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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

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20’s 2014 County Championship campaign begins this Sunday 2nd February.

The Under 20’s have trained for the last 3 weekends sometimes in atrocious weather in preparation for their first game against Dorset & Wilts at North Dorset RFC with a 2pm kick off.

CRFU President Ken Plummer said “This is the first game at this level for some of the team and they start with a tough away game” He went on to say “I want to thank the coaching team of Ian Morgan, Mike & Tom Rawlings, Bryn Jenkin and team manager Chris Lea for their work in pulling together the team”.

Cornwall face two games in the group stages in February and depending on results, are hoping for a quarter-final place to be played in March.

Coach Ian Morgan said – “We have a young squad who have trained well and in good numbers on Sunday mornings in Truro. They now face a long coach trip and tough game against Dorset & Wilts”

Cornwall travel to face Dorset & Wilts on Sunday, before a home game against Devon on Sunday 23rd February at Penryn RFC.

Cornwall team Manager Chris Lea said; – “It is testament to the guys who have trained on Sunday mornings after games for their own clubs on the Saturday. They have trained hard and know they face a difficult task, but they will be extremely proud to pull on the famous black and gold shirt of Cornwall. ”

CRFU Chair Denis Preece said “This is the first opportunity for some of these players to represent Cornwall at senior level. A number of the players who have gone before them, have gone on to represent the full County 15 and some have played at Twickenham!!”

Cornwall U.20: Jack Kessell (St Ives), Luke Tidball. (Truro), Ashley Taylor (St Austell), James Briant (Camborne), Sam Chapman. (CAB’s), Rhys Brownfield (Pirates Ams & Bath Uni), Connor Swann (Truro College); Tommy Phillips (Truro College), Joe Martin (Truro), Tyler Gendall (St. Ives), Todd Prisk (St. Ives), Luke Hattam (Redruth/Truro College), Neil Stanleick (St Ives), John Haines (CAB’s), Brad Howe (Helston).

Replacements: Sam Rodda (Newquay Hornets), Liam McFadden (Pirates Ams), Jordan Duke (CAB), Neil Broadbank (Redruth & Exeter Uni), Harry Baker (Redruth), Sam Fox (Wadebridge), Bradley James

Travelling Reserve, Joel Rose (Falmouth)

After three successive defeats in National League 2 South, Redruth finally got their first win of 2014 with a battling performance against fellow strugglers Bournemouth by 21-10.

Three tries set up by the Redruth forwards all finished off by Ben Priddey, whose try scoring exploits capped a fine performance.

Other notable contributions came from lock Damien Cook and tight-head prop Jess Tompsett both of whom carried a lot of ball.

Good to see former head-coach Nigel Hambly back at the club helping out.

I am sure that current head-coach Ashley Morcom will benefit from Nigel’s experience that can only help the Reds in their current predicament.

It’s a vital few weeks for Redruth with fellow strugglers Exmouth (away) and Dings Crusaders (home) next up. These are two games that Redruth will need to take points from preferably maximum points.

You can read my match report in the link from the WMN here.

And yes I am aware that on line 5 the score should read 21-10, not 12-10. It was not I who wrote that!

Also in National League 2 South another defeat for the Cornish All Blacks on the road this time at Bishop’s Stortford 34-7.

Launceston had a total of five players sent to the sin-bin as they fell foul of the ref in a big way. At one point they were obliged to play for 20 minutes with just 12 men!

You can read Nigel Walrond’s match summary from the WMN in the link.

Disappointment too, for the Cornish Pirates in their Championship match up at the Richmond Athletic Ground against London Scottish. Kieran Hallett gave the Cornishmen a useful 6-0 lead with a couple of penalties before a storm literally hit them and the exiles captained by Mark Bright scored twenty-five un-answered points to put a dent in the Pirates’ play-off ambitions.

You can read Dick Straughan’s match report from the WMN in the link here.

Also Ian Davies’ post-match reaction in this link.

In Tribute South West 1 West, it was a day of what ifs?

St. Austell would have been hoping to maintain pressure on the leaders with a home match against Thornbury. But when the visitors went 14-0 up the Saints knew they had a battle on their hands.

Tries from Paul Winterbottom and Ashley Taylor along with eight points from the boot of Matt Shepherd put Saints ahead 18-17 with time almost up. Failure to find touch proved costly as Thornbury got field position and earned a last-gasp penalty to snatch the win.

Camborne’s game at Clevedon was abandoned mid-way through the first half with the home side leading 6-0 when one of the goal posts collapsed.

It looks like this game will now be played on Saturday 22nd February, which should have been the date for Camborne’s county cup semi-final against Penryn.

Wadebridge Camels found it tough going at high-flying North Petherton losing 20-12. Tom Rowe and Rich Trevealen scored their tries with James Grubb kicking a conversion.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro lost ground as their winning run was brought to an end at St. Ives as the Hakes won 17-12. To compound Truro’s frustrations on the day player/coach Josh Lord was given his marching orders near the end by the referee!

The match was concluded with un-contested scrums after St. Ives prop Ben Wheeler was sin-binned near the end!

Eggy Williams put St. Ives ahead with a penalty before Truro hit back with a converted try from Jake Champion.

Williams added the extras to a penalty-try award just before half-time, for which Lord was sin-binned.

In the second half a quick tap penalty put Lewis Vinnicombe away for his first try for Truro since signing from Redruth 12-10 to Truro.

St. Ives Kelvin James scored a breakaway try eight minutes from time, which Williams converted to seal a vital win for St. Ives.

Bude got the win at bottom of the table Paignton 26-15. Will Kingdom, Duncan Tout, Ryan Butler and Joe Wilson got the tries for Bude with Olly Denford kicking three conversions.

Penryn’s match against Kingsbridge was postponed. As was London Cornish’s match in London 2 SW.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth defeated Newquay Hornets at the Sportscentre 24-3. Simon Bailey (2), Justyn Irons and Josh Symons scored tries for the Eagles with Irons kicking two conversions.

James MacFarlane kicked the Hornet’s only points with a penalty.

Saltash defeated Exeter Saracens 55-0 at Moorlands. Max Venables had a personal haul of thirty points with three tries, three penalties and three conversions.

Hayle overcame Veor at Wheal Gerry 34-21. Tries for the Lions came through Talan Daniels, Rob Cutter, Neil Mitchell, Alex Thornton and a penalty-try award. Dan McGee kicking the other points.

For Veor, Kevin Mankee scored three tries with Graham Mankee kicking a couple of penalties.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, it was a battle of the top two with champions Liskeard-Looe defeating runners-up Bodmin 29-11, the game also counted towards Group D of the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup.

In Tribute Cornwall 2 Lankelly-Fowey won at Camelford 26-7.

Many congratulations to Launceston’s Ben Hilton who has again been called into the England Counties squad for this Friday’s match against France Fédérale in Nevers.

Counties will be looking to retain the Jean-Claude Baqué Cup that they regained last season when defeating the French 27-7 AT Ealing Trailfinders.

Desperate hard luck to Truro School who went out of the Nat West Bank Cup to Stowe after drawing at home to their opponents 6-6 this afternoon. Stowe advance as the away side.

Rob Coote was part of the England Students side that defeated Portugal 30-16 in Lisbon last Friday and is in the mix when the Students take on French Universities in Blois this Friday evening.

Lauren Chenoweth starts at inside-centre for the England Women’s U.20 side to play the French in Beauvais this Saturday lunch-time.

I was at a muddy St. Clements Hill in Truro for their Tribute Western Counties West match against Penryn on Saturday.

The Truro committee and members did a sterling job on Saturday morning getting the pitch in a playable condition at kick-off time.

They were rewarded by another fine display from their side as they recorded their seventh win on the bounce 24 – 0 over the “Borough” in pursuit of the target set by Josh Lord of winning their next ten games following the defeat to Burnham-on-Sea back in early November.

When you walk into a clubhouse you generally pick up by the vibes how a club is doing and there is no question that there are good vibes up St. Clements Hill right now, the same can be said at Camborne and though I haven’t thus far been there this season, St. Austell.

You can read the special report I did for the TASC website in the link here.

Just to round off the other games involving Cornish sides in this league on Saturday. Bude got themselves a welcome win 24-22 against Okehampton at Bencoolen.

The Seasiders scored four tries through Duncan Tout, Joe Wilson, Jake Keat and Phil Horton. Olly Denford bagged two conversions with his second effort bagging the win.

St. Ives’ match at Torquay was called off due to a water-logged pitch.

On Friday evening a late try gave Ulster Ravens a 27-23 win over the Cornish Pirates at Belfast Harlequins’ Deramore Park ground.
It left the Cornish boys sweating it out for 24 hours to see if they had done enough to earn a home quarter-final.

Results went their way over the weekend and they ended up as third best seeds and can look forward to the draw next Monday 27th January.

Dick Straughan’s WMN match report in the link

In National League 2 South, in difficult conditions Redruth went down to a third straight league defeat at Taunton 16-5. Ben Priddey scored their only try. Read Ed Bawden’s WMN report in the link

The game at Polson was called off late in the day, so Ampthill & District will be making another trip to the banks of the Tamar!

In Tribute South West 1 West, despite a truncated program there was plenty of drama.

Camborne narrowed the gap near the top with their 15-6 win over table toppers Cleve.

First-half tries from hooker Sam Bartle and winger Rob Floyd saw the Cherry and Whites turnaround 10-3 up.

In the second half Bartle grabbed his second try to ensure the win and put Town back in the frame challenging for promotion.

Read Martin Symons for the Packet report in the link

St. Austell’s game at Weston Hornets was called off.

Wadebridge Camels, who this week learned that the five points they had been docked by the Cornwall RFU in relation to referee abuse had been upheld by the RFU, got a welcome boost on the field with a 37-12 win over Coney Hill. Tries were scored by Will Pengelly, Matt Ballard, Gary Gynn, Gavin West, Jake Grubb and Tom Rowe. James Grubb kicked two conversions and a penalty.

London Cornish’s game against Tottonians was again postponed due to a water-logged pitch.

The Tribute Cornwall & Devon League was hit hard by the weather.

Falmouth defeated Veor 65-0 at the Recreation Ground. Josh Simmons scored three of the Eagle’s eleven tries with Justin Irons kicking ten conversions.

Hayle lost at Withycombe 19-12. Dan McGee kicked all the Lion’s points.

Pirates Amateurs lost at Tiverton 37-0.

All other games involving Cornish clubs were postponed.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, Bodmin’s 27-12 win over Helston guarantees them the runners-up spot and a play-off in April against the runner-up in Tribute Devon 1 for the final promotion berth into the Cornwall & Devon League.

Camborne School of Mines 24-0 win at St. Agnes confirmed Aggies’ return to Cornwall 2 next season.
The other games were postponed.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, St. Just defeated St. Day 34-0 to confirm their runners-up spot and promotion back to Cornwall 1 next season.

Champions Illogan Park completed their league program with a 31-13 win at Lankelly-Fowey, whilst Redruth Albany look set to finish bottom of Cornwall 2 as they couldn’t field a side at Camelford.

With the league season virtually complete for the Cornwall 1 & 2 sides, attention turns for the rest of the season to Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup action.

The Cornish Pirates have virtually guaranteed themselves a home quarter-final in this season’s BRITISH & IRISH CUP following their 28-21 win against Scottish Premiership side Ayr at a wet and muddy Mennaye on Sunday.

It was certainly a tighter affair than the Pirates 53-10 win at Millbrae back in October as Ayr included a few more players from Glasgow Warriors, both sides travelled down to the Westcountry together staying at Exeter with Ayr arriving at the Mennaye in the Exeter Chiefs’ team bus!

Eight of the Ayr side were named on Monday in trimmed squad of 27 for the Scottish Club XV’s Internationals against Irish Clubs XV and France Fédérale, among them try-scorer at the Mennaye Craig Gossman and skipper Dean Kelbrick.

It was good to see Tom Duncan back from injury featuring for the first time this season; he had a run out last week for Camborne 2nds and got twenty minutes game time against Ayr.

Pirates will wrap up their pool program next Friday when they play Ulster Ravens at Belfast Harlequins Deramore Park Ground kick-off 7:30 pm.

Bill Sobey’s ’s match report can be found in the link from the Morning News here.

With post match reaction from Ian Davies in the link here.

In National League 2 South a disappointing double defeat for both our Cornish sides.

The Cornish All Blacks were always going to be up against it at leaders Hartpury College, and so it proved with the students running out winners 40-13.

You can read Nigel Walrond’s match report in the link from today’s Morning News.

Whilst at the Recreation Ground, Redruth let slip a thirteen point lead in the final eight minutes of the game to lose 26-25 to Chinnor.

My match report in the link from today’s Morning News here.

The battle continues at the top of Tribute South west 1 West, St. Austell remain in third place just three points behind leaders Cleve with an important game in-hand. Saints enjoyed a fine 46-15 win over Sidmouth at Tregorrick Park. Hugh Noot (2), Ashley Taylor (2), Matt Shepherd, Ian Venner, Darren Pellow and Steve Howorth all crossed for the Saints with Shepherd adding three conversions.

Camborne remain just about in touch a further eight points behind Saints following their 17-6 win at Cullompton. Wingers Alex Ducker (2) and Rob Floyd scored the Cherry and Whites tries with Dave Mankee kicking a conversion.

Wadebridge Camels remain perilously close to the drop zone following another disappointing defeat this time at Clevedon 25-0.

Next Saturday’s round of matches will go a long way in deciding who will remain in the promotion mix. Top-of-the-table Cleve travel to Camborne, a game that the Cherry and Whites will need to win to stay in the mix.

Whilst St. Austell travel to second placed Hornets, whom I saw defeat Camborne impressively at the end of November at the Rec 34 – 17. St. Austell will need to get something from this match depending on the result at Camborne!

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro made it six wins in a row with their 36-17 win at Paignton.

Darren Jacques made his debut for Truro and this week another former Red, Lewis Vinnicombe, announced that he too is signing for Truro.

Mark Lea (2), Carl Ranscombe, Tom Hatfield and the Gayton brothers Theo and Adam all scored tries for Truro with Ashley Riches adding three conversions.

Penryn and Torquay Athletic shared the spoils at the Memorial Ground 33 – all!

Matt Horton’s conversion of his own try tied the scores in the final moments. Horton added a second try to his haul with other tries coming from Mitch Vague, Phil Hinchley and Matt Williams with Horton adding a couple of penalties.

This Saturday a cracking local derby at St. Clements Hill as Truro entertain Penryn. With both sides scoring plenty of points it promises to be a very entertaining game as Truro look to keep in contact with the sides above them.

St. Ives lost at home to Teignmouth 30-12. Tom Chandler and Neil Stanlick scored tries for the Hakes with “Eggy” Williams adding a conversion.

Bude remain in the bottom two following defeat away to Wellington 30-8. Ben Hancock with their try and Andy Yates with a penalty.

Frustration in London 2 SW as London Cornish slipped to a late defeat at leaders Gosport & Fareham 20-17. Despite tries from Ciaran Acford, Rich Skinnard and Andrew Eustice a late penalty-try sank the exiles.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Hayle defeated Falmouth 41-11. Rob Cutter (2), Talan Daniels (2), Doug Arnull and Scott Harvey all crossed for the Lions with Dan Magee kicking four conversions and a penalty.

For the defeated Eagles, Ollie Church claimed a try with Justin Irons kicking a couple of penalties.

Pirates Amateurs enjoyed a good win over Exeter Saracens 37-31. Ben Eddy, Dexter Ross-Nicholl, Jack Vosper and Ryan Forrester all scored tries for the Ams with Rhys Brownfield kicking the rest of the points.

Saltash lost at Moorlands to Withycombe 24-19. Whilst Crediton won at Wheal Gerry against Veor 25-10. Steve Arthur converted a penalty-try and kicked a penalty for the home side.

Many congratulations to Liskeard-Looe who have wrapped up the Tribute Cornwall 1 title after defeating Helston 17-0. The Lions bounce back up to the Cornwall & Devon League after just one season back in Cornwall 1.

Bodmin maintain their grip on a play-off spot after defeating bottom-of-the-table St. Agnes 49-0.

Camborne School of Mines remain third following their win over Roseland 10-7.

Stithians won at Perranporth 20-19.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, Illogan Park defeated St. Just 15-9, whilst St. Day won at Redruth Albany 10-3.

The game between Camelford and Lankelly-Fowey was postponed.

Fantastic news this week that Exeter Chief’s Jack Nowell is in England’s RBS 6 Nations squad.
Those of us that watched him play at Redruth as a sixteen year old will have a broad smile, not forgetting that he is product of Penzance & Newlyn mini & juniors and came through at Truro College.

Closest shave this week must be for Tom Parker who was on his way with his Vannes team to play Montluçon when the team coach caught fire.
Happily Tom and the rest of the team got out safely but the coach was burnt out.
Vannes not surprisingly lost the game played the following day but only by 21-20!

A Happy New Year to One and All. As ever I wish all Cornish Clubs every success for 2014 and as I do each year hope that we may get a trip to Twickenham with Cornwall. We shall see!

It’s not been the happiest of festive periods at Redruth. After the euphoria of the pre-Christmas win over Launceston, came Boxing Day defeat at Camborne.

Then on Friday evening came the bombshell. Prop Darren Jacques who has been with the Reds for ten years announced his immediate departure from the club following a Players Meeting held the previous evening.

In a statement posted on his twitter feed Jacques wrote. “After our club meeting last night I decided it was time to leave the reds this is due to club changes and personally having a young family.

“I appreciate all the support it’s been 10 great years. I’ll still be playing local rugby but less time demanding.”

On Thursday evening the players were informed that the club was not in a position to continue paying the players.

In a statement from the club released by club treasurer Jerry Penna the following was stated. “Despite extensive efforts to maintain a players’ fund, the Club is not in a position to offer remuneration payments to players and this message was conveyed to the playing squad on Thursday evening. I trust members will acknowledge that although it may or may not result in changes to playing personnel, the Club will continue to strive to provide the highest standard of league rugby at the Recreation Ground in the future. In terms of rugby costs, it should be noted that recent away fixture travel costs have been paid in total by various individuals supporting the Club and my sincere thanks go to them for their very generous contributions to the cause.”

On Saturday following Redruth’s defeat to Southend 22-0, head coach Ashley Morcom confirmed that both Jacques and back Lewis Vinnicombe had left the club.

I was at Truro on Saturday covering their game Tribute Western Counties West match against Okehampton where delighted coaches Josh Lord and Mark Richards confirmed that Jacques was set to sign for the city club.

I also spoke to Jacques who was present at St. Clements Hill and he confirmed that he was set to sign. He also added that he was sad to leave Redruth after ten fabulous years at the Recreation Ground but he felt following the players meeting that the time was right for him to move on and he was looking forward to teaming up with Josh Lord and Mark Richards.

With a young family growing up he feels, and rightly so, that he needs to spend more time with them, which is quite understandable.
He also confirmed that he would still be available to play for Cornwall this season in the Bill Beaumont Cup campaign.

On the playing front, Redruth travelled up on Saturday morning to Southend, and yes players in the far west of the county were up by 5 am!
In the end Redruth lost 22-0 thus maintaining their poor away form, which is hardly surprising in the circumstances and unlikely to change in the short term.

By all accounts the team acquitted themselves remarkably well led by Owen Hambly in skipper Chris Fuca’s absence. Read Ed Bawdwen’s match report from the WMN in the link

Hopefully the club will be able to take a step forward on Saturday when they entertain Chinnor. The Redruth crowd will have a part to play in lifting the team.

The Cornish All Blacks maintained their fine record at Polson this season with an 18-6 win over Canterbury. Tim Mathias and Ryan Westren scored Lanson’s tries along with eight points from the boot of Kieron Lewitt.

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

In the RFU Championship, the Cornish Pirates made the trip to Clifton Lane and let slip a 21- point lead to finally lose 35-20.
Tries from Craig Holland, Tom Kessell and Tom Riley all converted by Holland who also had kicked a penalty saw the Pirates 24-3 up after 27 minutes.
Titans came back strongly, though there was a hint of controversy about their fourth try, in which there appeared to be a forward pass in the build up, though perhaps not as blatant as Yohan Huget’s pass for Toulouse against Clermont that led to Maxime Medard’s try last night.
Holland kicked a couple more penalties to at least give the Pirates a losing bonus point. Some cheer after the awful news of the fire in the hospitality marquee at the Mennaye on Friday night.

Dick Straughan’s match report in the link from the WMN

Ian Davies’ reaction post match WMN

Next week the Pirates will switch to British and Irish Cup action with Ayr being the visitors at the Mennaye on Sunday with kick-off at 3 pm.
The bad weather put paid to much of the Tribute league program in the sou’west.

In South West 1 West, Cleve climbed back to the top of the table with a 29-5 win at Wadebridge Camels. Prop Jack Scott with the Camel’s only score.
Both games involving St. Austell and Camborne were postponed.

In Western Counties West, I saw an entertaining game at St. Clements Hill where in form Truro made it five wins on the bounce with a 29-14 win against Okehampton.

Such was Truro’s dominance in the first half that the winning margin could have been much greater. Tries by Adam Gayton, Luke Tidball and Ashley Riches with a conversion from by Jake Champion gave Truro a 17-0 half-time lead.

In the second half hooker Ben Teasdale made sure of the bonus point with his side’s fourth try, whilst Champion snaffled the ball from the base of an Oke’s scrum near their line to poach try number five to which he added the extras.

Leading 29-0, Truro let the foot of the gas in the closing stages allowing Okehampton to score a couple of consolation tries one of which was a penalty-try. A fuller report from the WMN site in the link

Leaders Ivybridge had too much pace for Bude as they won 46-19 at Bencoolen. Olly Denford, Freddie Saxton and Jake Watts scored tries for the Seasiders’, with Denford adding a couple of conversions.

Of note for Cornwall is the good form of Lewis Paterson who is playing at Ivybridge at the moment and who got a couple of tries in the game.
The matches involving Penryn and St. Ives were called off.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish’s match against Tottonians was another victim of the weather, allowing Director of Rugby Dickon Moon the chance of a trip to Southend to see Redruth.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, there was just one game played as Crediton defeated Hayle 37-16. Rob Goodman scored a couple of tries for the Lions with Dan McGee kicking two penalties.

In Cornwall 1 Roseland defeated St. Agnes 27-3 at Enys Parc to leap-frog them in the table and send Aggie to the foot of the table.

In Cornwall 2, Illogan Park maintained their fine run defeating Redruth Albany at Trewergie 45-8, whilst in the only other game played St. Day defeated Camelford 22-5.

Finally this week bad luck to Pirates Amateurs who played their re-arranged Senior Vase tie at OPM’s. The Amateurs went down 20-13 to the Plymouth based side.

Camborne regained the Rodda’s Milk Cup with a hard fought win 35-26 over Redruth at the Recreation Ground in front of a sizeable Boxing Day crowd.
The win was a great fillip to the Cherry and Whites as they look to build their promotion challenge for the New Year, whilst for the Reds yet another frustrating defeat this season away from home.

Camborne’s skipper Steve Kenward was delighted with his side’s performance. He said. “We’ve felt that the gap between the two sides has been drawing closer, Redruth have got a good group of players with great talent, but we wanted to go out today and build on our result against Bridgwater and set ourselves up for the trip to Bideford in January. I think we achieved that today.

“We worked hard playing up the slope first half against the wind and turned around 14 all. Second half we upped the tempo to nudge ahead, Dave Mankee was in great form today his goal kicking was a key factor. You need a little bit of luck and we got that with Ducker’s interception try when we were under the cosh in our own twenty-two and that put us more than two scores ahead. Credit where it’s due we deserved today’s win and we will enjoy it tonight.”

For Redruth, head coach Ashley Morcom was left feeling very frustrated with some of the decisions that the Reds felt didn’t go their way. He said. “I feel there was a degree of inconsistency with some of the decisions in certain aspects of the game, especially in the rucks and mauls. Having said that we conceded thirty-five points which we need to address but with players playing out of position and a few key players away it was always going to be a difficult task against a useful Camborne side. Our back chat to the ref was disappointing and we were marched back six or seven times and then had two players sin-binned near the end. At any level this is not acceptable”

“There are some positives from today, we had Matt Bolwell from the Cornish Pirates with us and also some of the colts stepped up. Martin Strick has come back to help us in the front row and did a good job, focus now is on the trip to Southend.”

Visitors Redruth got off to the best possible start with an opening try scored by scrum-half Ashley Hosking with less than sixty seconds on the clock.

The scrum-half intercepted the ball as Camborne looked to play the ball out of their twenty-two. He then added the conversion to his own score.
Camborne’s reply was not long in coming after winger Rob Floyd was brought down short a touchline break by full back Joe Parma saw flanker Cameron Bone take the scoring pass.

Camborne scrum-half Dave Mankee, Camborne’s man-of-the-match, kicked his first conversion in a personal points haul of twelve points from the boot.
Dave Roberts once again was having a big game in the Camborne pack, whilst for Redruth flanker Ben Priddey constantly caught the eye.
Centre James Briant was felled short of the Redruth line as Camborne kept the pressure up.

Mankee was involved again on the half-hour mark in the build up to Bone’s and Camborne’s second try, the scrum-half’s conversion putting the Cherry and Whites 14-7 up.

Redruth came back with fly-half Murray Westren kicking a penalty to the West Bank corner. Luke Collins soared to claim the lineout ball. The Redruth pack rumbled towards the Camborne line, with Priddey breaking to feed fellow back rower Richard Brown who crossed in the corner. Hosking’s conversion tying the scores and that’s how it remained up to half-time.

It was Camborne’s turn to start a half well. With less than two minutes played full back Joe Parma took the scoring pass from Floyd to skittle in to the scoreboard corner. On this occasion Mankee couldn’t add the extras.

However, he was bang on target with two crucial penalty attempts to stretch the Cherry and White’s lead to 25-14 going into the final quarter.
Redruth were chasing the game being more than two scores adrift. As the Reds pressurized the Camborne line as pass from Hosking was snaffled by Camborne’s flyer Alex Ducker near his own line. Ducker lit the after burners to run in the pivotal score. Mankee’s conversion putting Camborne 32-14 up and the Camborne crowd in dreamland.

Redruth weren’t going to let the Cup slip away without a fight. Back they came with a third try scored by Priddey from a catch-and-drive with Hosking kicking the conversion.

Priddey looked to have got over again shortly after but was deemed to have been held up by referee Williams.

From the scrum Redruth moved the ball wide with replacement back Craig “Eggy” Williams scoring out wide for an unconverted try.
The Camborne faithful held their breath at 32-26, could Redruth stage a remarkable comeback?

No, would be the answer. With the clock ticking away, Redruth’s festering frustrations with some of the officiating finally erupted as both Rhodri McAtee and Hosking were dispatched to the sin-bin in quick succession for dissent. Reduced to thirteen men Redruth could only watch as young Joel Matavesi, on as a replacement for Parma, stepped up to nail the final nail into Redruth’s coffin with a penalty that put his side more than a score ahead.

The final whistle brought a huge cheer from the Camborne crowd with skipper Steve Kenward stepping up to reclaim the Rodda’s Milk Cup.

Camborne 35 pts
Tries – Bone (2), Parma, Ducker, Conversions – Mankee (3), Penalties – Mankee (2), Matavesi

Redruth 26 pts
Tries – Hosking, Brown, Priddey, Williams, Conversions- Hosking (3)
Yellow Cards – McAtee (79), Hosking (80)

Camborne: J Parma, R Floyd, J Briant, S Kenward (Capt), A Ducker, G Thirlby, D Mankee; N Endean, S Bartle, W Webster, J Griffiths, B Kemp, G Hall, C Bone, D Roberts.
Replacements (all used): R Kevern, L Manna, L Hocking, J Jackson, J Moore, O Reynolds, M Goldsworthy, J Matavesi

Redruth: B Rule, T Notman, B Drew, S Parsons, D Bonds, M Westren, A Hosking; D Jacques, N Turner, A Strick, D Cook (Capt), L Collins, R Brown, B Priddey, M O’Leary.
Replacements (all used): M Bowden, M Bolwell, R McAtee, L Vinnicombe, C Williams, R Kessell, D Rutter, J Simmons, W Whitworth

Referee: Kevin Williams (Cornwall RRS)

Crowd 1.050

Camborne-man-of-the-match & Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club Tony Pill Memorial Cup – Dave Mankee (Camborne)

Thanks to Phil Westren

Forget the leftover turkey and pud, as a true rugby feast surely awaits at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, on Boxing Day when the Cornish Pirates face Plymouth Albion in Round 11 of this season’s Greene King IPA Championship. The kick-off is at 3pm

The Pirates are always delighted to extend a welcome to their cross-Tamar rivals, as the history between the two clubs stretches back a long time, and for this latest encounter two gifted and important members of the Cornish Pirates squad, Junior Fatialofa and Matt Evans, are set to reach the 50 games milestone for the club. Indeed, the pair will have the honour of leading their team out onto the field, and in front of what should be the biggest crowd of the season at the Mennaye.

There are a number of changes in the Cornish Pirates line-up from the one that started against Jersey last time out. Craig Holland is named at full-back, with Kieran Goss moving to the wing, Junior Fatialofa makes a return at centre, and in the second-row Darren Barry is named to partner Will Graulich.

The full selection is as follows:-

Cornish Pirates: 15 Craig Holland, 14 Mike Pope, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Junior Fatialofa, 11 Kieran Goss, 10 Matt Evans, 9 Gavin Cattle (capt); 1 Jack Andrew, Rob Elloway, 3 Ben Prescott, 4 Will Graulich, 5 Darren Barry, 6 Chris Morgan, 7 Alex Cheesman, 8 James Phillips.

Replacements: 16 Tom Channon, 17 Shane Cahill, 18 Neale Patrick, 19 Joel Conlon, 20 Tom Kessell, 21 Angus Sinclair, 22 Alex Dancer.

Referee: Darren Gamage (RFU) Assistants: Fergus Kirby & Clare Daniels

Match Day Sponsor: Jewson

* * * * *

Wozzon!

‘Rattler’ Strongman Challenge – This competition returns at half-time, compered by ‘Kernow King’ who will also be interviewing in the marquee post match. The strongman challenge should hopefully provide a little extra Cornwall versus Devon rivalry, with supporters from both teams taking part to win half price vouchers for pints of Rattler.

Post match entertainment – With Cadgwith Singers present we can expect some excellent carol singing to take place in the clubhouse after the game, whilst in the marquee there will be live band music to enjoy.

Tickets – Tickets for the match will be available at the gates on the day, which open at 1pm, and to avoid congestion the obvious advice is to arrive early.

Other games

RODDAS’ MILK CUP

CAMBORNE V REDRUTH KO 2-30 PM

PENRYN V FALMOUTH KO 2-30 PM

BAY SHIELD

ST. IVES V HAYLE KO 2-30 PM

There are many other games around the county, some kicking off at 11 am check clubs websites for details.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE & ALL – NADELIK LOWEN ONEN HAG OLL!

Report from today’s game by LUKE TREGONING.

Redruth gave the home crowd the Christmas present they were hoping for, a revenge win 18 – 8 against old foes Launceston and four valuable league points to lift them up the table and set them up for the New Year campaign.

Once again it was the Redruth forwards that laid the foundations for the win with a late penalty-try award sealing the win.
Despite the loss, the Cornish All Blacks had the satisfaction of pinching the Tribute CRFU Cornwall Super Cup off the Reds decided by points scored and conceded over the two league games this season 39 – 28 on aggregate.

Photo by Simon Bryant Ikisphoto – Redruth’s Darren Jacques powers on despite the combined tackle of Launceston’s Lewis Webb & Jake Murphy,

For Redruth head coach Ashley Morcom the result was just the fillip his side needed to round off 2013. He said. “I am really pleased with the win, but hats off to Launceston who at times played some great rugby, but I feel we had the edge up front today and that’s where the game was won.
“Games against Launceston are always tight affairs, we targeted areas of the field against Launceston and I think we played some good rugby. We had a period just before half-time when were under pressure and we fell off some tackles which led to Tim Mathias’ try.

“In a tight game you are always at the mercy of a turnover or a swift counter-attack and with big ball carriers like BJ Chapman Launceston were always a threat. Having got some breathing space with Tom Notman’s well worked try our forwards worked hard to get us the win, the penalty-try award in the final ten minutes was the icing on the cake for the boy’s great effort.”

Whilst disappointed Launceston’s head coach “Spike” Rainford was philosophical about his side’s performance. He said. “It was a game that just didn’t go our way we were on the wrong end of most of the fifty/fifty balls we looked to combat the Redruth forwards as well as the weather but we came off second best today. We will take stock of season so far and look to take the positives into the second half of the season.”

Playing up the slope with the stiff breeze Redruth opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a Murray Westren penalty.
Westren doubled his side’s advantage just four minutes later with his second successful penalty as the Cornish All Blacks came in at the side of a ruck.

The upright prevented Westren making it three out of three before the end of the opening quarter.

The Cornish All Blacks slowly began to come back into the game and on the half-hour mark a good break from fly-half Lewis Webb was carried on by winger Martin Kneebone, his inside pass found prop Tim Mathias who powered over for an un-converted try.

Pictures by Simon Bryant Iktisphoto – Tim Mathias scores Launceston’s try

Spurred on the All Blacks bossed the game until half-time and could have gone into the break leading if a Jake Murphy drop-goal attempt had been on target. Redruth held the advantage 6-5 at the turn.

Redruth began the second half in great style. With referee Fergus Kirby playing an advantage to the Reds, fly-half Rhodri McAtee put in a well-judged cross-field kick for winger Tom Notman to score an un-converted try in the Piggy Lane corner after 47 minutes.

Photo Simon Bryant Iktisphoto – Tom Notman dives into Piggy Lane Corner for Redruth’s opening try

Redruth’s backrow were in great form with man-of-the-match Owen Hambly grafting away tirelessly.

Whilst for Launceston, No. 8 Barrie John Chapman carried a tremendous amount of ball for the visitors and was a constant thorn in Redruth’s side.

Despite losing hooker Richard Brown to the sin bin Redruth conceded just three points to the boot of Kieron Lewitt whilst down to fourteen men.
As the game entered the final ten minutes it was poised at 11-8 to Redruth.

Photo Simon Bryant Iktisphoto – Redruth’s Damien Cook tackles Launceston’s Sam Chapman

The All Blacks found themselves down to fourteen men as lock Bryn Jenkins was invited to spend ten minutes in the bin by referee Kirby. Redruth sensed the moment and piled on the pressure. A scrum in the Piggy Lane corner saw the All Black pack pushed back at a rate of knots and the referee awarding Redruth a penalty try, Westren’s conversion sealing the win for the Reds.

Redruth 18 pts
Scores, Tries – Notman, Penalty-try, Conversion – Westren, Penalties – Westren (2)
Yellow Card – Brown (51)

Cornish All Blacks 8 pts
Try – Mathias, Penalty – Lewitt
Yellow Card: Jenkins (71)

Redruth: M Westren (A Hosking 78), T Notman, C Bonds, S Parsons, L Vinnicombe, R McAtee (B Rule 70), G Goodfellow; D Jacques (J Tompsett 78), R Brown, C Williams, D Cook, L Collins (J Rayment 78), C Fuca (capt), O Hambly, M O’Leary (B Priddey 55).

Cornish All Blacks: K Lewitt, M Kneebone, R Westren, J Murphy (N Webber 61), S Chapman, L Webb, A Collings (R Friend 66); T Mathias (S Naqasima 78), J Salter, B Pow, B Jenkins, B Hilton (capt), J Tripcony (L Duke 78), M Rawlings, BJ Chapman.

Replacement (not used): F Bulut

Referee: Fergus Kirby (RFU)

Crowd: 1,350

Redruth-man-of-the-match: Owen Hambly

Launceston-man-of-the-match: Barrie John Chapman