THERE WAS REALLY no need for any black and gold smoke to billow out of the chimney at a chilly Truro College on Monday evening, as largely expected last season’s skipper Ben Hilton (Cornish All Blacks) was confirmed to lead the Duchy’s quest for a fourth county championship title in 2013.

Hilton, though confessed surprise at being re-appointed. He said.”The trend in recent years has been to appoint a fresh captain each season, having said that I am extremely honoured at being re-appointed. There are some excellent players in our squad anyone of which could easily have been appointed, Tom Rawlings (Cornish All Blacks), Chris Fuca and Darren Jacques (both Redruth) could easily have done a very good job. I know I can count on them to help me with the side and that is a big plus”.

“The whole squad really want to reward the loyal Cornish rugby supporters. Let’s give them something to celebrate!!”

Cornwall’s Head Coach Dave “Benji” Thomas was equally satisfied with the appointment. He said. “The 2013 season will be very challenging with away games to Gloucestershire and then Kent before our only home game against Hertfordshire on Saturday 18th May. Choosing the right leader for players from different clubs is important and Ben Hilton certainly meets our needs and can build on his leadership from last season.”

Chair of selectors Terry Carter was also pleased with Hilton’s appointment and by the encouraging turnout of the players on a cold Monday evening at Truro College. “Ben captained the side four or five seasons ago (when Cornwall travelled to Brittany) he then lost the armband but he has stuck with us through thick and thin despite having offers from another county to play for them. Last season he was an inspirational captain for us so I am delighted that he has been given another chance to lead the side, hopefully back to Twickenham!”

Away from County news and a quick review of league and cup matches over the past fortnight.

In the Championship the Cornish Pirates’ got back to winning ways with a hard-fought win over Moseley at the Mennaye 17-14. When it looked like their chances of making the play-offs had as good as evaporated, other club’s frailties have again opened the door and whilst the chink of light is small there is still a glimmer of hope!

Two big pieces of news from the Mennaye is the departure of Rod Coward as CEO, although he remains on the board of Penzance & Newlyn RFC and will continue to represent the club at the RFU.

In Rod’s place as an interim appointment come former England World Cup winner Josh Lewsey, who as many know has a home in St Agnes. As Dicky Evans said in his press release on the Pirates’ website “Why would Josh want to help the Pirates you may ask? His greatest passion is the advocating of Values through Sport to Communities and having a home in St Agnes, caring hugely about the county, is therefore keen to help a club and community for which he has a great affinity with.”

“Josh and I have been in touch for a couple of years on the future of rugby in Cornwall, the Pirates and the stadium and his advice to me behind the scenes has been invaluable.”

In National League 2 South, it looks like Redruth’s promotion hopes have been dealt a fatal blow with consecutive loses at home to Hartpury College and then last week at Canterbury. Whilst all is not lost the chances of promotion have receded and I reckon they will probably finish at best fourth in the league. The probable loss through suspension of scrum-half Greg Goodfellow who was red carded last Saturday will also hinder the Redruth side.

The Cornish All Blacks have also suffered two successive defeats losing on the road at both Lydney and Shelford, though a mid-table finish looks secure.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne having defeated North Petherton two weeks ago look likely to finish runners-up and go into a play-off against Old Centralians from Gloucester who are currently second in South West 1 East.

Camborne qualified for the final of the Tribute Cornwall Cup in an unsatisfactory way as opponents Bude pulled out of their semi-final clash. Camborne have reached the final without playing a game in the competition!

They will play the winners of Wadebridge Camels versus St Ives, which was called off on Saturday due a waterlogged pitch. The game is likely to be played this Sunday.

The Final will be played at Penryn RFC on Easter Saturday with a 5 pm kick-off. The Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup Final which will precede the main final will be between Tribute Cornwall League 1 Champions Veor and Stithians.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St Austell have now got a seven point lead over second place Bideford with just four games remaining and look like being crowned champions. Saints now know their opponents in National Cup semi-final Brighton Blues which will be played on Easter Saturday at Brighton.

Penryn are certainly finishing the season in fine form and their clash with fourth placed Devonport Services this Saturday will be interesting. They got revenge for their Cup defeat at Bude with a fine win at Bencoolen 39-18.

Truro steadied the ship with a home win over Honiton 16-13 to remain in mid-table.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League the top two look settled with both Teignmouth and St Ives going up.

Commiserations to Cornwall U.20’s who bowed out of the U.20 County Championship on Sunday when they lost to Devon 32-24 at Brickfields.

Congratulations to Luke Cowan-Dickee and Jack Nowell who both played for England U.20’s in their win against Wales on Friday which clinched the U.20’s Nations for the Red Rose.

In Santiago de Compostela, Tom Parker who hails from Truro, won an eighth cap for Spain playing in the second row in a 9-9 draw with Portugal.

Finally congratulations to Paul Andrew who has signed next season for Premiership side Worcester Warriors. Good to see one of our former Cornwall U.20 players getting to the Premiership.

THE FINISHING LINE is in sight when the beginning of March comes around and those clubs with a sniff of promotion start to believe that it could well be a possibility.

This season apart from the usual promotions from Tribute Cornwall League 1 & 2, which are pretty well dried and dusted, there is a fair bit to get excited about.

The Cornish Pirates though look to be out of the reckoning this season for a Championship play-off place. A top four finish was always going to be a big ask, especially with their small squad. In truth the home loss to London Scottish has done for them, that coupled with Bristol’s win last weekend at Bedford and another loss for the Pirates on the road at Otley against Leeds Carnegie makes a play-off place very unkikely. There is still the British & Irish Cup to play for and the tie against MUNSTER at the Mennaye on Sunday April 7th promises to be a cracker.

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

So back to the promotion contenders, let’s start with Redruth in National League 2 South. A second home win on the trot, with Lydney routed 69-0 to follow on from the win against Barking. Next up Hartpury College, who are tucked just behind the Reds in the table. Hartpury inflicted on the Reds their heaviest defeat in the league this season 47-15 back in November.

Whoever wins this game will go a long way towards securing either an automatic promotion spot or at the very least a play-off berth. It promises to be a cracker and bearing in mind the team selection by the Reds last weekend expect a surprise or two this weekend!

Bill Sobey’s match report from the Redruth v Lydney game is in the link

So in Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne are looking good and they too have a big game this weekend when they play NORTH PETHERTON at the Rec. Having won at North Dorset 19-17 last Saturday the news that Pethy had lost at home 56-10 to Chard was an unexpected bonus. Dave Mankee scored all the Cherry & White’s points with a try, conversion and four penalties.

Wadebridge Camels look set to stay put for another season following their defeat at Clevedon 29-18. Tom Rowe and Sam Stone scored tries for the Camels with James Grubb kicking the rest of the points.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St Austell look to be back in the driving seat for automatic promotion following their big win at Tregorrick against Truro 45-3. For the Saints tries were scored by Alex Welland, Matt Shepherd (2), Sam Rhodes, Sam Tank, Ian Venner and Murray McCoan with Shephed kicking five conversions. For Truro Jake Champion kicked a penalty.

Penryn did St Austell a big favour turning over Bideford at the Memorial Ground 34-19. Alex Ducker scored three tries with Andrew Seviour and Matt Williams also crossing the whitewash. Ducker also added three conversions and a penalty. If only Penryn had played like this before Christmas!

Bude lost a tight gane at Honiton 19-18. Despite a couple of tries from the impressive Kyle Speare and eight points from Dan Pearce’s boot.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish crashed to another big defeat this time at home to Chobham 61-12. They should be safe from the drop but this has proved to be a very difficult season for our exile club, injuries have done for them, poor DoR Dickon Moon has had to spend a lot of time watching horse racing this season!

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St Ives are still chasing hard on the heels of Teignmouth, who did the Hakes a big favour defeating Tiverton last weekend. St. Ives had a walkover against Wessex.

Hayle won the Penwith derby against Pirates Amateurs 14-6 at the Mennaye. The Lions benfited from two penalty-tries both converted by Martin Strick. Rhys Brownfield kicked a couple of penalties for the Amateurs.

Saltash defeated Crditon 30-27, whist Newquay Hornets had a good win over Withycombe 24-20. OPM’s defeated Liskeard/Looe 20-15 the Lux Park Lions look set to drop back into Cornwall 1 next season.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, leaders Veor had a week off so Stithians win at Helston 77-5 keeps them in the play-off spot. St Agnes won at Roseland 24-17, whilst Perranporth had a walkover against St Just.

In Cornwall 2, Bodmin defeated Lankelly-Fowey 130-3, whilst School of Mines put their Bottle Match defeat behind them with a 22-21 win at Illogan Park. St Day won at Trewirgie against Albany 36-31.

NO WHERE else to start this week than with St Austell’s win over Wimborne in the Final of the SW Intermediate Cup Final 14-8.

The win puts them in an away tie at either Brighton or North Walsham, neither of which will be easy, with the winner playing against the North/Midlands winners in the final at Twickenham.

That is in the future let’s savour the present. The Saints roared on by over 700 at Tregorrick were thrilled when Matt Shepherd kicked three penalties to give his side a 9-0 lead.

Despite Wimborne reducing the deficit with a penalty. St. Austell moved further ahead thanks to a try from Paul Winterbottom.

Despite being reduced to thirteen men with Winterbottom and Adam Kellow in the bin. Saints held fourteen man Wimborne until five minutes to play when the visitors scored an un-converted try.

That was as close as they got and St Austell held on for a famous win. More on the win from the Saint’s website in the link

In the RFU Championship a depleted Cornish Pirates’ side made the long trek to Kingston Park to take on leaders Newcastle Falcons. Aaron Penberthy back in a Pirates’ shirt for the first time since last November kicked the Cornish sides’ only points with a first-half penalty. Falcons ran out 50-3 winners. Read Phil Westren’s match report in the link

In National League 2 Redruth played one of their catch up games taking on and beating Barking 46-17. Eight tries for the Reds. However, and I hold my hand up as the guilty one, Darren Jacques only scored one not two of the Reds’ tries the other should have gone to skipper Chris Fuca! Tom Duncan did score three more tries to take him up to eighteen for the season, so Fucs has still got some catching up to do!! Read my report in the link.

Elsewhere, despite neither of our sides playing in Tribute South West 1, North Petherton regained top spot from Camborne despite dropping points in 25 all draw at Oldfield Old Boys. They are a point ahead with a game in hand.

In Tribute Western Counties West Bude won at home against Honiton 31-8. Despite trailing 8-3 at half-time the North Cornwall side ran in four converted second half tries from Freddie Saxton, Will Kingdon, Joe Wilson and Dan Pearce who added the other points with the boot.

Truro’s win at Ivybridge helped Bude leap over the Devon side in the league. Truro won 27-23. Former Redruth player Mark Lea (2), Will Martin and Jack Tidball scored Truro’s tries with Chevy Reed’s boot adding the rest of the points.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St. Ives got back to winning ways with a 27-16 win at Withycombe. Ben Taylor, Neil Corin, Josh Semmens and Sam Heath scored the Hakes tries with Ceiron Thomas kicking the rest of the points. The win consolidates St. Ives in second place.

Hayle won the all Cornish encounter at Newquay Hornets 16-12. Martin Strick scored all the Lions points with a try conversion and three penalties. For Hornets Perry Hughes and Connor Riley scored tries with Liam Freeman kicking a conversion.

Liskeard/Looe lost at Crediton 32-5. Baz Hocking with their only try.

Pirates Amateurs won at Wessex 35-6. Kevin Brownfield, Dan Lugg, Craig Stephens, Steve Kent and Josh Hoare scored the tries and Rhys Brownfield converted the lot.

Just one game in Tribute Cornwall 1 saw Stithians defeat St Agnes 38-5.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, leaders Bodmin were awarded a walk/over against St Day.

Saturday saw the annual Bottle Match between Royal School of Mines and Camborne School of Mines played up in London. Sadly CSM couldn’t bring the bottle back to Cornwall as RSM won 24-8 to retain the trophy for third successive year.

Cornish Pirates now know their quarter-final opponents in the British & Irish Cup, and it will be a repeat of the very first final as Munster will travel to the Mennaye on SUNDAY 7TH APRIL. The kick-off time will made known nearer the date as the game is subject to SKY SPORTS possible coverage.

CORNWALL U.20’S game against Devon will take place on Sunday 17th March kick-off 3 pm at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields ground.

CORNWALL now know the venues of their AWAY games in this season’s BILL BEAUMONT CUP. Gloucestershire on Saturday May 4th at CINDERFORD RFC. Kent at MEDWAY RFC on Saturday May 11th both games kick-off at 3 pm.

Finally despite no Cornish interest this time round congratulations to England Counties for their win against France Federale at Ealing on Friday evening 27-7. It was the first time these two sides have played each other since 2010. Counties win sees them win back the Jean-Claude Baque Cup. For the record Blackheath’s Rory Teague kicked 17 points with tries scored by Olly Marchon (Old Albanians) and Nev Edwards (Rosslyn Park). For France lock Anthony Potente (Lavaur) scored a try with fly-half Julien Lavie (Langon) adding the conversion.

The Cornish Pirates had a great opportunity on Sunday to cement fourth place in the RFU Championship with thier home game against London Scottish, however things didn’t quite go the their way! Despite leading 17-0 thanks to a couple of tries from winger Matt Evans both converted by Kieran Hallett who also added a penalty, Scottish, led by former Redruth No. 8 Kiwi Mark Bright staged a remarkable comeback to pip the Pirates 20-17 and thus dent their play-off hopes. Former Redruth players PJ Gidlow and Lewis Calder, who played at the Reds whilst on loan with Exeter Chiefs, contributed to the Exiles win, which sees them complete a season double over the Cornish side.

You can read Dick Straughan’s match report from the Morning News in the link

In National League 2 South Redruth’s euphoria of having won at Polson Bridge the week before was brought back to earth with a bump as the Reds lost 35-34 at Chinnor. Having fought back well and with a conversion to win the match it was not to be for the Reds who will now look to bounce back with three league games on the hoof back at the Rec starting with Barking on Saturday.

Read Ed Bawden’s match report in the link

The Cornish All Blacks bounced back from their derby loss with a moral-boosting win over Clifton at Polson by 39 – 21. Winger Richard Bright bagging two of the All Blacks’s six tries.

Dick Benson-Gyles report can be found in the link

In the Tribute leagues, South West 1 West, Camborne have gone top following their 26-12 win over Clevedon and former leaders North Petherton’s defeat at Old Redcliffians. True “Town” are just 1 point ahead of Petherton who still have 2 games in hand. For now Camborne can be happy to be at the head of the pack. Ashley Lawton, Sam Bartle (2) and Ben Kemp score the Cherry and White’s tries with Dave Mankee kicking a couple of penalties.

Wadebridge Camels defeated Paignton 55-7 at the Molesworth Field. Matt Ballard scored three of their nine tries with Richard Treleaven, Zac Cinnamond, Sean Johns, Will Pengelly (2) and Dom Hawkey, with James Grubb adding five conversions.

In Western Counties West, I took in the game between Truro and Penryn. A fine contest saw the Borough pip Trura 29-10 with tries from Alex Ducker, Jordan Rose, Josh Chambers and Ethan Pattison. Ducker also added three conversions, whilst Jake Seviour who went off injured kicked an early penalty. For Truro Karl Ranscombe scored a well-worked try with Jake Champion adding the conversion and a penalty. A big game in the Borough mid-field from Andrew Seviour who got my nod as man-of-the-match.

Bude shared the spoils with Kingsbridge 10-10. Kyle Speare scored their try with Dan Pearce kicking the conversion and a penalty.

St. Austell’s game at Wellington was postponed.

Up in London 2 SW another defeat for London Cornish as they lost at Camberley 17-8.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, St Ives slipped up at third placed Tiverton 41-12. Liskeard/Looe helped their relegation struggle with a 29-10 win over Newquay Hornets. Falmouth lost another Cornish derby this time at the Rec to Pirates Amateurs 20-15. Big news from Falmouth this week is that Truro’s coaching team of Phil Angove and Graham Whitemore will be taking over at the Rec next season, whilst Josh Lord will taking up a coaching role at Truro.

Saltash won at Wessex 31-5 and Hayle beat OPM’s 20-3.

In Cornwall 1. Champions elect Veor defeated Helston 42-6, while in the basement battle Roseland defeated St Just 21-5, though both sides will be in Cornwall 2 next season. There was a walkover for Stithians over Perranporth, though a game was played as a friendly.

In Cornwall 2. Camborne School of Mines warmed up for the “Bottle Match” with a 79-5 win at Redruth Albany. They will travel to London in good spirits for this weekend’s encounter with Royal School of Mines in 111th Bottle Match.

Camelford had a walkover against Lankelly-Fowey and Bodmin’s game at St Day was postponed.

Pirates & Redruth – Special Ticket Price Offers

The Cornish Pirates and Redruth RFC have agreed special ticket offers for the benefit of their supporters.

On presentation of their season ticket Cornish Pirates season ticket holders can gain entry to Redruth’s home matches for just £5 a game (normal admission prices are Adults £10/Concessions £8), whilst in turn members of Redruth RFC, on presentation of their membership cards, can gain entry to Cornish Pirates home matches for the ticket price of just £10 (normal match day prices are .
Adults £18/Concessions £15). Children under 16 are admitted ‘Free’ by both clubs.

It is important to stress that supporters can only take advantage of this new opportunity if they are Cornish Pirates Season Ticket holders or Members of Redruth RFC. The offer will start at the next home game of the respective clubs and it is intended that it will continue next season.
This announcement provides another example of goodwill with reference to the enhanced relationship that has developed between the Cornish Pirates and Redruth RFC and we will look at how we might further develop this relationship in the future.

Pirates v Moseley – Kick-off Change To 1.15pm

The Cornish Pirates can confirm that their next important home match in the RFU Championship against Moseley, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday 10th March, will now kick-off at 1.15pm and not 3pm as originally advertised.

England play Italy in the RBS Six Nations on the same day (ko 3pm), and with big screens showing the international game in the Travis Perkins Beer Tent at the Mennaye Field, rugby supporters will have the opportunity to watch both matches ‘live’.

Tickets for the Moseley game will be available on the day but as ever they are also available on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com, from the club’s ticket office open Mon-Fri 9am – 12 noon, and from certain Warrens shops about the county.

Nothing else quite stirs the emotions of a Cornishman than to see the black and gold shirts with the Cornish bezants upon the backs of fifteen brave Cornishmen about to do battle on the rugby field. It’s “us” against “them” and inevitably the “them” come from across Tamar from that funny land called England!
Speak to any Cornish player who has played for Cornwall (50, 30 or 10 years ago) and they will all say them same thing. The huge pride and honour to say “I played for Cornwall!”

That continuing “magic” endures with the current crop of players who come May will once again done that famous shirt and “play for Cornwall”
On Monday evening Cornwall RFU had a players meeting at Kingsley Village, Fraddon the first step on this season’s county championship campaign.
It was a chance for officials, players and coaches to sit down and plan for what everyone hopes will be a return by the black and golds to Twickenham at the end of May.

Overseeing Cornwall’s preparations once again will be Dave “Benji” Thomas with Paul Trevaskis (Penryn) and Steve Perry (Barnstaple) also back in coaching roles.
“Tonight is the start of the preparations”, said Thomas. “Last year we had a similar get-together and it seemed to work well, so we have tried to replicate it again this season. We brought the players in laid down the ground rules, the style we wanted to play and everybody brought into it. Most of the players we invited are here the coaches, and county officials. We want to outline just what we expect from them and to build on what we felt was quite a successful year last year and we really want to take that forward”.

Present also at the evening were Cornish Pirates Head Coach Ian Davies, skipper Gavin Cattle and few Cornish Pirates players amongst the players assembled.
“To have input from people like Ian Davis, Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver is tremendously important these are professional people who are involved at a very high level in the game, their input is going to be invaluable. Last season when we went up to play Hertfordshire we were faced with players who had been playing for Saracens and I am sure when Hertfordshire come down to Camborne in May there will be a fair few Saracens players involved again!

Cattle, was due to deliver a speech to the players as part of the evening. Thomas said. “Hopefully we will be getting help from the Pirates this year, obviously much will depend on how they progress in the Championship play-offs, but Ian Davies, Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver all hope to have an input in our preparations.
Thomas also added. “We hope to have players from the Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion and also dual registered players from the Exeter Chiefs”. That was apparent with both Rhodri McAtee and Sam Hocking from Albion present along with Aaron Penberthy, Peter Joyce, Tom Duncan and Tom Kessell from the Pirates.

“We’ve got a large squad of some 35 plus players at the moment, which will have to be trimmed when we come to the Championship, but with games over such a short period we are likely to get injuries and players will get their chance, but they will have already “brought in” to the concept that we have for the campaign so that will make the transition much more seamless.

One man who knows what it means to play for Cornwall is current CRFU President Ken Plummer who played for Cornwall in the 1969 County Final against Lancashire at Redruth, and of course played for England on the wing.

“I am delighted to be President of Cornwall this season and I am very pleased to see such a good turnout of players here tonight, when the County Championship comes round we are all looking forward to it and I believe we are capable of having a good crack at it. It’s all about the players and wearing that Cornish shirt, the passion run through you and running out at Camborne or Redruth or even up country, it’s us against the English and it really is something very special”.

And Ken Plummer has a very simple request for all Cornwall supporters. “Please turn up! That’s what we need, back in my day we would have 10, 15,000 supporters at the ground and up country they would follow us in droves, that’s what we need, get behind the boys, they are all local boys all playing for Cornish clubs. If we play well then the crowds will turn up that I am sure of”.

It was always said that a crowd at Redruth was always worth five points to the Cornish side such was their support and singing, it inspired the Cornish players to greater deeds.

From a current players point of view you only have to talk to them to see how enthusiastic they are about playing for Cornwall for Cornish All Blacks’ skipper Tom Rawlings “It’s massive honour to be honest, the organisation last year and again this year is so much better now, but it’s all about pulling on that jersey and representing Cornwall, I get quite emotional running out with the boys knowing I am going to play for Cornwall, you go that extra mile because you believe in what you are representing”.

Redruth prop forward Darren Jacques has represented the Barbarians and England Counties but for him there is nothing like playing for Cornwall. “The boys are all keen to play for Cornwall we want to be part of the history of the County side. It would be nice to get back to Twickenham, I played there with Cornwall in 2008 when we played Northumberland in the Shield final (Cornwall lost 25-11), but it would be great to get back and play in the main final and emulate the wins of 91 & 99 at Twickenham that dream drives me on every year.

Last season’s Cornwall skipper Ben Hilton was equally delighted that following his call some 18 months ago for Cornwall to start preparing earlier that progress continues in the right vein but he also has no illusion that it’s going to be a very tough campaign. “Having two away games first makes it a very tough challenge but I think that with set-up we have got now then we are well-equipped to meet it head on. We have got the bulk of last season’s squad back again so they know what we are about. We want to build early using the Tamar Cup match just prior to the Championship to help cement our game plan and put us in good stead. We took a leaf out of Sir Clive Woodward’s coaching manual the little one percents, each little one added up to make the difference if we can continue with that this season then we can improve further. I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can win the County Championship before I get too old!”

IT was a typical Cornish derby between these two National League 2 South sides. Full of passion and commitment from both sets of players roared on by a good sized crowd bearing in mind the 6 Nations was being played that afternoon. Many from Redruth made the trip East believing that this could be the year that Redruth, finally got that elusive win at Launceston’s Polson Bridge ground.

Redruth should have been much further ahead at half-time with amount of possesion and territory they enjoyed during the first half. Launceston cause was not helped by having two players in the sin-bin and four four minutes having to play with just thirteen men. A combination of factors left Redruth just 10-3 up at half-time and Launceston knew they had a chance in the second half and they almost staged a remarkable comeback to snatch the win. Redruth, however hung on to record a first ever win in the league at Polson 10-9 and keep their promotion bid on course.

You can read my report from the Trelawny’s Army site in the link you can also read the report by Bill Sobey from the Morning News in this link

On Sunday in the RFU Championship, the Cornish Pirates secured a 31-18 win against Doncaster Knights to lift them once more into a play-off position. The game marked the 300th game for prop Alan Paver. Sadly an early injury curtailed Paves apperance. Read Bill Sobey’s report in the link

In Tribute South West 1 West, having taken a 19-15 lead away at Clevedon early in the second half, the Cherry & Whites looked to have let the game slip away after scrum-half Dean Pascoe was red-carded and another play in the bin to trail 32-19. Town never-say-die attitude capped a fine turnaround for a 33-32 win. Martin Woolcock (2), James Galsworthy, Adam Kevern and Sam Bartle scored the tries with Dave Mankee kicking four conversions.

Wadebridge Camels turned the tables on Cleve who won at the Molesworth Field earlier in the season. Camels won 16-8. Tom Rowe and Sean Johns scored unconverted tries in the second half whilst James Grubb kicked a couple of penalties.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell kept their promotion chances on track with a 73-3 win over Tavistock at Tregorrick. Matt Shepherd (2), Sam Tank (2), Alex Welland (2), Adam Pearce, James Earp, Adam Kellow and Marcus McCoan scored the Saint’s tries with Shepherd kicking all ten conversions and a penalty.

Fly-half Jake Seviour scored twenty-one of Penryn’s twenty-six points when they defeated Wellington 26-17 at the Memorial Ground. George Jones scored the other try for the Borough.

Bude had a good win at Ivybridge 27-23. Kyle Speare, Harry Goodrun and Duncan Tout all crossed for the North Cornwall side with fly-half Dan Pearce kicking the other points.

Truro secured a share of the spoints at Okehampton with a 10-all draw. Will Martin scored Truro’s try with Jake Champion adding the conversion and a penalty.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish’s injury woes continue to haunt them as they lost 31-6 to Guildford.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, it was top playing second at Alexandra Road as St. Ives took on top boys Teignmouth. In the end it was the Hakes who came out on top winning 18-14. Richard Humphries and Nicholls scored the tries for St. Ives with Ceiron Thomas kicking the rest of the points. St. Ives are now just one point behind Teignmouth att he top of the table.

Saltash lost at home to high-flying Tiverton 15-6, whist Liskeard/Looe won the basement battle with Withycombe 6-0. Pirates Amateurs beat Crediton 19-9. Craig Stevens Jimmy Tresize and Matt Nicholas scored the Ams’ tries. Kelvin James added two conversions.

Falmouth lost a close game at OPM’s 26-21. Kieron Rodda and James Instance scored the Eagles’ tries with Rob Banks kicking eleven points.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, congratulations to Veor who have clinched promotion back to the Cornwall & Devon League next season following a 66-0 win at Perranporth. St. Agnes remain in second place after defeating St. Just 80-10. Roseland and Stithians shared the spoils 13-13.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, Camborne School-of-Mines defeated St. Day 82-0, Illogan Park beat Lankelly-Fowey 51-7, whilst a close tussle saw Camelford defeat Redruth Albany 27-22.

What a weekend of rugby. The start of the RBS Six Nations and three thrilling first round matches to kick-off the 2013 version, whilst locally Redruth’s loyal supporters finally had their first home game of 2013.

And with Worthing Raiders rolling up in the Red City sitting top of National League 2 South what a match to savour. We wern’t disappointed. Redruth started slowly but were still in at half-time trailing just 10-5. Then a marvellous second half as the Redruth pack got on top of Worthing to grab a bonus point win 26-22. Good to see Aaron Penberthy back at Redruth for 2/3 weeks getting some game time as part of his re-hab following surgery on inguinal hernias. To cap a fine 20 minute run out Aaron was on hand to score the winning try!

After the match Worthing’s coach Kieron Dawson made an astonishing attack on referee Nick Williams. “We could have played here until Christmas and never have won. I dont want to take anything away from Redruth, they are a strong side but I am sick of saying nothing. It was exactly the same last year with the same referee. We never got a 50-50 decision, he reset the scrum five meters out when it should have been ten and one of the Redruth scores came when the player was clearly in touch!

You can read my Western Morning News report in the link

The Cornish All Blacks surprisingly lost at Southend 20-17. Read Dick Benson-Gyles report from the Morning News in the link

So all this sets up next Saturday’s Cornish “el classico” as Redruth seek once again to win at Polson in the league (something they have not achieved since the advent of league rugby). It’s going to be another cracking Cornish derby. So set your TV’s to record for the 6 Nations and get to Polson Bridge for a great Cornish rugby occassion. Kick-off on Saturday is 2-30 pm.

Very little league rugby elsewhere involving Cornish Clubs last Saturday, however in Tribute Cornwall & Devon League the East Cornwall derby saw Saltash defeat Liskeard/Looe 26-8. Members of Trelawny’s Army were at the game to present match balls to Saltash in recognition of their successes last season.

In Tribute Cornwall 2 Camborne School of Mines had a big win over Camelford 97-0, whilst Bodmin defeated 25-7.

In the RFU Intermediate Cup SW Final St Austell defeated Berry Hill 47-17. Saints scored tries through James Earp, Sam Tank, Adam Kellow, Marcus McCoan and Matt Shepherd. Shepherd also kicked five conversions and four penalties. On the road to Twickenham St. Austell will next play Wimborne in two weeks time.

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CAMBORNE 34 – 22 WADEBRIDGE CAMELS

Camborne warmed the hearts of their supporters on a bitterly cold afternoon with a bonus point win over their Cornish rivals in a pulsating Tribute South West 1 West encounter at the Recreation Ground to maintain their promotion challenge.

Camborne winger Luke Johnson enjoyed a fine game scoring two of the Cherry and Whites five tries amongst a personal point’s haul of 19 to cap a man-of-the-match performance.

Camborne got off to a great start with an opening try scored by scrum-half Dean Pascoe after just 90 seconds.

The home side continued to carry the game to their opponents with the Cherry and Whites’ backline posing a constant threat to the Wadebridge line.

Wadebridge looked to play their way back through their forwards using the driving game of No.8 Gary Gynn.

Fly-half Josh Taylor saw a penalty attempt come back off a post as the Camels continued to be frustrated on the scoreboard.

Instead it was Camborne who went further ahead with a second try scored by centre Laurie Manna who sliced his way through the cover to score a well-worked try on 23 minutes putting the Cherry and Whites 10-0 up.

Camels pressure eventually saw the visitors get some reward. Loose line out ball in the Camborne twenty-two was snaffled by Wadebridge lock Dan Lumb who charged over in the scoreboard corner. Taylor kicked a good conversion to cut the deficit to just three points on the half-hour mark.

The North Cornwall side went back on the attack moving the ball wide, however Johnson profiting from an interception on his own ten metre line showed great pace to run in Camborne’s third try of the first half. The young winger now assumed kicking duties and calmly converted his own score to put Camborne 17-7 ahead.

Camels were having to play catch up rugby and the pressure was telling, Taylor missed another penalty attempt and other opportunities were spurned.

Instead Camborne rounded off the half with a fourth try, a good period of pressure saw Manna and No.8 Dave Roberts put Johnston in for his second try, his conversion leaving the Cherry and Whites 24-7 up at the break.

Taylor kicked an early penalty for the Camels to reduce the deficit to 24-10.

Johnson almost scored a third try only to be denied by the Camels’ cover from a chip and chase.

Camborne did get a fifth try on 60 minutes when attacking towards the scoreboard corner Pascoe put in a deft kick over the scrum for winger Rob Floyd to gather and score. Johnson kicked a fine third conversion, as he did a penalty, just moments later to put Camborne 34-10 up.

Wadebridge to their credit didn’t let their heads drop and fought back to score a couple of late tries through replacement Miles Davey and scrum-half Adam Collings with James Grubb adding the conversion with the final kick of the game.

Camborne: J Parma, R Floyd, L Manna, S Kenward, L Johnson, R Kevern, D Pascoe; N Endean, S Bartle, M Hearn, J Griffiths, B Kemp, M Woolcock, J Goldsworthy, D Roberts (capt)

Replacements (all used): J Jackson, J Court, J Lamsin

Tries- Pascoe, Manna, Johnson (2), Floyd, Cons – Johnson (3), Pen – Johnson

Wadebridge Camels: C Lees, S Johns, W Pengelly, J Grubb, D Hawkey, J Taylor, A Collings; G Bilkey, M Ballard, Z Cinnamond, D Lumb, M Grubb, B Collings, S Stone (capt), G Gynn

Replacements (all used): M Angwyn, R Treleven, M Davey

Tries – Lumb, Davey, Collings, Cons – Taylor, J Grubb, Pen – Taylor

Referee: Simon Lord (CRRS)

Camborne-man-of-the-match: Luke Johnson

Crowd: 447

Three cracking first half tries put the Cornish Pirates on course for the quarter-finals of the British and Irish Cup at cold but sunny Mennaye on Sunday.

A 34-14 score-line sounds impressive enough, but hats off to Dundee High who fought all the way and enjoyed some good periods of possession.

Sadly Scottish International Rory Lamont who is on the comeback trail following his serious injury last February whilst playing for Scotland against France at Murrayfield was not able to play at the Mennaye, he was however at the ground and mingled and chatted to supporters who wished him the best.

Great to also see Tom Duncan come off the bench and make his Pirates debut. During the second half the Pirates fielded an all Cornish front row with Paul Andrew, Darren Semmens and Peter Joyce! It’s great to see local talent given a chance to play at this level with a local team in Cornwall.

You can read my report on the match in the link here.

I like the British and Irish Cup and it is refreshing to have two Head Coaches on Sunday Ian Davies and Ian Rankin (Dundee High), both speak highly of the competition, you can sense their enthusiasm for the Cup  in their post-match interviews and that has to be a good thing for the British and Irish Cup to progress.

The Cornish Pirates will travel to Carmarthen Quins on Saturday knowing a win will guarantee a home quarter-final, however wins in Wales are not always easy to come by!

On Saturday in National League 2 South a brace of wins for our Cornish sides. Redruth played their first game of 2013 with a 26-3 win at Bournemouth.  Tom Notman scored two tries with other scores coming from Fraser Kellythorn and Craig Bonds with Paul Thirlby adding three conversions. The game was brought to an end after 64 minutes by referee Veryan Boscowen due to the heavy rain, the result will in probability stand.

The Cornish All Blacks maintained their fine run with an impressive 32-10 win over Dings Crusaders at Polson Bridge. Ben Hilton, Richard Bright (2) and Richard Friend scored the All black’s tries with Kerion Lewitt adding the other points with the boot.  Read Dick Benson-Gyles report from the Morning News in the link.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne followed up their excellent win at home against Old Reds with an important away win at Chard 11-8. Despite playing most of the game with 14 men following Ashley Lawton’s red card, Camborne kept their try-line intact and nicked the win thanks to a try from Joe Parma and a couple of Dave Mankee penalties.

Next up for Camborne are Wadebridge Camels at the Rec.

Camels got back to winning ways with a 27-21 win over Bridgwater & Albion. Camels tries came from Sam Stone, Ben Collings and Gary Glyn with Josh Taylor converting all three tries and adding a couple of penalties.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell continue to make the pace, Okehampton the latest victimes at Tregorrick 25-11. Alex Welland (2), Rob Jeffs and Scott McNally got the tries for the Saints with Matt Shepherd’s boot kicking five points.

Truro got a welcome win beating Honiton 15-10 at St. Clements.  Tim Gay and Shaun Roseveare got the tries with Jake Champion kicking the other points.

Penryn went down at Torquay Athletic 47-15. Chris Hillier and Matt Paxman got the Borough’s tries with Matt Horton’s boot adding the rest of the points.

Bude lost another tight game at Bencoolen, 13-12 to Devonport Services. Harry Goodrun and Kyle Speare scoring the North Cornwall side’s tries.

Up in London and London Cornish lost at Teddington 34-13 in London 2 SW.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League with St. Ives getting a walkover against Plymouth Barbarians, Pirates Amateurs could not prevent Teignmouth from maintaining their lead at the top as the South Devon side won 47-12. Dan Lugg and Ryan Forrester scored tries for Amateurs.

Falmouth Eagles won the Cornish derby against Hayle at the Rec 16-11. The Lions raced off to an 11-0 lead with a try from Danny Clackworthyand a couple of penalties from Martin Strick, then Hayle lost Rob Cotter to a red card and the tide turned. Two Rob Banks penalties brought Falmouth back then winger Ollie Church scored the vital try which Banks converted for the lead. A third Banks penalty sealed the win for Falmouth.

All other games in the league were postponed.

In Tribute Cornwall 1 Veor beat Helston 38-9 to remain top.

Stithians (3rd) beat Perranporth (2nd) 27-12 and are now just two points adrfit of Perran with a game in-hand.

Roseland won at St. Just 46-7 but both these sides are looking doomed for Cornwall 2 next season.

In Cornwall 2, leaders Bodmin were heading for defeat at St. Day when the game was abandoned after 65 mins after a mass brawl in a game that had already seen three red cards! The score was 19-0 to St. Day at the time.

Camborne School of Mines won at Trewergie 31-8 against Redruth Albany. Camelford against Lankelly-Fowey was postponed.

On Sunday St. Agnes booked a place in the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup semi-finals following a 25-13 win against Helston at Enys Parc.