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.

CAMBORNE 57 – 17 NEWTON ABBOT

Camborne made it eight win in a row with a nine try demolition of mid-table side Newton Abbot with flanker Sam Matavesi scoring a hat-trick of tries as his departing gift before starting ten weeks basic training with the Royal Navy, reports Bill Hooper from the Recreation Ground.

Newton Abbot, with the stiff breeze at their backs, began the game brightly with scrum-half Luke Kenny putting in some darting runs.

However, Camborne, against the run of play, got the first score when centre Jack Simmons broke a tackle to slip a scoring pass to full-back Richie Kevern cross near the posts.

Photo by Simon Bryant- Morgan happy with another big win by his side

Scrum-half Dave Mankee landed the first of his six successful conversions.

Simmons was soon at it again as his lovely break resulted in a try and suddenly Camborne led 14-0.

The Cherry and Whites still spent long periods defending hard and lost lock Damien Cook to a yellow card. Newton Abbot took advantage to score an unconverted try in the scoreboard corner off a five metre scrum through their winger Callum Gill.

Further good play from Camborne saw fly-half Rhys Brownfield score a third try before the break for a 19-5 advantage.

Town lost winger Ben Drew to the bin early in the second half as he was deemed to have dropped his opponent in a tackle.

Lock Ben Kemp wrapped up the bonus point with the Cherry and White’s fourth try from a powerful maul.

The visitors scored their second try of the game when prop Tom White scored from a determined Devon All Whites drive with fly-half Rob Avery-Wright adding the extras.

Tries then began to flow, Matavesi ran in from a good twenty meters to score his first of the game before fellow flanker Jimmy Goldsworthy was driven over from a catch-and-drive.

Winger Josh Semmens bagged try number seven for Town before flanker Rob Snowden scored a third try for the visitors.

Matavesi then completed the scoring with two further tries to crown a man-of-the-match performance.

Camborne: R Kevern, B Drew, J Simmons, J Matavesi, J Semmens, R Brownfield, D Mankee; M Hearn, S Bartle, J Drew, D Cook, B Kemp, J Goldsworthy, S Matavesi (capt), B Howe.

Replacements (all used): T-L Southworth, D Roberts, C Bone

Camborne scores: Tries, Kevern, Simmons, Brownfield, Kemp S Matavesi (3), Goldsworthy, Semmens, Conversions, Mankee (6)

Yellow Cards: Cook (30), B Drew (43)

Newton Abbot: J Bond, C Gill, A Lang, J Monnington, R Hughes, R Avery-Wright, L Kenny; T White, C Dore, A Gale, C Stewart, S Sheriff, I Milton, R Snowden, M Browne.

Replacements (all used): M Dowrick, L Mingo, A Smith

Newton Abbot scores: Tries, Gill, White, Snowden, Conversion, Avery-Wright

Referee: Ian Kiy (Dorset & Wilts RRS)

Crowd: 740

Camborne-man-of-the-match: Sam Matavesi, another superb performance from the flanker tremendous work especially at the breakdown devastating pace to score his tries.

Photo: Alan Paver – it was an OK performance from his side on Sunday

Back to a full league program last weekend plus of course the second round of pool games in the British & Irish Cup.

On Sunday the Pirates made it two Cup wins with an impressive 41-5 win against an Ospreys Select.

Tom Duncan and Alex O’Meara both scored a couple of tries with Alex Cheesman and Marlen Walker crossing as well. Laurence May kept his excellent kicking stats going with four conversions and a penalty.

It was an “OK performance” according Alan Paver as the Pirates turn attention to the Championship program with a trip this Saturday to Rotherham Titans.

On Saturday Redruth put in an outstanding second forty to blow away Cinderford 54-11. Jack Oulton, Shaun Buzza, Chris Fuca, Ashley Lawton, Alex Ducker (3), Matt Gidlow and Sam Stevens all scored tries with Brett Rule adding three conversions and a penalty.

Reds are on the road this week at Old Elthamians, who along with Chinnor, have won all eight of their games thus far.

In National 3 South West, a much changed Camborne were made to battle to 23-19 win against bottom side Bromsgrove in the Midlands, they lost winger Tu Roko to a red card and then had another player yellow carded late on. Sam Matavesi scored two tries both converted by Dave Mankee who also kicked three penalties.

Saturday Camborne entertain Newton Abbot in what will be a keenly fought cross Tamar clash with the Devon All Whites.

Launceston came off second best at Newton Abbot losing 30-9. Fraser Honey kicked their points.

In Western Counties West, Truro stay top thanks to a narrow 17-18 win at Wadebridge Camels. Ieuan Boon and Ashley Hosking scored tries for the City boys with Hosking also adding  a conversion and drop-goal for 15-0 lead. Back came the Camels with Dom Hawkey and Jack Scott scoring tries both converted by James Grubb who also kicked a penalty for a 17-15 lead at half-time for the Camels.

Hosking added another penalty for Truro in what proved to be the sole score of the half as Truro held out the Camels.

St. Ives had a very good win at home 40-17 against Tiverton. Jamie Prisk (2), Richard Skeggs (2), Liam Jolly and Jordan Gott scored tries with Gott adding five conversions.

Bude won for the second time this season defeating Burnham 22-20. Dan Pearce converted two penalty tries and a penalty with Adam Black also scoring a try.

St. Austell lost by a point at Crediton 24-23. Tries came via Ben Chenoweth, Sam Rhodes and Adam Pearce with Liam Freeman kicking a couple of conversions and a penalty.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish had to overcome a strong performance from home side Portsmouth to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The exiles still managed to score seven tries Oli Low, Tom Ievers, Ed Atkin, Mark Osei-Tutu, David Smith and replacement Richard Stephens (2) in a 40-32 win. George Kimmins kicked a penalty and conversion to wrap up the scoring.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth Eagles continue to lead the way following their latest win at home to Plymouth Argaum 41-13. Eagles scored six tries through Ben Ackner (2), Seb Firth (2), Tom Edmonds and former Red Owen Hambly.

Justyn Irons kicked four conversions and a penalty.

Penryn are clinging to their nearest and dearest’s coat-tails after they won 28-11 at Topsham. Borough scored five tries through Sam Hitchens, Matt Horton, skipper George Jones, Colin Campbell and Jamie Salisbury with Horton also kicking a penalty.

There were wins for Bodmin against Pirates Amateurs 53-10 and Saltash at Tamar Saracens 42-5. Lanner lost at Withycombe 41-14.

See the results page for the Cornwall League results.

A tremendous team performance by the reds full of skill, tenacity and guts and comfortably their best of the season so far saw Redruth bring home a bonus point win from a pulsating game in Suffolk, reports Ed Bawden.

There were a number of outstanding displays for the reds, Brett Rule was man of the match, controlling the game well, kicking 15 points including a cracking conversion from the right hand touchline as well as cutting down anyone who ventured into his defensive channel.

Redruth were under a lot of pressure in the opening quarter making many tackles but they showed their attacking capability with four cracking tries in the 17 minutes leading up to half time. Bury came out fired up for the second period  and two tries in the opening eight minutes of the second half brought the score back to 19 -26 but the reds held on despite losing Jack Oulton to a bizarre red card with 14 minutes to go.

In the final quarter the reds scrum was on top with England counties under 20 forwards Tommy Phillips and Todd Prisk outstanding as Rule calmly kicked three penalties all just to the left of the posts to see the reds home.

On  a grey overcast  day, the hosts had the better of opening quarter although Declan Matthews on his first start for the reds had a good run and the reds were turned over on the line.

Some good play from the home side ended with giant winger Michael Mellett touching down an unconverted try after 22  minutes.

This was the cue for Redruth to unleash some devastating play that ended when Shaun Buzza powered over the line from close range for an unconverted try to level the scores three minutes later.

Alex Ducker and Lewis Vinnicombe were revelling in having space to work in and good handling by the reds saw Chris Fuca take a pass from Vinnicome to go over for a try converted by Rule after 29 minutes.

Another weaving run from Ducker led to a try for Neilson Webber that Rule converted and with half time approaching Oulton broke the line and gave a good pass for Vinnicombe to go race over  in the right hand corner, Rule potting the extras from the touchline to send Redruth in 21 points clear.

Bury came out early for the second half taking play to the reds line before centre Sam Sterling found plenty of space to go over near the posts for Scott Lyall to add the extras.

Three successive penalties saw the hosts pile on the pressure before former Taunton player Ben Turner went over following a ruck on the reds line, Lyall converting to make it a seven point game after 48 minutes.

In the reds first attack of the second half Rule kicked a penalty following an offside after 56 minutes but Lyall hit back immediately with a 35 meter penalty.

A second Rule penalty following a dominant scrum gave Redruth a 10 point cushion before a crucial couple of minutes, first after Redruth were awarded a scrum near their line Oulton was shown  the red card. Bury ran the ball looking to cash in on the man advantage, Mellett appeared to drop the ball as he dived into  the right hand corner, the Referee confirming events with his assistant Andrew Jackson before calling for another scrum to the reds.

Three penalties to the reds in the final ten minutes gave them territory and Rule put over a penalty with 6 minutes to go to calm the nerves of visiting supporters, although Ashley Lawton was shown a yellow card with two minutes to go for killing the ball.

Bury St Edmunds 22 pts

Tries: Mellett, Sterling, Turner

Con: Lyall 2

Pen Lyall

C Lord; J Bodkin, S Sterling, T Rock, M Mellett; S Lyall, H Brown; L Palmer, D Collind (Capt), C Griffiths, B Enoka, B Turner, S Bixby, S Stapleton, M Edison

Reps all used N Bingham, T Trinder, C Birrell, C O’Reilly, S Vunivesilevu

Redruth 35 pts

Tries: Buzza, Fuca, Webber, Vinnicombe

Con: Rule 3

Pen; Rule 3

Red Card: Oulton

Yellow Card: Lawton

A Ducker; L Vinnicombe, S Parsons (Capt), N Webber, D Matthews (Rep P Nonu 57 min); B Rule, J Oulton; T Phillips, M Gidlow, C Williams (Rep J Tompsett 28 Min), T Prisk, S Buzza, B-J Chapman, C Fuca (Rep (A Lawton 44 min), K Marriott

Reps not used S Stevens, A Wright

Ref Alexis Manley (RFU)

The Cornish Pirates travelled to the west of Ireland to take on Connacht Eagles in their opening British & Irish pool 3 ties.

The Sports ground had staged a remarkable Champions Cup tie the day before which saw Connacht come from behind to defeat the once mighty Toulouse 23-21 in front of a packed crowd, sadly there was no such crowd bar some hardy individuals who had survived the night before and a few stalwarts from Kernow who had made the journey across the Irish Sea.

Still they were entertained to a great Cornish Pirates win on Irish soil 23-10. Tries came via Sam Simmonds Dan Lee and Jake Parker with Laurence May kicking eight points in the tricky breeze.

Good to see Matt Bolwell making a welcome return following injury and mark his fiftieth appearance for the Pirates.

Sunday sees the second round of games in the pool stage with Ospreys Premiership Select being the visitors to the Mennaye.

There was a full program of games in National league 2 South with Redruth making the long trip to Bury St. Edmunds and returning home with the win following their 35-22 win.

The Reds tries came through Shaun Buzza, Chris Fuca, Nielson Webber and Lewis Vinnicombe with Brett Rule kicking three conversions and three penalties.

Sadly Jack Oulton was red carded which probably means we’ve seen the last of him prior to his travelling plans.

In Tribute Cornwall League there was also a full program with Hayle defeating Veor 15-6 to go top.

Former leaders Liskeard-Looe went down at Newquay Hornets in a close tussle 20-18. Hornets are storming up the table despite their points dediction carried over from last season.

Camborne School of Mines had a good win on the Saracens pitch at Penryn defeating Roseland 34-7.

St. Agnes won at Stithians 29-17 and there wins too for Redruth Albany at Camelford 15-7, Helston at home to Lankelly-Fowey 69-7 and Perranporth who defeated St. Just 40-7 at Ponsmere Valley.

It was the Tribute Cornwall RFU Cup 1^st round ties with Penryn last season’s finalists defeating Pirates Amateurs 40-0. Saltash won at Bodmin 36-23, whilst Falmouth had a bye against Lanner.

The Quarter-finals to be played on Saturday 12^th November are thus;

Truro v St. Ives

Penryn v Falmouth

St. Austell v Bude

Saltash v Wadebridge Camels

Some sad news to end on, Ron Glazsher who played 41 times for Cornwall between the years 1962-71 sadly passed away recently. Ron, a very tall player who packed down either No.8 or lock, and after St. Lukes College he played principally for Plymouth Albion but also had spells with both Penryn and Cross Keys in Wales.

He played for Penryn during their centenary season in 1972 and was part of the side that defeated the famous Harlequins at the Memorial Ground just before Christmas that year packing down in the second row with John “Cheyenne” Blackburn.  The same combination featured for Penryn in their RFU Knock Out Cup Quarter-final against London Welsh in the following March.

An England trialist, he also represented and captained the RAF and Combined Services, playing the All Blacks in 1963 at Twickenham for the Combined Services in a game the tourists won 23-9.

The same year he also faced the touring All Blacks with Cornwall & Devon at Exeter in a game the combined counties lost 38-6.

Further representative honours saw him captain Cornwall & Devon against the Wallabies at Camborne in 1967 when the tourists won 11-6.

He captained Cornwall in the 1966-67 season, when they eventually lost in the semi-finals of the County Championship to Surrey after a second replay at Redruth 14-3, the previous enthralling two games been drawn 6-6 at Redruth and 14-14 at Richmond, a series of games that has gone down in Cornish rugby folklore.

Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club wishes to send it’s condolences to Ron’s family and friends at this sad time.

Another double-header for me this weekend as I took in the games at Redruth and the Cornish Pirates, both had some cracking tries scored.

First to the Mennaye on Sunday when third placed Cornish Pirates took on second place Yorkshire Carnegie in the Championship and it was the visitors who took the spoils in an exciting encounter 35-28.

The Yorkshire men scored five converted tries and showed what a powerful side they have. The Pirates were not disgraced by any means scoring three tries through flanker Jake Parker and a couple of beauties from centre Alex Dancer and winger Matt Evans.

The Canadian International’s run was something else from sixty metres and then to fend off the cover, near the Carnegie line, before scoring, spectacular!

Laurence May kicked three penalties and a couple of conversions for the rest of the Pirates’ haul to get them a losing bonus point.

On Saturday, Redruth hosted Barnes in another exciting game with spectacular tries.

The Reds won the National League 2 South encounter 26-20 with the winning try coming from dazzling Alex Ducker who picked his way through the Barnes cover from sixty meters.

Photo: Dan Barbary – Alex Ducker in full flight

Ducker also scored the Reds’ second try of the game and had a big hand in Lewis Vinnicombe’s try too. BJ Chapman got the first try of the game on his home debut.

James Huxtable with two, and Brett Rule one, added three conversions.

In National 3 South West, Camborne march on at the top following their 56-19 win at the Rec against Salisbury.

Sam and Joel Matavesi scored two tries each with Josh Semmens, Brad Howe, Dave Roberts, Murray Westren and Tom Townsend adding further scores.

Rhys Brownfield added four conversions and a penalty to keep Town on top six points clear of Old Redcliffians in second spot.

At the other end of the table, Launceston battled to a vital win at Polson against Bromsgrove 22-18.

Lloyd Duke, Fred Bulut, Harry Dawe and Fraser Honey scored their tries with Honey adding a conversion to make sure of all five points.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro also march on at the top of the pile following their 36-22 win at St. Clements Hill to Wellington.

Ieuan Boon, Ben Teasdale, Alex Sutheridge, Jake Champion and Jack Tidball all scored tries with Ashley Hosking adding four conversions and a penalty.

Wadebridge Camels won 13-5 up at Burnham-on-Sea. Matt Ballard and Shane Hawkey scored the tries with James Grubb adding a penalty.

St. Ives got their first win since returning to this level with a 39-32 win at St. Austell.

Lewis Thomas, Archie McKay, Martyn Lawrence, Ben Jenkin and a penalty –try award notched up 25 points for the Hakes, whilst Jordan Gott kicked the other points.

For the Saints Chris Ashwin (2), Hugh Noot, Cav Boyer and Shane Johns scored tries with Liam Freeman adding a couple of conversions and a penalty to make sure of two bonus points.

Bude went down at Tiverton 33-19. Dan Pearce scored a couple of tries with Andy Yates adding a third, Pearce also slotted two conversions.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish also top their league with a fifth win following their 32-24 win against Camberley.

Mark Osei-Tutu crossed for a hat-trick of tries with Harry Somers also dotting down. George Kimmins added three conversions and two penalties.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth continue their march at the top following their 48-19 win at Pirates Amateurs. The Eagles scored tries through Alex Kindjarsky (2), Justyn Irons (2), Matt Brewer (2) and Trevor Ward. Irons added five conversions and a penalty.

For the Ams, Rhodri McAtee, Charlie Goldsworthy and Tony Matthews scored tries with Dan McGee knocking over a couple of conversions.

Penryn bounced back from their derby defeat against Falmouth last week with a 36-15 win against Bodmin.

With Borough leading comfortably 36-3 the game was held up following an injury to ‘s scrum-half Nathan Strick player and was concluded on the Saracens pitch.

Mitch Vague (2), Andrew Seviour (3), Ben Trevaskis and Andy Birkett all scored tries for the home side, with Matt Horton adding three conversions.

Saltash defeated Withycombe 33-15 at Moorlands. Ollie Mulberry, Will Morton, Ryan Rayner and Adam Coutts (2) crossed for the Ashes with Ryan Cruickshanks adding a conversion and Nick Blake a couple of penalties.

Lanner got their first win of the season at home against Honiton 28-22. Nick Prout had his kicking boots on as he landed seven penalties and converted Adam Harris’ try.

In Tribute Cornwall League, Liskeard- Looe remain top after their 32-11 win over Veor. The Camborne based side have been docked 20 points for fielding two registered players who hadn’t signed their forms!

Hayle were awarded a walkover against Camelford, whilst Newquay Hornets are making progress up the table following their points deduction carried over from last season.

Congratulations to Redruth Colts who defeated Cullompton Colts 8-7 in the first round of the National Colts Cup.

Next weekend sees a break in the league program from National 3 SW down to the Cornwall & Devon League.

There is a full program in the Cornwall League plus, or rather hopefully three Tribute Cornwall Cup 1^st round matches;

Bodmin v Saltash

Falmouth v Lanner

Penryn v Pirates Amateurs

Sadly time has beaten me this week so a much truncated blog entry on last weekend’s games.

The big game locally was the derby in National 3 SW between Camborne and Launceston.

It was a great occasion as both sides locked horns in the league for the first time in twenty years.

True to current form Camborne came out on top easily 50-11, scoring seven tries through Tommy-Lee Southworth, Ben Kemp, Joel Matavesi, Sam Matavesi, Richie Kevern (2) and Brad Howe. Dave Mankee kicked the other points.

See previous blog entries for Sam Matavesi’s Player of the Year award from Trelawny’s Army.

For Launceston it was back to earth with a bump after their first win in over eighteen months the previous weekend, Fraser Honey kicked a couple of penalties with Fred Bulut getting a late unconverted try.

In the Championship Cornish Pirates unbeaten start to the season came to an end, but only just, as they lost 25-24 at London Scottish.

Kyle Moyle, Brett Beukeboom and Nicolas De Battista scored tries with Will Cargill and Laurence May (20 adding the conversion whilst Cargill also landed a penalty.

‘Stirlo’ Catches Up With Alan & Gavin      

It will be remembered that back in May the Cornish Pirates coaching duo Alan Paver and Gavin Cattle visited New Zealand to meet up with the club’s former High Performance Manager, Chris Stirling.

The purpose of the visit was to help the pair develop their coaching skills, as they not only shadowed Chris at work in his role as High Performance Manager for the Hurricanes rugby team, but also spent time with all of the coaches and support staff at the Wellington-based Super 18 side. It was felt very beneficial and provided a great insight into the method and training practices they use.

Chris regards both Alan and Gavin highly, and making a brief but welcome return to Cornwall, has been keen to continue monitoring their progress and share his vast knowledge with them.

The start to the Cornish Pirates campaign has provided quite considerable encouragement, and Chris has been impressed. He will also be about to see the team’s two home games in October against Yorkshire Carnegie and Ospreys Premiership Select.

Besides an obvious rugby connection, Chris has also welcomed his close season opportunity to meet up with so many friends made during his time in the Duchy.

In National League 2 South, Redruth travelled to bottom side Exmouth and ran in ten tries in a 60-17 win. Leading the try feast was Lewis Vinnicombe with three scores whilst Alex Ducker bagged a brace. Matt Gidlow, Todd Prisk, Tommy Phillips, Declan Matthews and skipper Sam Parsons also crossed for tries. James Huxtable kicked five conversions.

Just a quick mention of Falmouth v Penryn in Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, a good sized crowd with the Falmouth Marine Band present saw the Eagles edge a tense derby at the Rec 13-10. Tom Edmonds and David Jones scored tries for the home side with Justyn Irons adding a crucial penalty.

Matt Horton kicked a penalty for the Borough and then converted a penalty try, despite laying siege they couldn’t add to their score.

Camborne’s Sam Matavesi was announced Trelawny’s Army Player of the Year at their well attended Annual General Meeting held at St. Austell Brewery Visitor Centre last week, reports Bill Hooper.

Sam received his award, the Bill Osborne Shield, at the conclusion of Camborne’s home game last Saturday from Trelawny’s Army’s Viv Broadhurst and Ewart White plus Sam’s dad Sireli Matavesi.

Photo: Ian Pollard, Sireli Matavesi & Sam Matavesi

Also part of the presentation party was Ian Pollard, the first player to win the award in 1994 and also the last Camborne player to do so.

Presentation of our commemorative mug were also made to Sam, Sireli and Ewart White

Photo: Ewart White along with Sireli & Sam Matavesi & Ian Pollard

Special thanks to St. Austell Brewery for their kind presentation of a case of Tribute Ale to our award winner.

TRELAWNY’S ARMY MEMBERS ELECT THEIR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

WINNER OF THE BILL OSBORNE MEMORIAL SHIELD

Cornwall’s triumph at Twickenham in retaining the Bill Beaumont Cup ensured huge interest from the membership in choosing this season’s player of the year. There were no shortage of candidates in the running for the Cornwall Senior Player of the Year award but in the end voting was pretty well unanimous for our winner, Camborne’s Fijian international flanker SAM MATAVESI.

Photo Simon Bryant: Sam on the charge at Twickenham against Cheshire

Sam the second of three rugby playing brothers, is a Camborne man through and through. His form last season helped Camborne on their promotion charge before he returned to Plymouth Albion. He is now back with Camborne as they embark on their first season of National League rugby for nineteen years.

He scored five tries in last season’s County campaign, but it was his all-round play that continually caught the eye in Cornwall’s four games

The TONY MEAD MEMORIAL SHIELD for the CORNWALL U.20 PLAYER goes to LOCRYN WILLIAMS another who played in the back row.

Locryn came up through the ranks at Redruth and Truro School. A member of the fine Cornwall 18 group side that went through the season undefeated 2013 and saw him win an England Schools & Counties cap.

Photo Simon Bryant: Locryn in action against Gloucestershire U.20

He was part of the Cornish Pirates Development program before heading to New Zealand to spend time there.

Sadly concussion injuries have blighted Locryn’s career, he returned from such an injury to play in Cornwall’s Under 20 campaign last season, sadly reoccurrence of concussion against Devon meant he had to take medical advice to quit the game.

It is understood he was at the time in the frame for England Counties Under 20 selection.

Locryn continues to pursue other sports notably climbing and judo at a very high level.

Sadly neither player could be present at the awards evening. Matavesi will be presented with his award at the conclusion of Camborne’s home game with Launceston on Saturday.

Locryn, who was attending the National Citizens Service Graduation Awards for 16/17 year olds – for which he has been one of the leaders – in the Hall for Cornwall on the same night had his Under 20 award presented to him on stage by Pirate FM’s Neil Caddy.

Photo James Judge:  Launceston final whistle

Where to start this week with all the excitement of the past few days?

It has to be Launceston, as they finally got the win they having been looking for since Jimmy Tucker took over as head coach.

The All Blacks defeated Salisbury 16-11 for their first win in over 18 months.

Understandably there were rapturous scenes after the final whistle as the dark cloud was lifted from Polson Bridge.

Fraser Honey steadied the nerves with a couple of penalties and a drop-goal before Martin Kneebone scored the important try that Honey converted.

Launceston had to defend like mad in the closing stages but held out for a famous win.

Also in National 3 SW, Camborne produced a fantastic performance to win 41-24 up at leaders Ivybridge.

The Cherry and Whites got off to a great start with tries from Jack Simmons and Sam Matavesi both converted by Dave Mankee who also slotted a penalty for a 17-0 lead. Ben Kemp got try number three before Joel Matavesi secured the bonus point try both scores again bettered by Mankee.

Sam Matavesi got his second try of the game in the second half which Mankee again converted as he did a second penalty in a faultless kicking display.

So this Saturday it’s Camborne vs. Launceston, a game that will also serve as a Tribute Cornwall Super Cup tie.

I took in a couple of games this weekend, first at Redruth in National League 2 South where the Reds got home just against a useful Redingensians 10-8.

Shaun Buzza scored the Reds only try from a powerful drive with James Huxtable adding the conversion and a penalty, a game that was watched by the new Kiwi directors at the Cornish Pirates, Colin Groves and Dallas Fisher.

That brings me to Sunday and the Championship game between the Cornish Pirates and London Welsh.

A scappy first half saw the Pirates’ line out go AWOL and a slender 3-0 advantage to the home side, thanks to Will Cargill’s boot.

Half-time saw new board members Paul Durkin and Messrs Groves and Fisher introduced to the Mennaye crowd.

The second half was a better affair with Cargill adding another couple of penalties and Laurence May converting skipper Tom Duncan’s try. It ended 16-10 to keep the Pirates’ unbeaten record intact.

You can see much more about the re-structuring at the Pirates in previous blog entries.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro bounced back from last week’s defeat at home to St. Austell to win handsomely at Tiverton 32-14.

Adam and Ashley Hosking got on the try sheet for Truro as did Jack Houghton and Josh Symons with Ashley Hosking adding three conversions and a couple of penalties.

Wadebridge Camels staged another comeback this time at St. Austell. Trailing 16-3 the Camels gave Saints the hump winning 17-16.

Tries from Cav Boyer and Ben Chenoweth together with a couple of Boyer penalties accounted for the Saints’ points.

Danny Thomas and Mike Rawlings scored tries for Wadebridge with Thomas converting both and adding a penalty.

Bude struggled at Sidmouth losing 68-17 with Dan Pearce scoring all their points.

St. Ives picked up a losing bonus point at Torquay thanks to tries from Ben Taylor and Steve Kenward with Jordan Gott adding a conversion and a drop-goal in 22-15 loss.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish continued their winning ways with a 41-14 win at home to KCS Old Boys.

All the tries came via the backs with David Smith (2), Tom Jeffery, Craig Chatley, Matt Hakes and George Kimmins crossing the whitewash, Smith added three conversions with Philip Dale adding a fourth.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth won at Paignton 16-12 to remain top.

Owen Hambly scored the Eagles only try converted by Justyn Irons who also added three penalties.

Penryn are close on their heels following their 39-0 at home against Tavistock.

Borough ran in six tries from George Jones, Jordan Rose (2), Josh Chambers (2) and Colin Campbell with Matt Horton kicking the rest of the points.

This Saturday sees Penryn travel to Falmouth for an eagerly anticipated Fal derby.

Pirates Amateurs kept up the chase with a 50-0 win against Tamar Saracens, Steve Evans (2), Danny Toolan (2), Sam Coogan, Rhodri McAtee, Tony Matthews and Liam Lonsdale all scored with Dan Magee kicking five conversions.

Saltash won at Plymouth Argaum 17-7, Lewis Wells and Tom Rixon scored tries with Nick Blake converting both tries and a penalty.

Bodmin won at St. Day against Lanner 30-8.

In the Tribute Cornwall League Liskeard-Looe who beat Roseland 31-24 and Hayle who defeated Perranporth 67-0 continue to lead the way. See all the results in the Cornish Rugby results page.