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.

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