DEVON COMFORTABLY RETAIN TAMAR CUP

Of the two hastily assembled squads for this annual fixture played this season at Brixham’s Astley Park ground Devon gelled the better to run out comfortable winners against Cornwall by 59-8.

Despite being under the cosh from the start Cornwall were still in the game as they trailed by just 3-0 after 20 minutes. However shortly after Devon pressure finally told as Exmouth’s Jack Downie crossed for the hosts’ opening try.

Cornwall did immediately pull back three points thanks to a penalty from Redruth’s Grant Thirlby, but when Cornwall next troubled the scoreboard thanks to a try from Reds’ Tom Duncan, Devon were out of sight having already notched up thirty-thee points.

Cullompton’s Marcus Bushe went on the score three tries, with other scores coming from fellow Cully team-mate Jemba Bull, Barnstaple’s Josh Squire and Ivybridge’s Cam Setter (2). Ross Toms (Cullompton) kept the scoreboard ticking with his boot as did Squire later in the game.

For Cornwall Tom Duncan had a good game and there were also some good runs from Truro’s Mark Lea. But it was St. Austell’s scrum-half Matt Shepherd a late call up on Saturday night to the squad who though only on the field for the last 15 minutes made such an impact when he came on that he was named man-of-the-match by the Army and picked up the inaugural Paul Bawden Memorial Trophy.

It capped a fine weekend for the scrum-half as St. Austell had secured promotion to Tribute Western Counties West after defeating Teignmouth 40-6 at Tregorrick Park.

Obviously not the result Cornwall were looking for and with the County Championship matches fast approaching it’s back to the drawing board!

Cornwall: J Parma (Camborne), M Lea (Truro), R Kevern (Camborne), S Kenward (Redruth), S Rhodes (St Austell), G Thirlby (Redruth), D Mankee (Camborne); N Endean (Camborne), S Milliner (Worcester Univ), S MacDonald (Camborne), W Penney (Redruth), C Bailey (Redruth), M Woolcock (Camborne, capt), S Matavesi (Plymouth Albion), T Duncan (Redruth).

Replacements: Nicholas (St Ives),M Williams (Penryn), D Bramwell (St Ives), A Lewarne (Redruth), J Wilson (Bude),H Noott (St Ives), M Shepherd (St Austell).

Devon: Tries: Downie, Bushe (3), Squire, Bull, Setter (2); Cons: Toms (2), Squire (3); Pens: Toms (3).

Cornwall: Try: Duncan; Pen: Thirlby.

Cornwall Man-of-the-Match: Matt Shepherd (St. Austell)

Posted in Bill's Blog


TAMAR CUP

TOMORROW,Sunday sees Cornwall take on old rivals Devon in the St. Austell Brewery sponsored Tamar Cup at Brixham kick-off 3pm.

Squads for tomorrow’s match;

Cornwall (squad): J Parma (Camborne), M Lea (Truro), R Kevern (Camborne), S Kenward (Redruth), G Thirlby (Redruth), D Mankee (Camborrne), N Endean (Camborne), S Milliner (Worcester Uni), S MacDonald (Camborne), A Skiner (St Ives), W Penny (Redruth), S Matavesi (unattached), T Duncan (Redruth), K Martin (Truro), M Williams (Penryn), D Bramwell (St Ives), A Lewarne (Redruth), J Wilson (Bude), B Jenkins (St Ives).

Devon: S Cooper (Exmouth), D Avery, D Flashman, V Chirita (all Brixham), J Westlake, J Downie (both Exmouth), S Persey (Cullompton), R Morshead (Exmouth), P Mortimore (Paignton), C Setter (Ivybridge), N Giddy (Barnstaple), M Bushe (Cullompton), J Squires (Barnstaple), J Bull (Cullompton), R Toms (Cullompton).

Replacements (from): S Roberts (Barnstaple), A Isaac (Cullompton), S Richardson (Sidmouth), O Mulberry (Plymouth), A Goldman (Crediton), M Galliford (Barnstaple), T Channon (Newton Abbot), P Creek (Tavistock) A Thomas, S Thomas (both Brixham), A Sandercock, M Jackson (both Paignton).

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PIRATES v TITANS – THIS SUNDAY

The Cornish Pirates will extend a warm welcome to Rotherham Titans on Sunday for a vitally important Pool B game in the RFU Championship. Kick-off at the Mennaye Field is at 4.05pm.

It will be Rotherham’s second visit to Penzance this season, where they were beaten 40-15 points back in October. However, the Titans got their revenge with a 19-18 win at Clifton Lane in January.

To date in Pool B of the RFU Championship play-offs, the Pirates have beaten Doncaster Knights 33-25 at home, and Bedford Blues 31-18 away, whilst Sunday’s Yorkshire visitors have lost 58-15 at home to Bedford and 41-26 away to Doncaster.

The Pirates win at Bedford’s Goldington Road ground last Sunday, where they went for glory and got their reward, was just fabulous to witness, besides also being another great advert for the RFU Championship. Both teams emerged with credit and and it’s hoped that Sunday’s line-ups will make a similar impression. One thing for certain, however, is that the Pirates won’t take the challenge from the Titans lightly. Yes, they have lost two games, but look closer at each match and it is perhaps not so surprisingly obvious that the results could be deemed misleading. Bedford might have won by a comfortable margin at Rotherham, but the Blues toiled for most of the first hour, with there only one score separating the sides approaching the last quarter. Also, from their game at Doncaster last weekend it needs remembering that they still scored four tries against the Knights to register a deserved bonus point.

Rotherham’s Argentine fly-half/centre, Juan Pablo Socino, who ended Stage One of the Championship as the competition’s fifth top scorer on 240 points, has added 21 more to his tally in Stage Two, including two tries. Of interest, Cornish ‘Pirate’ Rob Cook ended Stage One in first place on 262 points, which has now risen to an impressive 295 – taking into account the 33 (two tries and 23 points with the boot) he has scored in the last two games.

BEDFORD TICKETS – BE WARNED, BUY THEM EARLY!

Rugby supporters need to be aware that the Cornish Pirates versus Bedford Blues game scheduled to be played at the Mennaye Field on Sunday 10th April (ko 3pm) will surely be a sell out.

The advice, naturally, is obvious – ‘please purchase your ticket needs early to avoid disappointment’, as following the Cornish Pirates superb 31-18 win at Bedford, Blues supporters will be booking a spring weekend in Cornwall in their hordes, hopeful that their side will exact revenge.

The Cornish Pirates Ticket Office at the clubhouse in Alexandra Road, Penzance (Tel: 01736-331961), is open on Mondays & Tuesdays and Thursdays & Fridays from 9am – 12 noon, or alternatively tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets and from certain ‘Warrens’ Bakers outlets about the county.

Posted in Bill's Blog


GOING FOR GLORY AT GOLDINGTON ROAD

Cornish Pirates will travel to Bedford this Sunday keen to achieve glory by toppling respected opponents. The match at Goldington Road, which is being shown live on Sky TV, kicks off at 1.05pm.

In games played between the two teams in Stage One of the RFU Championship, the Pirates lost 32-25 at Bedford in October but won 23-13 at home in January.

At the end of Stage One the clubs who finished in the top eight were placed into two promotion pools of four, the teams in each pool to play six matches (three home and three away). The teams who finished 1st (Worcester), 4th (London Welsh) 5th (Nottingham) and 8th (Bristol) have formed Pool A, and those that finished 2nd (Bedford Blues), 3rd (Cornish Pirates), 6th (Doncaster Knights), and 7th (Rotherham Titans) have formed Pool B. The teams in each pool are ranked one to four, the 1st ranked team in each pool starting the Stage Two play-offs with three points, the 2nd two, the 3rd one and the 4th none.

The Pirates won their Pool B opener 33-25 against Doncaster Knights on Sunday, whilst Bedford Blues underlined their credentials the day before with a superb 58-15 points win away to Rotherham Titans. Both Bedford and the Pirates registered bonus point wins, but it is the Blues who head the table with eight points (the extra ranking point being the difference). The Pirates are on seven, Doncaster Knights have one, and Rotherham none.

In the opening matches played in Pool A, Worcester Warriors won 55-15 at Bristol and London Welsh emerged 48-26 victors at home to Nottingham.

After six pool matches the top two teams from Pools A and B will progress to the semi-final and then the winners to the final. The semi-finals are to be played on the weekend 30th April/1st May, involving 1st Pool A versus 2nd Pool B and 1st Pool B versus 2nd Pool A. This year’s two-legged final is scheduled for Wednesdays 11th and 18th May.

In the relegation play-offs (Pool C) each team carries forward a point for every game won in Stage One, and in the opening round of matches Plymouth Albion beat Moseley 37-17 and Birmingham & Solihull lost 22-30 to Esher. Albion and Esher presently head Pool C with 11 points each, followed by Moseley on five and the Bees on four. After each team has played their six pool matches, the lowest ranked team will be relegated to National Division One.

Cornwall U.20’s ended their campaign for this season with a 41-3 loss to Gloucestershire at Lydney on Sunday. I am sure the boys can build on this season for next year, hopefully they can keep their young coaching duo of Tom Rawlings and Ryan Westren who have brought much enthusiasm to the role this season. Some of the lads will now go on for trials for the England Counties U.20 side.

Posted in Bill's Blog


REDRUTH RUGBY LAUNCH HALL OF FAME

Redruth Rugby launches its Hall of Fame on 25 & 26 March. 30 ‘Hall of Famers’ will be inducted at a ceremony in the Redruth Clubhouse on the evening of 25 March and all living Hall of Famers have been invited to a formal luncheon in the Club’s Hospitality Suite prior to the Redruth v Cinderford match on 26 March. Redruth’s Hall of Fame reads like a ‘who’s who’ of Cornish Rugby.

Asked what playing for the Reds meant to them, a number of the Redruth Rugby Hall of Famers responded as follows:

“Growing up in Redruth as a boy in the 1940s and early 1950s my great wish was to play for Redruth one day.” Richard Sharp, OBE (British Lions, England, Barbarians, Oxford University, Cornwall).

“Being born 250 yards from Hellfire Corner into a rugby family it was always the ultimate aim to play for the Reds first team. I was a ball boy at 6 and played for the Colts at 11. It was such an honour to make my first team debut. I was 16 and had played for the school in the morning and the Colts at Hayle at lunchtime. The first team were playing Hayle in the afternoon and the No 8 had not turned up. Terry Pryor said, ‘You’re playing’, and that was that!” Graham Still (Barbarians, Combined Services, England Colts, Cornwall).

“I always watched the Reds as a boy but never thought that I would be good enough to play for the team”, Ken Abrahams (England Trialist, Barbarians, Cornwall/Devon, Cornwall).

Paddy McGovan had England Trials and represented Combined Services, RAF, Cornwall/Devon & Cornwall. “It was an honour to have been involved in all the teams mentioned above but the greatest honour of all was to have been a playing member of Redruth RFC.”

“To play for Redruth in front of a large, passionate and very vocal crowd, gave me a huge sense of pride. Playing towards the famous Hellfire Corner, is there any greater feeling in club rugby? The friendships I have made at the club are also very special. As a player sitting down in the No 1 changing room where so many famous players had sat before me, where famous Redruth teams had got ready, putting on the Red shirt, going through the darkness of the tunnel., then running out to bright sunlight and the noise that greets the players was spine tingling. As a Cornishman playing for Redruth meant everything and I’ll cherish that forever.” Andy Hawken (Barbarians, 400 Reds appearances, 15 county caps, 5 as skipper.)

Full list of the Redruth Rugby Hall of Fame: William Grylls, Bert Solomon, Maffer Davey, William Rich, Fred Rule, Roy Jennings, Harry Faviell, Bill Phillips, Les Semmens, Keith Scott, Bill Bishop, Bonzo Johns, Richard Sharp, John Phillips, Derek Collins, Ken Abrahams, Paddy McGovan, Harold Stevens, Derek Prout, Terry Pryor, Graham Still, Tony Cook, Richard Keast, Alan Buzza, Colin Laity, Andy Hawken, Phil Vickery, Alifereti Doviverata, Rob Thirlby, Darren Jacques.

Tickets for the Redruth Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Evening and Buffet Supper on 25 March are available, price £10, from the Club’s General Manager, Gerry Reilly, on 07748 695971 or at geraldreilly31@btinternet.com

Posted in Bill's Blog


THIS IS THE SHARP END

This is what we’ve been waiting for, with due respect to the other sides in the Championship, the play-offs for promotion to the Aviva Premiership.

After the thrills of last season and Exeter Chiefs dramatic winning of the Play-offs at the expense of favourites Bristol, many wonder if it could happen again? Well it could, but I suspect that Worcester Warriors have enough fire-power to prevail, but I am sure they will be given a torrid time and that it will not be plain sailing.

The opening round of fixtures sees our Cornish Pirates at home against Doncaster Knights on Sunday with a 3pm kick-off. Real progress for the Pirates will be to top Pool B and meet the runner-up of Pool A in the semi-final, probably London Welsh but who knows if Nottingham or even Bristol can pull out a surprise.

Getting to the final will send out a big statement of intent of the Pirates’ vision to get to the Aviva Premiership and will further boost their plans for the new, much needed, stadium in Cornwall.

With no British & Irish cup to distract, their focus is on the play-offs and they really do mean buisness this time around. It promises to be an enthralling few weeks as the Cornish Pirates’ supporters ride on a wave of optimisim going forward on all fronts.

Pretty much the same can be said for our National League 1 clubs the Cornish All Blacks and Redruth, while the former look already set for relegation, Redruth are still battling away with the next three Saturday’s set to be “season defining” in the words of their Director of Rugby Dave Penberthy. With two away trips to Sedgley Park and Blaydon before receiving Cinderford on March 26th Redruth know that they really need maximum points from all these games, it’s going to be a tall order but not an impossible one.

Further down the league structure Penryn are battling hard to win promotion out of Tribute Western Counties West, whilst St. Austell and Hayle are fighting out the second promotion spot out of Tribute Cornwall & Devon League behind leaders Bideford.

Veor and Pirates Amateurs are disputing the automatic promotion place out of the Tribute Cornwall league with the unlucky team going into the play-off with the runner up from Tribute Devon 1 currently Wessex.

Commiserations to the Cornwall U.20’s squad who lost last Sunday at Ivybridge against a strong Devon side. Cornwall’s final match in their pool will be at Lydney against Gloucestershire who thrashed Somerset 78-7 at Yatton.

Finally lets hope that our own Cornish lad Olly Barkley makes a swift recovery from his broken leg suffered playing for Bath at Gloucester last week end. I am sure all Cornish rugby supporters will wish to send him good luck on his road to recovery and we shall look forward to seeing him back in action next season.

Posted in Bill's Blog


IT’S ALL HAPPENING AT THE RECREATION GROUND, REDRUTH!

ST PIRAN’S DAY – 05 March

It is many years since we have had a home fixture on St Piran’s Day so, when we welcome our friends from Stourbridge, it will be to a substantial St Piran’s Day celebration. Redruth Rugby have come together with Redruth Town to stage an event to remember. There will be street entertainment and events going on in the town in the morning then, at 11.45, a procession from the town to the Recreation Ground, arriving at 12 noon. The procession will be made up of civic dignitaries, Cornish bards and societies, schools and performers. On arrival at the ground the procession will be met by a funfair, entertainment, stalls, an array of catering outlets – even a firewalk! RAF Culdrose will be conducting a fly past at 2.00 pm. So, it’s all the fun of the fair – with a rugby match thrown in!

HALL OF FAME LAUNCH – 25&26 March

Redruth Rugby is a Club with 135 years of history and tradition. As a means of celebrating that history and tradition, the Club has decided to launch a Hall of Fame to recognise and honour a number of outstanding individuals who, over many years, have added lustre to the name of Redruth Rugby. 29 members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in the Clubhouse on the evening of Friday 25 March. On the following day, Saturday 26 March, prior to our match with Cinderford, the living Hall of Famers will be honoured at a formal luncheon in the Club’s Hospitality Suite. The Hall of Fame reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Cornish Rugby and, among others, we hope to have Phil Vickery, Richard Sharp and Bonzo Johns present.

Other Hall of Famers: William Grylls, Bert Solomon, Maffer Davey, Fred Rule, Roy Jennings, Harry Faviel, Bill Phillips, Les Semmens, Keith Scott, Bill Bishop, John Phillips, Derek Collins, Ken Abrahams, Paddy McGovern, Harold Stevens, Derek Prout, Terry Pryor, Graham Still, Tony Cook, Richard Keast, Alan Buzza, Colin Laity, Andy Hawken, Alifereti Doviverata, Rob Thirlby, Darren Jacques.

20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF CORNWALL WINNING THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1991 – 23 April

20 April 1991 is a date indelibly lodged in the minds of every Cornish rugby supporter – the day 40,000 Cornwall supporters descended on Twickenham to witness their team secure the County Championship for the first time in over 80 years. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this historic event we are issuing invitations to the living members of that Cornwall squad (sadly Tony Mead is no longer with us) to join us at the home of Cornish rugby. The 1991 squad are being invited to attend a buffet lunch after which they will be introduced to the crowd, prior to our match with Blaydon. Prior to the match a DVD of the historic 1991 match at Twickenham will be shown in the Clubhouse.

For further information please contact Redruth Rugby’s General Manager, Gerry Reilly, at geraldreilly31@btinternet.com or on 07748 695971

Posted in Bill's Blog


CORNWALL U.20′S BIG WIN AT CAMBORNE

Cornwall got their County Championship campaign at under 20 level off to a great start with an impressive 51-16 win over Somerset at Camborne, reports Bill Hooper.

Despite trailing at half-time 15-16 when playing into the wind, Cornwall stepped up a gear during the second half scoring thirty-six unanswered points to the delight of their coaches Tom Rawlings and Ryan Westren.

Cornwall got off to a fine start with Redruth’s Tom Notman scoring the opening try after just 5 minutes with an arching run following a scrum in the Somerset 22. Aaron Penberthy who had travelled back from Redruth’s National League 1 defeat at Tynedale overnight was on cue with the conversion.

Cornwall were then rocked from the restart as Truro lock Ben Kemp was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle. Somerset’s Brad Barns was unable to find the target with his penalty effort , but was on cue moments later as he converted his own try following a lineout near the clubhouse corner, the fly-half saw a gap and dotted down.
Penberthy nudged Cornwall ahead again with a penalty from in front of the posts as Somerset went off side.

Cornwall were taking the game to their opponents especially through the forwards with Kemp now restored to the fray making some telling breaks along with his backrow of skipper Jordan Rose (Penryn), James Goldsworthy (Camborne) and the excellent Adam Lewarne (Redruth). In the front row Matt Williams (Penryn) and the Redruth duo of Ben Gregor and Peter Jenkin were giving their Somerset opponents a torrid time.

Further pressure from Cornwall saw them score a second try down in the Park gate corner with Williams coming up with the ball from a forward drive.

Somerset were reduced to fourteen men as flanker Arthur Taylor was yellow carded as his side continued to infringe at the breakdown. Cornwall – who lost full back Luke Davidson just before half-time to injury – couldn’t capitalise, instead it was the visitors who troubled the scoreboard in the lead up to half-time with two further penalties from Barns to go into their half-time huddle 16-15 up.

Barnes missed with an early penalty attempt at the start of the second half, as Cornwall again found themselves down to fourteen men as hooker Ben Gregor was deemed to have transgressed. Spurred on Cornwall then took the game by the scuff-of-the-neck with an excellent try from No.8 Lewarne cutting back after taking a pass from scrum-half Luke Ashbridge to score near the posts.

A powerful forward drive down towards the scoreboard corner was heading for the line, however referee Chris Newton had no hesitation in awarding a penalty-try as Somerset infringed.

As the rain began to pour, Gregor now back on the field charged over for Cornwall’s fifth try, all three second half scores were converted by Penberthy who also landed a penalty to put Cornwall well in command at 39-16.

Cornwall were then able to put the icing on the cake with two further tries before the end from replacement Gavin Laycock in the clubhouse corner and finally from Notman who claimed his second of the match with Penberthy adding his fifth conversion.

Afterwards joint-coaches Tom Rawlings and Ryan Westren were both full of praise for their players “The boys were superb today, said Rawlings. “They have had only a couple of training sessions and they really put the effort in, we instilled them with a game plan during those sessions and today they have operated the style and structure we wanted to them to play, the result of that hard work was shown in their performance”.

Rawlings also had a special word for lock Ben Kemp “He was immense carrying ball for fun, he was looking for the holes he ran at people, a tremendous performance. The front row were also tremendous, we gave the man-of-the-match award in the post match huddle with the players to prop Matt Williams, we thought he was simply outstanding this afternoon”.

Cornwall’s next match is against Devon at Ivybridge on Sunday 7th March.

Cornwall 51 pts
Tries – Notman (2), Williams, Lewarne, Penalty-try, Gregor, Laycock, Conversions – Penberthy (5), Penalties – Penberthy (2)
Yellow Cards – Kemp (5), Gregor (48)

Somerset 16 pts
Try – Barns, Conversion – Barns, Penalties – Barns (3)
Yellow Card – Taylor (23)

Cornwall: L Davidson (Wadebridge Camels), T Notman (Redruth), L Yeo (Wellington), M Fittock (Penryn), R Vassel (Notts Uni), A Penberthy (Redruth), L Ashbridge (Truro); M Williams (Penryn), B Gregor, P Jenkin (both Redruth), M Grubb (Wadebridge Camels), B Kemp (Truro), J Goldsworthy (Camborne), J Rose (Penryn, captain), A Lewarne (Redruth)

Replacements (all used): R. Brown (St. Austell), H Morcom (St. Austel), J Scott (Wadebridge Camels), J Wilson (Bude) J Taylor (Wadebridge Camels), K Spear (Cornish All Blacks), G Laycock (Penryn)

Somerset: D Wheatley (Wells), R Johnston (Castle Cary), N Bradley (Bridgewater & Albion), M Fairless (Keynsham), M Knight (Avondale), B Barns (Oldfield), M Skinner (N.Petherton); S Hegerty (Hornets), J Pullen (Castle Cary, captain), N Berry (Exeter Coll), O Jones, R Thompson, T Wain (all Clevedon) A Taylor (Frome), S Butler (N Petherton)

Replacements (all used): A Foster (Keynsham & Glamorgan Uni), A Parfitt (Midsummer Norton), S Russell (Bridgewater & Albion), C Wake (Castle Cary), J Nowell (Broad Plain), C Beavis (Keynsham)

Referee: Mr. C Newton (Devon RRS)

Crowd: 200

In the other match in Cornwall’s group Gloucestershire defeated Devon by 29-12

Posted in Bill's Blog


CORNWALL U.20′S SIDE TO FACE SOMERSET

CORNWALL Under 20`s V Somerset Under 20`s.

From the Cornwall RFU

To be played at Camborne RFC on Sunday 20th February 2011 2.30pm kick off.

Joint coaches Ryan Westren and Tom Rawlings have announced the following side to take on Somerset U.20’s in the opening match of this season’s Championship.

15. Luke Davidson Wadebridge Camels.
14. Tom Notman Redruth.
13. Liam Yeo Wellington.
12. Mike Fittock Penryn.
11. Romey Vassel Nottingham Uni.
10. Aaron Penberthy Redruth.
9. Luke Ashbridge Truro.

1. Matt Williams Penryn.
2. Ben Gregor Redruth.
3. Peter Jenkin Redruth.
4. Mark Grubb Wadebridge Camels
5. Ben Kemp Truro
6.James Goldsworthy Camborne.
7. Jordan Rose Penryn. (Captain)
8. Adam Lewarne Redruth.

Replacements;-

16. Ryan Brown. St. Austell.
17.Harvey Morcom. St. Austell
18. Jack Scott Wadebridge Camels.
19. Joe Wilson. Bude.
20.Josh Taylor. Wadebridge Camels.
21.Tian Peacock. Falmouth.
22. Gavin Laycock Penryn

Reserves to travel;
Will Webster.
Kyle Spear.

Posted in Bill's Blog


SKY MATCH BEST ADVERT FOR PIRATES’ PLANS

Just three days after Dicky Evans outlined his plans for a new stadium near Truro what better advert to bolster his ideas than the fantastic televised game at the Mennaye on Sunday when the Cornish Pirates gave leaders Worcester Warriors another terrible fright, having won at Worcester’s Sixways ground 23-21 earlier in the season to inflict their sole defeat in the Championship thus far, before eventually going down by 33-30.

It was certainly the best advert this season for the RFU Championship a full house at the Mennaye and a pulsating match, which ebbed and flowed with the Cornish Pirates arriving at half-time 25-7 up having scored three quite wonderful tries in which winger Wes Davies featured prominently. A provider for the first two before scoring the third himself. Two breaks putting first flanker Phil Burgess in, good to see the flanker back in harness and straight back to his best form and then to feed Grant Pointer in at the Newlyn gate corner. Davies claiming the Pirates’ third try following a break from Matt Hopper, who was unlucky not to have been awarded a try earlier during the first half when he looked to have grounded the ball.

Worcester to their credit worked their way back into the game through their forwards aided by a yellow card for hooker Dave Ward to lead 26-25 , also the bizarre decision to go to the TMO to check on Goode’s conversion attempt, which both asssitant referees felt had not gone through the posts. So much for the referee’s decision being final!!

Pirates looked to have won the game when Rob Cook went over late on for their fourth try but once again the Warriors hit back through the forwards with Pat Sanderson getting his second try of the game, it was a good afternoon to be watching down at the Newlyn end of the ground seven out of the nine tries were scored down at that end. Goode this time had no such problems putting the ball through the uprights, however he was lucky to be on the pitch as he clearly held on to James Doherty’s foot when on the ground and as such out of the game a clear professional foul missed by the officials!

So will the Pirates meet the Warriors again in the play-offs? Well if those games are as good as the last two then we are all in for another treat and that can only make the call for the new stadium that much louder.

Posted in Bill's Blog


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