BY PHIL WESTREN CORNISH PIRATES’
MEDIA OFFICER

A week and half after winning 20-16 at Plymouth Albion in the RFU
Championship, it’s a return for the Cornish Pirates to the Brickfields on
Wednesday evening for a British Irish cup encounter.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm.

Graham Dawe’s side lost narrowly 29-25 away to Moseley in their
cup opener, whilst the Pirates beat Bristol Rugby 50-22 back at the Mennaye
Field.

As ever, Wednesday evening’s game is expected to be closely fought
affair, and one when both teams will likely give welcome game time to various
squad members, including for the Pirates young fly-half Aaron Penberthy, who
will make his debut for the club as he returns from injury.

Also, with Championship clubs able to play up to 10 players in
this season’s British & Irish Cup who are registered for league rugby with
clubs at Level 3 or below, two players from the Cornish All Blacks and one from
St. Austell have been named in the Cornish Pirates squad for this match.

From the Cornish All Blacks, Mike Rawlings who was an ‘Academy’
player at the Pirates a few seasons back, is selected at open-side flanker, and
another former ‘Pirate’ and back-rower, Josh Lord, is named among the
replacements.

St. Austell scrum-half Matt Shepherd is also on the bench and
flanker Kyle Marriott will captain the side against his former club.

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, R.
McAtee, R. Westren, S. Hill, W. Davies, A. Penberthy, T. Kessell,B. Maidment,
M. Rawlings, K. Marriott (capt), M. Smith, M.Myerscough, C. Rimmer, T. Cowan-Dickie, R.
Storer.

Replacements: P. Andrew, D. Ward, R. Brits, I.
Nimmo, J. Lord, M. Shepherd, D. Doherty.

Referee: Philip
Davies (RFU)

RESULT

PLYMOUTH ALBION 0 – 38 CORNISH PIRATES

A disappointing result for the faithful at the Mennaye on Sunday afternoon as the Cornish Pirates slipped to their first defeat of the RFU Championship campaign going down 34-24 to old foes Bedford Blues.

No doubt Bedford will be happy to have earned a small measure of revenge for their semi-final defeat at the hands of the Pirates last spring.

For the Pirates’ management concerns in the backline with fly-half Ceiron Thomas  going off injured with barely ten minutes on the clock and defensive frailties in the mid-field.

If the backline is cause for concern then the pack gave a solid display with lock Ian Nimmo having another big game especially in the lineout. Great to see No. 8 Blair Cowangetting back to near his best. Skipper Gavin Cattle as always inspirational and a constant catalyst for all things good from the Pirates. Rob Cook opened the scoring with a penalty,he added a second just before half-time, but that was all the home side were to get during a difficult first period.

It was Cattle’s opposite number Stef Liebenberg, the former Cambridge srum-half, who caused the Pirates problems. His quick thinking on the half hour mark led to the Blues first try.

Then centre  Josh Bassett won the race into the scorboard corner, following a kick ahead from centre Tom Bedford for the Blues second try. Fly-half Jamie Lennard landed both conversions as well as a couple of penalties to leave the visitors 20-6 up at half-time.

After half-time Cook chipped away at the Blues lead with a couple of penalties, but the visitors scored a telling blow when replacement No. 8 Don Barrell picked up and crashed over for the Blues third try, Lennard’s extras putting the visitors 27-12 up.

Cowan finally got a try for the Pirates and Cook’s conversion cut the deficit to just eight points. However just five minutes later the Blues had secured the try-scoring bonus point as centre Duncan Taylor was put away by replacement lock Mike Howard. Lennard making it four from four conversions.

With time fast running out and little more than pride left to play for winger Wes Davies grabbed a second try for the Pirates, but it was all too little too late and the Pirates had nothing to show for the first time this season.

So elsewhere, you can read my report below on the Redruth game in National League 2 South. Now what about the poor old Cornish All Blacks! Yet another defeat this time up at Southend 29-20. Two yellow cards for Josh Lord and skipper Tom Rawlings can’t have helped and the first half scoreboard reflected that at 19-3 to the home side.

Despite Kieron Lewitt kicking a second penalty, Southend scored a third try putting them 26-6 up. Launceston to their credit made a game of it when Jamie Salter scored a good try and Lewitt adding the extras. Southend, though kicked another penalty, before Josh Lord back grabbed a second try for the All Blacks with Lewitt again adding the extras.

A playing record of played seven and lost six will make for worrying reading up at Polson.

In Tribute South West 1 West. A fine win for Wadebridge Camels who defeated Paignton 33-0. Camels ran in five tries through Jack Scott, Jamie Grubb, Sam Stone and Matt Ballard (2). Grubb added the other points with the boot.

Penryn overcame Cullompton at the Memorial Ground 10 – 3  with a couple tries from James Martin and Mike Creedon.

Camborne lost on the road at Avonmouth OB’s. Trailing 17-9 at half-time, Grant Thirlby had kept them in it with three penalties, they got to within three points after Richie Kevern had scored an unconverted try. The Old Boys pulled away again and despite a second try scored by James Goldsworthy, Avonmouth ran out 29-19 winners.

REDRUTH 18 – 17 HARTPURY COLLEGE

Another nail-biter went down to the wire at the Rec on
Saturday as Redruth for the second home match running had a late penalty to win
the game.

Two weeks ago the penalty effort failed, this time centre
Jamie Semmens, who was forced into goal kicking duties as fly-half Brett Rule
had just limped off, calmly slotted his kick between the posts to put Redruth
18-17 up.

The drama didn’t end there as a further passage of play
saw Hartpury College’s winger Ian Clarke red-carded for striking Redruth
scrum-half Greg Goodfellow.

Semmens kicked the resulting penalty out and referee Tom
Davies blew the final whistle to end a dramatic finale.

It certainly was an entertaining match between two sides
who had never met before.

Hartpury took an early lead through fly-half’s Tim
Stevenson’s 2^nd minute penalty.

Redruth stormed back taking play into the Hartpury
twenty-two, a sustained period of pressure saw the Redruth pack drive the
visitors back over their own try-line, as Hartpury kicked the ball out of the
scrum, referee Davies had no hesitation in awarding a penalty-try, which Brett
Rule converted.

Redruth increased their lead soon after withRule adding a
penalty, as Hartpury went offside.

Hartpury had shown signs that they were no pushovers,
after 21 minutes they levelled the scores as Stevenson went in for a try which
he also converted.

Stevenson and Rule both missed with penalty chances to
increase the score. Redruth also came close to scoring a try through winger Tom
Notman.

Up to half-time it stayed at 10-10.

Rule was unlucky with a penalty attempt just after the
break which struck the post.

Redruth finally got reward for their possession with a
fine try scored in the Piggy lane corner by Notman following good work from
Lewis Vinnicombe, who had replaced winger Nathan Pedley, and flanker Chris
Fuca.

Rule couldn’t add the extras from the difficult touchline
conversion.

With just a five point advantage Redruth were in danger
of a Hartpury reaction and it duly arrived following a big forward drive by the
pack which saw prop Richard Barrington driven over, Stevenson’s conversion
giving the visitors a 17-15 advantage.

Redruth dug deep and threw everything at Hartpury. A
great kick out of defence by Vinnicombe helped set up the position from which
Semmens kicked the winning points.

Redruth 18 pts

Tries – Penalty-try, Notman, Penalties – Rule, Semmens,
Conversion – Rule

Hartpury College 17 pts

Tries – Stevenson, Barrington, Penalty – Stevenson,
Conversions – Stevenson (2)

Red Card – Clarke (80)

Referee: Tom Davis (RFU)

Trelawny’s Army are pleased to announce that Cornish All
Blacks second row BEN HILTON has been named our player of the year for 2010/11,
becoming the latest recipient of the Bill Osborne Memorial Shield.

Ben’s sterling performances in the boiler house in no
small measure helped maintain Cornwall’s place in the Bill Beaumont Cup top
tier for 2012.

Ben’s outstanding endeavours for Cornwall led to him being
selected to represent England Counties during their three match tour to Spain last
summer, culminating in playing the test match and scoring a try against Spain in
a 55-6 win in Valladolid.

The U.20 Tony Mead Memorial Shield goes to Aaron
Penberthy, who has just been signed by the Cornish Pirates and is one of
Cornish rugby’s most promising prospects.

Aaron, despite being sidelined at present, recovering
from a broken rib sustained playing at Worthing for Redruth, enjoyed a
fantastic season with the Reds during 2010/11, earning him honours at U.20 and
senior levels for both Cornwall & England Counties, a remarkable feat – just
reward for this young man’s enthusiasm and hard work.

The presentation of the Shields was made by Cornwall RFU
President, Dave Martin at our annual general meeting held at St. Austell
Brewery Visitor centre on Wednesday 5^th October.

TASC also announced at the meeting details of their
sponsorship for 2012, which will once again see match balls donated to the
promoted clubs in Cornwall from last season, Penryn, St. Austell, Veor and
Pirates Amateurs. Also to Camelford who have entered the league set up this
season in Tribute Cornwall League 2.

Having approached the Cornwall RFU we are delighted to
announce that we will also be sponsoring the match balls for Cornwall’s Bill
Beaumont Cup matches at home against Gloucestershire and North Midlands.

With the blessing of the CRFU, a match ball from each of
the games will be signed by the Cornwall squad and then be auctioned at a date
and venue to be announced with the proceeds going towards BBC Radio Cornwall’s
Phoenix Stroke Appeal.

Ben Hilton (Left) & Aaron Penberthy with their awards on Wednesday evening

After last Saturday’s televised 52-10 dismantaling of Leeds Carnegie at fortress Mennaye, the Cornish Pirates crossed the Tamar to take on local rivals Plymouth Albion at the Brickfields.And on a scorching October day that would not have looked out of place on the set of the Pirates of the Carribean the Pirates maintained top spot in the RFU Championship with a solid 20-16 win on Devonian soil.

A welcome back in Pirates’ colours for fly-half Jonny Bentley making his first appearence of the season. No Alan Paver in the front row for the Pirates as he has gone on loan to the Exeter Chiefs, coming on at Sandy Park in the 17-13 defeat to Champions Saracens. Good on you Paves.

Skipper Gavin Cattle and full back David Doherty scored the Pirates’ two tries whilist the kicked points were shared by Grant Pointer and Cieron Thomas, who replaced Bentley just after the half-hour mark, with a penalty and conversion each.

England U.18 player Henry Slade scored Albion’s try with full back James Love adding the conversion and three penalties.

Always a satisfying win at the Brickfields and no doubt both teams will have a much changed line up when they meet again at the Brickfields on Wednesday week in the British & Irish Cup. You can read Dick Straughan’s WMN match report in the link here.

Next Sunday the Pirates have a tasty looking encounter at the Mennaye against Bedford Blues with a 3pm kick-off.

National League 2 South saw mixed fortunes for our two Cornish clubs. After the agony of their 14-13 defeat last week at home to Henley Hawks, Redruth travelled to the Forest of Dean to take on Lydney. Never an easy place to get a result, Redruth travelled home with all five league points after a 27-21 win. Redruth scored five tries at Regentsholme. Try scorers were Owen Hambly, Tom Duncan (yet again!), Chris Fuca, Greg Goodfellow and Tom Notman. Brett Rule adding a conversion.

You can read Ed Bawden’s WMN match report in the link here.

Redruth will look to carry on their fine performance at home next Saturday against Hartpury College.

The Cornish All Blacks lost at home to Worthing by 25-24. A fifth defeat out of six starts is not what the Polson faithful would have hoped for this season, and once again it was by a narrow margin. Jake Murphy, Lewis Paterson  and Josh Lord scored the All Blacks’ tries with Kieron Lewitt kicking all three conversions and a penalty.

You can read Dick Benson-Gyles WMN match report in the link here.

Next week the Cornish All Blacks travel to Southend who are just ahead of them in the league table.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne enjoyed a fine win at the Rec defeating Thornbury 35-21, scoring five tries through wingers Rob Floyd (2), prop forward John Court, flanker Sam Matavesi and full back Joe Parma. Grant Thirlby kicked the remaining points with two conversions a drop-goal and a penalty.

A tough afternoon for Wadebridge Camels at Astley Park as they went down to Brixham 55-20. Matt Diamond and Sam Stone scored the Camel’s two tries with James Taylor adding both conversions and a couple of penalties, as the Camels turned around 38-20 down. But it was Brixham who kicked on during the second half.

Penryn couldn’t make it two wins on the trot as they also lost in South Devon 32-22 at Sidmouth. Phil Hinchley, Lewis Vague and James Mann scored the Borough’s three tries with Adryan Winnan adding a couple of conversions and a penalty.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell, who this week welcomed back Matt Shepherd from his brief spell at Redruth, defeated St. Ives 31-8 at Tregorrick. Shepherd was on hand with the boot to convert all four of St. Austell’s tries and a penalty. The tries came from James Earp, Hugh Noott, Paul Winterbottom and Ian Venner. For the Hakes Neil Corin scored a try and Jamie Prisk a penalty.

In the other games involving Cornish clubs Truro lost at Ivybridge 12-0, whilst Bude went down at Wellington 45-29.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish enjoyed a fine win over Teddington 23-20. Dickon Moon’s report can be found here.

Pirates Amateurs and Hayle are both setting the pace in Tribute Cornwall & Devon League with five wins from five. The Amateurs latest success came at the Mennaye when they beat Totnes 64-0 scoring ten tries under the hot sun.

Hayle defeated Withycombe 49-10 to maintain second spot just behind the Amateurs on points difference.

Elsewhere in this league, Falmouth lost at Honiton 26-15. Liskeard / Looe lost at Lux Park to Crediton 24-15, whilst Newquay Hornets won the derby game against Veor 32-10.

The Cornish Pirates will on Saturday (ko 4.15pm) welcome a
Leeds side to Cornwall who they played at Camborne in 2006 and in 2008, but it
the first time that they will have played them at the Mennaye Field.

Matches against the men from Leeds Carnegie have generally
been incredibly close. The Pirates have played them five times – winning one,
drawing one and losing three – and as for a highlight moment, for the Cornish
club it has to be their 18-17 points EDF Energy National Trophy match win away
in February, 2007.

Saturday’s visitors were, of course, relegated from the
Premiership at the end of last season, when it all went down to the last day.
They put up an admirable fight at Northampton before losing 31-24, whilst
Newcastle Falcons, who went down 42-12 at Bath, survived by having a superior
points difference.

Neil Back resigned following relegation to be replaced by
former Academy Manager Diccon Edwards, and a total of 17 players exited Leeds
Carnegie. Theirs is still, naturally, a strong outfit, but their Championship
campaign has got off to a mixed start. In their opening game they lost 26-13 at
home to London Welsh, and they then went down 22-18 at Rotherham Titans just a
week later. However, last Sunday saw them win 12-11 at home to a strong Bristol
side, when they showed their true pedigree by suitably recovering after being
11-3 down at half-time, and the Pirates can be assured of the sternest of tests
this weekend in front of what will hopefully be a large and enthusiastic crowd.
With their backing and resilience, and with a record of producing quality
Academy players, despite their mixed start there’s a feeling that Leeds
Carnegie will inevitably be right in the mix come the season’s end, and it’ll
be interesting to monitor their progress.

Also on Saturday everyone present will be delighted that
Paul Wickes and the Falmouth Marine Band will make their presence heard, as
will the always popular Cadgwith Singers.

Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased on-line at
www.cornish-pirates.com until 10am on Saturday, and they can also be bought
from various Warrens bakers outlets about the county, besides being available
on the day.

The Cornish Pirates side named for Saturday shows a number
of changes from the team that played in the Championship match at London
Scottish last Saturday, including a return at scrum-half for skipper Gavin
Cattle and a first Championship game of the season for Chris Morgan who has
returned to full fitness and enjoyed some welcome game time in Wednesday’s
British & Irish Cup match win against Bristol. Wing David Doherty and
fly-half Ceiron Thomas will also be facing a club they have both previously
played for.

Cornish Pirates:   R. Cook, W. Davies, G. Pointer, D. Locke, D.
Doherty, C. Thomas, G. Cattle (capt), B. Cowan, P. Burgess, C. Morgan, I.
Nimmo, L. McGlone, A. Paver, D. Ward, C. Rimmer.

Replacements:   R. Storer, R. Elloway, R. Brits, M. Myerscough, C. Walker-Blair, J. Doherty, T.
Cooper.

Referee:   Luke Pearce (RFU)      Assistants:   Ross Campbell & Steve Leyshon

Official 4: Andy Bickle      TMO:   Tony Spreadbury

Match Day Sponsor:   Treswithian Downs Crematorium

Three matches into this season’s RFU Championship and the good news is that the Cornish Pirates are still unbeaten. As they are favourites with some to actually win the Championship this season – on the face of it unspectacluar news! Well for the fans it’s been a roller-coaster ride already with the Pirates seeming to put in a big first 40 minutes and then going awol during the second half. It happened at Moseley it happaned at the Mennaye against Doncaster Knights and for a time it looked likely against London Scottish yesterday at the Athletic Ground. “Good teams win ugly and I think that this was one of those games” was how backs coach Harvey Biljoen summed up his sides’ performance before adding “You have to look at the charcter the players showed to ground out the victory and I have to be impressed with that.”

Tries in the first quarter from the back row duo of Blair Cowan and Charlie Walker-Blair was added before the break with a third from flyer Dave Doherty, Rob Cook chipping in a conversion. Scottish had three penalties from Devonian Dan Mugford keeping them in the hunt.

Former Cornish All Black Steve Pape came on after half-time for Scottish and that appeared to spur on the home forwards for whom former Red Mark Bright was making his home debut at No.8.

The Pirates suffered a first yellow card as lock Ian Nimmo fell-foul of referee Mr Taylorson. Pape scored a try and Mugford’s conversion pegged the Pirates back to 17-16. Replacement hooker Dave Ward was on the field for just a few minutes when he copped his third yellow card in as many games this season! Pape grabbed a second try with Mugford once more adding the extras. Here we go again now trailing 23-17! Cook cut the deficit with a penalty.

With time fast running out Cook opted to kick to the touchline from a penalty, the ensuing lineout saw the Pirates drive over for a winning score and try-scoring bonus point with Cowan getting his second of the match.

To all supporters the message must be “Keep taking the blood pressure tablets!” The Western Morning News report can be found in the link

Wednesday evening at 5pm sees the Pirates open their British & Irish Cup campaign with a home fixture at the Mennaye against Bristol.

In National League 2 South, Redruth followed up their “ugly win” last week over the Cornish All Blacks with a solid performance at Ding’s Crusaders winning 35-13. With skipper Craig Bonds and flanker Owen Hambly both unavailable for this fixture, prop Peter Joyce took over the captaincy. A tight first half saw the sides tide a 6-6 with Brett Rule kicking a couple of penalties.

Dings came under pressure in the second half and for Redruth No.8 Tom Duncan scored two excellent tries to keep his record of having scored in each of the Reds’ four league matches thus far. Young Dean Bonds and Tom Notman got the other tries to ensure Redruth travelled home with all five points. Rule added three conversions and a further penalty. You can read Ed Bawden’s match report here

This weekend coming Redruth entertain high-flying Henley Hawks at the Rec in what promises to be an exciting game.

The Cornish All Blacks followed up their improved showing last week in defeat at Redruth with a first league win of the season at Polson defeating Westcombe Park 48-7 scoring six tries. No.8 Mike Rawlings, back from injury grabbed two, as did centre Lewis Paterson with lock Will Carrick-Smith and scrum-half Richard Friend getting the others. Kieron Lewitt added all six conversions as well as acouple of penalties. Western Morning News report can be found in the link

The All Blacks will look to maintain this form next week when they travel to Shelford.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne won the derby against Penryn 14-10 at the Rec. Hooker Ben Priddey scored both the Cherry & Whites’ tries with Dave Mankee adding the conversions. For the Borough player-coach Adryan Winnan kicked an early penalty and then added the conversion to a late penalty-try. It was Penryn’s first league point of the season and lifts them off the bottom, Cambone with a second win lie in mid-table.

Wadebridge Camels got a good win on the road at Berry Hill winning 20-19. That’s the Camels first win in the league this season.

In Tribute Western Counties West, promoted St. Austell’s fine start was halted as they slipped to their first defeat at Okehampton 27-26, despite scoring four tries through Rob Jeffs, Alex Welland, Paul Winterbottom and Ben Chenoweth. Tom Miles adding three conversions. Truro got a losing bonus point at Wellington going down 17-13 with Justin Irons getting both Truro’s tries and Mark Richards MR kicking a penalty. St. Ives tasted success with a win at Kingsbridge 16-15 with Neil Corin scoring  their  and Jamie Prisk kicking the goals.

Bude defeated Devonport Services 12-9 with tries from Richie Herzog and Dan Pearce.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish lost their second game with 23-0 defeat at home to Wimbeldon, the loss was compounded with a mounting injury list at our exiles which will give DoR Dickon Moon food for thought this week!

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon league, Hayle continue their fine start with a 36-5 win over Crediton. Talan Daniels (2), Mark Britton, Sam Newman, Adam Cope and Mike Laity scored the Lions’ tries, with Ashley Hosking kicking the conversions.

Pirate Amateurs are just behind Hayle in the league following a 37-15 win against Teignmouth with Sam Heath (2), Steve Kent, Ben Eddy and Trevelyan Dugdale all crossing and Murray Westren kicking the goals.

Newquay Hornets defeated Torrington 42-0 at the Sportscentre whilst Falmouth Eagles defeated Withycombe 20-18 at the Rec.

There were however losses for Veor at Honiton 34-3, and Liskeard Looe who lost at Lux Park to Totnes 23-17.

Redruth just edged the National League 2 South Cornish
derby at the Recreation Ground on Saturday in a tension filled scrappy game littered
with errors on both sides, reports Bill Hooper.

Cornish All Black lock Ben Hilton got the opening try of
the match after 11 minutes following a period of pressure near the Redruth
line. Winger Kerion Lewitt was unable to add the conversion in the windy
conditions, which made kicking difficult all afternoon for both sides.

Redruth looked to get parity on the scoreboard but to the
frustration of their supporters good build up play was wasted as the
error count mounted.

Fly-half Brett Rule missed with his first penalty chance
after 16 minutes, nor could Redruth capitalise when the All Blacks were reduced
to fourteen men as prop Tim Mathias was yellow carded for foul play.

Instead the All Blacks extended their lead to 8 – 0 with
a penalty from Lewitt on 22 following a fine break from centre Lewis Paterson.

Redruth desperately needed to get a score on the board
and it finally came following a fine passage of play instigated by no.8 Tom
Duncan who broke down the blindside towards the Piggy lane corner. Tom Notman,
Darren Jacques and Richard Brown were all involved before the ball was moved
right towards Hell fire corner with skipper Craig Bonds and Chris Fuca
combining to put Bonds in for the try after 24 minutes. Rule couldn’t add the
extras as the score remained 8-5 to the visitors up to half-time.

Unfortunately play didn’t improve much after the break,
but when the All Blacks did look to move the ball through the backs they looked
the more threatening.

The visitors thought they may have scored when a Rule
clearance was charged down behind his own try-line. All they got was a
five-metre scrum with Redruth eventually pushing them off the ball.

On 62 minutes Rule eventually tied the scores with a
penalty as the All Blacks once again infringed.

Eleven minutes later Rule was adding the conversion to
Tom Duncan’s try following a series of scrums up in the scoreboard corner as
the visitors persistently infringed as Redruth looked to capitalise through the
forwards.

The Cornish All Blacks were to have one further chance to
tie the game as a miss-cued kick from Rule  fell invitingly to the visiting backs with
winger Ben Turner scoring in the Piggy lane corner on 77 minutes. Turner
couldn’t land the conversion from the touchline and Redruth held out to record
their second win of the season.

Redruth 15 pts

Tries – Bonds, Duncan, Penalty – Rule, Conversion – Rule

Cornish All Blacks 13 pts

Tries – Hilton, Turner, Penalty – Lewitt

Yellow Card – Mathias (19)

Redruth: C Bonds (capt), N Pedley, S Parsons, J Semmens, T Notman, B Rule, M Shepherd; D Jacques, R Brown
(D Semmens 50), P Joyce (C Williams 60), D Cook, L Collins, C Fuca, O Hambly, T
Duncan

Replacements (not used): A Rule, C Bailey, D Bonds

Cornish All Blacks: J Murphy, K Lewitt (J Hawken 40), L Paterson, S Perry, B Turner, L Webb, R Friend; T Mathias (J Keats 70),

J Salter (T Hurdwell 76), B Pow, W Carrick-Smith. B Hilton, W Hodgetts (J Keats 28 – 29), (L Duke 64) T Rawlings (capt), J Lord

Replacement (not used): K Moyle

Referee: Mr. M Caton (RFU)

Crowd: 1,258

The opening day of the RFU Championship saw the Cornish Pirates travel to Billesley Common to take on Moseley, a side that many pundits reckon will end up once again the relegation play-offs come March. However the form book was torn up as the homeside battled back to from a 24-5 deficit to draw 27 all against a Pirates side that once again hopes to be at the buisness end of the RFU Championship season.

First half tries from winger Dave Doherty, lock Ian Nimmo and full back Rob Cook together with Cook’s boot put the Pirates in a useful 24-10 lead. With centre Drew Locke once again drawing the praise from the commentators for his performance, the Pirates looked set for an opening day win, but it was not to be. Moseley hit back with a converted try after half-time. The Pirates then saw Locke go off injured and Cook yellow carded and the jitters set in!

Deep into injury time Moseley were awarded a penalty try with former Pirate Olly Thomas kicking the conversion to snatch an improbable draw.

No doubt the Pirates will want to put the record straight on Sunday at the Mennaye when Doncaster Knights are the visitors, the Knights suffered an opening day defeat at home to Bristol, who may well prove to be the dark horse in this season’s campaign.

Other news this week from the Mennaye is signing of Redruth’s fly-half Aaron Penberthy by the Championship club. Young Penberthy will remain on loan at Redruth. Pirates CEO Rod Coward stated  “The application and effort displayed by Aaron during pre-season has been impressive, and he is clearly a talented young player with real potential. “Aaron will have game time on loan to Redruth but we can recall him when and as required.”

Redruth gave former St. Austell scrum-half Matt Shepherd his debut at Worthing. Despite a fine performance from their new recruit the Reds went down 27-25 to the Sussex side. Shepherd who has also been training and impressing at the Cornish Pirates played for Cornwall in last season’s Tamar Cup match coming on as a second half replacement he made such an impression that he picked up the man-of-the-match award.

Worringly for the Reds Penberthy picked up a rib injury and may well be doubtful for Saturday’s Cornish derby against Launceston at the Rec.

Not a great start for the Cornish All Blacks as they lost their second league match in National league 2 South going down 26-22 at Polson to Clifton. Out-scored on the try front three to one Launceston had Kieron Lewitt’s boot to thank for keeping them in touch. Ben Hilton got the CAB’s sole try, but it was not the start that skipper Tom Rawlings would have hoped for and no doubt they will travel to the Rec as a wounded animal desperate to get their season back on track with a win in the derby.

The refurbished bottom bar at the Redruth clubhouse will have it’s grand un-veiling on Saturday the bar will now be know as The Richard Sharp Bar  and the great man himself will be there to offically open the bar. With the England v Argentina World Cup game being shown live in the morning along with a video of the Reds game at Worthing it should prove great pre-match entertainment in the clubhouse.

Camborne had a good opening day win in Tribute South West 1 West 15-6 against Cullumpton with Ben Priddey and Laurie Manna getting the tries. Dave Mankee’s boot got the other points. Wadebridge Camels lost at Avonmouth 22-5 with skipper Gary Gynn getting the Camel’s sole try. A depleted Penryn side were no match for Oldfield OB’s going down 37-8 with lock Danny Laity getting the Borough’s try and Rob Banks kicking a penalty.