Slight change of scene for me last weekend as I flew up to Edinburgh for the Scotland v France game.

The weekend started off with a trip down to the Borders to watch the Under 20’s game between Scotland and France at Netherdale, Gala.

With three wins already under the belt the French were looking to make it four as they seek a Grand Slam at this level.

On the bench for Scotland was scrum-half Ben Vellacott who has been in sparkling form for Hartpury College this season and featured in their game at Redruth earlier in the season, whilst at fly-half young Ben Chalmers showed he has inherited his father (Craig’s) prowess with the boot.

French fly-half Brandon Fajardo (Auch) showed he was handful as his try and conversion cancelled out Chalmers’ early penalty that gave the home side the lead.

The same player then kicked a penalty to leave France 10-3 to the good at the break.

Fajardo then departed the fray leaving kicking duties to Toulouse hopeful Anthony Meric who put France 13-3 up with a penalty.
Then when impressive prop Tommy Raynaud (Narbonne) powered over for an 18-3 lead the game looked as good as over.

However, changes on both sides seem to favour the Scots as they enjoyed more of the ball and scored two well-worked tries off the line-out through lock Andy Cramond (Aberdeen Grammar) and back Damien Hoyland (Melrose), much to the delight of the sizeable contingent from the Melrose club. Young Neil Irvine-Hess showed up well in the back row when coming off the bench. Scots couldn’t manufacture another score and France held out for an 18 – 13 win that keeps them on-track.

Saturday saw me at Murrayfield to see France gain a fortuitous 19-17 win against a plucky Scotland.

Philippe Saint-Andre’s selection of the giant Perpignan lock Sebastien Vahaamahina at 6 caused a raise eyebrow or two and it didn’t take long to see it was a big error.

I shan’t go into the detail of the game here suffice to say that a report from the Scotsman’s David Ferguson can be found in the link.

Enough of my gallivanting around Scotland back to local issues.

Sunday saw the Cornish Pirates travel to the Memorial Ground to take on the Championship leaders Bristol at the Memorial Ground.

It sounds like it was a cracker of a game with Bristol eventually outscoring the Pirates 7-4 on the try count to run out winners by 46-33!
It sounds as if young Max Bodilly had another fine game for the Pirates backing up his man-of-the-match performance from the previous week against Jersey at the Mennaye.

A detailed match report from the Western Morning News can be found in the link.

Mixed fortunes for our Cornish clubs once again in National League 2 South. Redruth recorded a vital win against second placed Canterbury at the Rec 21-17 to boost their hopes of avoiding the drop. Match report from the WMN can be found in the link.

Launceston’s defeat at Chinnor by 28-20 sees them in the drop zone as they grapple to re-organise following the departure of “Spike” Rainford. They will look to bounce back quickly after this reversal. Match report in the link.

A very brief look at the local leagues this week with the promotion battle at the top of Tribute South West 1 West taking another twist.
St. Austell’s big win at home against Cullompton 60-3, coupled with Cleve’s defeat at North Petherton sees the Cornish side back at the top of the league two points ahead of Hornets who have a game in hand.

Full back Dan Pearce scored a couple of tries and converted five tries for a personal haul of twenty points.

Camborne bounced back from the disappointment of only drawing at home to St. Austell to beat Chard in Somerset 22-18 thanks in part to a hat-trick of tries from winger Alex Ducker.

Wadebridge Camels found it tough going up in Somerset against Hornets losing 55-12. Matt Angwin and Matt Ballard scored tries for the Camels.
Congratulations to Jack Nowell who again featured strongly for England in the win over Wales at Twickenham on Sunday which saw the Red Rose claim a first Triple Crown since 2003.

His club mate flanker Tom Johnson came off the bench to make it a great day for the Chiefs who earlier on qualified for the final of the LV Cup defeating Bath 22-19 at the Rec, their first win over Bath since getting to the Premiership. Next Sunday they take on Northampton at Sandy Park in the Final!

Joel Conlon (Cornish Pirates/Exeter Chiefs) was part of the England U.20’s that defeated Wales 67-7! Rob Coote was part of the England Students side that defeated Welsh Students 26-16 at Oxford University.

Finally Jack Stanley played for England U.18’s in their win against Scotland U.18’s at Dalziel Park 28-6.

The dreadful conditions down at the Mennaye yesterday did not stop the players from both sides putting on a great performance in the mud.

The Cornish Pirates getting a first Championship win in 2014 against Jersey, 19-15, in front of RFU Chairman former England captain Bill Beaumont down in Penzance for the weekend.

Lots of local interest in the Jersey line up now coached by Harvey Biljon and with former Pirates’ players Grant Pointer, Drew Locke, Nicky Griffiths, Joe Buckle and Aaron Penberthy all in their match day twenty-two.

It was a first game back for former Redruth favourite Penberthy who played just past the forty minute mark and kicked a monster penalty from the half-way line to give the islanders an early lead. Biljon was happy with his fly-half comeback after a ten week layoff due to a broken leg. “I thought he did really well, this is a difficult place to come and get anything so to come away with a losing bonus point is well deserved by our boys for their performance today.”

It stayed 3-0 to Jersey for most of the first half until the Pirates bagged two quick tries just before the break, the first from centre Junior Fatialofa got in amongst the muddy forwards to power over the Jersey line in the Newlyn Gate Corner and then winger Kyle Moyle finishing off a break from scrum-half Tom Kessell in the Old Western National Corner, Hallett added the extras to the first try to leave the Pirates 12-3 up at half-time.

With the second half barely four minutes old a beautiful arcing run from full-back Max Bodilly saw him cap a fine Championship debut with a third Pirate’s try which again added the extras to.

It seemed the home side would kick on and seal the try-scoring bonus point, but to Jersey’s credit they dug in and got themselves back in the game with a try from skipper Alex Rae and then with the Pirates playing the final minutes with fourteen men following prop Shane Cahill’s yellow card, referee Greg Macdonald saw fit to award the visitors a penalty-try, which replacement fly-half Niall O’Connor converted with the final kick of the game.

Pirates head coach Ian Davies was pleased with the win. “I thought the boys played really well at one stage I was a little bit worried that I might have to do a Jurgen Klinsmann dive through the water if they scored four tries.

“I think we should have got the extra point and I was disappointed that Jersey picked up a losing bonus point as I felt we were the only side trying to play rugby out there today.

“Max Bodilly on his debut an absolute superstar, scored one great try could of had another one, fielded the ball really well we knew they would target him, a star in the making.”

Two interested spectators at the game were former prop Paul Andrew down from Worcester to see his brother Jack in action and England International winger Jack Nowell.

Photo – RFU

Jack had a busy afternoon dealing with the media whilst watching the game with his family. He kindly spoke to me after the game.

“I really enjoyed watching the game today, good to see my mate Kyle Moyle getting his chance today and scoring a good try in the corner.

“Good to see Max Bodilly having a good game today he’s another who is coming through the system at Exeter Chiefs and been given good game time down here at the Pirates much as did, he is a top quality player with a bright future ahead of him.

Turning to thoughts of England Jack is looking forward to hopefully being selected for the Triple Crown decider against Wales next Sunday. “I’ve set goals for myself all the way through, playing for Exeter, the LV Cup, the Premiership and in Europe and now to play for England it’s happened quicker than I envisaged, but at Chiefs they have prepared me for the goals that I set myself.

“I still think back to my season at Redruth which gave me my first experience of senior rugby, playing at the Reds really prepared for joining Exeter after I finished at College.

“The feedback I’ve got from the coaching staff with England has been really positive, after the start against France , but they are happy that it hasn’t affected my performance, I have gone out there and done the job I’ve been asked to do, making the tackles making the yards, getting into contact and looking for the ball off my wing. They have given me that extra confidence to take into the next game hopefully with Wales next week, but I’ve got to show that in training this week and hopefully get that 14 shirt again.”

Saturday I took in the Tribute South West 1 West derby between Camborne and St. Austell at the Recreation Ground.

It ended honours even at 13 all. A result which probably suited both sides promotion/play-off rivals the most.

Camborne got off to a cracking start with two un-converted tries scored by full back Joe Parma and hooker Sam Bartle.

St. Austell reduced the arrears immediately after Town’s second try with a penalty from Matt Shepherd before Dave Mankee restored a ten point lead for the Cherry and Whites with a penalty on half-time.

In the second half playing down the slope, St. Austell made a perfect start with an early try scored by full back Dan Pearce.

There was a little bit of controversy when Camborne centre Richie Kevern was felled by a high tackle, which referee Ryan Cook missed.

With time fast running out St. Austell got good field position in the Camborne 22 with lock Adam Pearce winning the lineout to set up a forward drive which saw flanker Paul Winterbottom crash over, Shepherd had a conversion attempt from the 22 to win the game but his attempt went wide to leave it at 13-13.

Camborne are now awaiting the result of their appeal against the potential deduction of five league points over their abandoned game at Clevedon when a set of goal posts fell down and they declined to continue the game on the second team pitch when trailing 6-0.

Good to see Sam Matavesi at Camborne on Saturday along with his brother Josh there to not only cheer on younger brother Joel in the Camborne side as Sam presented the shirt he won with Fiji last summer against Canada to the club.

Also in the South West 1 West, Wadebridge Camels defeat Sidmouth 45-5. Camels welcomed back Cornwall U.20 lock Harry Baker who has resigned for the club following a spell at Redruth and scored Camels’ first try before hooker Matt Ballard helped himself to four scores! Mark Kempthorne and Julian Wilce also grabbed tries for the Camels and James Grubb landed five conversions. The result helps Camels in their battle to avoid the drop.
In National League 2 on Saturday both the Cornish All Blacks and Redruth lost.

The All Blacks lost at Polson Bridge for the second game running going down to mid-table Southend 32-17, it should have been a game that they would have expected to win!

Sisa Naqasima scored a couple of tries with Jamie Salter, playing in the back row, scoring a third try for the All Blacks. The result slips Launceston or than ever into the relegation mix.

It’s not much better for Redruth who lost 26-20 at London Irish Wild Geese, but at least salvaged a losing bonus point thanks to Murray Westren’s conversion of Greg Goodfellow’s try. Luke Jones bagged the other Redruth try with Westren kicking the rest of the points.
Having indicated that he wishes to relinquish the role of head coach at Redruth, Ashley Morcom hopes to continue in a coaching role at the Reds and does not envisage being anywhere else next season.

Redruth will hope to get a win next Saturday when they entertain second place Canterbury, whist Launceston travel to fellow strugglers Chinnor.
In Tribute Western Counties West, Ivybridge look more than ever certain to take the league title following a 67-15 win over Penryn at Cross-in-Hand. Brough scored three un-converted tries through Rob Trevaskis, Ross Hancock and Kirky Oldfield.

Truro made up some ground with a 22-15 win over Torquay Athletic at St. Clements. Full-back Tom Hatfield scored three tries for Truro with fly-half Jake Champion kicking the other points.

Bude’s situation near the foot of the table wasn’t improved with a 39-22 loss at home to Tavistock. Tries from Ben Hancock, Adam Black, Joe Wilson and James Comber gave them a try-scoring bonus point but little else.

St. Ives will feel unlucky having lost at Devonport Services by a single point 17-16.

Neil Corin and Josh Semmens scored tries for the Hakes with “Eggy” Williams kicking a couple of penalties.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish played their “home” game at the oppositions but it didn’t matter as they still ran out winners 36-19 against Effingham & Leatherhead with fly-half Luke Spells scoring 21 points. Harry Somers, Phil Dale and Matthew Hakes scoring the other exiles’ tries.

The Tribute Cornwall & Devon League saw a feisty local derby between Hayle and Pirates Amateurs with 2 red cards and 7 yellows!!
Hayle emerged winners 32-17.

Falmouth were defeated by Exeter University at the Rec 32-3, Saltash lost at Crediton 27-26, Withycombe defeated Newquay Hornets 72-0 and Veor lost at Wheal Gerry 52-24. It’s not been a great season for Cornish clubs at this level and Newquay Hornets look set to join Veor back in Cornwall 1 next season, whilst Pirates Amateurs are not safe yet either!

Tribute Cornwall League 1 was completed when Stithians defeated Roseland 33-5.

After the euphoria of Cornwall U.20’s win last week a two bits of unfortunate news this week. First last season’s skipper Neil Broadbank who was coming back from injury has torn his Achilles and is out for the rest of the season, whist scrum-half Sam Fox suffered partial torn knee ligaments playing in Cornwall U.17’s win over Somerset at Wadebridge yesterday.

I am sure everyone will join me in wishing the boys a speedy recovery.

News on the quarter-final which will be played on Sunday 30th March most likely at Camborne RFC but that still has to be confirmed. With the opponents likely to be one from Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire or Berkshire.

Just after Trelawny’s Army Annual Dinner & Dance thoughts turn towards springtime and Cornwall’s annual quest for it’s “Holy Grail”, winning the County Championship, or as it is now called the Bill Beaumont Cup.

Last Wednesday evening players, coaches and officials from the CRFU gathered at Kingsley Village to lay down the route map for this season’s campaign, the first for many years without Dave “Benji” Thomas at the helm.

However, in Graham Dawe, the Cornwall RFU have appointed a proven winner with a professional mindset when it comes to rugby. Ian Morgan is also on board, whilst London Cornish Director of Rugby Dickon Moon is once again part of this season’s coaching set up with no doubt “special duties” with his keen analytical eye for detail!

Photo Graham Dawe & Ian Morgan

Dawe has seen it all before and he is in no doubt especially after last season’s trip to Twickenham when Cornwall lost the final to Lancashire, that the Cornish supporters hope that under his guidance Cornwall can again bring the title back across the Tamar.

Asked about the reasons he took on the role he was quite unequivocal. “Cornwall gave me my first representative honours and that was very much a stepping stone for me to move on to have the career in the game I enjoyed, by playing for Cornwall that brought me into the spotlight and opened some doors for me. I was a very determined player and I had set goals of what I wanted to achieve, my first goal was to play for Cornwall and that led to me then going to Bath and the rest.

He knows only too well that the Cornish people crave success from their county side.

He said. “It’s the hardest thing, the massive expectations from the people in Cornwall, we’ve got to live with it, there is no point in trying to hide away from it. We’ve got to move forward and do the best with the players we have. The competition comes at the end of a hard long season and you have deal with that, but also it’s a change for the players something a little different to what they have been involved in during the season so hopefully they will respond to it as a fresh challenge.

“I have had some great days playing for Cornwall with wonderful support for the teams I played in, the Cornish people have always got behind their team and supported it through thick and thin. There is no other county quite the same.

“Pulling on the Cornish shirt is a great identity for players, it’s something all Cornish rugby players aspire to, we have picked a large squad, but it’s not just about this season it’s about developing the county side for future years, some players may not get a chance this year but they will have been groomed for the future and will feel part of the set up.

“I am really looking forward to the task, following on from “Benji” is a big ask but one I am relishing.”

Confirmed as Cornwall’s captain for another season Cornish All Blacks’ Ben Hilton fresh from his exploits with England Counties this winter against France Fédérale and Ireland Clubs XV with both games lost frustratingly by a single point.

Having first captained Cornwall when the county made a trip to Brittany to play Quimper in 2007 Hilton now looks forward to turning his attentions to another county campaign with hopefully another tilt at the title at rugby’s HQ.

Photo Cornwall’s skipper Ben Hilton

“I am both delighted and surprised to be confirmed as captain for another season, but it’s a role I relish and take great pride in.
“It’s great to be back in Cornwall mode, chatting to players from the other clubs tonight, I was just talking to Chris Fuca (Redruth) and bouncing ideas off him about how we are going to do things it’s just brilliant to have that buzz back again.

“Support is going to be crucial, let’s make no bones about it we got to Twickenham on the back of great support both at the away games and at Camborne, without the backing we wouldn’t have made it through.

“Speaking to Lancashire’s Chris Johnson last week he told me if they make the final again they want to play Cornwall because of the wonderful atmosphere created at Twickenham by our supporters.

“We definitely owe it to our supporters to go back and finish the job this year and that’s our aim.

Another player who is looking forward to donning the Cornwall shirt again is Truro prop Darren Jacques.

Photo Darren Jacques

“I didn’t think I’d be back playing for Cornwall this season but after losing that final I felt I had to give it another crack, it’s great to see everyone coming together tonight and getting that buzz about Cornwall, it’s very special.

“We have been really close the last two seasons I think the squad we have now has built up nicely over that period the core of the squad is still the same and we all desperately want to give the Cornish crowd something to cheer.

It was also good to see try-scorer at Twickenham last season Lewis Vinnicombe also hoping to help Cornwall go all the way this season.

Another player back in the mix is St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd who is once again enjoying a fine season with the Saints as they push for a place in the National Leagues.

“It’s a massive honour to be involved in any Cornwall representative side, it’s always been an objective to play for Cornwall and last season being involved with the County Championship squad was very exciting getting to Twickenham but this year we really want to go all the way and go one step higher.

“For me it would be wonderful to win promotion with St. Austell and go to Twickenham and win the County Championship with Cornwall a dream double.
“With Cornwall it’s refreshing to team up with other players I find that it pushes you into bringing the best out of yourself.

“I feel we have got the squad to go all the way and with someone of the calibre of Graham Dawe coaching us then I think we have a serious option going all the way.”

One of the new players to have made the squad this season and worthy recognition for his performances for the Reds is Murray Westren, younger brother of Cornish All Blacks centre Ryan. “I would love to have a chance to play it’s my first call up to the county squad. My brother has played all the age groups and for the senior side, myself as a latecomer to the game this is first time I have been involved in a county side at any level.

Photo Murray Westren

“It’s a big squad but I’ll just have to see how things pan out a lot can happen as the games are close together if a chance comes my way I will take it.

“I‘ve had a chance to prove my worth at Redruth this season moving from full back to the fly-half role has been a challenge but I feel that it’s now my preferred position on the park.

“It would be nice to play on the same side as my brother as we always seem to play against each other, I think Dad would be pretty chuffed too!

All photos courtesy of Simon Bryant Iktisphoto

The young black and golds put in a storming performance at Penryn’s Memorial Ground yesterday afternoon to book their place in the National Quarter-Finals of this season’s Under 20 County Championship.

They followed up their 37-35 win against Dorset & Wilts with an 18-15 win over Devon to finish top of their pool.

The whole side performed well; there was a big shift from prop Tyler Gendall whilst skipper Todd Prisk playing at lock lead the side with great maturity.

Scrum-half Sam Fox is going to be one to watch over the next few years as is hooker Jack Innard.

Good to see our U.20 Player of the Year from last season Neil Broadbank getting back into the game following a lengthy lay off through injury, he came off the bench putting in a good solid quarter.

Fly-half Rhys Brownfield scored thirteen of Cornwall’s points with a try, conversion and two penalties with winger Brad Janes getting Cornwall’s other try.

I spoke to coaches Ian Morgan and Mike Rawlings along with Team Secretary Chris Lea after the game and they were all delighted with the boy’s performance and the maturity they showed, also the pride and passion of wearing the black and gold hoops.

Photo by Phil Trevarton, Cornwall’ No.8 Brad Howe ready to pounce, whist Cornwall’s scrum-half Sam Fox nails Devon’s No.8 Chris Courtier

Cornwall must now wait to see who they will play at home in the Quarter-Finals.

Congratulations to Jack Nowell on winning his third England cap against Ireland on Saturday. England’s 13-10 win over the Irish means that no side can win the Grand Slam this season. England are two thirds of the way towards a first Triple Crown since 2003, a win against Wales at Twickenham will clinch it.

Cruel luck for Launceston’s Ben Hilton and Cambridge prop Jamal Ford-Robinson who of course hails from Cornwall as England Counties lost for the second time by a single point this time to Irish Clubs XV 23-22 at Darlington. A last minute penalty sealing the win.

Joel Conlon scored in England U.20’s 33-9 win over Ireland at Franklins Gardens.

Lauren Chenoweth played for England Women’s Under 20’s in their 28-0 loss to France at Esher.

On the club front it was another catch up Saturday……..and Friday for the Cornish Pirates.

Disappointment for the Pirates as they lost at Moseley 28-20. You can read Phil Westren’s match report in the link

News of the Cornish Pirates much anticipated British & Irish Quarter-final tie against Pontypridd at the Mennaye. The date has been set, Sunday 6th April kick off 2 pm

In National League 2 South, fortress Polson was breeched by the mob from Ampthill & District who won at Polson 38-23. You can read Bill Sobey’s match report from the Morning News in the link

Other news from Polson this week is that “Spike” Rainford will step down as head coach at the end of the season due to work commitments’ and player Mike Rawlings has sadly had to give up playing rugby having suffered a detached retina. I spoke to Mike on Sunday and I can sense that he is relishing a fresh challenge in rugby probably in a coaching role.

In Tribute South West 1 West, the promotion race is hotting up! Saturday saw St. Austell travel to rivals Hornets with the Somerset side winning 30-24, read Paul Hayes match report from the St. Austell club site in the link

Camborne were also in Somerset and they kept their promotion bid intact with a 40-16 win at North Petherton. Alex Ducker scored three of Town’s six tries. Read Martin Symons match report from the Camborne RFC website in the link

THIS SATURDAY CAMBORNE PLAY ST.AUSTELL AT THE REC KICK-OFF 3 PM!

In Tribute Western Counties West, Bude gave themselves a lifeline with 13-10 win over Penryn. Ryan Buttler and Ben Hancock scored the Seasiders’ tries and Olly Denford kicked a penalty. For the Borough, Andy Seviour scored a try also adding the conversion whilst brother Jake kicked an earlier penalty.

St. Ives lost at Torquay 38-26 but picked up a try-scoring bonus point with tries from Neil Corin (2), Jack Kessell and Tom Nicholas, “Eggy” Williams adding three conversions.

In London 2 SW. London Cornish beat Tottonians 22-17 at Imber Court. Read DoR Dickon Moon’s report from the club website

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League Pirates Amateurs won the “derby” game against Falmouth 32-8. Ryan Forrester (2) Leigh Edwards and Aaron Hall all scored tries for the AMS with Rhys Brownfield (he had a busy weekend!) converting three and kicking two penalties.

For Falmouth Tom Edmonds scored a try and Justyn Irons a penalty.

Saltash lost at Honiton 31-15 as did Newquay Hornets at Crediton 68-16. Match report from the Hornet’s website in the link

In Tribute Cornwall 1 Helston won at Stithians 10-8 in a game that also counted towards the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup.

Cornwall go into next Sunday’s decisive group game against Devon at Penryn’s Memorial Ground knowing that a win against their opponents will land them a home quarter-final to be played towards the end of March.

The Cornish youngsters will hope to repeat the result the last time Cornwall played Devon on Cornish soil at Hayle in 2012 when the young black and golds ran out winners by 24 points to 23.

Action from Cornwall U.20’s v Devon U.20’s in 2012

The selectors have been forced to make a couple of changes to the side that won a thrilling match 37 – 35 against Dorset and Wilts last month due to unavailability.

Devon, for whom this is their opening fixture in the group, come into the game on the back of an encouraging warm up win against England Colleges 19-15 at the Brickfields last month and as ever will provide formidable opposition.

The Cornish players are due to meet at Penryn to complete important pre match formalities including presentations by Kenny Plummer Cornwall RFU President and the squad photo.

CRFU President Ken Plummer said “This will be a tough test for these youngsters who fought bravely to record a win in their first game.” He went on to say “I am sure Captain Todd Prisk and his team will be striving for a win to take us into the quarter-finals.”

Coaches Ian Morgan Mike Rawlings and Brynn Jenkins have built an excellent squad ethic and a pride in wearing the black and gold. A good result against Devon will define where this squad goes next.

Coach Ian Morgan said – “Huge credit has to go to the lads, they have really committed to what we are trying do, it’s such a young side, which showed last week by the issue of 16 ties to the squad, that’s an incredible amount of inexperience, but it didn’t show. They stuck to the task, right up to the last kick and full credit to Connor Swan for calmly slotting it. It was a great start to the campaign, but we have a very tough task ahead, Devon will always be up for it, so hopefully we take this confidence forward and get the win. The lads deserve to progress, they have worked really hard and shown some real pride in the badge.”

Colin Hatch and his back room team have ensured that the Cornish lads have all they need to set up this latest encounter between the two counties.

Players will also be hoping to catch the eye of South West Divisional selectors with a view to selection for the England Counties Under 20’s.

Support for the Cornish team would be much appreciated at Penryn on Sunday with kick-off at 2-30 pm. Entry is only £2-00 with program.

Cornwall U.20: Jack Kessell (St. Ives), Luke Tidball (Truro), Sam Chapman (Cornish All Blacks), Ashley Taylor (St. Austell), Bradley Janes (Truro College), Rhys Brownfield (Pirates Amateurs/Bath Uni), Sam Fox (Wadebridge Camels); Joe Martin (Truro) Jack Innard, (Truro College), Tyler Gendall (St Ives), Todd Prisk (St. Ives) (Capt), Harry Baker (Redruth), Neil Stenleick (St. Ives), Johnny Haines (Cornish All Blacks), Brad Howe (Helston/Truro College).

Replacements: Liam McFarland (Pirates Amateurs), Sam Rodda (Newquay Hornets), Luke Hattam (Redruth/Truro College), Neil Broadbank (Exeter Uni/Redruth), Jordan Duke (Cornish All Blacks) Ben Tharme (Cornish All Blacks), Jack Willey (Truro College/Penryn)

Reserves to attend: Oliver Reynolds (Camborne), Stefan Osborne (Pirates Amateurs)

The rugby program was pretty well decimated in Cornwall last weekend, however some games were played.

There was only one fixture played in Tribute South West 1 West with St. Austell taking on Bridgwater & Albion.

A fantastic effort by all at Tregorrick Park to get the game on, with the reward a fine win 41-12 and the Saints going back to the top of the table.

You can read Paul Hayes’ match report of the game via the club’s website in the link

It was better news in Tribute Western Counties West with all the games involving Cornish sides being played.

Truro’s promotion hopes took a dent with defeat at Teignmouth 34-26. Despite trailing 17-0 Truro fought back to trail by just a point 20-19 in the third quarter. Truro’s points coming from tries scored by scrum-half Ricky Brandon, Carl Ranscombe and Theo Gayton with Jake Champion adding a couple of conversions.

Teignmouth kicked on again to open up a healthy lead before Ranscombe scored a second try which Champion converted for a try-scoring bonus point.
Penryn won a dour struggle on the Memorial Ground 7-3 against a makeshift Devonport Services. Will Payne got the only try with Matt Horton adding the extras.

At St. Ives the Hakes got the better of visitors Bude in a vital relegation scrap 25-13.

Sam Chandler scored a try for the home side with two penalty-tries awarded to the home side as well.

“Eggy” Williams kicked two conversions and a couple of penalties for the Hakes.

For Bude, Adam Black and Joe Wilson scored tries with Phil Horton adding a penalty.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Newquay Hornets defeated Veor 26-8. Brad Rossborough, Henry Penderich (2) and Tim Eustace all scored tries with Liam Freeman adding three conversions.

For Veor who will be back playing in Cornwall 1 next season, Stevens scored a try with Arthur adding a penalty.

In Tribute Cornwall 1 Champions Liskeard-Looe wrapped up their league program with a 45-5 win over Perranporth at Lux Park. They will now concentrate on trying to add the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup to the league title.

In the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup one Pool D match was played with Bodmin defeating Camelford 129-0!

Launceston’s Ben Hilton along with Cambridge prop and former Penryn and Redruth junior player Jamal Ford-Robinson have both been selected for England Counties second game against Irish Clubs XV at Darlington’s Northern Echo Arena this Friday, kick-off 7-30 pm.

We all hope that Jack Nowell will win his third England cap this weekend against Ireland at Twickenham. If he does then it will be his first cap at HQ.

Congrats to Lauren Chenoweth who is in the England Women’s U.20 side for the re-match with France Women’s U.20 at Esher on Saturday.

On Sunday Cornwall U.20’s take on Devon at Penryn kick-off 2-30 pm.

If Cornwall win then they will be guaranteed a home quarter-final towards the end of March.

Come and cheer on the Cornish youngsters as they look to progress in this season’s competition.

Interesting read yesterday’s The Rugby Paper by Brendan Gallagher about the five best players never capped by England. He had Mike Nicholls (Gloucester) Hooker, Richard Trickey (Sale) lock, John Gray (Coventry) Hooker, Martin Offiah (Rosslyn Park) wing, Steve Kenney (Leicester) scrum-half.

I replied with five Cornish players who should have played for England. Bonzo Johns (Redruth) prop, Roger Harris (Penryn) hooker, Peter Hendy (St. Ives) back row, Roger Spurrell, (Launceston & Bath) back row and Terry Pryor (Redruth) prop. Others that spring to mind, Roger Corin (St. Ives) back row, Graham Bate (Penryn) full back, Nigel Coombes (Penryn) scrum half, Alan Buzza (Redruth) full back, Roger Pellow (Falmouth) centre!

It was very fitting that Redruth Rugby Club had chosen Calcutta Cup weekend to present Redruth rugby legend Richard Sharp with the very first Redruth Players Cap in the club lounge which appropriately is named after him.

In 1963, Sharp who captained England in their championship winning 5 Nations campaign of that year, scored a memorable individual try in the Calcutta Cup match against Scotland at Twickenham which clinched both the Cup and the title.

It’s a try that has been long talked about by Cornish rugby followers and is held in as much esteem as the try scored by another famous son of Redruth; Bert Solomon’s against Wales in 1910; some fifty years before Sharp’s great score.

Youtube video of Sharp’s try v. Scotland 1963

Sharp set off on a diagonal run off a pass from his scrum half, his elegant figure cut a swath through the Scottish defence who fell for his dummy passes as he ghosted through the Scottish cover to the line.

Sharp played a total of fourteen times for England wining his last cap in 1967 against Australia at Twickenham.

Photos by Simon Bryant Iktsphoto

Redruth club President Derek Collins made the presentation to Sharp who was delighted with his cap. “I have had to wait 60 years for this!” he joked with the assembled audience. The occasion brought back many happy memories of not only playing for Redruth and his many friends at the club but also of watching them as a child growing up in Clinton Road.

“All I ever wanted to do was play for Redruth, I would come down on a Saturday to watch my heroes playing, Billy Phillips, Frank Partridge were amongst those I admired the most, it was a great thrill for me when I eventually played for Redruth as a seventeen year old schoolboy, I was so proud to follow in their footsteps.

Apart from Redruth and Oxford University, Sharp also played club rugby for Bristol and Wasps as well as playing county rugby for Cornwall invited to play for the Barbarians and touring South Africa with the British Lions in 1962. Though his tour was cut short after he suffered an horrific injury in the final tour game leading up to the first test against the Springboks.

He still takes a keen interest in the modern game and confided to me that he is watching the progress of fellow Cornishman Jack Nowell with keen interest. “I thought he had a very good game against France and I am delighted he has kept his place for the game against Scotland at Murrayfield. I wish him the very best.”

Robert Kitson’s excellent article on Sharp the Guardian Jan 2013

A Redruth Club statement read: The Club is delighted to announce that in association with William Porter Fine Caps all First XV players and ex players or their families are able to purchase personally embroidered Redruth First XV Honours caps.

This beautiful handmade cap upholds all of the finest British sporting traditions, tailored to an original English pattern using traditional materials and techniques. Hand embroidered onto the finest blended velvet silk, finished with military silver wire lace and tassel, each cap is unique and produced in Cornwall.

Each cap is embroidered with the individual player name, initials and the year they were first capped. This cap is a magnificent gift for players past or present and a unique memento of your playing days.

Applications are also welcome for players who have sadly passed on.

Your cap will be professionally framed and mounted in a deep box frame with a personalised Redruth RFC citation.
Your application will be assessed by Redruth RFC prior to manufacture. In the event of your application being deemed ineligible, you will be contacted and receive a full refund.

Applications will close at midnight on March 22nd 2014. Delivery is expected to be 6-8 weeks from this date.

To order please go to www.Williamporter.co.uk and click on the Redruth link. Alternatively for all enquiries please ring 07824 865351.

The continuing appalling weather once again took it’s toll on the weekend’s rugby fixtures.

The Cornish Pirates Friday evening RFU Championship clash at Moseley was an early victim.

In National League 2 South great work by the ground staff at Redruth ensured the game against Dings Crusaders went ahead. A heavy shower washed away all the pitch markings but great work by Martin Caddy ensured that the game kicked –off on time.

It was a very special day at Redruth with guest of honour being club legend Richard Sharp, who was the first recipient of a Redruth Players’ Cap.
Details of how former players and relatives of former players who have appeared for the first XV can obtain one of these special caps can be found in the following link.

The game itself was disappointing from a Redruth point of view as the Reds slipped to a third home defeat of the season losing 15-10.
You can read my WMN report from the Recreation Ground in the link.

The Cornish All Black’s game at Cambridge was postponed and will now take place on March 15th.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne defeated Coney Hill 26-10. The Cherry and Whites scored four tries to secure the bonus point and go level on points with North Petherton and Hornets on 61 points two points behind second place St. Austell.

Rob Floyd, Cameron Bone, Alex Ducker and Dave Roberts all crossed the whitewash for the home side, with Dave Mankee adding three conversions.
St. Austell won a tough derby game at Wadebridge Camels 13-8.

In difficult conditions Saints scored a couple of tries through Adam Pearce and Ian Venner with Matt Shepherd kicking a penalty.
For the Camels Will Pengelly scored a try and James Gribb kicked a penalty to give them a losing bonus point.

No Cornish sides were in action in Tribute Western Counties West. However, St. Ives have had their appeal rejected against the docking of points for their win over Truro for not having a prop replacement on the bench.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League Hayle defeated Newquay Hornets 21-0 thanks to a Danny Clackworthy try a penalty-try and a third score from Rob Cutter, all three scores were converted by James Nicholls.

Withycombe beat Veor 50-5 with Matt Rapson getting the visitors only points with a try.

Saltash lost at second place Tiverton 15-0.

Re-arranged games in Tribute Cornwall 1 & 2 were once again postponed as was the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup tie between Illogan Park & St. Day.

Many congratulations to Jack Nowell on his second cap for England in the Calcutta Cup game against Scotland at Murrayfield, though not getting on the score-sheet Nowell was instrumental in the build up to Mike Brown’s try for England as the red rose retained the cup winning 20-0.

Interesting stat that Nowell is currently ranked second in the turnover stats having won four to Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony’s five!

Picture RFU images

It proved to be an exciting weekend of rugby, despite for many the results!

Firstly congratulations to all our players, both men and women who were involved in the weekend Internationals against France.

We are all immensely proud of you. There were lumps in many throats as we watched Newlyn’s Jack Nowell run out on to the Stade de France pitch to earn the first of hopefully many international caps.

After a shaky start, but you could say that about the whole English XV as they proceeded to concede a try to France after just 31 seconds scored by Yohan Huget and then finding themselves 16-3 down they rallied well to lead going into the final moments of the game only to be un-done at the death by a third French try scored by another promising young player in Toulouse’s Gaël Fickou.

I wasn’t surprised to learn after the match that Nowell had made the most yards for England during the game and I thought he adapted quickly to the pace of international rugby and must surely get another chance this Saturday in the Calcutta Cup game against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Nowell’s fate in losing to France was shared by all our players representing England this weekend, Joel Conlon in the Under 20’s, Ben Hilton and Jamal Ford-Robinson for England Counties (see my report in my previous blog entry), Rob Coote with the England Students and Lauren Chenoweth with the Women’s Under 20, as France completed a whitewash against our representative sides.

This weekend was designated as a catch up weekend for our regional leagues but the reality is with the bad weather set to continue fixtures are beginning to seriously pile up as pitches remain badly water-logged.

On Sunday the Cornish Pirates could only salvage an 18 all draw against the bottom side in Championship Ealing Trailfinders at the Mennaye, with Kyle Moyle’s last gasp try converted by Ian Hallett to earn a draw. Hallett could have won the game with a penalty right on time but his effort missed.

The result leaves the Cornish Pirates ten points off the play-off spot which appears to be slipping away from their grasps for this season.

Read the WMN match report in the link here.

Ian Davies’ thoughts on his side’s performance in the link here.

Good to report two wins for our National League 2 South sides on Saturday with Redruth finally getting an away win 35 – 13 and five welcome league points at Exmouth.

Read Ed Bawden’s match report from the WMN in the link.

The Cornish All Blacks earned a hard-fought 17-5 win against Clifton at Polson Bridge, in a game that was described as “agricultural” on the radio!

Read Bill Sobey’s match report from the WMN in the link.

In Tribute South West 1 West the games scheduled for Camborne and St. Austell were called off.

In Tribute Western Counties West, there was just one game played with Tavistock and St. Ives sharing 66 points in a drawn game. Jack Kessell, Tom Chandler, Kelvin James, Tyler Gendall and Rob Rowe scored the hakes’ five tries with “Eggy” Williams kicking four conversions.

Off the field St. Ives learned that their win last week against Truro had been chalked off by league officials due to an alleged irregularity over front row replacements when the game went to uncontested scrums. An appeal is likely!

Truro have been awarded five points which now puts them on 65 points and up to second place in the league table two points ahead of Burnham, though having played two games more.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Saltash lost at home to leaders Exeter University 44-10, whilst Falmouth lost at Withycombe 15-7. Ashley Searle with a try for the Eagles converted by Justyn Irons.

In Tribute Cornwall 1 Camborne School of Mines defeated Perranporth 41-19 in a home game that was in fact played at Perranporth.

Bad luck to Liskeard-Looe who lost their RFU Junior Vase regional final to Longlevens from Gloucestershire at Lux Park on Saturday 38-17. It was the Lions’ first defeat of the season.

Cornwall Under 20’s got their County Championship program off to a great start with a 37-35 win away to Dorset & Wilts on Sunday.

You can read my match report in the link from the West Briton site.

Stade Pré-Fleuri Nevers

England Counties travelled to Nevers in the centre of France with six new caps in their starting line-up among them former Cornish Pirate scrum-half Richard Bolt now at Exmouth whilst on the bench Jamal Ford-Robinson, who played junior rugby at both Penryn and Redruth was another debutant.
Cornwall’s skipper Launceston’s Ben Hilton started the game in the second row alongside Blaydon’s Chris Wearmouth.

Pic – Jamal Ford-Robinson and Cornwall’s captain Ben Hilton in the changing room in Nevers.

Speaking after the game Hilton said. ” I am really proud to have represented England Counties, it was a massively competitive game, though very enjoyable. There was a good crowd and a great atmosphere, we feel we were unlucky not to get the win.

“The French team were very direct and very physical, but I felt we eventually dealt with it and got parity, we lacked a bit of killer-instinct, if we could have put away one or two chances we could have taken the game away from them, but they kept with us.”

The Stade Pre-Fleuri, was anything but a flowering field as it’s name suggests, as a heavy pitch following days of heavy rain greeted both sides at kick-off.

The match ball was parachuted in by parachutists dressed in the local club colours, raising the temperature prior to the match.

France Fédérale got the initial breakthrough following good work from lock Antony Potente with an un-converted try scored by local centre Jordi Rouge profiting from a pass from full-back Remi Lamarque after 15 minutes, which raised the rafters.

Rouge surges to the line to score opening try.

England Counties got back into it with a penalty from skipper Chris Johnson when France Fédérale were penalised by referee Graeme Wells for not rolling away.

Rouge then found himself in the bin allowing counties to take an advantage, a long pass out to the wing found Cambridge full back Tim Wigglesworth, he cut inside, twice beating players to run diagonally towards the try-line finally beating the despairing last-ditched tackle of Lemarque to score under the sticks, Johnson’s conversion putting Counties 10-5 up at the break.

In the second half France Fédérale again scored an early try from a ruck near the Counties line a good drive from Montauban replacement prop Nicolas Agnesi saw the ball moved to blindside with fly-half Julien Lavie (Langon) slipping the scoring pass to Céret winger Thomas Anies to score in the corner a second un-converted try to tie the scores.

Counties were penalised at a scrum on their twenty-two for not pushing straight. Winger Lucas Levy who assumed kicking duties for the luckless Lavie stepped up to put his side ahead once more from the kicking tee.

There was some strong running from replacement back Kiba Richards, which helped put England Counties into some good field positions.

England Counties then got a penalty, which they kicked to the French twenty-two and set up a pick and go from the lineout. The ball was moved left along the line with Johnson barging over for a good try with two defenders hanging off him.

However, his conversion of his own try was spectacularly charged down by the quick thinking Levy, in what was to prove to be the pivotal moment of the game, leaving the game delicately poised at 15-13 to the Counties with time fast running out.

With time almost up on the clock the French forwards drove into the Counties twenty-two off a lineout. Counties were pinged by the referee for collapsing the maul in front of their posts gifting Levy the chance to win the game; needless to say he didn’t miss.

France Fédérale : Rémi Lamarque (Lormont), Lucas Levy (Aix-en-Provence), Jordi Rouge (Nevers), Thomas Anies (Céret), Stéphane Bonvalot (Nevers), Julien Lavie (Langon), Paul Dubert (Tyrosse) ; Renaud Paloméra (Gruissan), Romain Lauga (Montauban), Arnaud Etchegaray (Blagnac), Benoit Sénac (La Seyne), Anthony Potente (Lavaur), Guillaume Gélédan (Bagnères de Bigorre), Damien Costanzo (Périgueux), Julien Capdeillayre (La Seyne) (capt).

Replacements (used) : Nicolas Agnesi (Montauban), Fabien Dupuy (Argelès Gazost), Kevin Kahn (Tyrosse), Louis Bezert (Romans), Jean-Baptiste Lafitte (Cognac), Pierre Lafite (Périgueux).

Replacements (not used) : Jean-François Cruzalebes (Oloron), Adrien Attia (Tyrosse)

Scores – Tries – Rouge, Anies, Penalties – Levy (2)

Yellow Cards – Rouge, Lamarque

England Counties: Jim Wigglesworth (Cambridge); Chris Briers (Fylde), Jack Adams (Cinderford), Luke Myring (Coventry), Cameron Mitchell (Darlington Mowden Park); Chris Johnson (Fylde – captain), Richard Bolt (Exmouth); Robbie Kalbraier (Blaydon), Brett McNamee (Old Albanians), Matt Shields (Tynedale), Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon), Ben Hilton (Launceston), Tom Stradwick (Blackheath), Rob Stapley (Henley Hawks), Gavin Jones (Blaydon).

Replacements (used): Johnny Matthews (Sedgley Park), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Cambridge), Mark McCraith (Bishop’s Stortford), Matt Heeks (Rosslyn Park), Kiba Richards (Worthing), Sean Taylor (Preston Grasshoppers).

Replacements (not used): Bertie Haskins (Blackheath), Pierce Phillips (Darlington Mowden Park)

Scores – Tries – Wigglesworth, Johnson, Conversion – Johnson, Penalty- Johnson

Referee: Graeme Wells (SRU)

Crowd:4,500

Highlights of France Fédérale v England Counties Nevers 2014