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!

A 33 – 3 win over Nottingham at the Mennaye on Sunday afternoon booked a semi-final slot for the Cornish Pirates in this season’s British & Irish Cup.

The final four sees an all Celtic line up with Cross Keys (Wales) and Munster and Leinster (Ireland) also in the draw, which will take place on January 30th.

The Pirates have already played and beaten both Cross Keys and Munster in this season’s competition, whilst Leinster are also familiar opponents in this competition.

The semi-finals are due to be played over Easter weekend, i.e. 6/7/8 April.

You can read Dick Straughan’s match report from the Western Morning News  in the link  

It’s been a tough couple of weeks at Redruth and the news last week that Director of Rugby Dave Penberthy will be stepping down from his post at the end of the season came as a surprise.

I know that he will want to hand over the club in good order to the new head coach. So a chapter closes and another one is set to be written in the rich history of the Reds.

Dave will certainly be missed in his role, along with Nigel Hambly they oversaw one of the richest periods of Redruth’s history on the playing side as the club almost made it to the second tier of English rugby.

A rich crop of young talent will be his legacy to the club and on Saturday we certainly saw the potential of players such as Dean Bonds, Luke Johnson and Craig “Eggy” Williams as they all played a part in Redruth’s 36 – 15 win over Lydney. You can read my match report from the Western Morning News in the link

The Cornish All Blacks suffered another late defeat this time at Worthing by 24 – 16. Once again you can read all the action from Dick Benson-Gyles report in the Western Morning News link 

In Tribute South West 1 West; Wadebridge Camels sprung the surprise of the day when they defeated leaders Brixham 22 – 20 at the Molesworth Field. Camborne had a good win on the road when they defeated Thornbury 29 – 19 and Penryn eased relegation worries with a 17 – 10 at home to Sidmouth.

In Tribute Western Counties West; St. Austell still lead the way despite their match at St. Ives being called off. Sadly the Hakes have conceded the points as they were unable to raise a side. Bude and Truro enjoyed good wins over Wellington and Ivybridge respectivly.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League; Hayle continue to slip down the table following another loss this time at Withycombe 25 – 18. Veor won the Cornish derby against Newquay Hornets 17-12 at Wheal Gerry and Pirates Amateurs won at Totnes 43 – 21 in a high scoring match. Falmouth couldn’t follow up their win at Hayle the previous week as they lost at the Rec  29 – 5 to leaders Honiton, whilst Liskeard/Looe lost a tight game at Crediton 18-16.

In Tribute Cornwall 1; Saltash lead the table and look well-placed for promotion. Helston are in the runners-up spot with St. Just third.

In Tribute Cornwall 2 St. Agnes lead the table by three points from St. Day with a game in-hand, whilst Perranporth are third a further point adrift.

Congratulations to the Exeter Chiefs on their qualification for the Amlin Cup quarter-finals following their 31 – 14 win over Perpignan at Sandy Park. All the more remarkable as they were 14 – 0 down early in the game. The draw now sees them off to Paris to play Stade Francais over the Easter weekend.

A reminder that the U.20’s County Championship is just around the corner with Cornwall playing their opening fixture at Camborne on Sunday 5th February kick-off 2-30 pm. The boys will need a big crowd to cheer them on so get down to Camborne that afternoon and give the boys your support, they will appreciate it.

I was sorry to hear that Jack Nowell’s season is over after he picked up a knee injury last week in Exeter Chief’s Amlins Cup win in Italy against Cavalieri Prato. Jack was set to feature in the England U.20 6 Nations but will now have to sit it out. There will still be Cornish representation at Chief’s prop Luke Cowan-Dickee currently dual-registered with the Plymouth Albion is in the squad.

Congratulations to Matt Hopper formerly of Plymouth Albion and the Cornish Pirates and now at Harlequins who has been selected for the England Saxons squad to face the Irish Wolfhounds at Sandy Park Exeter on Saturday.

SO 2012 is finally here and the sporting focus will no doubt be turning on London in July and the Olympic Games that we all hope will be a fantastic success for the city.

All the talk of money and success on and off the field was really brought into focus in Sunday’s piece in the Indy by Nigel Walrond in his Duchy Diary column.

Whilst the ongoing problems at Plymouth Albion in the Championship being the local high-profile news at the moment, further down the leagues clubs are being hit by player shortages as they face a stark choice play or work! Truro’s head coach and former county coach Phil Angove summed it  up thus; “This season for the first time ever we have got players who, if  they can work on a Saturday they invariably do. In years gone by, people would happily lose half a day’s money to play rugby, but we are getting a handful of players every week now saying they have got no money so have got to work.

It not just a problem that affects Truro, it’s prevalent throughout and more and more clubs are being affected by the economic downturn as players have to forgo playing to work extra just to make ends meet.

Back to the action and a good weekend saw me take in two live matches at Redruth and the Cornish Pirates.

Two close games but with the right results from a Cornish perspective.

At Redruth on Saturday it was great to see fly half Brett Rule kick the winning conversion with the final kick of the game. Many of us will remember how distraught Brett was back in September,when he had a kick to win the game against Henley Hawks at the Rec and missed.

Saturday’s kick was a sweet moment for a player who gives his all, as ever his tackling around the park was immense, and despite missing with his first penalty attempt he banged over all his other kicks.

You can read about the Reds’ dramatic win in the link of Bill Sobey’s match report from the WMN here. 

Sunday down the Mennaye saw the Cornish Pirates fight back from 17-3 down at one stage during the first half to win a pulsating game against Nottingham 26-24.

Former Rotherham centre, Argentine, Juan Pablo Socino was at the heart of the build up to the merry men’s two first half tries. There is no doubt that BBC Radio Cornwall’s sports presenter Ross Ellis is a big fan of “the special Juan” as he calls him.

I was watching the game at the Newlyn End and witnessed at first hand the wrecking machine try scored by Nottingham flanker, Sione Kalamafoni. Pirates’ players were left strewn in his wake, a score that was both brutal and magnificent.

Blair Cowen got the Pirates first try near half-time and the comeback was completed with further scores from Grant Pointer and Dave “The Doc” Doherty. Rob Cook’s boot saw the boys home.

The game also marked a Championship debut for Aaron Penberthy, who came on for the final quarter in place of Ceiron Thomas. A solid debut from a young man whom I’ve seen play a lot at Redruth and who has really come on in leaps and bounds this season. Once again you can read Bill Sobey’s match report from the WMN in the link here.      

The Cornish All Blacks got an important win in National League 2 South winning at bottom side Westcombe Park 18-12. WMN match report here.

In Tribute South West 1 West, the big game was the Cornish derby between Penryn and Camborne at the Memorial Ground. The match was broadcast live on BBC Radio Cornwall. Camborne once again triumphed 14 – 10 thanks to tries from their backrow duo Sam Matavesi and Dave Roberts, Dave Mankee added both conversions. For the Borough, skipper Lewis Vague scored a late try converted by Taron Peacock who earlier kicked a penalty.

Wadebridge Camels won 20-17 against Berry Hill at the Molesworth Field, thanks to a Jack Scott try and five penalties from the boot of James Grubb.