It’s the TAMAR CUP tonight at Polson Bridge, CORNWALL V DEVON.

It’s £5 ground admission with U.16’s free when accompained by a paying adult.

Team News Cornwall.

Matt Shepherd (St. Austell) is a late change on the replacement bench with Shaun Hawkey (Wadedridge Camels) dropping out.

CORNWALL: Brett Rule (Redruth), Richard Bright, Jake Murphy, Lewis Paterson, Aron Struminski, Lewis Webb (all Cornish All Blacks), Gregg Goodfellow, Darren Jacques (both Redruth), Jamie Salter (Cornish All Blacks), Craig Williams (Redruth), Ben Hilton (Cornish All Blacks, capt), James Goldsworthy (Camborne), Mike Rawlings, Tom Rawlings (both All Blacks), Tom Duncan (Redruth)

Replacements: Sam Parsons, Tom Notman, Peter Joyce (all Redruth), Tom Hurdwell (All Blacks), Chris Fuca (Redruth), James Mann (Penryn), Matt Shepherd (St. Austell)

DEVON: W Topps (Barnstaple), O Mulberry (Uwic), J Bull (Cullompton), J Squires (Barnstaple), J Smith (Newton Abbott), R Avery-Wright (Newton Abbott), C Setter (Uwic); T Channon (Bristol), S Roberts (Barnstaple), H Weekes (Barnstaple), J Tripcony (Cornish All Blacks), BJ Chapman (Newton Abbott), W James (Barnstaple), P Mortimer (Newton Abbott, capt), S Richardson (Sidmouth)

Replacements: M Manton (Plymouth Albion), L Radford (Newton Abbott), S Harris (Cullompton), N Webber (Barnstaple), T Whelan (Sidmouth), R Toms (Cullompton), S Persey (Cullompton), L Brock (Barnstaple)

IT WAS A DAY OF HIGH EMOTION AT REDRUTH on Saturday as Redruth Director of Rugby took charge at home for the final time. The team overcame the events of the day to record a hard-fought 21-17 win over a side battling relegation.  There is still the small matter of the final game away at Shelford next Saturday, but this was the big celebration of his time at Redruth.

He richly deserved the standing ovation he was afforded by the Redruth supporters prior to the match. There were as you would expect numerous presentations made to him on the day and he was humbled by the numerous messages he had received prior to the game. It was also good to see Nigel Hambly present along with former players such as Richard Carroll, the Whitworth brothers and many others.

After the final whistle Penberthy reflected a little on his time at the club, if ever the term man and boy was appropriate then this was it. Asked about his favourite role over the years he answered unequivocally. “This, being involved with this group of players, skipper Craig Bonds has been here the whole ten years, so he knows what I am talking about. We built something very special between us and it is only me and the players that know what that is. The fun that we have had travelling the length and breadth of England, thousands of miles together. Whatever I have asked of them they have done it, you can’t ask for more than that.

Asked about his favourite trip over the years.“Wharfedale. Fantastic place, beautiful setting, with some great people. It was always a two night trip and the clubhouse up there is so hospitable. Tough place to play and they played a similar style to us, always the trip I looked forward the most to”.

Looking forward Penberthy feels that the club is in good hands with Adrian Edwards taking over next season. “There is a good group of players here, no doubt Adrian will bring in some players. I am sure he will build on what we have and take the club on again”.

You can read Bill Sobey’s match report from the Western Morning News in the link

The Cornish All Blacks completed their away program on a high with a 17-10 win at Taunton. Their final game at Polson on Saturday will be against champions elect Old Albanians, it promises to be a titanic tussle. Kieron Lewitt and Jake Murphy scored the All Blacks’ tries with Lewitt adding both conversions and a penalty.

It’s all over in the Tribute regional leagues. In Tribute South West 1 West, all our sides won on the final day. Camborne won 24-14 at Cullompton thanks to tries from Sam Matavesi, Dean Pascoe and Steve Kenward. Dave Mankee and Grant Thirlby kicking the points.

Wadebridge Camels defeated play-off hopefuls Avonmouth Old Boys 18-13 at the Molesworth Field. Tries from skipper Gary Gynn and hooker Matt Ballard and two conversions and a penalty from James Grubb saw them end the season on a high.

Though condemned to swift return to Tribute Western Counties West next season, Penryn finished on a high defeating Oldfield Old Boys 24-17 at the Memorial Park. Grant Randlesome Ben Keay and George Jones got the Borough’s tries with Taron Peacock kicking the other points. The game marked the end of coach Adryan Winnan’s tenure as he is stepping down due to work commitments.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell had a walkover against Ivybridge as the Devonians had no front row replacements, the match was played as friendly with the Saints winning 33-0.

St. Ives bid farewell to this level with an encouraging 46-31 win over Exeter Saracens Neil Corin getting three of the Hakes six tries.

Truro thumped Bude 60-22 at St. Clements scoring nine tries.

Tribute Cornwall and Devon League saw only one Cornish win and that was Falmouth at Veor 24-22 a result which sees Veor relegated to Cornwall 1 next season.

Newquay Hornets lost 47-7 at champions Tavistock, whilst Hayle lost at Totnes 27-26. Plymouth Barbarians ensured survival defeating Pirates Amateurs 33-3 and Liskeard/Looe lost at Teignmouth 39-15.

In the play-off for promotion to the Cornwall & Devon League next season between the runners-up in both Cornwall 1 and Devon 1 OPM’s won at Helston 20-19. Helston were the only Cornish side to make a play-off for promotion this season.

The Cornish Pirates finished their play-off pool matches with a 42-25 defeat at Leeds Carnegie. The result was immaterial as the Pirates had already qualified for the semi-finals, which will see them host Bristol at the Mennaye on Monday 7th May with 12-05 pm kick-off. The return at the Memorial Ground will be on Sunday 13th May with 12-45 pm kick-off.

You can catch Dick Straughan’s match report in the link

Well done to Wadebridge Camels Colts who won the Premiership Cup Final at St. Austell on Sunday defeating Truro 26-19.

The Spanish RFU Cup Final (Copa del Rey) was played on Sunday in Palencia Northern Spain between the cup holders  Cetransa El Salvador and Ordizia from the Spanish Basque region, who were appearing in their first final. In the Ordizia side two Cornishmen Tom Parker and Toby Freeman.

Despite trailing at half-time 21-8 Ordizia staged a tremendous fightback in the second half helped in no small margin by two tries from No.8 Freeman who was named man-of-the-match, to win 30-27.

It was good to see among the Basque flags the flag of St. Piran being carried around the stadium by Parker as his team went on a lap of honour with the cup.

Tomorrow night it’s the TAMAR CUP at Polson, Cornwall v Devon. Ground tickets are £5 with accompained U.16’s getting in free.

BIG SUPPORT FOR CORNWALL TOMORROW PLEASE!!

It’s been a tough couple of weeks for the fans of the Cornish Pirates, defeat in the semi-final of the British & Irish Cup up in the Welsh Valleys in Cross Keys. Then the news that High Performance Manager Chris Stirling had decided to take up a position with the New Zealand RFU as thier High Performance Talent Indentification Manager, so in future years we will see All Blacks that Chris has identified and brought on to wear the famous silver fern.

Listening to Chris’ reasons for taking up the new role, you couldn’t help but feel that the prolonged, protracted negotiations over delivering the Stadium for Cornwall had played a major part in his decision to call it quits and head back home.

If any good can come from his departure then maybe the Councillors at County Hall will sit up and take heed of what has happened….and get on with it pronto!

So yesterday’s vital match against the Bedford Blues (Pirates bete-noir this season) was the popular Kiwi’s final match in charge before flying back to New Zealand to take up the new role.

Pirates’ win by 21-20 was enough to secure qualification for the semis before the final round of play-off matches at Leeds next weekend.

You can read Bill Sobey’s match report from the Western Morning News in the link  you can also read the post match reaction in this next link

It was disappointing to read some inaccurate reporting in the Rugby Paper on Sunday. Their piece about Pirates’ Dave Ward signing for Harlequins stated that plans for the Stadium for Cornwall had collapsed. This, as all involved with Cornish rugby matters will know, is simply not the case. It was disappointing to see this mis-information at a time when plans are clearly on-going as we push for a quick and satisfactory conclusion to this vital project for the benefit of Cornwall!

In National League 2 South, the Cornish All Blacks, despite having skipper Tom Rawlings and lock Ben Hilton absent as they were on duty at Josh Lord’s wedding (Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Lord), comfortably defeated visitors Hertford 33-11 with tries from Jake Murphy, Lewis Paterson and a brace from Kyle Moyle, to grab all five league points.

Redruth, on the other hand, had their away day face on, losing up at Southend 47-14. No.8 Tom Duncan got a couple of tries with Craig “Eggy” Williams kicking the conversions. No doubt the Reds will want to put on a show for the home fans in their final home game of the season on Saturday at home to Westcombe Park, in what will be Director of Rugby Dave Penberthy’s final game at the Rec before stepping down at the end of the season. It promises to be an afternoon of high emotion.

In Tribute South West 1 West Brixham received the shield for winning the league when the defeated relegated Penryn 60-12. Skipper Sam Harrison and Sean Johnson scored tries for the Borough as the Fishermen celebrated in style.

Wadebridge Camels maitained ther fine form with a 57-0 win over relegated Chosen Hill Former Pupils. Dominic Hawkey grabbing three of the Camels’ eight tries.

Camborne rounded off their home program with a fine 50-23 win over Sidmouth also scoring eight tries shared between forwards and backs.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell won well at Exeter Saracens 36-14 to record the only Cornish win of the day in this league. Truro lost at Bideford 37-15, whilst Bude lost at Bencoolen 20-10 to Torquay Athletic. Troubled St. Ives had to forfiet the match and points to Champions Wellington.

London Cornish finished their league campaign with a disappointing defeat at home to Camberley 20-15. Cornish still finished fourth in London 2 SW and will no doubt look to improve next season.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Hayle having lost at Torrington to already relegated Torrington the week before got their revenge with a comfortable 40-7 win.

Falmouth Eagles ran riot at the Rec defeating Totnes 81-3 with Gareth Lever getting a hat-tick of tries and three other players a brace each!

Liskeard/Looe pushed runners-up Tavistock all the way at Lux Park before losing 15-11, whilst Pirates Amateurs lost at Withycombe 29-13. Veor lost at Crediton 24-22, they need a win in their final game at home to final and hope that Pirates Amateurs can do them a favour at Plymouth Barbarians. The Plymouth side lost at Newquay Hornets 33-6.

Hats off this week to Exeter Chiefs who with their fine win at Worcester Warriors 31-26 have secured a spot in next season’s Heineken Cup!

Now about that Stadium for Cornwall…………………….!

THE CORNISH PIRATES followed up their win at the Mennaye over Rotherham Titans with a 17-14 win over the same opponents at Clifton Lane on Saturday.

A result which keeps them handily placed for the RFU Championship semi-finals. Flanker Phil Burgess scored the Pirates’ try with full back Rob Cook slotting four penalties.

A big plus for the Pirates in recent weeks has been the improved form of fly half Ceiron Thomas.

The news off the pitch today is the club confirming the speculation in the Rugby Paper yesterday that centre Drew Locke has signed for Aviva Premiership side Gloucester next season. The possibility remains that this could be the first of a number of player exits at the end of the current campaign with the continued uncertainty over planning for the construction of the Stadium for Cornwall not helping matters.  Until  the stadium gets the greenlight and the Pirates have a clear pathway to the Premiership then holding on to talented players will be increasingly difficult.

Next Saturday sees the Pirates travel to Pandy Park to take on Cross Keys in an eagerly anticipated British & Irish Cup semi-final, before resuming the Championship play-offs the following week with the visit to the Mennaye of Bedford Blues.

Dick Straughan’s WMN match report is available in the link.

In National League 2 South a mixed bag for our two Cornish Clubs. I don’t think the end of the season can come quick enough for Redruth as once again they fell off badly up at Clifton. Outgoing Director of Rugby Dave Penberthy summed it up pretty well when he said. “We never got going!”

A promising start fell away and the Reds travelled back down the M5 with just a losing bonus point from a 31-24 loss.

It could have gone horribly wrong for the Cornish All Blacks up at Barnes, at one point they were down to thirteen men with centre Lewis Paterson and lock Ben Hilton in the bin. Hilton had scored the All Blacks first try was later to get a red card for second yellow card offence. Richard Bright got the All Blacks’ second try enabling them to get the win 20-13.

In Tribute South West 1 West. Wadebridge Camels enusered they will be playing at this level again next season with 29-20 win at Thornbury, thanks to tries from Ashley Rescorla, Matt Ballard, James Grubb and Shaun Hawkey. A win that will set them up nicely for the CRFU Cornwall Cup Final on Saturday against St. Austell at Penryn.

Camborne ran riot up at Chosen Hill winning by 83-12, scoring twelve tries. After the disappointing results of late this was a shot in the arm for the Cherry and Whites, who will hope to win back the Rodda’s Milk Cup at Redruth on Easter Monday.

Penryn showed good pride in defeating fellow relegation candiates Berry Hill 34-8 at the Memorial Ground. Borough will look to bounce back in Western Counties West next season.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell geared up for the CRFU Cornwall Cup Final with a 13-6 win over Wellington at Tregorrick Park, thanks to a try from Ian Venner and the boot of Matt Shepherd. Truro had a good win at St. Clements against Devonport Services 32-8 scoring six tries with a brace from Justyn Irons.

Bude lost at relegation haunted Tiverton 41-24, whilst St. Ives had their fate sealed losing at Alexandra Road 36-0 to champions North Petherton

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Veor’s loss at home to Withycombe 18 – 16 leaves them still in the drop zone back to Cornwall 1. Liskeard/Looe did themselves a favour with a 19-10 win at Plymouth Barbarians, which should see them safe.

Pirates Amateurs had a good win over Newquay Hornets 42-14 and Falmouth won at doomed Torrington 27-11. Hayle lost at third placed Teignmouth 48-14.

In the final game of the seson in Tribute Cornwall 1 Saltash defeated St. Just for the second week running this time 36-0. Both sides meet again on Saturday in the Tribute Cornwall RFU Clubs Cup Final at Penryn. Somehow I reckon it will be a lot closer!

So Easter is almost upon us, once upon a time the season for touring sides to head to Cornwall. There will still be a couple of hardy visitors, Old Dunstonians returning for their 78th Easter Tour, with games against Penryn, Falmouth and Truro and Imperial Medics continous tourists at Easter since 1925.

As mentioned previously it’s Tribute Cornwall RFU Cup Finals Day on Easter Saturday at Penryn RFC

Clubs Cup Final Saltash v St. Just kick off 1-15 pm

Cornwall Cup Final Wadebridge Camels v St. Austell kick-off 3-45 pm

Entrance £5

Club bars open

Also at Penryn on Easter Sunday is the Penryn Easter 7’s

Easter Monday the old foes lock horns again as Redruth take on Camborne for the Rodda’s Milk Cup kick -off 3 pm.

ANSOME is a word used in Cornwall meaning “All is well with the world”, and this past weekend the weather was certainly ‘ansome!

It was almost as balmy as the South of France, and we all know how the French love to “thraw the ball around” in such conditions. Well the two games I saw over the weekend saw plenty of that.

Ten tries at Redruth on Saturday as Old Albanians, ably marshalled by former Cornish Pirate James Shanahan at fly-half put on a fine display to run-out winners by 40-27, to inflict Redruth’s third loss at home this season. A win that took the Hertfordshire side to the top of the National League 2 South table, as previous leaders Richmond surprisingly slipped up at Polson against the Cornish All Blacks 18-16.

The CRFU were out in force at the Rec checking out potential opponents when Cornwall travel to play Hertfordshire in June, as were members of Trelawny’s Army.

Congratulations to Paul Thirlby who led the Reds out on his 200th club game.

You can read my report on the match together with comments and reaction from both Dave Penberthy and James Shanahan  in the link. 

So up at Polson the Cornish All Blacks defeated Richmond 18-16 with two tries scored by Richard Bright and Aron Struminski, both these players are in the Cornwall squad currently training for the start of the County Championship. To think that the All Blacks final league game of the season at Polson will be against Old Albanians. A game of potentially huge significance.

Match report from Polson in the link 

The Tamar Cup against Cornwall v Devon will be played at Launceston’s Polson Bridge ground on Tuesday evening 24th April kick-off 7-30 pm. Cornwall are likely to field a strong side as they prepare for their opening Bill Beaumont Cup match against Gloucestershire at Redruth on Saturday 5th May, kick-off 3-00 pm.

After a draw and a nail-biting loss, the Cornish Pirates got a well-deserved win 25 – 17 yesterday in the sunshine at the Mennaye against a Rotherham Titan’s side on a high after their win at Leeds. Two tries from winger Grant Pointer and solo effort from skipper Gavin Cattle along with the reliable boot of Rob Cook steered the Pirates home. Former Cornish All Black Pale Nonu featured well for Rotherham and he could well be involved for Cornwall in this season’s County Championship.

Catch Dick Straughan’s match report in the link

In Tribute South West 1 West, Wadebridge Camels confirmed their Cup win over Camborne with a league win over the Cherry & Whites at the Molesworth Field by 37-5 with skipper Gary Gynn helping himself to a try hat-trick. The win secures the Camels place in the league for next season.

For Penryn it now looks like a swift return to Western Counties West next season as they lost at Avonmouth by 46-10.

In Western Counties West, St. Austell lost heavily at leaders North Petherton 54-0. Truro consolidated their mid-table position with a 36-20 win at St. Clements over Torquay Athletic.

Bude won a Cornish derby against St. Ives 50-11, a result which seals the Hakes fate and relegation to the Cornwall & Devon League next season.

In London 2 SW, a good win for London Cornish at Bognor 18-7. Read DoR Dickon Moon’s report in the link

In the Cornwall & Devon League there were wins for Falmouth against Teignmouth 19-14, and Veor who beat Totnes 29-17. Losses for Newquay Hornets at Withycombe 24-5 and Hayle at home to second place Tavistock 24-16. Liskeard/Looe and Pirates Amateurs fought out a 17 all draw at Lux Park.

A plug for St.Agnes RFC who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year as well as having just been crowned champions of Tribute Cornwall 2. They have a prestigious gala match against Wasps Legends on Saturday May 12th at their Enys Parc ground. Tickets can be brought for the day at the Hall for Cornwall Box Office.

Whether you were a Cornish Pirates fan of a Camborne supporter, it was a weekend when you felt you’d had the hump!

Friday night at Goldington Road and the Cornish Pirates seemed set fair for a moral boosting win in their Championship play-off pool match leading 25-6 at half-time, surely all they had to do was control the game and secure the win. Not a bit. Dubious refereeing decisions and sadly a lack of compsure at crucial times saw the first half work undone as Bedford staged a remarkable comeback to snatch the win 26-25. Heartbreak for the Cornish Pirates’ fans who had made the trip.

Dick Straughan’s match report from the game is in the link with some pretty strong comments from Forwards Coach Ian Davies with regards to the officiating at the game from both referees – match ref Michael Tutty had to be replaced during the second half by Richard Kelly. Western Morning News report  

The Pirates’ pool was thrown wide open on Sunday when Rotherham Titans beat Leeds Carnegie in the Yorkshire derby 20-3 at Headingley. With the Titans arriving in the Duchy on Sunday with all to play for this a must win game for both sides. All to play for so get down to the Mennaye on Sunday and support the boys.

A few other games in the Duchy over the weekend, the main one being the second semi-final of the Tribute CRFU Cornwall Cup with last season’s beaten finalists Wadebridge Camels getting revenge over the side that beat them in the final Camborne 24-19. It was the Camels backrow that made the difference with skipper and No.8 Gary Gynn and flanker Sam Stone both getting two tries a-piece.

Camels will now face St. Austell on Easter Saturday, at Penryn RFC kick-off 3-45 pm

The Tribute CRFU Clubs Cup will be between St. Just and Saltash again at Penryn with a 1-15 pm kick-off.

Congratulations to St. Agnes who made sure of the Tribute Cornwall 2 title with a 98-3 win at Camelford.

To round off an excellent weekend for the Camels their U.19’s made it through to the RFU National Colts Cup semi-finals with a 16-12 win at Old Northamptonians. They are now away to Ivybridge in the semi-final.

So it looks like the format of the RFU Championship is set to change next season following agreement of the clubs.

The play-off’s for relegation are set to be scrapped with the bottom club at the end of the regular season set for the drop to National League 1.

Only the top four sides will contest the promotion play-offs, which will be in the format of semi-finals and final. Whether these will be on a home and away basis i.e over two legs remains to be seen.

The B&I Cup will also be modified, games will be played the same weekends as the Heineken Cup and along a similar format; i.e. six pools of four with the winners and two best runners-up making it to the quarter-finals. Hopefully a sponsor can be found as there is also going to be a cash incentive involved.

The only downside for clubs who don’t make the play-offs or the final stages of the cup is an early end to their season, mid April.

Well the Championship play-offs in their current guise began this weekend and I think it’s fair to say that the Cornish Pirates began their campaign in disappointing fashion managing just a 14-14 draw at home to Leeds Carnegie. Bedford Blues won 32-19 at Rotherham to top the pool B ahead of the Pirates.

In Pool A Bristol made a good start with a 65-3 win at Doncaster Knights! Statement of intent or what!! London Welsh defeated Nottingham 32-21 in the other game.

You can read the Pirates’ match report by Bill Sobey from the Western Morning News match report in the link  

In National League 2 South defeats on the road for both our clubs. Redruth lost at Taunton 35-34, an exact reversal of the score-line at the Rec earlier in the season.

Again the match report from the Western Morning News is in the link

The Cornish All Blacks came close to winning at Hartpury College before finally losing 27-25. Read about the action in the WMN report in the link

Elsewhere, well Cornish promotion hopes have dimmed somewhat over the past couple of weekends in both Tribute South West 1 West and Western Counties West. Camborne followed up their great win at Oldfield OB’s the previous week with a 30-23 win over Cleve, thanks to 20 points from the boot of Dave Mankee. Joe Parma and Rob Floyd geting the tries for the Cherry & Whites. A result that leaves “Town” in fourth place seven points adrift of the play-off spot cureently held by Clevedon with just four rounds remaining.

Clevedon beat Wadebridge Camels 26-11, whilst Penryn are looking likely for a swift return to Western Counties West next season after losing at home to Thornbury 35-21. Borough are sitting in the final relegation spot but are nine points away from safety.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell beat Bude 42-22 to keep flickering hopes alive of a play-off spot, but they need a few favours. Truro lost at Tiverton 13-7. St. Ives lost in the final moments at home to Bideford 17-15, the Hakes will hope to re-build next season in Tribute Cornwall & Devon League.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League Tavistock and Honiton look set to occupy the two promotion spots. Cornish interest is at the other end as Veor battle to avoid the drop, with Torrington and Totnes already doomed.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, Saltash are confirmed as league winners and bounce back to the Cornwall & Devon league after just one season away. It’s not quite settled as to who will be runner-up, either Helston or St. Just. Camborne School of Mines are relegated to Tribute Cornwall 2 next season.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, it looks like the title will go to St. Agnes, they should confirm it next Saturday at bottom side Camelford.

A great game of rugby at Hayle last Sunday as the Cornwall U.20’s rounded off their County Championship campaign with a 24-23 win over Devon. match report pictures and reaction in the match report in the link to the TASC site   

Whilst all eyes were on Paris at the weekend, I had an eye on events in Brittany were England U.20’s with Luke Cowan-Dickie took on the French in Vannes. The French won 12-8, but the real winners were the Breton region with 9,000 spectators for the game. Vannes will be used for the 2013 U.20 World Cup to be held in Western France.

The less said about France’s performance against England in Paris yesterday the better!! However well played England (gritted teeth) and if Stuart Lancaster doesn’t get the job then it’s true what many believe to be the case already, the loonies are in charge at HQ!!!

We may not, just yet, be at the sharp end of the RFU Championship season, but to all intense and purpose you had a pretty good view of what to expect down at the Mennaye Field yesterday afternoon when the Cornish Pirates played Bristol in a good old West country derby.

No quarter asked nor given, toe to toe all afternoon and a narrow but well-deserved 18-17 win for the Pirates. Just the tonic needed before the play-offs begin in March.

And with Chris Stirling back at the helm the Pirates are well-prepared for the stormy waters that lie ahead. If it doesn’t whett your appetite for what lies ahead then nothing will!

You can read Bill Sobey’s match report from the Western Morning News in the link

Despite the worries over injuries Redruth got the win they needed at relegation haunted Barnes 15-9 on Saturday in National League 2 South. A Penalty-Try and score from prop Peter Joyce along with a penalty and conversion from Brett Rule saw the Reds home.

Ed Bawden’s match report from the Western Morning News in the link

The Cornish All Blacks found it tough going at Dry Leas as Henley Hawks got revenge for their defeat at Polson earlier in the season with a 28-5 win. Scrum-half Lewis Webb getting the All Blacks sole score.

You can read Dick Benson-Gyles’ report from the Western Morning News in the link

Match of the day in Cornwall on Saturday was Camborne’s top-of-the-table clash with Tribute South West 1 West leaders Brixham at the Rec.

The Cherry and Whites put their unbeaten home league record this season on the line. A game they really needed to win slipped away from them as the Fisherman scored a bizzare second try mid-way through the second half to seal the game with a 15-8 win. Dave Mankee penalty and Richie Kevern try got Town’s points, but it’s going to take a big effort and hopefully a bit more luck than they had on Saturday for Camborne to get to the play-off spot.

At the other end of the table, Wadebridge Camels did their hopes the power of good with a resounding 32-0 at Penryn. Camels scored five tries with a brace from Will Pengelly, Adam Collins, Nick Yelland and Ashley Rescorla also getting touchdowns. Penryn are now deep in the mire with a swift return to Western Counties West looking more than likely.

In Tribute Western Counties West, leaders St. Austell were given a nasty shock as Truro completed a league double with a 9-0 win at Tregorrick Park. Jake Champion kicking three penalties. That loss means that St. Austell have slipped to second spot three points behind new leaders North Petherton.

St. Ives suffered another defeat at home to Torquay Athletic 22-8. Despite leading from a Tom Chandler try, the Hakes were rocked by the Tics second-half performance. Jacob Ninnes  added a second half penalty for St. Ives.

Bude won 30-18 at Kingsbridge in a game which doubled as an Intermediate Cup tie. Adam Black and Andy Yates both got a couple of tries with Kyle Speare getting the fifth Bude try.

Hayle had a good win at Crediton 18-6 in the RFU Senior Vase.

On Sunday Cornwall U.20’s played the second match in this season’s County Championship. The young Black & Golds got a hard-fought win at Wellington against Somerset 22-20.

The game almost didn’t take place as the officials never turned up!!

Luckily Somerset Society’s Roger Simon was present at the ground and he ended refereeing the whole game.

For Cornwall Cornish All Black wing Aron Struminski scored a couple of tries with clubmate Kyle Moyle adding four penalties.

That win was vital for Cornwall as they need to avoid finishing bottom of the group.

You can read Nigel Walrond’s match report in the link

It’s also vital to thank the Cornwall players all of whom would have played on Saturday for having the committement and energy to play two days on the trot. I am sure I speak for all Cornwall supporters when I say to them “Thank you, One & All”.

My blog and results round up will be delayed next weekend as I have a weekend off and go to Murrayfield for Scotland v France. Looking forward to a great weekend in Edinburgh.

It’s not often I get angry, but today when I heard a couple of callers on the BBC Radio Cornwall lunchtime program moaning about Pirates’ skipper Gavin Cattle carrying the Olympic Flame on the Cornish leg of the flame’s procession through the British Isles, then I saw RED BIG TIME!!!

I doubt very much if these moaners have ever had the pleasure of meeting and chatting  to Gavin, if they did they would soon realise how foolish they look.

You couldn’t ask to meet a nicer bloke. OK so he’s a Welshman, but he’s made a big contribution to sport in Cornwall and as skipper of Cornwall’s premier sports club deserves the honour. I for one give him my full backing (for what’s it’s worth!).

This petty small mindedness sadly makes all sensible Cornish people feel rather embarrased.

I haven’t seen the full list of people who will carry the torch in Cornwall, I am sure that there will be people who I feel who should have had the honour not among them, but there we are if they wern’t nominated too bad!

For one I would have liked to see the Champion Cornish Wrestler carry the torch, Cornish Wrestling probably the most ancient of all sports in the British Isles and so much part of our heritage. But as I said if they wern’t nominated it won’t happen!!

At last on Monday afternoon the Cornish Pirates managed to play their thrice postponed match at Rotherham and got a good win in Yorkshire 19-15. Dave Ward and Cornish scrum-half Tom Kessell got the tries with Ceiron Thomas bagging over three penalties.

Saturday saw me at the Rec for Redruth’s match against National League 2 South pacesetters Richmond.

Having lost 66-7 up at the Athletic Ground in October, Redruth wanted to go some way to putting the record straight. Well despite losing 36-23 they gave the Londoners a right old game. It was a performance that came at a cost with new injuries to Owen Hambly, Tom Duncan, Chris Bailey and Chris Instance. The latter suffered a dislocated shoulder and will be out for sometime. You can read my match report from the Western Morning News in the link. 

The Cornish All Blacks had a good win at Polson over Ding’s Crusaders 18-0. Read Dick Benson-Gyles report from the Western Morning News in the link. 

Congratulations to St. Austell RFC on reaching their first Tribute Cornwall Cup Final in 34 years following their 25-5 win at Bude on Saturday. Their last final was against Camborne in 1978 when they lost 7-6 in somewhat controversial circumstances. I quote from Tom Salmon’s book “The First Hundred Years” – At half-time St. Austell led by two penalty goals to nil; Camborne fought back with a try (then worth 4 points), then Bill Reeve, the St. Austell outside-half followed up his own kick, and touched down. Or rather he thought he did – and so did every St. Austell supporter. The referee, however, didn’t; Camborne went on to kick a penalty and they had won. But when Camborne captain Chris Durrant, accepted the cup, he turned and handed it symbolically to the St. Austell skipper, Simon Woolnough.

In the final St. Austell will play the winners of the second semi-final between Wadebridge Camels and …Camborne!

Last weekend Cornwall U.20’s got their campaign off with a gutsy performance against county champions Gloucestershire at Camborne. The Cornish youngsters gave a great performance despite going down 37-22. Fly-half Kyle Moyle gave a great display with a personal haul of thirteen points. Other scores came from Aron Stuminski and skipper Malcolm Hearn. The match report is available in the link.

Next Sunday the U.20 continue their campaign with a match against Somerset at Wellington RFC kick-off 2-30 pm.

Finally today well done to Tom Parker, the former Truro, Cornish All Black and Harlequin who now plays his club rugby in the Spanish Basque region for Ordizia, played for Spain on Saturday in their 25-18 win over Georgia in Madrid. Some great photos in the link thanks to Photo Scrum.com

At six o’clock on Sunday evening came the news from RFU headquarters that the Cornish Pirates had been drawn away to Cross Keys in the British & Irish Cup semi-final.

A trip to Wales over the Easter weekend to take on opponents defeated at the Mennaye earlier in the competition. Cross Keys at Pandy Park will be a totally different proposition to the team defeated at the Mennaye.

Should the Pirates prevail then the final will be played in Ireland at the homeground of either Leinster or Munster.

On Sunday afternoon at a wet and dismal Mennaye the Cornish Pirates defeated London Welsh 27 – 6 to move up to second place in the Championship table.

The exiles looked on paper to be tough opponents, however the Pirates ran out comfortable winners. Rudi Brits, Dave Ward and Matt Evans scored the Pirates’ tries, whilst the trusty boot of Rob Cook chipped in with the other twelve points.

There was another tidy performance from Aaron Penberthy at fly-half which will no doubt continue to boost his confidence at this level.

In National League 2 a good win for the Cornish All Blacks who defeated Southend at Polson 30 – 10 with Richard Bright (2) and Jamie Tripcony getting the All Blacks’ tries. you can read Dick Benson-Gyles WMN report in the link.    

Redruth travelled to Hartpury college only to be well beaten 40 – 10. Both Redruth’s tries were scored by the Bonds brothers. Skipper Craig with the first and then young Dean. Read Ed Bawden’s match report from the Packet in the link

Match of the day in Tribute South West 1 West was undoubtably at the Recreation Ground at Camborne where the Cherry & Whites hosted Avonmouth Old Boys. A narrow 18-17 win sees Town up to second place and fighting for a spot in National League 3 (SW) next season.

Wadebridge Camels maintained good form with a 15 – all draw at Paignton, whilst Penryn lost at Cullompton 18 – 8.

News this week that Dave “Benji” Thomas will once again be at the helm when Cornwall embark on their County Championship campaign in May. Thomas will be assisted by Paul Trevaskis.

Next Sunday sees the start of the U.20’s County Championship when Cornwall take on the reigning champions Gloucestershire at Camborne kick-off 2-30 pm. Coach Tom Rawlings has assembled an exciting squad of talented youngsters. The boys deserve YOUR SUPPORT so please make every effort to get to Camborne and cheer on the boys.

Check the Trelawnys Army website for team news.

You may remember that last season when England Counties toured Spain Tom Parker from Truro represented Spain. Well Tom who plays for Basque club Ordizia has been picked for Spain again to face Georgia on Saturday 11th February in Madrid. Well done Tom and AUPA!!

I should have mentioned last week about Josh Matavesi getting on the score-sheet for his club Racing-Metro against Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup. Well last Saturday Josh played for his club at the Stade de France against Toulouse in front of 54,000. Sadly for Josh his team lost 19 – 13. Both sides play for a special trophy in this fixture La Coupe Baron Pierre de Coubertin named after the founder of the modern Olympics and who was a rugby referee in France.  Well done Josh keep the Cornish flag flying in Paris!