Kyle Moyle receives Tony Mead U.20 Shield from Peter Richmond

Lewis Paterson receives the Bill Osborne Shield from Peter Richmond

Cornish All Blacks centre Lewis Paterson has been voted Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club Player of the Year for 2012 following his outstanding performances for Cornwall during the Duchy’s Bill Beaumont Cup campaign in May. He was also a key member of the Cornwall side that wrested back the Tamar Cup from Devon in a thrilling win at Polson Bridge just prior to the Championship

Paterson received the “Bill Osborne Memorial Shield” from BBC Radio Cornwall’s sports reporter Peter Richmond at the club’s Annual General Meeting held at the St. Austell Brewery’s Visitor Centre last Wednesday evening.

Despite the Cornish All Blacks’ indifferent start to the League campaign Paterson has been showing good try-scoring form for his side and is certainly a crowd favourite at Polson and hopes to be involved with Cornwall during the 2013 campaign.

Paterson was delighted with his award. He said. “I am really delighted to have received this award and to see my name alongside some of the finest players to have worn the black and gold shirt in recent seasons. To be ranked alongside previous winners such as Ben Hilton and Ryan Westren is a massive honour.

“Hopefully we will be able to build on last season’s results when we commence the 2013 Bill Beaumont Cup campaign. Having come so close last season the squad are determined to go all the way to Twickenham”.

The “Tony Mead Memorial Shield” for the Cornwall U.20 Player of the Year went to Kyle Moyle. The fly-half was the lynch-pin of Cornwall’s fine run in last season’s U.20 County Championship. Having played last season for the Cornish All Blacks, Moyle moved during the summer to the St. Ives club where he is enjoying fine form with the “Hakes” having scored nine tries in their last two matches! He said. “It’s an honour to get this award and I’d like to thank all those who voted for me”.

The highlight for the youngster in the black and gold jersey last season was the win over Devon at Hayle. “To beat Devon who travelled to down to Hayle with some good support was a big win for the boys and really capped a fine campaign, which just saw us missing out on progressing to the quarter-finals”.

It was a miserable Sunday afternoon down in Penzance with the wet conditions making for a forward orientated game. So it was no surprise that Newcastle Falcons grinded out the win  they looked for without too much panache from the former Premiership outfit by 25-3.

I have no doubts that the Falcons will be soaring high next season back in the top echelon of English rugby.

An early Gopperth penalty was cancelled out by Hallet’s kick on 19 minutes. Sadly that was to be the closest the Pirates would get to the Falcons.

As half-time approached Gopperth had nudged Newcastle 6-3 ahead before hooker Rob Vickers burrowed over from close range, Gopperth’s conversion putting the Falcons 13-3 up.

With conditions becoming increasingly difficult it was left to the forwards and when Tongan Taiasina Tu’ifua got over for Newcastle’s second try mid-way through the half the game was a as good as won. Gopperth’s conversion making it 20-3.

In the final minute from a rolling maul winger Tom Catterick got in amongst his forwards to claim his side’s third try for a final score of 25-3.

Falcons coach Dean Richards thoughts in the link here    

Dick Straughan’s Cornishman report in the link here

In National League 2 South, a win for the Cornish All Blacks as they won at Dings Crusaders 30-19. All Blacks notched the try scoing bonus point as well thanks to scores from Kieron Lewitt, Lewis Paterson (2) and Richard Bright. Lewitt also kicked two conversions and a couple of penalties.

Spike Rainford’s thought’s in the link from Western Morning News

Redruth made hard work of defeatong Bournemouth at the Rec 18-13. No.8 Tom Duncan crossed for a couple of tries with Paul Thirlby kicking the other points. Despite the win Forwards Coach Ashley Morcom felt that his side hadn’t got going and needed more go forward ball.

You can read my full match report from the Western Morning News here

In Tribute South West 1 West. Two wins for our Cornish sides. Camborne got back to winning ways defeating Chard 37-11. Callum Davies, Jason Jackson, Rob Floyd, Dave Roberts, Sam Bartle, Dave Mankee and Aaron Hunt all crossed for the Cherry & Whites.

Wadebridge Camels made it a second win on the bounce defeating Bridgwater& Albion 32-23 in Somerset. Richard Treleven, Sam Stone, Will Pengelly, Matt Ballard and Dom Hawket all scored tries for the Camels, whilst James Grubb added a couple of conversions and a drop-goal.

In Western Counties West, St. Austell made it win number four thanks to a late conversion of his own try by Matt Shepherd. Saints other try-scorers were Andy Ashwin, Rob Jeffs and Paul Winterbottom in their 24-22 win at Okehampton.

A good win for Truro at Honiton 26-24. Tries came from Matt Ayres and Carl Ranscombe. Justyn Irons kicked the other points.

Penryn defeated Torquay Athletic at the Memorial Park 29-16. Alex Ducker, Tom Hobin, James Martin, Matt Biggins and skipper Jordan Rose all crossed for the Borough with Ducker adding a couple of conversions.

Another tough afternoon for Bude as they went down to a fourth defeat this time 43-3 at Devonport Services.

In London 2 SW London Cornish playing their second league game on the road lost to Tottonians 35-12.

In the Cornwall & Devon League. St. Ives won 72-0 at Plymouth Barbarians. Kyle Moyle notched six of the Hakes eleven tries with former Pirate Ceiron Thomas, Jacob Ninnis, Neil Corin, Josh Palmer and Ben Taylor also scoring tries. Thomas landed six conversions and a penalty.

Saltash won at Moorlands  45-21 against Withycombe with Joe Skinnard claiming three tries. Other scores went to Will Morton, Woods and Lewis Wells.

Liskeard & Looe earned a good draw at home against Crediton 19 all.

Falmouth won at  Hayle 24-11. Newquay Hornets got a first win at home to Wessex 39 – 5.

Pirates Amateurs lost at the Mennaye on Saturday 29-15 to Teignmouth.

With both Cornwall 1 and Cornwall 2 starting next week it was Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup 1st Rd.

St. Just last season’s beaten finalists were knocked out in the first round by Helston 18-8, whilst Veor had a big win at Illogan Park 60-19. See the results page for the other scores.

Over in France after last week’s losses for our two local lads there was success this weekend.

Tom Parker’s Vannes side won at home against Marmande 35-11, whilst Ed Carne’s Nevers team were too good for Saint Medard winning 50-3. Sadly for Ed though he picked up an injury!

It looks like Brett Rule will be returning to Cornwall following an injury he picked up in pre-season with his new club RC Vigo in Spain. Brett requires an operation and will be out of action for a while. We all wish him well on his recovery.

Bristol got a modicum of revenge for last season’s defeat in the semi-finals with a win over the Cornish Pirates at the Memorial Ground. A final flourish saw them turnaround a one point deficit with just eight minutes left on the clock to finally run-out 29-17 winners.

Matt Evans again crossed the whitewash for the Pirates dotting down his sixth try in three games, however the worrying scenes at the final whistle saw the Canadian flyer stretched off, though thankfully it looks like the tough Cannuck will be back in fray before too long. Thought Tom Kessell at scrum-half had another good game as did centre Tom Riley. It was also good to see Chris Morgan coming on as a replacement following his injury.

Match report from the WMN here.

No game for Redruth last Saturday, so all eyes were on Polson Bridge where the Cornish All Blacks were looking for their first win against a useful Hartpury College side. In the end it ended honours even at 24 all.

Match report from the WMN here  

In the Tribute League in South west 1 West, Camborne’s mini run came to end as they lost at Old Redcliffians 25-19, whilst Wadebridge Camels recorded a first win against Chard 25-10 at the Molesworth Field. Camels scored tries from Adam Collings and Sam Stone, whist the trusty boot of James Grubb added the other points.

In Western Counties West, St. Austell march on with a third win. Their 24-18 success over visitors Kingsbridge. A couple of tries from Sam Tank and kicks from Matt Shepherd saw the Saints home.

Penryn got a win at home against Okehampton 35-24. Tries were scored by Gavin Laycock (2), Richard Burns, Tom Hobean, and Andy Sevior. Dave Pascoe kicking the goals.

Truro lost a ding-dong match at St. Clements 25-24 to Exeter Saracens. Lee Pengilly, Issac Scoble and Matt Ayres, with kicks from Chevy Read and Ayres.

Bude lost once again this time at Torquay Athletic 49-12. The North Cornwall side’s points came from tries scored by Ollie Denton and Phil Horton, with Dan Pearce landing a conversion.

Up in London 2 SW London Cornish’s opening league fixture ended in defeat at Portsmouth 18-13. Flanker Andrew Dinwiddie scored exiles try with centre Luke Spells kicking the other points.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, St. Ives won again to record their third win, though they only have 9 points due to a points deduction carried over from last season. The latest win was a derby success over Pirates Amateurs 44-14 at Alexandra Road.

Saltash also made it three win from three with a 17-6 win over Plymouth Barbarians.

Hayle drew at Crediton 13 all, but there were defeats for the other Cornish clubs, Liskeard & Looe 25-9 at Wessex, Falmouth 62-17 at Withycombe and Newquay Hornets 51-10 at Tiverton.

I mentioned last week that former Cornish All Black Tom Parker and former Redruth player Ed Carne were both about to start their league campaigns in Federale 1 (level 3) in France last weekend. Sadly it was not a winning start for either. Tom Parker’s Vannes side lost their opener at Tyrosse 26-9, whilst Ed’s Nevers team lost a tight game at Saint Junien 32-20.

REDRUTH 46 – 24 CORNISH ALL BLACKS

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground Redruth

Redruth gave a cracking display of attacking rugby to deservedly take the spoils in the first derby this season against their old rivals the Cornish All Blacks in National League 2 South.

It was the Reds’ greater fitness and physicality, especially at the breakdown which laid the foundations for a resounding win which delighted their backs coach Steve Evans. He said. “That was very satisfying, it’s not every day that you can score forty-six points against a Launceston side. We had a slow start the previous week up at Taunton, but to come out and score seventeen points – including three tries in the first fifteen minutes – was very pleasing. I think today you saw the rewards of the hard work the boys have put into pre-season, to be able to produce a score-line like that. Every time we had the ball we looked dangerous and we were trying things, if we had had a bit more ball I think we could have scored even more points today”.

For the vanquished, All Blacks skipper Tom Rawlings put on a brave face and was fulsome in his praise in congratulating the Reds on their win. He said. “You never want to lose in a derby game like we did today, we did well to get back with two good tries in the first half, at half-time we looked to push on in the second period but sadly we just fell apart, it’s very frustrating but we did show some character to score two late tries to get something from the game, but fair-play to Redruth they played us off the field, were good in all areas and deserved the win on the day.”

Prop Peter Joyce led out the side in front of the home fans on his final appearance before joining RFU Championship side the Cornish Pirates to thunderous applause of appreciation.

The opening try came from a quickly taken tap penalty near the All Blacks’ try-line following an opening period of sustained pressure. Centre Sam Parsons took the tap to power over after just five minutes.

It got even better for the vocal Redruth faithful just moments later as scrum-half Greg Goodfellow exploited a gap ten meters out to dart in under the posts for the Reds second try, which fly-half Paul Thirlby converted.

Then after thirteen minutes further Redruth pressure saw lock Luke Collins stretch out to dot down a third try for his side. With a 17-0 score the Reds were well in command.

The All Blacks finally managed to get some field position moving the ball along the backline allowing winger Luke Tidball a recent signing from Truro to cross in the Piggy lane corner. Full-back Kieron Lewitt landed a fine conversion from near the touchline.

Redruth continued to look lively with recent signings from Newquay Hornets centre Romy Vassell and Frazer Kellythorne catching the eye, whilst in the forwards props Darren Jacques and Joyce put in some big charges as did No.8 Tom Duncan. Whilst for the All Blacks the Rawlings brothers were always a handful in the rucks and mauls, whilst outside centre Lewis Paterson constantly looked for a gap and Tidball looked sharp and took his try very well.

Thirlby kept the scoreboard ticking over in the Reds’ favour with a couple of penalties, however it was to the All Blacks who got the next try, following a powerful forward drive towards Hellfire corner, prop Tim Mathias barged over for a second Launceston try.

Thirlby brought the first half scoring to an end with his third penalty to make it 26-12 at the break.

You sensed that for the All Blacks to have any way back into the game that they need the first score of the second half.

Instead it was to be the Reds who carried on in the same vein. A fumble in a lineout by Tripcony saw the ball fall to Redruth, the ever alert Kellythorne ran through a static defence to score the bonus point try, Thirlby added the extras for a 33-12 lead.

The All Blacks compounded their misery as flanker Mike Rawlings gave away a needless penalty in front of the posts. The frustration boiled over as All Blacks No.8 Josh Lord and replacement winger Lewis Vinnicombe got involved in some handbags, which warranted no more than a telling off from referee Nick Williams. Shortly after following another penalty award to the Reds some chat-back from Mathias saw his side marched back another ten meters. Thirlby made sure of the points on each occasion.

With just over ten minutes remaining Redruth got their fifth try, a good run out of his own half by Duncan was taken on almost to the try-line by replacement flanker Neil Broadbank, tackled just short the youngster had the presence of mind to off-load to the supporting Collins who got his second try of the game, Thirlby’s conversion putting the Reds 46-12 ahead.

In the final minutes the All Blacks looked to get something from the game and they succeeded with a couple of late tries from winger Richard Bright and replacement prop Mike Roach to take a try-scoring bonus point back up the A.30.

The final whistle saw the Redruth crowd on their feet to cheer the winners of the aptly billed “Inferno in Kernow!”

Next weekend Redruth have a weekend off due to the demise of Rugby Lions, whilst the Cornish All Blacks will look to kick-start their season at Polson against Hartpury College.

Redruth 46 pts

Tries – Parsons, Goodfellow, Collins (2), Kellythorne, Penalties – Thirlby (5), Conversions- Thirlby (3)

Cornish All Blacks 24 pts

Tries – Tidball, Mathias, Bright, Roach, Conversions – Lewitt, Murphy

Redruth: C Bonds, T Notman (L Vinnicombe 50), R Vassell, S Parsons, F Kellythorne, P Thirlby, G Goodfellow (T Peacock 64); D Jacques, R Brown (N Turner 70), P Joyce (C Williams 56), L Collins, D Cook, C Fuca (capt) (N Boradbank 53), O Hambly, T Duncan

Cornish All Blacks: K Lewitt (R Friend 50), R Bright, L Paterson, S Chapman, L Tidball, J Murphy, N Webber; T Mathias (A Meredith 71), T Hurdwell, N Bayliss (M Roach 66), J Tripcony, B J Chapman, M Rawlings, T Rawlings (capt) (L Duke 77), J Lord (M Bolwell 66)

Referee: Nick Williams (RFU)

Crowd:1140

Redruth-man-of-the-match: Darren Jacques

Early season form is always a good pointer, Sunday’s derby battle between the Cornish Pirates and Plymouth Albion was no different.

Having battled in relegation play-offs, it looks like Albion may well be challenging further up the table this season. Truth is they really should have won this game but goal-kicker fly-half Paul Roberts had an off day with the boot converting just one of his kicks at goal from six attempts.

The Pirates’ hero at the death was Rob Cook, back on loan from Gloucester following Grant Pointer’s dislocated shoulder last weekend in Jersey. His penalty in time added on secured an improbable 19-17 win.

Mention too for winger Matt Evans who scored both of the Pirates’ tries at this early stage of the season he’s well ahead on the club’s try-scoring stakes on five with the other players still to register!

You can read Dick Straughan’s match report here from the thisiscornwall site further reaction also from skipper Gavin Cattle from Bill Sobey in the Western Morning News here

Saturday saw another fiercely contested local derby as Redruth got the better of Launceston in National League 2 South. The final score-line of 46-24 to the Reds was probably not the result many pundits would have predicted. These matches are usually close affairs, but once again as last season the Cornish All Blacks look to be starting the season slowly.

My report for the thisiscornwall website can be found here.

To read the fuller report then watch out for Thursdays’ West Briton.

In Tribute South West 1 West Camborne made it two wins with a workmanlike win over visitors Thornbury, Tries from winger Shane Woods and No.8 Dave Roberts and eleven points from the boot of Dave Mankee saw the Cherry & Whites home.

Wadebridge Camels slipped to a second defeat this time away at North Petherton 24-15. Camels scored tries through Matt Ballard and Adrian Cullis.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell provided the only bright spot winning their second game to maintain their fine start. Victory at Ivybridge was earned by 24-18 thanks to tries from Matt Shepherd, Sam Tank, Steve Howarth and Ben Chenoweth, with Shepherd adding a couple of conversions.

Truro slipped to defeat at Devonport Services 24-17. Whilst Penryn lost for the second time, this time at Kingsbridge 53-20 as did Bude at Bencoolen to Bideford 25-5.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League Saltash share top spot with a second bonus point win this time at Pirates Amateurs 26-12, thanks to tries from Richard Skinnard (2), Joe Skinnard and Kieran Ardnell. Max Venables adding three conversions. For the Pirates Ams Rhys Brownfield kicked four penalties.

St. Ives also made it two wins with a 17-3 win at OPM’s. Tries for the Hakes came from Rob Nicholas and Sean Stephen whilst fly-half Ceiron Thomas kicked a couple of penalties and a conversion.

Falmouth also recorded a second win with a 38-12 win over Crediton at the Rec. Simon Bailey, Rob Banks, Gareth Lever, Tom David and Paul Saberton all crossed for the Eagles with Banks converting all five tries and a penalty.

Hayle got their season off to a good start with a 32-12 win over Wessex. Liskeard & Looe lost at Lux Park to Tiverton 17-15 and Newquay Hornets lost also at the Sportscentre to Teignmouth 43-15.

Voting has now closed for Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club Player of the Year awards. Both awards will be announced publicly at our Annual general meeting at the St. Austell Brewery Visitor centre on Wednesday October 3rd. We are delighted that BBC Radio Cornwall’s reporter Peter Richmond will be on hand to present the player’s shields.

Enough of the phony stuff, league rugby is back and what an exciting opening weekend it was for the Cornish clubs involved.

In the RFU Championship a solid win by the Cornish Pirates out in Jersey with a 20-6 score-line. Canadian International winger Matt Evans bagged a hat-trick of tries for the Pirates, whilst fly-half Kieron Hallett kicked a penalty and conversion. Four points to start the season off prior to the visit of Plymouth Albion to the Mennaye next Sunday.

Dick Straughan’s match report from the Western Morning News can be found in the link

In National League 2 South, contrasting fortunes for our two Cornish sides. Redruth began with an away win at Taunton Titans 25 – 15 , thanks to tries from Craig Bonds and a brace from No.8 Tom Duncan. Duncan last season’s top try-scorer for the Reds is back in the grove already. Paul Thirlby adding the other points with the boot.

You can read Roger Watson’s report from the Western Morning News in the link here

Launceston had a disappointing start losing at Polson to newly promoted Chinnor 33-29. As skipper Tom Rawlings put it “We blew it”. Centre Lewis Paterson showed great early season form with a hat-trick of tries, whilst scrum-half Richard Friend grabbed a fourth All Blacks try to at least give the All Blacks two points from the game.

Catch up with Dick Benson-Gyles match report for the Western Morning News here

It promises to be another exciting Cornish derby at Redruth this Saturday as Launceston head west looking to get their season back up and running, whilst Redruth will hope to build on the fine start at Taunton. It will be full of passion at the Rec!

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne had a great start at Oldfield Old boys winning 18-13 with tries from James Galsworthy and Dave Roberts. Dave Mankee’s trusty boot added the other points.

Wadebridge Camels will be disappointed to have lost at the Molesworth Field 11-10 to visitors Old Redcliffians. Mike Davey got the Camel’s try with James Grubb kicking a couple of penalties.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell started with a bang at home defeating new boys Honiton 46-10. Ben Chenoweth (2) Paul Winterbottom (2), Sam Tank (2) Matt Shepherd and Sam Howorth all crossed the whitewash.  Shepherd added three conversions to put Saints on top of the table.

Truro won the Cornish derby at St. Clements with a 38-8 win over Bude. Issac Scoble, Matt Ayres, Tim Gay, Tom Child (2) and Ashley Richards got Truro’s tries with Chevy Read adding four conversions.

Penryn lost their opener at home 18-13 to Ivybridge. Jamie Martin scored a couple of tries with Gavin Laycock kicking a penalty.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League. St. Ives beat Newquay Hornets 52-32, thanks in part to 28 points, including three tries, from fly-half Kyle Moyle. For the losing side Liam Freeman also scored a hat-trick of tries in amassing a personal tally of 22 points.

Falmouth won at Wessex 24-14, Pirates Amateurs triumphed at Plymouth Barbarians 17-12, whilst newly promoted Saltash sent OPM’s back across the Tamar following a 50-22 defeat.

A loss for Liskeard & Looe at Teignmouth 31 – 12, whilst the game between Tiverton and Hayle was postponed.

I was sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. Mike Dove. A stalwart of the Cornish game who gave so much to the clubs he served. St Austell, Penryn and Truro all benefited from his hard work and enthusiasm, as did the Cornwall RFU.

Next month will be Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club AGM, when we announce the winners of our Cornwall Senior and U.20 Player of the Year. Voting has now closed and we look forward to informing the winners shortly.

CORNWALL ON THE ROAD:

Cornwall will play two of their three County Championship Division One South group matches away from home next May, writes Nigel Walrond.

They start their campaign on Saturday, May 4, with a trip to Gloucestershire, and then follow that with a very long journey to Kent seven days later.

The venues for both of those games are still to be confirmed.

They then host defending county champions Hertfordshire at Camborne on Saturday, May 18, with the county final taking place at Twickenham on Sunday, May 26.

The other group matches are: May 4: Kent v Hertfordshire; May 11: Hertfordshire v Gloucestershire, and May 18: Gloucestershire v Kent.

Cornwall will have to be at their best if they are to reach the final, with even the game at Kent, who have returned to the top tier of county rugby after an absence of one season, far from easy.

Two seasons ago, Cornwall won an amazing game 42-34 against them at Canterbury in a relegation decider.

Cornwall will be sponsored for the next three years by St Austell Brewery through their Tribute Ale brand, with a new kit soon to be unveiled with the sponsor’s logo on it.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union chairman Denis Preece said: “We are happy with the fixtures, though playing two away matches to start with is not ideal.

“We have got our hands full, with last year’s winners Hertfordshire in our pool, and Kent will have a point to prove, after dropping out of the top tier for a season.

“But we are looking forward to a good season, and looking forward to the support and help that Tribute are going to give us, and we are looking forward to Christmas time, when we will be launching the new shirts for the county team with our sponsors.”

It is a question that has been asked me time and time again when people find out that I am supporting France at a major sporting event be it rugby or any sport. Especially when it involves England as the opposition.

As you would expect there is no straight forward answer, though the simple one is that having had a French mother it is very natural to support the country maternelle!

However there is more to it than that and some of the reasons are not pleasant to recall and are memories that I have long-buried away from my childhood school days.

I attended public school in Cornwall at an establishment that no longer exists. I spent nine years at the school from the age of 7. The first few years were for me a personal hell. News that a new boy was not of the correct breeding i.e. had a French mother was carte blanche for being the bete noir of the whole school. It was a personal hell, which has left it’s mark to this day. However I did learn to run, and to run fast, to escape the gangs and bullies who were out to get me at every break during the day.

As you can imagine my school work suffered badly in this climate of hate, but through it all an enduring friendship with one lad at the school made life bearable and I am pleased to say that almost forty years after having left the school we are still close friends and remain very much in contact to this day.

I learnt to run fast. That statement would leave many people today somewhat bemused given my somewhat portly appearance. With my speed I became a member of the rugby XV and the soccer X1 and an athlete who on sports day was capable of carrying off a cup or two. I had gradually earned some form of respect, but what a hard road it had been! I had to be different I couldn’t be like them!

There was one further event that turned be away from supporting England. My cousin, who is a few years older than me married a chap called Roger Harris. Roger in his prime was arguably the best hooker in England playing for Truro, St. Luke’s College, Plymouth Albion and Penryn. He also amassed 62 caps for Cornwall and played in the 1969 County Final at Redruth against Lancashire when Cornwall lost 11-9. A Barbarian and countless representative matches for the SouthWest against touring sides including the All Black Springboks and Wallabies. But he never got an England cap. John Pullin was the incumbent hooker for England. The closest he got was standing on the touch-line ready to come on against I believe Ireland in 1970. Pullin was injured but wouldn’t come off, his chance had come and gone. The stories of being Cornish made it doubly hard to play for England seemed to have some element of truth for young impressionable adolescent.

There is always a game that cements one’s loyalty for life. For me it was 1972 France v England in the last International match to be played at the old Stade Colombes in North West Paris. I watched the game at my Uncle’s house along with my Aunt and another Aunt in Perranporth all fervent England supporters. England were routed by six tries to one and I couldn’t contain my glee, much to the annoyance of family members.  For the record France’s tries were scored by Duprat (2), Biemouret, Sillieres, Lux and Walter Spanghero with Pierre Villepreux kicking five of the six conversions and a penalty. It was the year that no matches were played in Ireland. For the record England lost all four games, whilst France fared little better with just the one win!

The love for the blue shirt was well and truly instilled and since that time I have enjoyed the highs and lows of French side’s performances. Highlights for me at Twickenham were the wins of 1983 (Rives final match for France against England), 1997 (The incredible comeback from 20-3 down to win 23-20 enroute to the Grand Slam) and 2005 (Yachvili’s six penalties for an 18-17 win over the World Champions). Best try Philippe Saint-Andre’s try started by Serge Blanco in the Grand Slam decider in 1991. I was seated in the North Stand middle tier and had a perfect view of the whole move. I missed the 1987 win at Twickenham as I did the draw in 1985, when Cornwall’s Chris Martin played full back for England when held up in a traffic jam on the way to to Twickenham! Lescarboura dropping three goals for France for 9-9.

So far I have only seen France v England in Paris once 1986 at the Parc des Princes, an awesome venue, when France tore England apart on a glorious spring afternoon in March scoring four tries in a 29-10 win. Blanco again was supreme as was Sella and Charvet.

The Rugby World Cup in 2007 was a thrill for me with it being held in France and I travelled to all of France’s games up to and including the quarter-final win in Cardiff over New Zealand.

My latest France game was in February at Murrayfield when France beat Scotland 23-17.

Roll on the next game, allez les bleus!

ALL HAIL THE CHAMPIONS – LONDON WELSH! Well you’d think so wouldn’t you after the Welsh exiles deservedly won the RFU Championship last Wednesday week.

Sadly that is not the case. The RFU are sticking to their ruling that the Welsh cannot go up to the Aviva Premiership making a farce of the Championship as a whole.

The RFU bigwigs at the Kassam Stadium deservedly got the chorus of boos from both London Welsh and Cornish Pirates supporters they deserved as the Championship trophy and medals were handed out with indecent haste at the end of the game.

I felt very sorry for the Pirates’ players who appeared to get nothing, not even a handshake or bad luck from the RFU! What a shower!! However, I have since learned that they were given medals after Sky’s coverage had finished!!

It really was a final that was dominated by events off the field rather than on it. Cornwall Council came out with impeccable timing announcing that they would not be forthcoming with the £10 million towards the stadium for Cornwall project to add to the controversy from the RFU over promotion.

So with the season over plans are now in-hand for the 2012-13 season. Sadly and inevitably a few Pirates will be moving on and it comes as no real surprise to learn that prop Carl Rimmer (Exeter Chiefs) and lock Ian Nimmo (Newport Gwent Dragons) will be moving to a higher level of rugby. Sad too the loss of Rhodri McAtee off to Championship rivals Plymouth Albion. Other players are also on the move in addition to the transfers of Drew Locke (Gloucester) and Dave Ward (Harlequins) previously announced.

In their place new players will come in and I am sure they will soon prove to be crowd pleasers too!

On the transfer front I note the arrival of Cornishman Toby Freeman at Rotherham Titans next season. Toby has spent a couple of season’s playing in Spain with Ordizia, this season finishing runners-up in the Championship final and winning the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey) in which he scored a couple of tries and was named man-of-the-match, winning his body weight in beer!

Another Cornishman who was at Ordizia, lock Tom Parker a Spanish International player and who indeed captained Spain recently in an international in Moscow against Russia is also on the move with Vannes in Brittany being the destination. Vannes who currently play in Federale 1 have plans to push for the Pro 2 over the next three years and can look forward to a more sympathetic support from their local authorities as the municipal stadium in Vannes will be available if and when they make the leap to professional rugby in Pro 2.

We shall be following with interest from this side of the Channel!

Looking forard to tomorrow evening’s final of the Top 14 between Toulouse and Toulon. A repeat of the 1985 final would be marvellous when Toulouse won 36-22 in extra-time scoring six tries!

Guy Noves was in the victorious Toulouse side that day, whilst 1991 Bernard Laporte captained Begles to the title against Toulouse!

As usual the RFU picked it’s moment! This time to deliver the news about four hours before kick-off that London Welsh’s plans to play their Premiership games at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium was no go due primacy of tenure, in other words nor being able to play match as dictated by Premier Rugby or the TV schedules.

Bit like a red rag to a bull, and certainly one to wind up good and proper the Welsh exiles prior to their game at the Mennaye last night and boy didn’t they put on a performance. Granted the Cornish Pirates were a tad below par from the performance levels they showed over their two legs against Bristol.

So Welsh will go into the second leg with a 16-point advantage from their win last night.

Brendan Gallagher in the Daily Telegraph has a national press match report  in the link.

I still think the Cornish Pirates have it in them to turn round this deficit despite having to trek up to the Kassam.

That game will bring the curtain down on another memorable rugby season in Cornwall. We will hadly have time to draw breath before we embark on the roller coaster once again for 2012/13!