.

Injury woes for the Cornish side though continued, as scrum-half Alex Schwarz also had to depart proceedings, and to seemingly make matters worse the team then went down to 14 men after Kiri Kiri was yellow-carded.

Coventry applied considerable pressure and should have scored but for a Burrows non tap of a penalty kick. A good spot from an assistant referee had noticed that the player’s boot had not made contact with the ball and there was no further score before half-time.

The first half had seen several momentum shifts, so how would the second forty go? One thing known, is that it was surely still too close to call. From a Pirates perspective they also needed not to be called out and punished by the referee for time wasting, which had happened more than once.

Four minutes in and an excellent penalty strike from Robson extended the Pirates lead. This, however, seemed to spur the home side to up their effort, and it was perhaps no surprise when wing Will Butt scored an unconverted try following a terrific run by full-back Louis Brown.

Now 12-16 the Pirates needed to keep their focus, which they did, with their scrum in particular proving dominant. Indeed, following a series of scrums, sound control at the back by Ryan and then at the base by replacement scrum-half Jean-Baptist Bruzulier saw a ball transfer right and a try for Robson, which he also converted to give him a personal points tally of 18 in the match.

Among replacements made, makeshift wing Rhodri Davies – normally a scrum half – would have scored but for a forward pass, and then, after an off the ball incident, full-back Tommy Wyatt was shown ‘yellow’ for making unnecessary contact with an opposition player.

There was a worry that fortune for the visitors was about to change, and especially so when Coventry flanker Adam Peters scored a converted try to the left of the posts.

Thankfully, the Pirates stayed strong, and showing considerable character put the end result beyond doubt when Kiri Kiri firstly pumped legs piston-like into Coventry’s ‘22’. His fellow Kiwi, Tucker, was then on hand to maintain the advance and score at the posts. Replacement fly-half Will Cargill added the conversion – and it was job done.

Speaking after the game Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Credit to the boys for showing a lot of character, especially playing 20 minutes with just 14 men. We put in some good defensive sets and overall dug in deep to get what was a well-earned and deserved victory.

“Playing on a plastic pitch is different and it led to some massive collisions and a lot of pressure at the breakdown. Both sides picked up injuries and were out on their feet at the end, and I am just pleased for everyone that we just kept trucking on to register the win.

“It was an ultimately satisfying performance, especially considering the changes we have been, and were forced to make. Looking for effort and a real work ethic, which we got, there was character in abundance.”

Coventry:   15 Louis Brown, 14 Will Butt, 13 Rob Knox, 12 Andy Forsyth (23 James Martin, 62), 11 Sam Aspland-Robinson, 10 Tony Fenner, 9 Joe Snow (21 Pete White, 57); 1 Luc Jeannot (17, Toby Trinder 41), 2 Tom Doughty (16 Jordon Poole, 41), 3 James Harper (18 Phil Boulton, 56), 4 Nile Dacres, 5 Alex Woolford (19 Kailus Hutchinson, 75), 6 Sam Lewis (20 Tom Ball, 62), 7 Adam Peters, 8 Ryan Burrows (captain).

Replacement (not used):   22 Evan Mitchell

Cornish Pirates:   15 Tommy Wyatt, 14 Alex O’Meara, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Shae Tucker, 11 Will Butler (23 Rhodri Davies, 62), 10 Arwel Robson (22 Will Cargill, 70), 9 Alex Schwarz (21 Jean-Baptist Bruzulier, 27); 1 Marlen Walker (17 Jack Andrew, 62), 2 Dan Frost (16 Tom Cowan-Dickie, 69), 3 Jay Tyack (18 Sam Rodman, 70), 4 Josh Caulfield, 5 Danny Cutmore, 6 Matt Bolwell, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri, 8 Tom Duncan (captain; 20 Paddy Ryan, 19).

Replacement (not used):   19 Cory Teague.

Yellow cards:   7 Antonio Kiri Kiri (32), 15 Tommy Wyatt (68).

Scorers:

Coventry – tries: 3 James Harper (13), 14 Will Butt (48), 7 Adam Peters, 70); cons: 10 Tony Fenner (14, 70).

Cornish Pirates – tries: 13 Rory Parata (20), 10 Arwell Robson (56), 12 Shae Tucker (73); cons: 10 Arwel Robson (21, 57), 22 Will Cargill (74);                   pens: 10 Arwel Robson (5, 26, 46).

Referee:   George Selwood