A win was the only objective for Camborne on Saturday and they got just that with 25-18 success against Ivybridge.

It’s been a tough few weeks at Crane Park and the Cherry and Whites mounting injury crises will not ease matters in the short term.

Having been in charge for a couple of league games Liam Chapple has had a chance to assess the situation. “I don’t think there is any need to panic. For a promoted club we are sitting in an enviable position. I’ve brought Rhodri McAtee and Timoci Kava in to bolster the squad and will be looking to bring in a few more. The players I hope to bring in will add to the quality we already have. Last week we lost three of our squad with injuries so it would be naive not to try and get some players in.

“I thought both Kava (lock) and McAtee (flanker) did well today, Rhodri was the first to put his hand up to help us out in that position, that’s testament to his commitment to this club. Both players are still getting used to our patterns and systems and that will come in the next couple of weeks.”

Camborne’s points came thanks to tries from James Goldsworthy, Rhys Brownfield and a forwards try that has been attributed to either Goldsworthy or Jon Drew, depending on the source, whilst Dave Mankee kicked a further ten points.

This Saturday Camborne travel to Launceston for what should prove to be a right ol’ battle with both sides needing the win for different reasons.

Elsewhere in National 3 SW, Launceston couldn’t back up there win last week at Ivybridge with a second success on the road at Salisbury where they lost 14-7. Ryan Westren scored their try converted by Fraser Honey.

The Cornish Pirates kept their hopes alive of a best runners-up spot in their British & Irish Cup pool with a 34-10 win against Ospreys at Maesteg.

Pirates’ tries came from the forwards with Brett Beukeboom (2), Tyler Gendall and Marlen Walker all crossing whilst the referee also awarded the visitors a penalty-try. Laurence May added a couple of conversions and a penalty with Craig Cargill also adding a conversion.

In National 2 South, Redruth followed up their fine win against Chinnor the previous week with a 28-14 win at Redingensians. Unsurprisingly Alex Ducker scored another couple of tries with Lewis Vinnicombe and Shaun Buzza also dotting down. Brett Rule kicked the other points. The only sour note being a red card for centre Pale Nonu early in the second half for an illegal tackle.

In Western Counties West, Truro turned on the style to defeat Tiverton 41-14. Tries came from Ben Teasdale (2), Ethan Tyler, Josh Symons, Luke Tidball, Ethan Pattison and Lewis Bowns. Ashley Hosking added three conversions.

Wadebridge Camels defeated St. Austell 22-13 in a hard-fought Cornish derby. Tom Rawlings, Dickie Dawe and Matt Ballard scored the Camels’ tries with Dan Thomas kicking the other points.

For the Saints, who had Adam Kellow sent off for a high tackle early in the second half, Liam Freeman scored all their points with a try, conversion and two penalties.

St. Ives lost a tight game 24-26 at home to Torquay Athletic.

Bude picked up a win 12-8 over Sidmouth at Bencoolen. James Comber scored both tries with Dan Pearce kicking a conversion.

In London 2 SW, having dropped their first points of the season last week in a draw, London Cornish got back to winning ways with a 33-13 win against Old Reigatian to open up a fifteen point gap at the top of the table.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, leaders Falmouth defeated second placed Paignton 34-0 at the Rec to go nine points clear at the top, with a game in-hand. The Eagles’ tries came from Dan Hubble, Tom Simmonds, Trevelyan Ward, Tom Spiller, Tom Edmonds and  John Baglow, whilst  Edmonds added a couple of conversions.

Penryn warmed up for the visit of Falmouth this Saturday with 27-5 win at Tavistock. Andrew Seviour, Grant Randlesome, Mitch Vague and James Salisbury scored the Borough’s tries with Vague adding two conversions and a penalty.

Saltash are back up to second following a 69-0 win at Moorlands against Argaum. Ryan Cruickshanks led the scoring with three of Ashes’ eleven tries.

Lanner won 27-6 at Bodmin and Pirates Amateurs defeated Tamar Saracens 10-7.

There was a surprise in Cornwall 1 when Liskeard-Looe defeated Hayle 8-3 at Lux Park. Chris Chew scored the East Cornwall Lions try.

Newquay Hornets are top following their 19-7 win against Helston. Roseland beat School of Mines 18-7 and Veor won at St. Agnes 16-8.

In Cornwall 2 Lankelly-Fowey are top after their 15-8 win against Redruth Albany. Stithians are second on points difference after beating Perranporth at home 22-14. St. Just inflicted a heavy defeat on a valiant Camelford 84-0.

This Sunday sees Cornwall Under 20s in action at Polson Bridge against Devon, kick –off 2 pm. This is a friendly game before Cornwall kick off the Championship proper against Berkshire at Camborne on Feb 5^th.

Ducker scored a great try against Chinnor

It was good to get back to rugby and see my first game for 2017, and what a game it was as Redruth defeated Chinnor 29-12 scoring four superb tries in a National League 2 South thriller.

The pick will be Alex Ducker’s sixty-metre run from his own twenty-two, a contender for try of the season.

The Reds first try wasn’t half bad either as Jack Oulton finished off a break by Lewis Vinnicombe. Shaun Buzza powered over for try number three with Joel Matavesi wrapping up the bonus point just after half-time.

It was a performance that pleased both Adrian Rutter and Nigel Hambly and was just the start absent head coach Marek Churcher would have hoped for to start 2017.

Liam Chapple faced with injury problems ahead of Ivybridge game

In National League 3 SW, Camborne suffered a heavy defeat at Hornets 45-6, who inaugurated their new artificial grass pitch. All Town had to show for their efforts were a couple of Dave Mankee penalties and an injury list to boot. Lock Ben Kemp has a broken arm, whilst Ben Drew filling in at flanker sustained a deep cut over an eye requiring stitches. It’s a situation that head coach Liam Chapple know’s only too well!

Launceston picked up an encouraging win at Ivybridge 23-16. Sam Snell scored their try with Fraser Honey kicking 18 points.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro won the mid-Cornwall derby at St. Austell thanks to an Ashley Hosking penalty at the death. Luke & Jack Tidball each scored tries for Truro with Hosking kicking the other points.

For the Saints Hector Bright and James Martin scored tries with Liam Freeman kicking their other points.

Wadebridge Camels lost 39-12 at Sidmouth, Dan Thomas and Matt Ballard scored tries for the Camels with Thomas kicking a conversion.

St. Ives lost 32-21 at Exeter University. Martyn Lawrence (2) and Ben Jenkin scored the Hakes tries with Jordan Gott adding a couple of penalties.

Bude faired no better at Torquay losing 41-10, Will Kingdom and Olly Denford with their tries.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish were held by KCS Old Boys 22 all, dropping their first points of the season. Despite the draw the Exiles have extended their advantage at the top to twelve points.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth maintained their top spot following a 34-10 win at Lanner.

Penryn scored a point a minute as they slaughtered poor old Tamar Saracens 80-0. Borough scored twelve tries with Grant Randlesome grabbing a hat-trick as did Colin Campbell! Matt Horton added ten conversions.

Good to see Jordan Rose back in action after injury.

Pirates Amateurs defeated Saltash 17-12 to dent Ashes’ promotion hopes. Ashley Weston, Jack Nicholas and Dan Magee scored the Ams tries with Magee kicking a conversion. Phil Eatwell and Adam Coutts crossed for Saltash with Kieran Down adding a conversion. Pirates Amateurs lost skipper Jamie Barrett with a broken leg which held the game up for over an hour, we wish him a speedy recovery.

Bodmin came a cropper at Honiton who ran out convincing winners 56-0.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, there were opening day wins for Hayle 58-0 at a depleted Camborne School of Mines, Newquay Hornets who won 29-10 at Roseland, St. Agnes who pipped Helston 12-10, whist Veir and Liskeard-Looe drew 18 all.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, Lankelly-Fowey won at Camelford 43-0, Illogan Park defeated St. Just 36-5 and Stithians won at Redruth Albany 28-8.

In the Duchy Cup semi-finals both Wadebridge Camels Reserves and St. Austell Reserves won through to the final. Camels defeated Saltash 27-17 and St. Austell beat Launceston 22-3.

In the Plate semi-finals both Camborne Reserves and Bodmin Reserves advanced to the final as neither opponents could raise a side!

Photo- Redruth’s Brad Howe receives the Tony Pill Memorial Cup as man-of-the-match

REDRUTH 54-7 CAMBORNE

Words By Bill Hooper, Photos Phil Trevarton

Redruth comfortably retained the Rodda’s Milk Cup against old rivals Camborne in front of a large crowd on a sunny Boxing Day afternoon.

It’s been a difficult ten days for the Cherry and Whites and any chance of Redruth offering some seasonal goodwill to their near neighbours were soon dispelled with a powerful display of running rugby that ran Town off their legs.

Prior to the kick-off there was a minute’s silence in memory of John Bishop a stalwart of Redruth both as a player and administrator who passed away recently.

From the kick-off Redruth played at a far higher tempo than Camborne could cope with and it was no surprise that they went ahead through a try from flanker Mark Grubb who took centre Pale Nonu’s inside pass to score under the posts.

Former Mount’s Bay player Everard Reid, who has been playing with Launceston until recently, guested for the Reds at No.8.

Full-back Brett Rule added the conversion, the first of his six successful kicks in a personal haul of seventeen points.

Nonu was again prominent in the build up to Redruth’s second try scored by Rule moments later.

Both Redruth locks Brad Howe and Luke Hattam had influential games, with Howe being awarded the prestigious Tony Pill Cup as Trelawny’s Army man-of-the-match for a huge eighty minute performance.

The mercurial wing Alex Ducker set up the third try against one of his former clubs with a dazzling run before hooker Ben Priddey slipped a scoring pass to skipper Chris Fuca.

There was a brief fracas between some players which all ended amicably. Camborne fly-half Rhys Brownfield was just short of the line with Town’s best chance of the half.

Redruth spurned numerous chances before scoring a fourth try before the break through centre Joel Matavesi and a 26-0 half-time score-line.

Both sides made changes at half-time but it was business as usual for the Reds as Ducker ran down a kick through for try number five.

Huge credit to Camborne replacement Nick Wellstead who put in a double shift having played in the morning for the Reserves against the Reds in a game Redruth won 31-17.

Replacement wing Dean Bonds scored a remarkable try in Hell fire corner which involved some mid-air acrobatics.

Fuca and Matavesi then completed their brace of tries with the Redruth centre adding the conversion to his own score from wide out.

Photo- All friends after the final whistle

The Camborne faithful had already begun to depart but those that remained where rewarded as Camborne got on to the score sheet thanks to a try from replacement wing Matt Blee with Brownfield adding the extras.

Redruth’s head coach Marek Churcher was pleased with his squad’s performance. “It was good to get a run out for the squad before the New Year program and the game against Chinnor, the boys looked sharp and showed their class. Delighted also that no one appears to have picked up any knocks.”

In the Camborne camp there was disappointment at the score-line but after the problems the club have suffered the players were just glad to get back playing. “We were just happy to play today”, said club captain Richie Kevern after the game. “Our focus is on our next league game at Hornets, we had a few players missing today but they will be back, whilst we have signed Rhodri McAtee who will bring a lot of experience to the side during the second half of the season.”

Redruth: B Rule, M Bowden, J Matavesi, P Nonu, A Ducker, A Taylor, J Oulton; T Phillips, B Priddey, J Tompsett, B Howe, L Hattam, C Fuca (capt), M Grubb, E Reid.

Replacements (all used): A Wright, R Brown, T Prisk, B Fox, D Matthews, D Bonds, L Vinnicombe

Redruth scores: Tries, Grubb, Rule, Fuca (2), Matavesi (2), Ducker, Bonds, Conversions, Rule (6), Matavesi

Camborne: M Westren, B Drew, J Simmons, J Semmens, R McAtee, R Brownfield, R Kevern (capt); A Zacharovas, S Bartle, J Drew, D Cook, M Hearn, J Goldsworthy, C Sayer, M Woolcock

Replacements (all used): N Wolstead, S Macdonald, M Blee

Camborne scores: Try, Blee, Conversion, Brownfield

Referee: Zerran Bell (Devon RRS)

Crowd 1500

TASC Tony Pill Cup man-of-the-match: Brad Howe (Redruth) Having won the award last year Howe retained the cup with a strong all round performance.

Bill Hooper presents Locryn Williams with the Tony Mead Memorial Shield as TASC U.20 POY for 2016 at half-time at Redruth on Boxing Day.

Only one place to start this week and that’s in Camborne, where it has been an eventful 48 hours for all the wrong reasons.

I could sense all was not well when arriving at the ground on Saturday and this was soon confirmed when told Ian Morgan was not at the game.

You could also tell from the player’s body language that all was not as it should be and that was soon re-enforced when the game kicked off.

Camborne lost the game 6-12 and with it top spot in the National 3 SW table slipping to third but level on points with victors Dings Crusaders and Old Redcliffians all on 54 points. Camborne are third as they have lost more games.

Credit to Dave Mankee and Richie Kevern for fronting up to talk with the media after the game, in their positions it was not easy and they must be commended.

Later on we learned that Ian Morgan had been dismissed by the club and that club Chairman Alan Truscott, having earlier stated he would relinquish his role at the end of the season, decided to step down with immediate effect. Hon Sec Terry Williams has also decided step down.

Both Alan and Terry have given Camborne excellent service over a great many years and I am sorry to see them relinquish their roles.

I suspect there may be further news in the coming days but I do hope the ship can be steadied sooner rather than later at Camborne.

Whilst on the subject of Nat 3 SW, Launceston’s woes deepened as they lost at home to Hornets 16-36. Fraser Honey kicked three penalties and a conversion with Harry Dawe scoring their sole try.

In National 2 South, Redruth completed a league double with a 46-15 win at Barnstaple. The Reds notched seven tries with Alex Ducker bagging four. Tommy Phillips, Ben Fox and Luke Hattam crossed for the other scores with Brett Rule (2) and Angus Taylor kicking the conversions.

On Sunday in the B&I Cup, Cornish Pirates lost narrowly to visiting London Irish 16-17. Matt Evans and Tom Channon scored their tries with Will Cargill converting three penalties. Evans went off with a nasty looking leg injury in the second half.

It was frustrating for the Pirates as Irish have a firm grip on the pool leaving the Cornish side hoping for a best runners-up spot.

It was a better day for most of our Cornish sides in Tribute Western Counties West, Truro defeated Sidmouth 38-20 to put an end to three successive defeats. Tries came through Josh Symons (2), Luke Tidball, Ross Denning, Jack Hazelton and a penalty-try award when Tidball was illegally held back with the line at his mercy. Ashley Hosking chipped in with four conversions.

Wadebridge Camels defeated Torquay Athletic 28-3. Dom Hawkey, Matt Ballard and Will Pengelly (2) got the tries with James Grubb kicking the other points.

St Ives slipped to defeat against top dogs Devonport Services at Alexandra Road 19-14. Sam Carter scored the Hakes’ try with Jordan Gott kicking three penalties.

St Austell got a good win on the road at Burnham 17-12. Tries came from Andy Inch and Liam Freeman who added both conversions and a penalty.

Despite tries from Ollie Mounce, Charlie Watton and Ollie Denford plus a Dan Pearce conversion Bude slipped to defeat at home to Exeter Uni 41-17.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish made it a dozen league wins following a 31-0 win at home to Warlingham.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League continue to lead the way after their 44-17 win against relegation haunted Honiton. The Eagles scored seven tries through Tom Edmonds (2), Tom Job, Justyn Irons, Dan Hubble, Tom Spiller and Nick Caine with Irons kicking three conversions and a penalty.

Saltash defeated Penryn 28-12 at Moorlands. Will Morton scored three of the Ashes’ five tries with James Moriarty and Ryan Cruickshanks also crossing with Harrison Reburn adding a penalty. Borough’s injury woes continue as try scoring hero from last week Ben Trevaskis suffered concussion and is ruled out for the season whilst prop Ryan Burley suffered a fractured tibia. Skipper George Jones and Andrew Seviour scored the Borough’s tries with Mitch Vague adding a conversion.

Bodmin picked up a couple of league points despite losing at home to Topsham 36-32. Lee Taylor scored a hat-trick of tries with Armstrong and Josh Taylor also scoring. Taylor also added two conversions and a penalty.

Pirates Amateurs slipped to a 24-22 defeat at Plymstock. Steve Evans Jimmy Tresize and Tony Matthews all crossed whilst Dan McGee kicked their points.

Lanner picked up a losing point at Tavistock as they went down 25-24. Stone, Will Webster and Hewitt scored their tries all converted by Nick Prout who also landed a penalty.

It just leaves me to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas, or as we say in Cornish Nadelik Lowen.

Having surprisingly lost at home the previous week to bottom side Richmond in the Championship, the Pirates turned their attention to British & Irish Cup action against London Irish on Sunday.

With a rotated squad the Pirates slipped to a 33-24 defeat leaving the exiles in control of their pool prior to next Sunday’s return fixture at the Mennaye.

Jack Arnott (2) and Will Cargill scored the Pirates’ tries with Cargill converting all three plus a penalty kick.

The Championship focus this week has been about the demise of London Welsh and the fragile state of professional rugby below the Premiership, a sad state of affairs.

In National League 2, Redruth didn’t get much joy on the road losing at London Irish Wild Geese 29-21. That result sees them still fifth but level on points with Canterbury who are sixth.

Alex Ducker (2) and Matt Gidlow scored the Reds’ tries with Angus Taylor converting all three.

In National 3 SW, Camborne extended their advantage at the top of the league with a 24-5 win at Lydney.

The Cherry & Whites’ tries came from Ben Kemp, Josh Semmens and Ben Drew with Rhys Brownfield converting all three scores as well as a penalty.

With Old Redcliffians losing at Bournemouth 29-23, Dings Crusaders are now Town’s nearest challengers and they travel to the Rec this Saturday!

Launceston lost heavily at Cleve 38-0 following last week’s loss to Lydney they now find themselves 9 points adrift of safety in the relegation zone. It will be another long season at Polson sadly!

In the Tribute Western Counties West all our sides lost losing ground on the top three. Truro’s bad patch continues as they lost 25-13 at Exeter Uni. Alex Sutheridge scored their try converted by Ashley Hosking who also kicked a couple of penalties.

Wadebridge Camels lost at leaders Devonport Services 25-10. Mike Rawlings scored their try converted by James Grubb who also added a penalty.

St. Ives got a losing bonus point in their 17-13 defeat at Crediton. Ben Taylor scored a try converted by Jordan Gott who also kicked a couple of penalties.

St. Austell also bagged a losing bonus point from their defeat at bottom side Wellington 22-18.

Hector Bright and Liam Freeman scored the Saint’s tries with Freeman kicking two penalties and a conversion.

Bude went down at Cullompton 23-0.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish reached the mid-point of their league season nine points clear having won all their games, their latest a 28-15 win at London Exiles.

Cornish scored three tries in the final quarter to make sure of a bonus point win with their final try scored by Matt Hakes.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth continues to set the pace at the top winning 23-16 at Bodmin. The home side gave the Eagles a stern test with Falmouth only sealing the win in the final moments.

Penryn continued their comeback with a fine 34-0 win in appalling conditions at the Memorial Ground. Ben Trevaskis scored a hat-trick of tries with Andrew Seviour and Matt Horton also crossing. Horton kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Lanner continue to put distance between themselves and the drop zone following a 24-22 win against Saltash. Bevin Stone (3) and Jack Kessell scored the Falcons’ tries with Nick Prout adding a couple of conversions.

Pirates Amateurs lost 29-5 at Withycombe, Kevin Stevens with their only try.

The Tribute Cornwall League has completed it’s first phase before Christmas. The top eight sides will play each other in Cornwall 1, whilst the bottom seven will compete in Cornwall 2 in the New Year.

Helston secured their place in Cornwall 1 defeating challengers Perranporth 29-5.

Cornwall 1 will comprise of, Hayle, Liskeard-Looe, St. Agnes, Newquay Hornets, Camborne School of Mines, Helston, Veor and Roseland.

Cornwall 2, Perranporth, Stithians, Lankelly-Fowey, St. Just, Illogan Park, Camelford and Redruth Albany.

On Sunday the Cornish Pirates travelled to Doncaster Knights, last season’s beaten play-off finalist’s, and came away from Castle Park with an emphatic 35-26 win.

It put an end to a losing Championship run of five games and showed that this squad can compete with the best in the Championship.

Laurence May kicked six penalties and a conversion with tries scored by Toby May, skipper Chris Morgan – what a burst down the touchline – and man-of-the-match Tom Duncan.

It sets the Pirates up for this Sunday’s home game against Richmond, with hopefully another good sized crowd in attendance.

On Saturday there was high drama at Worthing as Angus Taylor successfully kicked a re-taken conversion with the last kick of the game to give the Reds a 29-27 win in Sussex.

Alex Ducker, Lewis Vinnicombe, Nielson Webber, Tommy Phillips and Jess Tompsett all scored tries for Redruth with Taylor landing two conversions.

The win keeps the Reds fourth in the table level on points with Taunton who will rock up at the Rec this Saturday for Redruth’s final home game before Christmas.

In National 3 SW, Camborne ended up on the wrong end of a 29-27 score-line as they lost at Bracknell at the death. Town’s fortune wasn’t helped by couple of yellow cards and then a red!

Murray Westren (2), Sam  Matavesi and Josh Semmens scored the Cherry and Whites’ tries with David Mankee kicking a penalty and conversion and Rhys Brownfield a further conversion.

Launceston gave a better account up at Brixham but lost 17-10, tries from Harry Dawe and Sam Snell allowed them to travel home with a point.

In Tribute Western Counties West, leaders Truro came a cropper big time at Cullompton 47-12.

Darren Jacques scored both tries with Ashley Hosking kicking a conversion.  That loss sees Truro slip to fourth.

Wadebridge Camels also lost up in Devon going down 29-13 at Crediton.  Jack Scott with their only try converted by Dan Thomas who also landed a couple of penalties.

Score of the day goes to St. Ives who racked up 92 points against Bude without reply. Pete Mabbutt scored four and Tom Chandler three of the Hakes’ fourteen tries, Jordan Gott converted eleven scores.

St. Austell lost at Torquay Athletic 30-20. George Knowles scored two tries with Liam Freeman converting both as well as two penalties.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish made it ten wins on the trot with another impressive score-line this time 31-6 against visiting Winchester. The exiles scored tries through Tom Jeffery (2), David Smith and Tom Lloyd with Paddy Dean kicking three penalties and a conversion.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth remain top after their 82-0 win at home to Tavistock. David Jones scored three tries in the Eagles fourteen try haul.

Saltash won 65-17 at Topsham  scoring ten tries through Will Morton (2), Ryan Cruickshanks (2), Ryan Rayner (2) , Phil Eatwell, Dom Mulberry, Will Moriarty and Lewis Wells.

Pirates Amateurs lost 29-13 at fast improving Paignton Jack Nicholas and Rhodri McAtee with their tries.

Lanner defeated Plymouth Argaum at St. Day 31-6. Adam Harris (2), Alan Rule, Jack Kessell and Will Webster all scored tries for the Falcons with Harris adding three conversions.

Bodmin defeated Tamar Saracens 60-0. Josh Taylor scored two of Bodmin’s eight tries and kicled a penalty and six conversions for personal tally of 25 points.

Penryn forfeited their game to Withycombe and have now slipped down the table.

In Tribute Cornwall League, Hayle came out on top in the top-of-the-table clash at Lux Park defeating Liskeard-Looe 29-10.

Newquay Hornets won the surfers derby at Perranporth 40-5. See the results page for all the Cornwall League results.

The Duchy Cup semi-final draw is as follows;

Saltash 2nds v Wadebridge Camels 2nds

St. Austell 2nds v Launceston 2nds

The Duchy Plate semi-final draw is as follows;

Camborne 2nds v Falmouth 2nds

Bodmin 2nds v Bude 2nds

Ties in both competitions to be played on Saturday 7^th January 2017.

The Cornish Pirates played a home game on Saturday when they entertained Championship leaders London Irish at the Mennaye.

Despite a crowd of 2,043 packed in at the Mennaye the Pirates couldn’t deny Irish as the exiles continue their march back towards the Premiership following their 35-24 win.

Alex Day and Sam Simmonds (2) scored tries for the Pirates all three were converted by Will Cargill and Laurence May (2), Cargill also landed a penalty. The game also marked skipper Chris Morgan’s 200^th appearance for the club.

Former Pirate and Scottish International Blair Cowan made a return to the Mennaye despite not playing to catch up with old friends.

In National League 2 South, Redruth saw a smaller than usual gate 620, for the visit of Bishop’s Stortford. Those present saw a fine forward orientated game with the Reds winning 24-13.

All the Red’s tries came from catch-and-drives with Kyle Marriott, BJ Chapman and Pale Nonu crossing. Angus Taylor converted all three scores as well as penalty.

There were quite a few members of Trelawny’s Army at the game with presentations of TASC clocks made to both clubs at half-time in recognition of their support for the County Championship.

In National 3 SW, Camborne, after a week’s break, got back to winning ways 13-11 against visitors Bournemouth.

Roko Kurusasa  scored Town’s only try, converted by Dave Mankee who also added a couple of penalties.

Launceston lost at home to Bracknell 19-6, Fraser Honey with a couple of penalties for the All Blacks.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro are back on top of the table after defeating Crediton 13-12 at St. Clements Hill, thanks to a Jake Champion penalty.

Truro led 10-0 at half-time thanks to a Jack Tidball try converted by Champion who also kicked a penalty. Crediton came back to lead 12-10 before Champion’s kick won the game.

St. Austell defeated previous leaders Exeter Uni 22-7 at Tregorrick Park. Max Duggan (2), Hector Bright and Andy Ashwin scored the Saints’ tries with Ashwin landing a conversion.

Bude did themselves a power of good with a 15-10 home win against Wellington. Olly Mounce scored both tries with Dan Pearce kicking a conversion and a penalty.

St. Ives won at Wadebridge Camels 22-18. Martyn Lawrence, Tom Nicholas and Paul Thirlby scored tries for the Hakes with Jordan Gott kicking the other points.

For the Camels, Adam Blackmore and Mike Rawlings scored tries with Danny Thomas kicking the rest of the points.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish remain unbeaten notching up win number nine 67-18 against Old Tonbridgians scoring ten tries in the process.

The exiles have made no bones that promotion to London 1 South is the goal this season having come un-stuck in the play-offs for the last two seasons.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth remain top despite their game at Tamar Saracens being called off due to a water-logged pitch.

Saltash are up to second following their 23-7 win against Bodmin. Shaun Crawford (2), Ryan Rayner and Phil Eatwell scored the tries to give the Ashes a bonus point win with Harrison Reburn kicking a penalty. For Bodmin Mark Trevarthen scored a try converted by Josh Taylor.

Penryn have slipped to fifth spot following their home defeat at the hands of Paignton 36-14.

Matt Williams scored a couple of tries for the Borough both converted by Matt Horton.

Prior to the game, family and friends of the late Roger Harris gathered at the memorial bench in his honour situated just outside the Learning centre. The bench was blessed by the club Chaplin, and former teammate Ken Plummer spoke of Roger’s career as a player in front of the club’s Under 14s who were also present.

Pirates Amateurs beat Lanner 19-3 in a game played on the Mennaye following the Pirates clash with London Irish.

Ashley Weston, Ryan Stanley and Jamie Barrett scored tries with Dan Mcgee adding a couple of conversions.

In the Tribute Cornwall League, Hayle maintained their unbeaten run with a 38-5 win at home to St. Agnes.

See the Cornish rugby fixtures/results page for all the other results.

Josh Matavesi played for Fiji against England on Saturday. England ran out winners  58-15.

Penryn Under U.13 & U.14s were at Twickenham and provided the guard of honour as both sides ran on to the pitch.

On Sunday Cornwall girl’s U.18s lost to their Devon counterparts 54-0 at Wessex RFC allowing Devon girls to retain the U.18 Tamar Cup. Despite the score-line the Cornish girls gave a good account of themselves and will have learned much going forward.

The draw for Semi-finals of the Tribute Cornwall Cup;

St. Austell v Falmouth

Wadebridge Camels v Truro

Both semi-finals to be played on Saturday 18^th March 2017.

The date of this season’s senior men’s Tamar Cup is Monday 10^th April at Tiverton RFC kick-off 7:30 pm.

Not much rugby locally this past weekend as we had to endure another “catch up weekend” in the league program.

The focus of attention for most was the England v South Africa test at Twickenham.

With the Cornish Pirates resting before Saturday’s big game at the Mennaye against London Irish, it was left to Redruth to take centre stage as there was a full program of games in National League 2 South.

After suffering consecutive defeats the Reds got back to winning ways with a 28-20 win at Clifton. Tries game via Alex Ducker (2), Matt Gidlow and Shane Buzza, all bettered by Angus Taylor.

Brad Howe, Joel Matavesi and Luke Chapman all came off the bench to make an impact.

Canterbury showed that their win last week at Redruth was no fluke as they turned over unbeaten Chinnor 16-12. Reds take on Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday at the Rec.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League Bodmin won at Withycombe 31-10. Lee Taylor (2), Sam Lebburn, Mark Trevarthan and Andy Coad scored the tries with Josh Taylor nudging over three conversions. The win puts Bodmin 6^th in the table.

In the Tribute Cornwall League the top sides are battling to stay in the top eight as the league splits after Christmas reverting to Cornwall 1 & 2.

Hayle, Liskeard-Looe, School of Mines, Newquay Hornets and St. Agnes look like taking five of those slots with Roseland, Perranporth, Helston, Veor and Illogan Park battling for the remaining three places.

The Tribute Cornwall Cup quarter-final ties took place last Saturday. Falmouth had a walkover against last season’s finalists Penryn who couldn’t field a side.

They are joined by Truro, who overcame St. Ives in a tight game 17-9. Truro led 9-6 at the break thanks to three Jake Champion penalties against two from Jordan Gott for the Hakes. Truro lost scrum half Daryl Riches to a red card for a stamp.

Despite St. Ives levelling with a third Gott penalty they couldn’t find a way through the tight Truro defence. Champion got a fourth penalty for Truro and then the home side made it safe when Luke Trescothick was driven over for the only try near the end.

St. Austell had a comfortable win 49-0 over Bude and Wadebridge Camels were given a stern test at Saltash before winning 32-29.

The draw for the semi-finals is due to be made on Sunday at the Cornwall Clubs Conference.

County fixtures update;

BILL BEAUMONT CUP 2017

Saturday May 6th SURREY V. CORNWALL @ Richmond RFC

Saturday May 13th DEVON V. CORNWALL @ Ivybridge RFC

Saturday May 20th CORNWALL V. HERTFORDSHIRE @ Camborne RFC

Sunday May 28th FINAL at Twickenham

TAMAR CUP

DEVON V CORNWALL @ Tiverton RFC ko 7:30 pm (Date tbc)

Not the best weekend for some of our high-flying Cornish sides who were brought back down to earth with a bump!

In the RFU Championship Cornish Pirates were in the air for their trip to Jersey and just like last week up at Rotherham lost to a late score for the hosts.

Trailing 24-3 at one stage they clawed their way back to parity thanks to tries from Tyler Gendall, Sam Simmonds and Kyle Moyle all converted by Will Cargill who also kicked a first half penalty.

It was Sam Katz’s last-gasp penalty that took the win for the Reds. Pirates now have a week off before hosting London Irish at the Mennaye on Saturday 19^th November in a 1pm kick-off.

Redruth surrendered their unbeaten home record this season in National League 2 going down 34-26 to Canterbury. It was the Kent side’s first win at the Rec.

Redruth got off to the worst possible start conceding three converted tries in the opening ten minutes.

They fought back with tries from Shaun Buzza and Lewis Vinnicombe to trail 21-12 at the break.

Despite Canterbury extending their lead with a penalty early in the second half back came the Reds with two further tries scored by the impressive Buzza and with new scrum-half Angus Taylor having slotted three conversions a 26-24 lead!

With the clock ticking down and the Reds attacking a loose pass was snaffled by the Canterbury wing who flew in for the killer blow. Then a final try for the visitors put the icing on the cake.

In National League 3 SW, Camborne’s fine unbeaten run came to an end at Old Redcliffians 32-27.

This game also went to the wire with Old Reds securing their win with the final play.

Having gone 19-0 down, Town hit back thanks to a couple of Dave Mankee penalties and a try from Jack Simmons converted by Mankee to leave it at 19-13 at the turn.

Two further tries for the Cherry and Whites from Tommy-Lee Southworth and Joel Matavesi again both bettered by Mankee gave Camborne a 27-19 lead. A late surge from the home side sealed the win.

Launceston fared no better at Bournemouth going down 27-6, Fraser Honey kicked a couple of penalties for the Cornish All Blacks.

The regional league fixtures were peppered with Cornish derbies galore. In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Ives caused a surprise with a bonus point win at Alexandra Road against leaders Truro.

The 35-13 score-line will have delighted player-coach Paul Thirlby, who pulled one over his old mates the Truro coaching duo of Mark Richards and Darren Jacques.

Archie McKay (2), Steve Kenward, Lewis Thomas and Tommy Nicholas all scored tries for the Hakes with Jordan Gott kicking the rest of the points. For Truro Darren Jacques scored a try converted by Jake Champion who also added a couple of penalties.

Both sides meet again this Saturday in the Cornwall Cup, but this time at St. Clements Hill.

Wadebridge Camels came out on top in the North Cornwall derby 22-21 at Bude. Adam Blackmore, Matt Ballard and Ian Boyling scored the Camels’ tries with Danny Thomas adding a couple of conversions and a penalty.

For Bude, Olly Mounce, Dan Pearce and Ed Hillman-Cooke scored tries all converted by Pearce.

St. Austell went down to defeat at Devonport Services 33-9 scoring three penalties from Andy Ashwin.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish remain unbeaten following their 50-20 win at home to Effingham & Leatherhead.

The exiles ran in seven tries through David Smith (2), Miles Rushworth, Matt Hakes (2), Richard Stephens and Mark Osei-Tutu. George Kimmins kicked six conversions and a penalty.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, having lost the previous week leaders Falmouth got back to winning ways with a 27-15 win at the Recreation Ground against Saltash.

David Jones, Mark Lee, Tom Spiller and Tom Edmonds scored tries for the Eagles with Justyn Irons kicking a penalty and a couple of conversions.

For the Ashes, Ryan Cruickshanks and Shawn Crawford scored tries with Hocking kicking a conversion and penalty.

Penryn slipped to a surprising defeat at the hands of Lanner 24-22 on the St. Day ground.  Adam Harris Nick Prout, Devidas Mecionis and Olly Reynolds scored the Falcons’ tries with Prout adding a couple of conversions.

Borough replied with tries from Andy Seviour, Jordan Rose and a penalty-try with Matt Horton kicking a couple of conversions and a penalty.

Probably the finest win yet in the re-formed club’s short history.

Pirates Amateurs won at bottom side Honiton 26-15 Connor Bick, Jack Nicholas, Charley Goldsworthy and Tony Matthews all scored tries with Dan Magee adding three conversions.

Bodmin went down at home to visitors Plymstock 23-19. Lee Taylor, Will Briggs and a penalty try with a couple of Josh Taylor conversions made up the Bodmin total.

In the Tribute Cornwall League, Hayle maintained their unbeaten start with a 29-5win at Helston, whilst second placed Liskeard-Looe won 50-18 at Lankelly-Fowey. All the results are in the Cornwall results page.

This Saturday Western Counties West league leaders Truro travel to St. Ives for what will no doubt be a keenly contested local derby, writes Bill Hooper.

Truro travel with confidence having defeated Bude 70-21 last Saturday at St. Clements Hill scoring ten tries, to maintain their promotion push at the top of the table.

Local derbies can be a banana skin as Truro found out when they suffered their only loss this season at home to St. Austell with discipline needing to be even higher on the field.

Both clubs are coached by players who were once teammates at Redruth with Hakes coach Paul Thirlby looking to plot the down fall of his old pals Darren Jacques and Mark Richards who jointly coach at Truro.

After a poor start to the season St. Ives have picked up a couple of notable wins in recent weeks against St. Austell and Tiverton and were unlucky to lose last Saturday 26-22 up at Burnham.

Jordan Gott has been kicking the goals for St. Ives and his tussle with Truro’s Ashley Hosking at fly-half who bagged ten conversions against Bude will be one of the highlights.

Hakes player coach Paul Thirlby is looking forward to the game. He said. “This week we are going to have to be at the top of our game. MR and Jacquesy have worked very hard over the past couple of years and are a couple of years in to a process and they are now reaping the benefits of their hard work which is great to see and fair play to them they have a strong squad and have recruited very well in the time they have been there together. Players are going there because of the reputation of both MR and Jacquesy and the high regard in which they are held throughout the county.

Photo: Paul Thirlby will; be looking to stop Truro’s run

After the game when all is dried and dusted on the pitch Thirlby is looking forward to a few drinks with his old teammates. “It will be great to catch up with them before the game and I’m sure during the game a few looks and words will be crossed but at the end we will all sit down have a beer together and have a good catch up and some reminiscing I’m sure. I wish them the best of luck for this week and the rest of the season but Derby games are always a leveller and you never know what can happen, all we can do is go out there as the under dogs with them being at the top of the pile and their form going into the game, and perform. We know if we perform at the best of our ability then we can compete at this level and it will be a great gauge for us as a club to see where we are in regards to the league and the progress we have made.”

Truro have certainly made the sort of start to the season that both Jacques and Richards would have hoped for and Richards is looking forward to catching up with Thirlby. “Its always good to see your old mates and Saturday will be no different. We shall look to plot each other ‘s downfall for eighty minutes and then put the world to rights after that in the bar!

Photo: Truro’s joint head coach Mark Richards

“Paul has done a great job at St. Ives getting them back up last season and looking to play a good brand of rugby.

“We know the form book goes out the window in derby game and this game will be no different. We both know each other’s games inside out as does Jacqusey so maybe we might have an advantage there! We shall be travelling in good spirits eager to keep our good form going.We might have scored a lot of points last week but that counts for nothing on Saturday, we start again from scratch.”

Kick-off for the game at Alexandra Road is 2:30 pm with both sides looking for good crowd support at the game.