Photo – Tommy Phillips receives his Under 20 Cornwall Player of the Year award from CRFU Chairman Denis Preece

A frenetic weekend that saw me on Saturday at Redruth and then on Sunday at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for bone crunching Pool D decider between Ireland and France.

Back at Redruth, and a welcome win for the Reds against a very lively Chinnor side in National League 2 South.

The game marked a return to the Recreation for scrum-half Greg Goodfellow, now plying his trade with the “Villagers”.

The game was tight with the Reds winning 34-32, and ended in bizarre fashion, when the visitors were pressing but their prop miss-heard a call, kicking the ball dead with the final play much to the consternation of his team-mates and the unbridled joy of the Redruth players and supporters.

Redruth tries were scored by lock Luke Hattam, hooker Tom Cowan-Dickie (2), centre Sam Parsons and flanker Shaun Buzza, with Dave Mankee, making his league debut for the Reds kicking three conversions and a penalty.

Sadly it’s still the same story for the Cornish All Blacks as they slipped to their sixth straight defeat going down at Old Elthamians 49-11. Ryan Westren scored their try with Rhys Brownfield kicking a couple of penalties.

The next two weeks will be pivotal for the All Blacks, as they have two home games on the trot.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne maintained their good run with fourth win, this time beating North Petherton 24-18. Ben Kemp, Jack Simmons (2) and Sam Bartle all crossed for the Cherry and Whites, with Ben Stean adding a couple of conversions.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro caused a surprise with a spirited win at St. Austell 13-9. Scrum-half Danny Dunstan and prop Ethan Patterson scored tries for the City side, with Toby Armstrong kicking a penalty. For the Saints, Andy Ashwin kicked three penalties. Both sides lost players to a red card, with Adam Kellow (St. Austell) and Darren Jacques (Truro) being sent for an early shower.

Saltash defeated Wadebridge Camels 45-38 at Moorlands. Tries by Ryan Rayner, Todd Crofts, Will Morton, Callum Cload, Jason Carroll and Sean Crawford were all converted by Max Venables, who also kicked a penalty.

For the Camels, prop Ian Burnard (2), James Grubb (2) and Mark Grubb scored tries with James Grubb kicking all five conversions and a penalty. Both sides meet again this weekend in the Tribute Cornwall Cup!

Penryn lost at home to Exeter University 38-15.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish won 49-12 at home to Winchester. The exiles scored tries through prop Mike Bond, flanker Tom Ievers, lock Ben Ievers, centres Craig Chatley and Luke Spells and wing Tom Jeffery, whilst their first try was a penalty-try award, fly-half Philip Dale landed all seven conversions.

In Tribute Cornwall and Devon League, Falmouth caused an upset defeating St. Ives 12-6 at the Rec. Josh Symons and Justyn Irons scored tries for the Eagles, with Irons kicking a conversion. Grant Thirlby kicked two penalties for the Hakes.

St. Ives are through to the semi-finals of the Tribute Cornwall Cup, as Hayle have withdrawn.

Hayle defeated Bodmin 19-8. Tries for the Lions were scored by Joel Cameron (2) and Ashley White with Damien Lynnes kicking a couple of conversions. For Bodmin, Cody Armstrong scored a try and Jamie Taylor a penalty.

Bude lost for the first time this season 23-20 at Tavistock. Adam Black (2), James Comber and Joe Wilson all scored tries for Bude.

Bude will entertain Camborne this Saturday in the Cornwall Cup.

Pirates Amateurs slipped up at Plymstock 20-13 and Newquay Hornets lost at the Sportscentre 29-0 to Plymouth Argaum.

The opening round of games in both Tribute Cornwall 1 & 2 saw Camborne School of Mines beat Veor 59-3, Lanner defeat Perranporth 32-0 at Tregenver Road in Falmouth, Illogan Park get the better of Liskeard-Looe 36-21 and Helston defeat St. Agnes 24-7.

In Cornwall 2, Roseland beat Stithians 36-0, Lankelly-Fowey defeated Redruth Albany 62-21 and St. Just won at Camelford 19-14.

On Sunday in the Greene-King Championship, Cornish Pirates got their first win in five games with an excellent 21-17 win against London Scottish at the Mennaye.

Rheon James and Craig Holland scored tries with Kieran Hallett adding a conversion and three penalties.

It was just the boost the Pirates needed, and with their Canadian Internationals set to return post rugby World Cup, results should improve rapidly.

The much-heralded Duchy League for second teams also got under way last Saturday. There were wins for the Camborne 38-17 against the Camels, Launceston 66-29 Truro, St. Austell 53-17 at Newquay Hornets and Redruth 33-26 at Penryn.

By Phil Westren, Cornish Pirates’ media officer

The visit made to Cornwall by the 1947-48 ‘Wallabies’ has often been highlighted, and over the years a number of players in that particular tour party have also on occasions revisited a place where there were happy memories to recall.

Ahead of their 1947-48 tour of Great Britain, Ireland, France, Canada and the USA, the Wallabies based themselves in Penzance from 27th August – 15th September 1947. Their captain was Bill McLean, Trevor Allan was the vice-skipper, and a star winger was one C.C. Eastes, who was known as ‘Chuck’.

Chuck’s son John and grandson Darren are presently in the United Kingdom to support Australia in the Rugby World Cup, and taking time out to head to Cornwall they called by the Pirates ‘Westholme’ clubhouse, just out of interest, to see where Chuck trained back in 1947.

Club archivist Phil Westren and Zoe Leray were delighted to welcome the Australian pair, who had arrived unannounced and were on a sportingly-hidden high following Australia’s convincing win against England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Surveying the Mennaye Field ground and then the clubhouse John and Darren were taken aback to see how much information there was on file in relation to the 1947-48 tour, including a wonderful photo of wing Chuck, seen in full flight at Camborne, when he starred for the Wallabies in their 17-7 points victory against Cornwall & Devon.

Looking back to that 1947-48 tour there is so much to recall with reference to tourists whose journey to our shores took a little over five weeks aboard P&O’s “Orion”, arriving in London on Sunday 24 August, and then Penzance by the Wednesday, where they were to stay for nearly three weeks to finalise their preparation. It was with great pleasure that the Borough welcomed the tour party to the Duchy, there being a very close connection between Cornwall and Australia. In an official statement, Mayor Trezise, Barrie Bennetts and Mavis Lawry wrote that thousands of our tin miners went out to try their luck, and to settle in the mining districts of Ballarat, Bendigo, Kalgoorlie and Broken Hill, and took with them their love of rugby football. Large numbers of Cornishmen had also been honoured to serve alongside Australia’s splendid troops in Gallipoli, Tobruk and countless other theatres of service. The statement also mentioned that Cornwall would be unable to entertain the visitors “as we would like to”, it a time when virtually all food rations were cut, our islands still recovering from six years of war. However, the tour party were comfortably housed in the Marine Hotel (now ‘The Lugger’), the comment also made that that the food and hospitality were first class!

Extracts from Australian papers record that the Pirates arranged a wide range of entertainment to host the ‘Wallabies’, and lifelong friendships were forged. Swimming, golf, sailing, bowling, squash, cricket and billiard facilities were placed at their disposal, with the tourists also admitted free to cinemas, dance halls and theatres.

When training at the Mennaye Field each morning, there was a live Wallaby named ‘Digger’ (lent by London Zoo at the Pirates’ request) that was housed alongside the ground, and which on one occasion mysteriously escaped – helping fitness levels to be upped when it was apparently chased all over Penzance!

The Wallabies first game was played at the Recreation Ground, Camborne, on 13 September 1947, against a combined Cornwall & Devon team that had been selected by a joint committee of the two county unions under the chairmanship of Barrie Bennetts, a try-scorer in Cornwall’s historic first County Championship Final win against Durham in 1908, and who was also capped twice by England in 1909.

There were reckoned to be in excess of 20,000 people crammed in the ‘Rec’ when the teak-like flanker Bill McLean led his team out to face the combined counties side skippered by Redruth’s Les Semmens. The Wallabies were well held by the westcountry forwards on the day but the speed and sureness of their backs gave them an ultimately deserved 17-7 points victory.

A Wallabies tour that started at Camborne would end over five months later with a game against the University of Stanford, at Palo Alto, California. The overall playing record was P 41, W 35, L 6, For 712, Against 276.

Of interest, as a ‘Thank You’ from the Aussies for the wonderful time they were given during their three weeks’ stay in Cornwall, they presented the Pirates with Digger’s stuffed equivalent, ‘Walter’, which still holds a place of honour in the ‘Westholme’ clubhouse in Alexandra Road. If you haven’t met him yet, then call by sometime, and introduce yourself – John and Darren did!

Back to Chuck, he was unfortunately injured after playing just eight matches on the tour, and his loss was described as a ‘tragedy’, because everyone who played against him or saw him play commented on his skill and fitness, as surely one of the best three-quarters of all time.

Chuck served in the RAAF, and besides representing Australia played for the Manly club and for New South Wales. Unanimously elected the first President of the Sydney RUC, other honours included being President of NSWRU, a Vice President of the Australian RFU, and Manager of the Wallabies side that toured South Africa in 1969. He was a recipient of the Queen’s ‘Silver Jubilee’ Award, and was also, in 1977, made an MBE.

Having passed away back in 1995, aged 70, Chuck was inducted into the Wallaby Hall of Fame in 2013. That was a proud occasion for the Eastes family, including his wife Anne who is still alive and is the only surviving lady Life Member of the ARU.

As for son John, like his dad he too is a former Manly player, who also had a spell playing for Harlequins in the early 1970s. Contacting the Pirates following his visit, John commented:

“Thanks for the hospitality extended to me and Darren. It was fabulous to be shown around your great, and proud club, and I can’t believe there are such extensive records from a tour that took place so long ago.”

John added:

“Our visit provided a truly memorable experience. No wonder dad spoke so highly of his time in Cornwall and the hospitality that was extended to him and his fellow Wallabies.”

Steve’s latest book “Cornish Pirates Legends” is being launched on 15 October (2015), and as you would expect it is an extremely well-researched tome on some of the greats of the club, not just from the current era but stretching all the way back to Barrie Bennetts from the famous Cornwall 1908 Championship winning side.

Kendall-Carpenter, “Ginger” Williams, Harvey Richards, Graham Paul, Peter Mitchell, “Stack” Stevens: the list of whose who at the Pirates from yesteryear goes on right up to the modern day heroes, Victor Olonga, Heino Senekal, Matt Jess, Rhodri McAtee, Gavin Cattle and the indomitable Paves, to name just a few.

Not just the players but the coaches too, Kevin Moseley, Jim McKay, Chris Stirling and Ian Davies.

I found the book compulsive easy to read, one that you had difficulty putting down, such it was interesting and compelling.

It’s certainly a book that any Cornish rugby enthusiast would love to be able to refer to off their book shelf.

Steve’s comments on the sleeve of the book:

“Cornwall has long been recognised as being one of the hotbeds of English rugby, enjoying a level of interest and support even outstripping that of football. Ten years ago, Penzance and Newlyn rebranded itself as the Cornish Pirates and now operates as the only truly professional sports team in the area. Despite its remote location and low population base it has nevertheless recently twice won national knock-out trophies and twice more reached play-off finals of the Rugby Championship – just one tier below the Premiership.

Ex-player Steve Tomlin’s latest book details the lives and playing careers of forty-six leading players and four senior coaches covering both the amateur and professional eras of the club. It is almost entirely based on a series of detailed interviews with the players themselves – or with their colleagues and families if they are no longer with us.

Many of those featured played at international level whilst others remained as heroes in their own backyard. It gives a fascinating and often hilarious insight into the lives, pressures, achievements and disappointments of rugby players of different generations and varying backgrounds.”

True Legends are featured, from ‘Stack’ Stevens to Alan Paver and Gavin Cattle, plus current favourites Laurie McGlone, Rob Elloway and Chris Morgan and many more. Coaches from Jim McKay to Chris Stirling are given equal treatment. A true history of special Pirates one and all.

A series of launch events and personal appearances by Steve are planned:

• 15 October – FOCR City of London lunch with John Inverdale & Jason Leonard
• 22 October – an evening in the ‘Westholme’ Clubhouse, Penzance (starts 7.30pm)
• 23 October – Bustopher Jones in Truro host an evening’s celebration

Around these events, Steve will be undertaking a series of media appearances to promote the book.

Ideal as Christmas presents!

Attend one of the launch functions and buy a signed copy (£12.99 each) or place an order (£17.00, incl p&p) with Zoe Leray at zoe.leray@cornish-pirates.com

This is a great way to support the Pirates and another initiative to raise much needed funds for our future development as we continue our journey.

Locally there was no league programme, with the first round of the Tribute Cornwall Cup scheduled to take place. There were four ties due to take place, but in the end only two were played.

Bude caused an upset winning 42-25 at higher league Truro in front of a sparse crowd, and a Truro side with players unavailable.

However, it proved to be a good game for the few souls present with the North Cornwall side scoring six tries, two from full-back Dan Pearce who also slotted all six conversions for a fine all-round display.

Harry Goodrun, Billy Roberts, Olly Denford and Luke Wilson also crossed the whitewash for Bude.

For a disappointed Truro, Rikki Brandham, Danny Dunstan and Dan Marsh scored tries, with “Eggy” Williams kicking a couple of penalties and two conversions.

St. Ives predictably won at Newquay Hornets 59-14, but Hornets were far from disgraced in their performance against a St. Ives side that will be pushing for promotion this season.

Penryn and Wadebridge Camels had walkovers due to Pirates Amateurs and Falmouth both having problems fielding a front row.

Holders Camborne, St. Austell and Hayle all had byes, whilst Saltash had previously defeated Bodmin in a tie played at the end of August. All are through to the next round, which will be played on 17 October.

The draw below will hopefully prove more of an attraction on the 17th:
Bude v Camborne
Penryn v St. Austell
St. Ives v Hayle
Wadebridge Camels v Saltash

On Sunday in the Greene King Championship the Cornish Pirates slipped to a fourth successive defeat, going down to Yorkshire Carnegie 13-26.

Despite fielding a young side, the Pirates more than held their own against the powerful Yorkshire side and gave the league leaders much to ponder.

Pirates’ sole try was scored by full-back Toby May with fly-half Will Cargill kicking the other points, a conversion and two penalties.

Pirates are home again next Sunday when they entertain London Scottish.

Not good news for either of our National League 2 sides, Redruth were well-beaten on the road at Bishop’s Stortford 47-15. Kyle Marriott and Peter Joyce got tries for the Reds, with Murray Westren kicking a penalty and conversion.

Another tough afternoon for the Cornish All Blacks as they slipped to a fifth big defeat 54-19 at home to Clifton.

Skipper Jamie Salter scored a try as did on-loan No.8 Tom Duncan and lock Ben Hilton, Rhys Brownfield adding a couple of conversions.

Good to see Tyler Gendall, on-loan from the Pirates, getting some game time as he looks to get back following his long lay-off through injury.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish made it back-to-back wins with a 35-3 victory at Warlingham. Tries for the exiles were scored by Craig Chatley (2), Rich Skinnard, Tom Ievers and Tom Upfield, fly-half Phil Dale kicking the rest of the points with two penalties and two conversions.

The rugby world cup continues despite England being dumped out of the competition 33-13 by Australia on Saturday night.

Hopefully Jack Nowell will at least get a run out against Uruguay next Saturday in the final pool game.

Fiji are also departing the competition and Josh Matavesi will hopefully come off the bench again in their final game, also against the busy Uruguayans.

The second game takes place at Sandy Park Exeter this week when Georgia play Namibia on Wednesday at 8:00 pm.

Congratulations to Veor who won 28-27 at Liskeard-Looe in the National Vase qualifier. They now play Tamar Saracens, who won at Totnes 21-13.

Next Saturday sees the Tribute Cornwall 1 & 2 leagues start, as well as the new Duchy league for reserve sides.

Plymouth Albion XV 10 – 10 Cornwall Development XV

Courtesy of Roger Watson, CRFU website

Photo: Jack Simmons (Camborne) who featured for the Development XV on Monday night

On Monday 28 September, in chilly conditions under the Brickfields floodlights, the crowd of a couple of hundred were treated to an entertaining game by the two development sides.

Cornwall were first off the mark courtesy of a well-taken try by skipper Brad Howe after nine minutes, Craig “Eggy” Williams’ conversion attempt going wide. The Warriors got back on even terms with an unconverted try by winger Ian Davidson, to make it five points each at the break.

Centre John Dawe gave Albion the lead after sixty-seven minutes but Cornwall’s open-side flanker, Mark Grubb, touched town seven minutes later. Both tries went unconverted.

Deep into stoppage time the Warriors had a chance to win the game, when referee Zerren Bell awarded them a penalty in front of the posts but Billy Searle’s kick bounced back off the upright and the well contested game ended in a draw.

Whilst the whole squad played their part, Truro winger Eugene Teaurak certainly caught the eye with some powerful runs and big tackles.

The coaching team will have another session with the squad before their next outing against a Cornish Pirates XV at The Mennaye on Friday 30 October.

Cornwall: Craig “Eggy” Williams, Jack Kessell, Jack Simmons, Duncan Tout, Eugene Teaurak, Richard Keverne, Taron Peacock; Jess Tompsett, Ben Taylor, Tommy Lee Southworth, Brad Howe (Capt.), Mark Vian, Jordan Rose,Mark Grubb, Mike Rawlings.

Replacements: Tommy Phillips, Billy Roberts, Ben Teasdale, Ben Kennedy, Andrius Zachovoras, Adam Collings.

Photo – Paul Thirlby who has made a great start at St. Ives this season

Not the result the Cornish Pirates would have been hoping for on their travels to newly promoted Ealing in the RFU Championship. The 28-17 defeat being the third in four games leaving them in a clutch of sides on 6 points.

Laurie McGlone and Sam Arnott scored tries for the Pirates with Will Cargill kicking a penalty and conversion, his replacement Kieran Hallett adding the second conversion.

A last-gasp penalty-try denying the Cornish side any points from the game, very frustrating.

The Cornish Pirates will look to get the show back on the road next Sunday with the visit of leaders Yorkshire Carnegie!

Not a good day either for both our sides in National League 2 South. Redruth endured a frustrating afternoon losing at the Rec 27-25 to Cambridge.

Despite taking an early lead through an unconverted try from Kyle Marriott and an Ashley Hosking penalty, the Reds were under the cosh for long periods. Cambridge got back into it with a James Stokes penalty and then fell behind just after the first of three quick-fire yellow cards meted out by the referee. Brett Daynes took full advantage to score at the posts with Stokes adding the extras.

The just before half-time when down to 12 men, Lawrence Hutchinson scored an unconverted try for the visitors.

Ben Priddey scored a try for the Reds just after the break which Brett Rule converted to tie the scores.

Cambridge then took hold of the game with tries from replacement Jack Green and the reliable Stokes with the later adding a conversion.

It was then Cambridge’s turn to have a couple of players yellow carded and the Reds pulled back a couple on scores thanks to two tries from Matt Bowden to give them two bonus points at the final whistle.

For the Cornish All Blacks, a broken down coach didn’t help as they slipped to a fourth defeat this time at Worthing 46-5, Jon Dawe with their only try.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Teignmouth travelled to Camborne with just thirteen players and were made to pay as the Cherry and Whites ran in fourteen tries in an 82-14 win.

Sam Matavesi and Ben Stean grabbed hat-ticks, whilst Harvey Jones had a brace with other tries being scored by Richie Kevern, Sam Bartle, Taron Peacock, skipper Steve Kenward, Tony Whittle and Jack Simmons. Kevern kicking six conversions.

In Tribute Western Counties West, a good win by St. Austell at leaders Devonport Services 21-7. James Martin and Sam Rhodes scored tries whilst Andy Ashwin added eleven points with the boot.

Wadebridge Camels defeated Penryn at the Molesworth Field 37-22.

Despite trailing at one stage 22-11, Camels fought back for a bonus point win with tries from Joe Pretty, Dom Hawkey, Matt Ballard, Mike Rawlings and Lee Betts, with James Grubb kicking two penalties and Danny Thomas three conversions.

For the Borough, Jordan Smith, skipper Josh Chambers and Mitch Vague scored tries, with Rob Banks kicking the other points.

Saltash won at Truro 33-29. The Ashes scored tries through Will Morton (3) and Max Venables with Venables’ boot doing the rest of the damage.

In London 2 SW a win for our exiles 31-25 over Effingham & Leatherhead. Tries were scored by Harry Somers, Ben Devonport, Tom Jeffery and Philip Dale who also kicked eleven points.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Bude thrashed hitherto unbeaten Falmouth 71-0! Alex Rakhshani (2), Kyle Speare (4), Tim Green (2), Andy Yates, James Comber and Joe Wilson all crossed for tries with Dan Pearce adding eight conversions!

St. Ives enjoyed a big win over their “Bay” neighbours Hayle 69-6.

Jamie Prisk (3), Martyn Lawrence (3), Tom Chandler, Neil Corin, Louis Stevens, Sam Bristow and Lewis Thomas all crossed for the Hakes with Grant Thirlby adding seven conversions.

For Hayle, Damien Lynes kicked a couple of penalties.

Pirates Amateurs also had a big win at the Mennaye against Newquay Hornets 73-12.

Bodmin got their first win of the campaign with a 10-6 win at Clifden Park against Honiton. Hooker Peter Hamilton-Toohey with the all-important try converted by Ashley Taylor who also kicked a penalty.

Liskeard-Looe and Veor will contest the County Vase final to decide who progresses to the regional rounds after defeating Illogan Park and Stithians respectively.

Well done to Cornwall Under 18s who defeated Somerset at Tregorrick Park on Sunday 43-7, scoring seven tries. Their next game is at Okehampton on Sunday 11 October against Devon, kick-off 11:15 am.

Tonight (Monday 28 September), Cornwall Development XV will play a Plymouth Albion XV at Brickfields kick-off 7:15 pm.

CRFU Development Game

Photo – Mike Rawlings makes a welcome return to the Cornwall squad

Following last year’s successful introduction of a development squad, where 12 players went on to be involved in the full county squad, a training session was held on Monday night at St Austell RFC. A selection of players from around the county trained under the guidance of Cornwall coach Graham Dawe.

Cornwall development XV will play a Plymouth Albion development XV on Monday 28 September at the Brickfields, with a 19:30 kick off time.

CRFU Chair said: “This is an important part of players progressing from the under 20 level and, players from clubs who have the potential for pushing senior players for positions in the full county squad.”

Cornwall Coach Graham Dawe said: “We appreciate players have a pretty full on commitment with their own clubs. For them to attend and want to push themselves against guys from other clubs to get the nod and play for this squad is impressive. We also hope that the additional coaching will be taken back to their own club teams, and help their progress as well.”

A further development game will be played against a Cornish Pirates XV on Friday 30 October at the Mennaye, Penzance.

The Cornwall U20 trial takes place at Truro RFC on Sunday 27 September, commencing at 14:00. All clubs have been asked to nominate players who they think have the ability to progress and play at this level. Players must be under 20 on September 1 2015 to be eligible for consideration. Last year Cornwall reached the semi-final of the National cup, and two players, Todd Prisk and Tommy Phillips, gained selection for the England Counties U20 tour of Hungary.

Cornwall U20 team manager Chris Lea commented: “We have had a great deal of interest again this season but I am sure there are other guys out there who are eligible. Some clubs have not responded, where others have been very proactive. We don’t want them to miss out on being considered and it is not too late for clubs to nominate other players to hatch0348@btinternet.com in the first instance.”

The Cornwall U20 season kicks off in February, with fixtures still to be confirmed by the RFU.

CORNWALL DEVELOPMENT XV

[table th=”0″]
1, Jess Tompsett, St Ives
2, Ben Taylor, St Ives
3, Jon Drew, Redruth
4, Brad Howe (Capt), Redruth
5, Mark Vian, St Austell
6, Jordan Rose, Penryn
7, Adam Blackmore, Wadebridge Camels
8, Mike Rawlings, Wadebridge Camels
9, Jack Oulton, Cornish All Blacks
10, Richard Keverne, Camborne
11, Eugene Teaurak, Truro
12, Duncan Tout, St Austell
13, Jack Simmons, Camborne
14, Jack Kessell, Redruth
15, Ashley Hosking, Redruth
16, Tommy Phillips, Redruth
17, Ben Trevaskis, Penryn
18, Billy Roberts, St Austell
19, Ben Teasdale, Truro
20, Ben Kennedy, Truro
21, Taron Peacock, Camborne
22, Tommy Lee Southworth, Camborne
23, Craig Williams, Truro
24, Andruis Zachorovas, Camborne
25, Sean Buzza, Redruth
[/table]

By Phil Westren, Cornish Pirates’ Media

Cornish Pirates 24   Rotherham Titans 26

Photo – Pirates hooker Rob Elloway played his 200th game for the club

This match provided a fascinating contest at the Mennaye Field, as the Pirates, who looked off par for much of the match, made an admirable recovery to almost sneak victory at the very end.

In front of the home crowd, Cornish Pirates’ hooker Rob Elloway deserved the honour of leading the team onto the field, for what was proudly his 200th appearance for the club.

The visiting Rotherham Titans have made the play-offs in the last two seasons, and they were always going to be formidable opponents, remembering too that it is as far back as November 2012, that the Pirates last tasted victory against their Yorkshire opponents.

Indeed, under the cosh in early exchanges, plus incurring the wrath of Premiership referee Luke Pearce, the Pirates went 6-0 down in the opening quarter. Visiting fly-half Will Goodwin posted the first points of the match with a successful penalty, which was then followed up by a long-range effort from centre Jordan Davies.

On this day, however, with conditions just perfect for running rugby, the scoring of tries was surely inevitable, and as the match progressed this did prove to be the case. However, for the first forty there would be one only, Jordan Davies following up his three points with five more as he dived over near the Newlyn posts. Goodwin’s conversion made it 13-0, which is how it stayed to the break.

Powerful ball carrying from the Titans had repeatedly forced the Pirates back, as did their kicking game, for whom scrum-half Dan White gave the ball plenty of air. The visitors deserved to be ahead, leaving the Pirates with very little to cheer about. They had simply given too many penalties away and also made more than their share of handling mistakes. Looking for a plus, it was the form of full-back Toby May, who once again displayed a mix of confidence and courage under the high ball.

Following club captain Chris Morgan having been injured in Jersey the previous weekend, stand-in skipper Alex Cheesman was no doubt bitterly disappointed with his side’s first half display. The second period would at least provide a chance for the Pirates to up their performance.

On the resumption of play, a successful penalty kick from fly-half Kieran Hallett at last got the Pirates on to the scoreboard, but all but from the restart Rotherham made it a 13 points gap once more thanks to Goodwin slotting his second penalty of the afternoon.

The Yorkshire outfit then extended their lead and sent alarm bells ringing with a converted try scored by centre Joe Barker, though with the Pirates making a number of changes and displaying extra purpose and energy, a hoped for comeback was soon under way.

Making a habit this season of getting over the whitewash, following a drive to the line Cheesman was identified as the try-scorer. It was an impressive third in just three games, to which replacement Will Cargill added the extras.

A further penalty score from Goodwin appeared to put the visitors back on track, but the Pirates were quick to confirm their rejuvenation when another eager replacement, flanker John Stevens, sniffed and took his chance to cross to the right of the Newlyn posts. With Cargill’s second conversion making it 17-26, interest levels were, at a stroke, ramped up.

That the Pirates had got back into this match was of considerable credit, as their fitness also came to the fore. They were surely in with a chance of securing a losing bonus point, and if time permitted perhaps even a win was now possible.

With a sudden try from centre Tom Riley, and another fine conversion by Cargill, there were just two points in it, but the Pirates had to ultimately settle for this narrow defeat.

Terrific near the end, having reacted to early disappointments, a level of encouragement will have been gained.

Cornish Pirates:   15 Toby May, 14 Kyle Moyle, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Rheon James, 11 Craig Holland (Jack Arnott 58), 10 Kieran Hallett (Will Cargill 52), 9 Alex Day (Mike Pope 52); 1 Jack Andrew (Adam Jamieson 78), 2 Rob Elloway (Tom Channon 58), 3 Adam Jamieson (Marlen Walker 58), 4 Laurie McGlone, 5 Marcus Garratt (Will Graulich 48), 6 Sam Simmonds, 7 Joe Atkinson (John Stevens 58), 8 Alex Cheesman (capt).

Rotherham Titans:   15 Sean Scanlon (capt), 14 Jack Hayes, 13 Jordan Davies, 12 Joe Barker (Andy Davies 64), 11 Curtis Wilson, 10 Will Goodwin (Will Owen 63), 9 Dan White; 1 Toby Williams (Robin Hislop 5), 2 Charlie Maddison (Darran Harris 55), 3 Mark Tampin (Lewis Thiede 68), 4 George Oram Tom Holmes (63), 5 Barney Maddison, 6 Max Argyle, 7 Ali Birch (Tom Calladine 63), 8 Tim Cree.

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates – tries: Cheesman, Stevens, Riley; cons: Cargill (3); pen: Hallett.

Rotherham Titans – tries: Jordan Davies, Barker; cons: Goodwin (2); pens: Goodwin (3), Jordan Davies.

Referee:   Luke Pearce (RFU)

Attendance:   1,274

Well, I experienced RWC 2015 on Saturday night, taking in France’s win against Italy 32-10 at Twickenham.

A tremendous Latin atmosphere in the stadium that probably bemused the curious English supporters, most of whom where there to cheer Italy or at least Castrogiovanni.

There was brief chorus of ‘Swing Low’ that was quickly drummed out by a vociferous rendition of ‘La Marseillaise!’

However, Paris upon Thames it wasn’t, as no French band was in Twickenham to really crack up the atmosphere.

Just like the England-Fiji game, we had our own Referee-TMO howler, which is fast making the whole TMO thing a laughing stock.

No problem with the final decision as it was clear-cut that Nakaitaci lost the ball as he looked to ground it. What is it with Nakaitaci and the north try-line at Twickenham!!

What this shows is that the whole action must be played through to avoid the embarrassment we have seen with the referee having to go back after already awarding a try! Getting it right first time is a pre-requisite surely!

Sad to see Yoann Huget’s World Cup over as he received a cruciate knee ligament, whilst, for Italy, Andrea Massi ruptured his Achilles. Never nice to see any player injured, and I wish both well for a speedy recovery.

I drove up for the game and used the park and ride at Kempton Park racecourse. The cost is £20 for parking and bus to the ground.

The shuttles work pretty well dropping off and picking up at Rosebine Avenue on the A316. Make sure you know where the pick-up point is, as signage after the match to direct you there is pretty poor.

It’s quite a trek too at Kempton Park, as the cars are parked in the middle of the racecourse and you have to walk towards the main stands to pick up the buses near the railway station.

The lighting at night, when you return, wasn’t that good. The pathways are also slippery, so beware!

The road in and out of the racecourse is bumpy with a nasty drop near the gate to the main road.

So at the ground, they have copied the concept of the London Olympics with greeters etc. etc. All very pleasant and really eager to help!

You need deep pockets! A program is £10, or £12 for a program and a RWC magazine…….bargain!!!

You can get a plastic RWC 2015 glass for a £1 deposit which you get back if you want to return it after the game.

I didn’t buy any food or drink at the stadium, preferring to eat in town before hand.

The souvenirs are also expensive: a pin badge will set you back £6 whilst the must have baseball cap costs £17-50. I didn’t look at anything else, I didn’t dare!

There is quite a bit happening in the West Car Park pre-match for those that sort of thing, most packed into the bars watching the other games on the TV.

I await to see what the atmosphere and experience is on Wednesday night when I travel back to London for France v Romania in the Olympic stadium!

The result of the weekend, naturally that historic win for Japan against the Boks 34-32, what a result!

Final thought: a great fan of John Taylor, the former British Lion does a great job as stadium announcer at Twickenham, clear, concise and knowledgeable.