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

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!