OXFORDSHIRE U.15  12PTS CORNWALL U.15 24PTS

By Kevin Williams

What a cracking game of rugby the Doncaster Knights v Cornish Pirates Championship clash proved to be on SKY yesterday afternoon.

No question it was the best performance of the season, thus far, from the Cornish side as they triumphed 46-29 to notch up their first away win of the season.

Will Cargill kicked a penalty to open the Pirates’ account after 18 minutes before Toby May went over for the opening try.

Speedster Kyle Moyle rocketed in off an inside pass from Alex Day to put the Pirates well in command at half-time 17-5.

The second half started even better as Alex O’Meara ran in a gift pass from Donny. Then as the Knights found themselves down to 14 men, due to a sin-bin, Pirates added two further tries through Tom Lawday and Nicolas Coronel, Laurence May on the money with both conversions.

Despite a rally from Doncaster that saw them get their own try-bonus point, Lawday’s second try sealed the win, with May again slotting the conversion and a final penalty goal.

On Saturday, despite the early morning start, Redruth got their first away win of the season in National League 2 South at Henley Hawks 42-22.

Reds scored five tries through Sam Matavesi, Ben Priddey, Matt Bowden, AJ Cant and skipper Richard Brown, with Ashley Hosking four conversions and three penalties.

Congratulations to Redruth head coach Pale Nonu on his marriage to Amy, which took place early last week.

Camborne lost for the second time at home this season as they went down to a narrow 17-14 defeat to Cleve.

The game was watched by former England Internationals John Collins and Richard Sharp along with most of the CRFU committee.

Cleve’s big forwards proved a handful for the home side, but Town competed well and in the end with a bit more luck could have nicked it. Dave Mankee marked his 300^th appearance for the club with three penalties, whilst Ashley Riches scored their only try.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Launceston went down to defeat at Bideford 20-0.

In London 1 South, London Cornish bounced back from their defeat against Medway last week to defeat Brighton 23-7 and move above the Sussex side in the table. Tries for Cornish were scored by Andy Hill, Chris Kolapo-Ajala and Jake Slade with George Kimmins kicking the other points.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell maintain their push near the top following an impressive 20-3 win at Chard. Chris Ashwin, Max Duggan and Liam Freeman scored the Saints’ tries with Freeman adding a conversion and a penalty.

Falmouth slipped to defeat at Devonport Services 33-10, Justyn Irons with all their points.

St. Ives found Torquay Athletic in much improved form as the Tics won 38-13. Despite leading 13-10 at the break with tries from Josh Palmer and Jacob Ninnes plus a Rhys Brownfield penalty, the Hakes were shattered as Torquay scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.

Truro backed up last week’s win with success at St. Clements Hill 26-20 against Paignton. Luke Tidball (2) and Dan Head scored tries whilst Mark Richards kicked eight points and Eggy Williams added a further penalty.

Wadebridge Camels went down 30-3 at Crediton, Dan Thomas kicked their solitary penalty.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn march on at the top following their 29-10 win at St. Day against Lanner. Adam Hughes, Grant Randlesome, Steve Patterson and Andy Seviour scored the Borough’s tries with Tom Townsend adding three conversions and a penalty.

Saltash had a big win against Wessex 82-14 scoring twelve tries, both Steve Hillman and Sam Snell scored a brace each with other scores shared around.

Hayle had a fine win at home against Plymouth Argaum 28-5. Tallan Daniels (2) and Neil Mitchell scored tries for the Lions whilst TJ Farrell kicked three penalties and two conversions.

Bude also won at home defeating Plymstock 21-17. Olly Denford, Joe Wilson and Olly Mounce scored tries with Denford adding all three conversions.

Steve Evans kicked Pirates Amateurs only points as they slipped to defeat at Honiton 51-3.

Well done to Cornwall U.18’s who beat Devon at Keyham on Sunday 19-17. Cornwall’s tries were scored by Truro School’s Mike Austin, Liskeard-Looe’s Jordan Smith and Bude’s Rory Mead.

Cornwall U.18’s are preparing for their South West Championship games at Weston Hornets in December.

It has been confirmed that a ‘Service of Thanksgiving’ for Brian ‘Stack’ Stevens is to be held at:

St. Mary’s Church, Penzance

Friday 27^th October

commencing 12 noon

Those attending the Service of Thanksgiving are afterwards invited to the Pirates ‘Westholme’ clubhouse.

Following a long illness Stack sadly passed away on Tuesday 10^th October 2017.

A true legend in Cornish rugby Stack skippered Cornwall from 1973 to 1975 and played 83 times for the county. He was capped 25 times for England (captain in 1971) and was a 1971 British and Irish Lion when they toured New Zealand in 1971.

Our thoughts are with Stack’s nearest and dearest at this sad time.

Photo: Chris Fuca had a storming game for the Cornish Pirates in the B&I Cup deservedly man-of-the-match

Redruth weathered both Storm Brian and the early Clifton onslaught to run out comfortable winners 36-3 in National League 2.

The Reds scored five tries, with a brace coming from man-of-the-match Edd Pascoe, Matt Bowden, Jess Tompsett and skipper Rich Brown crossed for the other scores whilst Ashley Hosking popped over four conversions and a penalty.

Reds had to make do without Chris Fuca who was called up for the Cornish Pirates for their B & I Cup game against Ulster A on Sunday.

Down the road in Camborne the Cherry and Whites got the better of Newbury Blues 11-7 in their South West Premier League game.

Recent signing Harvey Bell, formerly with Truro before heading for a spell down-under, scored Town’s try with Dave Mankee kicking a couple of penalties.

Dave Roberts came out of retirement to help his old club as injuries continue to blight Camborne.

In South West 1 West, Launceston recorded their biggest win for a few seasons defeating Teignmouth 60-3. The Cornish All Blacks bagged nine tries scored by Torin Clarke, Chris MacDonald, Lloyd Duke, Ryan Westren (2), Brandon Rowley, Jordan Duke, Harry Dawe and Jake Crabb. Dan Pearce added four conversions and a penalty with Greg Loydall chipping in a further two conversions.

In London 1 South, “London Cornish didn’t turn up”; according to DoR Dickon Moon as the exiles slipped to a big defeat at home 15-59 to leaders Medway.

In quick order Cornish found themselves 0-28 down before George Kimmins kicked a penalty. Richard Stephens pulled a try back but the damage was done as Medway turned around 47-8 up at the break!

Chris Kolapo-Ajala pulled another try back near the end of the second half with Kimmins adding the conversion. A lesson learnt!

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell maintained their good form with a comfortable 46-0 win against Burnham at Tregorrick.

George Knowles and Cav Boyer both scored a couple of tries with Chris Ashwin, Liam Freeman, CJ Boyce and Max Duggan crossing with the other scores. Boyer put over three conversions.

St. Ives are level on points with St. Austell after their 31-17 win at home to Tiverton. The Hakes’ tries came from Martyn Lawrence (2), Jacob Ninnes, Cameron Bone and Ben Jenkins. Rhys Brownfield bagged three conversions in the tricky conditions at Alexandra Road.

Best wishes go to Hakes’ skipper Steve Kenward who suffered a bad knee injury last week in the win over Sidmouth. Always a popular chap to chat with. Get well soon Steve.

Wadebridge Camels over came Chard 17-12 at the Molesworth Field. Matt Ballard, Dom Hawkey and Cody Armstrong scored tries with Danny Thomas kicking a conversion.

Falmouth went down at the Rec 7-22 to Crediton. Simon Bailey with their try converted by Justyn Irons.

Truro got a win after some disappointing results winning 23-13 at Sidmouth.

Darren Jacques, Josh Symons and Levi Webster scored their tries with Mark Richards adding a conversion and two penalties.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon league, the boot ruled at the Memorial Ground as Penryn squeezed past previous leaders Honiton 9-3, Mitch Vague kicked the three second half penalty goals.

Saltash slipped to defeat at Moorland going down 26-32 to visitors Wellington. Adam Coutts, Will Morton and  Steve Hillman (2) scored tries to give them a couple of bonus points from the game.

Bude won 19-6 at Plymouth Argaum. Joe Wilson scored three tries for the North Cornwall side from pushovers with Ollie Denford converting two of them.

Pirates Amateurs beat Hayle 19-16. Sam Heath, Nick Nowell and Dave Law scored tries with Jack Hoare adding two conversions. For Hayle Doug Arnul and Matt Rashleigh scored tries with TJ Farrell kicking a couple of penalties.

Lanner’s game at home to Withycombe was postponed.

Photo: Cattle & Paver pleased with result and performance

BRITISH & IRISH CUP

CORNISH PIRATES 23 – 14 ULSTER A

By Bill Hooper

A strong second half performance from the Cornish Pirates made sure it was two wins out of the first couple of rounds played in this season’s British & Irish Cup.

Two tries from Tom Cowan Dickie and the trusty boot of Will Cargill gave the Pirates the win and denied Ulster a losing bonus point, which could prove vital in the final analysis.

The win delighted Pirates’ backs coach Gavin Cattle. He said after the game. “I am delighted really; these two games have seen our squad tested to the full. I thought the lads stuck at well and then took their chances well when they came, patience was key today. I was also delighted for Chris Fuca who has come in and had a big game for us, also Kieran Westlake who shows a lot of promise for the future.”

As mentioned above the Cornish Pirates were forced to bring in a couple of players from other Cornish clubs for this fixture as their injury list continues to grow.

Vastly experienced Redruth forward Chris Fuca went straight into the starting line up in the back row, whilst Camborne’s Kieran Westlake was named on the bench.

Prior to the game a minute’s applause was held in remembrance of a great Pirate, Stack Stevens who passed away last week.

The Cornish Pirates had an early chance for points but Will Cargill’s penalty sailed wide of the posts.

For the rest of the first half it was pretty much stalemate as both defences worked hard to keep the opposition at bay.

The Pirates pack carried well through Cowan-Dickie, Fuca, Brett Beukeboom and Rupert Cooper.

Pirates were dealt a blow when winger AJ Cant was adjudged to have deliberately knocked the ball on and sent to the bin, it looked a harsh call.

Happily the Pirates weathered the ten minute sin-bin period despite the pressure Ulster A put them under. Lock Jack Regan was a big ball carrier for the visitors, whilst out wide Irish International winger Craig Gilroy was a constant threat.

With half-time fast approaching the stalemate was finally broken when Cargill kicked a penalty to put his side 3-0 up.

The Cornish Pirates began the second half with greater intensity the pressure finally told when Cowan-Dickie drove over from short-range for his first try, Cargill adding the extras.

The Ulsterman soon struck back when the dangerous Gilroy slipped a tackle and jinked his way to the line for a try converted by fly-half Peter Nelson.

Young Westlake came on and showed some good touches but sadly for the Camborne player his debut with the Pirates was short-lived as he was forced off after a nasty bang to the head.

Good field position set up the Pirates for another score; again the forwards drove for the line and again it was Cowan-Dickie who squeezed over with Cargill’s conversion making it 17-7.

Cargill then kicked a further penalty as time began to ebb away, however a late try from Ulster A scored by replacement lock Greg Jones, again bettered by Nelson looked to have given them a losing bonus point.

There was still time for the Pirates to get back down field and sneak a penalty that Cargill popped through the uprights to seal the win.

By CRFU Press Officer John Martin

Sunday 27^th May is the date for the 2018 County Championship Final of the Bill Beaumont Cup, the highest level of County Rugby in this country. The Cornwall team has reached this final for the last five years in a row so it has become an expectation from the loyal fans of Trelawny’s Army that it will happen again!

The long road to that date has begun for potential new Cornwall players with the first training session held at Perranporth Rugby Club on Wednesday 18^th October.

Thirty Cornish based players had been invited by the selectors, who had travelled around watching numerous club matches and picking out those who caught the eye.

Led by Head Coach Graham Dawe, assisted by Rhodri McAtee, the players were put through their paces with a skills session, handling drills, followed by decision making in game scenarios and defensive formations.

With some of last year’s Cornwall team, who lost 19-8 to Lancashire at Twickenham, now unavailable for various reasons, there are places up for grabs in the squad so, as expected, competition for places will be quite intense.

Before the session, Graham Dawe addressed the assembled players with the message that the Cornwall team is a revolving door, players leave – players come in, but the one thing that remains the same is that supporters expect Cornwall to do well in the County Championship!

Graham also said he wants to see if these players can buy into the Cornish culture and he is looking for the next players to wear the famous Black & Gold. Talking generally about rugby, Graham added, “life is about enthusiasm and passion and I love seeing young players fulfil their potential.”

After a further training session on Monday 13^th November, a Cornwall Development XV will be selected to play Launceston at Polson Bridge on Saturday 18^th November. More details to come through the CRFU website and local press.

Bill Beaumont Cup Fixtures 2018

Saturday 5^th May           Cornwall v Surrey at Redruth

Saturday 12^th May        Cornwall v Devon at Camborne

Saturday 19^th May        Hertfordshire v Cornwall at Bishop Stortford

Sunday 27^th May           FINAL at Twickenham

Players who attended on 18^th Oct.

Photo: Alan Paver pleased with his side’s Cup campaign start

 Hartpury RFC 19   Cornish Pirates 35

Played at Hartpury RFC’s Gillman’s Ground, this opening British & Irish Cup match of the season, which also formed a first ever meeting between the two sides, saw the Cornish Pirates get their trophy campaign off to a pleasingly bright start, reports Phil Westren

Promoted from National One at the end of last season, the Hartpury team has made impressive progress through the English rugby pyramid since entry at the bottom level in 2004. They have also been quick to find their feet competing in the Greene King IPA Championship, whilst this encounter was their debut appearance in the British & Irish Cup.

For their maiden trip to Hartpury, centre Nicolas De Battista returned to the Pirates starting line-up and skippered the side, whilst another ‘Nico’, in the shape of wing Nicolas Coronel was making his first competitive match debut for the club. Other changes in the starting line-up from the one that faced Nottingham the previous weekend included starting roles for fly-half Will Cargill, prop Billy Keast and hooker Tom Channon. On the bench AJ Cant, who featured in the pre-season friendly against Exeter Chiefs, was keen for action, as was Angus Taylor for what would be his debut.

Just ahead of kick-off a minute’s silence was fittingly observed in memory former Pirates, Cornwall, England and British Lions prop forward Brian ‘Stack’ Stevens, who sadly passed away earlier in the week.

Seeking a good start to the match, the Pirates prayers were answered with the game’s opening try, scored in just the fifth minute. Playing on the wing, where he ended the contest against Nottingham and was also the final try-scorer, it was Kiwi Dan Koster who crossed out wide for his second five-pointer in Pirates colours. In dry but breezy conditions Cargill was luckless with the difficult conversion attempt

The home side, led at the Gloucestershire team’s Hartpury College base by former Bristol rugby skipper, Iain Grieve, and with Cornishman Alex Ducker playing on the wing, would not take long to level matters, a good passage of play ending with full-back Ed Coulson scoring an unconverted try.

Reliable at scrum time has been a positive mark in the Pirates play, and with a penalty awarded by referee Joy Neville, a former captain of the Ireland women’s team, Cargill stepped forward to slot a well-struck kick from about 35 metres out.

So far, so good, but it would soon get even better when Moyle, who is the Cornish side’s top try man this season, took his tally to seven with a run, chip and follow up to score. Cargill added the extras and then landed his second penalty of the match to put the Pirates firmly in control.

Despite losing the services of injured flanker Matt Bolwell, who had to be replaced by Tom Cowan-Dickie, the Pirates arrived at half-time still 18-5 up following what was an encouraging opening 40 minutes.

Continued dominance at the start of the second half saw the Pirates extend their lead when No. 8 Tom Lawday powered over for a try converted by Cargill.

With a bonus-point-providing fourth try surely now in sight, and with Cowan-Dickie enjoying space to roam and Coronel also catching the eye, the seemingly inevitable was indeed delivered when holding court Lawday made it over the line again for another converted score.

The 5-32 scoreline made pleasing reading for the healthy number of travelling Pirates supporters, although when the team seemingly took their foot off the pedal it was opposition fly-half Jamie Williams who pulled seven points back with a try and a conversion.

Discipline again let the Pirates down this season, as replacement prop Christian Judge was yellow carded for making an adjudged high tackle, and it led to a third try for the hosts, this time scored by No. 8 Darrell Dyer and converted by Williams.

A few ‘Pirate’ jitters about were understandable, but they were settled before the end after Grieve was yellow-carded and Cargill’s third successful penalty strike saw the Pirates emerge 35-19 victors.

Aware that defeats suffered this season have been by very narrow margins, this result was just what the Pirates wanted, despite yet again having lost a player to the sin bin.

Speaking after the game, Coach Alan Paver said:

“We said ahead of this match that it was important to get out there and really go for it, in an effort to build momentum, and we did just that.

“It was great to get off on the right foot and it was satisfying that we had a really good hold on the game throughout the 80 minutes, with our scrum again solid, our line-out improved and there energy all about the field.

“Forward-wise we only had front-rowers on the bench, so credit that two of them came on, played in the back-row and got stuck in, whilst it was great that Angus and AJ also had their first experiences playing competitive rugby in the Cup.”

Hartpury RFC:   15 Ed Coulson, 14 Alex Ducker (George Boulton 53, Jamie Forrester 79), 13 Elliott Creed, 12 Nick Carpenter, 11 Ed Sheldon (Jamie Forrester 57, Alex Ducker 72), 10 James Williams, 9 Robbie Shaw (Harry Cochrane 41) ; 1 Mike Flook (Alex Seville 54), 2 Henry Walker (Luke Stratford 64), 3 Josh Ibuanokpe (Alex Gibson 41), 4 Joe Quinn, 5 Joe Dancer (Ben So’oialo-Chan 59), 6 Iain Grieve (c), 7 Will Safe, 8 Darrell Dyer.

Yellow card:   Iain Grieve (79).

Cornish Pirates:   15 Kyle Moyle, 14 Dan Koster (AJ Cant 67), 13 Pete Laverick, 12 Nicolas De Battista (c), 11 Nicolas Coronel, 10 Will Cargill, 9 Alex Day (Angus Taylor 70); 1 Billy Keast (Marlen Walker 70), 2 Tom Channon (James Fish 52), 3 Jack Andrew (Christian Judge 58, 78), 4 Josh Caulfield, 5 Toby Freeman, 6 Rupert Cooper, 7 Matt Bolwell (Tom Cowan-Dickie 31, Jack Andrew 70), 8 Tom Lawday (Tom Channon 78).

Replacement (not used):  Laurence May.

Yellow card:  Christian Judge (68).

Scorers:-  Hartpury RFC – tries: Coulson (9), Williams (61), Dyer (69); cons: Williams (62, 69).                                                                                                                  Cornish Pirates – tries: Koster (5), Moyle (25), Lawday (45, 57); cons: Cargill (26, 46, 58); pens: Cargill (18, 31, 79).

Referee:   Joy Neville (IRFU)                               Attendance:   732

TRIBUTE CORNWALL RFU KNOCK OUT CUP 1^ST ROUND

TRURO 23 – 51 ST. AUSTELL

Holders St. Austell got their cup defence off to a great start with a nine try win at Truro, reports Bill Hooper from St. Clements Hill.

Star of the show was Saints No.8 George Knowles who scored four of the tries, a performance that will have been noted by the county selectors at the game.

The Saints back row had an outstanding game apart from Knowles, Hector Bright bagged a couple of tries, whilst Andy Inch was a constant thorn at the breakdown.

Knowles started the try haul when he broke off a maul following a catch and drive to power over near the corner for an unconverted try.

To their credit Truro hit back soon after in kind when prop Darren Jacques took a line out ball five meters out and ran hard for the try-line.

Truro then got into a bit of bother down in the scoreboard corner whilst trying to play away from their own line. Having won the line out Bright came up with the ball after the St. Austell maul had powered over the try-line.

Craig Williams pulled three points back for Truro from a penalty shot soon after, but Knowles bagged his second try from another powerful catch and drive.

Then came the try of the game, a length of the field job after Truro had put in a good attack themselves when Matt Symons broke clear in mid-field, Saints got the ball back with Cav Boyer setting off support from George Tregilgas and Andy Ashwin put Bright away for his second try under the sticks with Liam Freeman adding the extras.

Although Williams pulled back three points with a penalty on half-time, Truro faced a mountain to climb trailing 11-27.

Ben Chenoweth scored an early try again bettered by Freeman to stretch St. Austell’s lead.

Truro pulled a converted try back when Luke Tidball went over following a strong run.

Back came the Saints with Knowles getting his fourth try before Tidball got his second try of the game for Truro.

Fittingly St. Austell had the final say with replacement Max Duggan and Freeman scoring tries to seal a fine win.

Truro: L Tidball, I Rowe, M Symons, A Suthridge, J Symons, C Williams, D Riches, D Jacques, L Webster, O Seagrove, R Denning, J Heazelton (Capt), D Head, B Teasdale, S Rhodes.

Replacements: L Rowe, S Teasdale, M Richards, E Tyler

Truro scores: Tries, Jacques, Tidball (2), Con, Williams, Pens, Williams (2)

St. Austell: L Freeman, C Boyer, S Johns, G Tregilgas, B Chenoweth, C Ashwin, A Ashwin; P Rowe, M Davey (Capt), M Martin, T Knight, A Kellow, A Inch, H Bright, G Knowles.

Replacements: H Noot, M Duggan, CJ Boyce, D Jane

St. Austell scores: Tries, Knowles (4), Bright (2), Chenoweth, Duggan, Freeman, Cons, Freeman (3)

Referee: Kevin Williams (CRRS)

In the other tie played yesterday Falmouth advanced to the next round defeating Bude 46-12.

Hayle and Wadebridge Camels had walkovers against Pirates Amateurs and Lanner.

The line up for the last eight is as follows; St. Austell, Falmouth, Wadebridge Camels, Hayle, Launceston, Penryn, Saltash and St. Ives.

Draw to be made by the CRFU with ties to be played Saturday December 23^rd.

BRIAN “STACK” STEVENS

Stack Stevens who passed away last Tuesday was one of the finest rugby players from the Duchy of Cornwall to have played the game.

He was an extremely strong and athletic player for a prop forward. He had the physique and features that seemed to have been chiselled form Cornwall’s granite. He played 83 times for Cornwall, 25 times for England and was called up to the British Lions squad in 1971 to replace Scot Sandy Carmichael who had been so badly done over in a provincial game that it had ended his tour.

Stack played a full part in that historic tour but sadly never made the Test side.

He was a great character, which endeared him to the Cornish. In many ways as a player he was ahead of his time such was his dedication to training in his own way. There was always a great buzz at Camborne or Redruth when Stack played for Cornwall.

Stack was first capped for England against South Africa in 1969 a game that saw England defeat the Springboks for the first time ever 11-8.

Photo: Stack on the end seated at Twickenham for England

His test career saw him become, at that time, the most capped Cornish man, surpassing fellow Pirate John Kendall Carpenter’s 23 caps.

The highlight of his International career must be apart from the win against South Africa at Twickenham the success on South African soil in 1972 when England won 18-9 in Johannesburg and then a year later, when England surprised New Zealand 16-10 in Auckland with Stack scoring one of England’s three tries that day. Video of try

Stack was comfortable with the ball in hand, if you look back at many of the England games of that period up to 1975 Stack was inevitably involved often providing the final scoring pass.

For Cornwall he had many great games and played in the 1969 County Final at Redruth when Cornwall lost 11-9 to Lancashire, having led 9-0 at half-time. He was part of a mighty front row unit alongside Redruth’s “Bonzo” Johns and Penryn hooker Roger Harris, and then alongside Redruth prop Terry Pryor and Camborne hooker John Trevorrow.

Photo Stack in the maul having a chat with Roger Corin

Stack captained Cornwall for two seasons from 1973-75, but sadly it wasn’t a golden period for the county side.

Very much a Penzance & Newlyn man, Stack had to play in London for a while at Harlequins to cement his England place, but his heart was always in Cornwall and he was in the Pirates’ side that famously won the Cornwall Knock Out cup in 1976 4-3 against Redruth in the final.

Photo: Cornwall side that played Lancashire 1969

Stack was also a Barbarian having played on the Easter Tour of Wales in 1970 and the Mobbs Memorial match in 1971.

After ending his playing days Stack became an England selector for a few seasons.

Photo: Cornwall side at Redruth

Trelawny’s Army sends it deepest condolences to Jane, John and Sam at this sad time.

Pale Nonu, Head Coach of Redruth interviewed by Redruth, press officer Bill Hooper during the National 2 South match between Redruth and Bury St Edmunds at the Recreation Ground on 7th October 2017, Redruth, Cornwall – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis

Cornish rugby weekly round up

By Bill Hooper

In National League 2 South, it proved to be another difficult afternoon for Redruth at home to Bury St. Edmunds. Reduth edged the win 12-9 to make it four wins from six games.

Conditions proved a great leveller, however the Reds did themselves not favours by falling foul of the referee a little too often.

In a close game it boiled down to the side that took it’s chances, Redruth did scoring two excellent tries through prop Loma Kivalu and flanker Chris Fuca with fly-half Nelly Webber adding a conversion.

Bury kept in it with two penalties from skipper Liam McBride in the first half. Replacement and former Launceston star Fraser Honey, in only his second appearance for his new club kicked the only points of the second half and crucially missed a second attempt that would have tied the scores.

Despite the closeness of the game head coach Pale Nonu was pleased Redruth took their chances and felt his side had defended well.

In the South West Premier league it was another tough trip on the road for Camborne as they slipped to defeat at Weston-super-Mare 32-19.

Town had the better of the first half going ahead with a Jake Champion try converted by Murray Westren but a converted try, and a penalty from the hosts saw them lead 10-7 at the break.

In the second half Weston pulled away to 27-7 but Camborne struck back with another converted try by Taron Peacock.

Despite conceding a further, the Cherry and Whites had the final say when Phil Hinchley bagged a third try. By all accounts Kieran Westlake No.8 had another fine game for Camborne.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Launceston made the short trip to Okehampton, although they lost 26-20 they picked up a losing bonus point. The Cornish All Blacks’ tries were scored by George Bone and Ryan Westren both bettered by Dan Pearce who also kicked a couple of penalties.

In London 1 South, another fine performance from London Cornish who came back from a 24-5 half-time deficit to beat Chobham 34-29 on their own patch.

Dave Funston scored the exiles only points during the first half that saw full back Dave Smith limp off with a hamstring injury.

Cornish made some changes during the break and the comeback was on when Mick Goss dotted down for Dan Phoneix to add the extras.

Toby Fletcher scored a third try to bring Chobham back to within a score. Andy Hill then bagged the bonus point with Phoneix again adding the extras to square the game.

Cornish then went ahead thanks to a penalty-try before Phoneix kicked a penalty to give them a ten point cushion with time running out.

Chobham scored a late consolation but it was London Cornish who took the spoils and move up to 5^th   in the table, their highest ever position in the leagues.

In Tribute Western Counties West, there was a mid Cornwall derby at St. Clements Hill when Truro entertained St. Austell.

St. Austell led 8-6 at half time thanks to a try from Hector Bright and a penalty from Cav Boyer to a couple of “Eggy” Williams’ penalties for Truro.

In the second half tries from George Tregilgas and Boyer, who also kicked both conversions and a penalty sealed the win.

Both sides do it all again this Saturday in the first round of the CRFU Cornwall Cup kick-off 2:30pm.

Wadebridge Camels battled to a 17-all draw at Burnham-on-Sea scoring tries from Matt Ballard and Ben Hawken with Danny Thomas adding both conversions and a penalty.

St. Ives picked up a fine win on the road defeating hitherto unbeaten Kingsbridge 14-11. Rhys Brownfield kicked three penalties with Cameron Bone getting the vital try two minutes from time.

A slow start cost Falmouth at Chard as the slipped to defeat 24-21. Trailing 14-0, the Eagles pulled a score back through Tim Gay converted by Irons who also kicked a penalty to leave Falmouth 17-10 down at the break.

Despite another Irons’ penalty Chard scored a third converted try. Irons again reduced the arrears with a third penalty.

Seb Firth crossed for a try to ensure a losing bonus point for Falmouth. Video of the game

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn move to the top following their 38-0 win at Hayle. Borough’s tries came from John Followell, AJ Stansfield, Grant Randlesome, Josh Goldsworthy and Andrew Seviour, all five were converted by scrum-half Tomas Oliver who also added a penalty.

Saltash are hot on the heels of Penryn following their 52-0 win at Torrington. Ashes scored seven tries shared around with Harrison Reburn and Kieran Down adding the conversions and Reburn a further penalty.

Lanner shocked table toppers Honiton 20-13, whilst Bude ran out winner 47-7 against Pirates Amateurs.

All the Tribute Cornwall League results are on the results page.

This Saturday, as already mentioned sees the 1^st round of the Tribute Cornwall RFU Knock Out Cup

Falmouth v Bude

Hayle v Pirates Amateurs

Lanner v Wadebridge Camels

Truro v St. Austell

The four 1^st round winners will join Launceston, Penryn, St. Ives and Saltash who all received byes in the last eight.