Currie V The Pirates On Saturday – NOW AT PENZANCE
December 11th
Moved To The Mennaye Field Penzance
Kick Off 2pm

This is an ALL PAY GAME

No Advance tickets for This Match

Tickets £10 Adults/Concessions
Includes entry to the covered stands on a first come first served basis.
Accompanied children under 16 admitted free.

The clubhouse and Travis Perkins marquee will be open to all before, during and after the game, refreshments including’ Fesh Baked’ Hot Warren’s Pasties will be on sale.

The Match Will Not Be Shown On Pirates TV

Get behind the Pirates as they start the defence of their British & Irish Cup won so thrillingly at Camborne last May against Munster.

“The best set-piece performance of the season” was how Cornish Pirates High Performance Director Chris Stirling summed up his side’s performance against old foes Bristol at the Mennaye on a bitterly cold December afternoon.

Leading 9-6 thanks to three Rob Cook penalties against two from Bristol’s Adrian Jarvis, the Pirates made sure of the win and denied Bristol any solace by way of a losing bonus point with beautifully crafted try some seven minutes into time added on by referee Rob Debney. Fly-half Jonny Bentley’s grubber kick to the Bristol line was seized upon by replacement centre Drew Locke, Cook’s conversion giving the Pirates a vital 16-6 win to put them third in the Championship table.

It was a titanic struggle between both sets of forwards with a lot going on in the middle of it all, flanker Chris Morgan got the man-of-the-match award against his old club, fellow flanker Phil Burgess got through a lot of work himself, this young man is steadily making a name for himself with each peformance since stepping up from National 2 North side Loughborough Students this season.

So this weekend, weather permitting, the Pirates will head North across the northern english border to face Scottish Premier League side Currie in Balerno just west of Edinburgh as they start the defence of their British & Irish Cup so thrillingly won at Camborne last season against Munster.

CORNISHMAN Phil Vickery today called time on his rugby playing career which saw him lift the Rugby World Cup in 2003 in Australia.

Seelink from the guardian for full report. What a fine ambassador for Cornwall Phil has been over the years, a truly remarkable player. Phil you’ll be missed.

I finally had the chance to pop down to the Mennaye on Sunday to see the Cornish Pirates in action against Rotherham Titans.

I am not going to spend too much time talking about the game itself – you can read the excellent reports by Woll on the Pirates website or the match report in today’s Western Morning News by Bill Sobey.But if you haven’t managed to venture down west yet then I really do recommend you make an effort one Sunday soon. On a beautiful sunny autumnal afternoon with virtually clear blue skies and hardly a breath of wind; there aren’t many better places in Cornwall to watch rugby than the Mennaye. My preferred vantage point is down at the Newlyn End; you get a great view and can certainly appreciate the running angles and set moves from the players. However, the rest of the ground has been well spruced up with plenty of seating installed at the Penzance end as well as uncovered and covered seating opposite the main stand.

Ground tickets are £15 on the day of the match, but don’t forget if you buy them early from Warrens Bakers for £13 or direct from the club again at £13.

Sunday’s game against Rotherham, which the Pirates won 40-15, had seven great tries with the Pirates bagging five. Full-back Rob Cook – who just seems to get better and better each time I see him play – amassed twenty five points in an impressive scoring spree, two tries, three conversions, two penalties and a drop-goal. Wingers Rhodri McAtee and Wes Davies were industrious, along with centres Steve Winn and Matt Hopper, half-backs Jonny Bentley and skipper Gavin Cattle buzzed around, whilst in the pack, flanker Phil Burgess caught the eye with hooker Dave Ward and lock Laurie McGlone rampant.

After the match Pirates High Performance Director Chris Stirling was happy with the result, although parts of the performance will be looked at during the week. “You’ve got to be patient and build phases and when we did we created space and we probably could have scored another four or five tries, however Stirling conceded that they still have much to do with re-starts “We are working on it but it’s probably the one area of our game that we haven’t made forward progress, we will continue to work on that aspect and look to improve”.

But overall Stirling was happy with his side’s overall performance “Our game isn’t really centred on hammering away at the breakdowns we did get sucked into it a little bit (early on) maybe with hindsight wrong options, but if we’d scored it wouldn’t have been, I think we mixed our game up really well today we kicked, kept it close and drove a few times, we sucked them in and created some space, which we attacked through, then we weren’t afraid either to go from off the top and out to the mid-field and then quickly move the ball from there, From the balance of tight play and wider expanse we pretty much got it right today”.

Following Redruth’s first league win of the season last Saturday against Rosslyn Park, more good news for the Reds as two of their players picked up the Trelawny’s Army Cornwall Senior and U.20 Player of the Year Awards at the clubs AGM held at the St. Austell Brewrey Visitor Centre last evening.

BBC Radio Cornwall’s sports presenter Ross Ellis was on hand to make the awards, whilst Club President John Treglown of St. Austell Brewery was on hand to make a presentation to both players of Tribute beer, which of course sponsors the regional leagues in the south west.

The Cornwall Senior Player award the Bill Osborne Memorial Shield went to No.8 Mark Bright, well-deserved recognition for Brighty’s fine performances in a Cornwall shirt in a testing 2010 County Championship campaign during which he scored tries (5) in all Cornwall’s matches. It wasn’t just his try-scoring exploits that won him the award but his fine all-round displays all over the pitch which showed him to be Cornwall’s stand out player.

Runner-up in the poll, and a player who deserves a special mention, Ian Morgan, who’s goal kicking proved vital during Cornwall’s campaign. Ian has now retired from playing to concentrate on his coaching with St. Ives RFC.

The Tony Mead Memorial Shield for the Cornwall U.20 Player of the Year went to Adam Lewarne, the young second row forward made his mark during a challenging U.20 County Championship campaign for Cornwall, similar to the seniors they won just one of their group matches. Adam also went on to gain his full county cap playing against Devon in this year’s Tamar Cup at St. Ives. He is tipped for higher honours in the game.

Both players were delighted with their awards, and they both expressed their pride and passion in wearing the Cornwall shirt.

Trailing 24-23 a dramatic drop-goal from Aaron Penberthy with the final kick of the match gave Redruth a deserved first win in National League 1 this season, reports Bill Hooper from the Recreation Ground.

It looked like the Reds were heading for another defeat as Rosslyn Park’s centre Chris Lewis scored his side’s third try on 79 minutes to take a one point lead with time almost up. Redruth to their great credit stormed straight back at their visitors with the forwards eventually working the chance for Penberthy’s late strike, which the home crowd greeted with joy and relief!

Both sides traded early penalties from Penberthy and Richard Davies for Rosslyn Park, before the first try of the game went to Redruth.
Full-back Jack Nowell enhanced his growing reputation with strong run out of defence before putting in a fine kick towards Hell Fire Corner behind the visitors defence. Lewis Vinnicombe chased well to force an error from the defender, which allowed Nowell to finish off the move he started.

Rosslyn Park then capitalised on a Redruth error to draw level with a try from full-back Olly Lindsay-Hague.

A tight struggle tipped back in the Reds’ favour with a second try scored by No. 8 Mark Bright, with Penberthy adding the extras.

Davies pegged back three points with a second penalty before half-time to leave the Reds 15-11 up.

At the beginning of the second half Rosslyn Park put Redruth under tremendous pressure with Lindsay-Hague grabbing his second try of the match.

A second penalty from Penberthy re-gained his side the lead, which they extended when Bright stormed in for his second try following good work from Nathan Pedley and hooker Matt Gidlow for a 23-16 advantage after 64 minutes.

Redruth looked for the try-scoring bonus point, however Davies with his third penalty and Lewis’ try looked to have snatched the spoils for the visitors, until Penberthy’s last gasp strike.

Redruth 26 pts
Tries – Nowell, Bright (2), Conversion – Penberthy, Penalties – Penberthy (2), Drop-Goal – Penberthy

Rosslyn Park 24 pts
Tries – Lindsay-Hague (2), Lewis, Penalties – Davies (3)

The Cornish All Blacks picked up a losing bonus point in their defeat at Stourbridge 17-10. Despite scoring a try from centre Ryan Western with Mal Roberts adding a conversion and a penalty, the All Blacks were undone by two late tries, which swung the game in the home side’s favour.

NO – I didn’t travel up to Bristol on Sunday to watch the Cornish Pirates go down to their first defeat of the season by 21-7. Instead I took the much shorter trip (for me) to watch a Cornish Derby in Western Counties West between PENRYN & TRURO.

The old ground evokes many happy memories stretching back to the early seventies when Penryn were the force in Cornwall and Exeter didn’t fancy their chances against the Borough either!

The game that stands out is that famous RFU Knock Out Cup Quarter-Final tie played between Penryn and mighty Coventry on 4th March 1972. Hard to belive that some 5,000 squeezed into the famous old ground. “One of the most partisan crowds I have experienced” remarked Coventry’s England International…….David Duckham. Although Penryn lost the match 28-4 on a pitch that resembled a mud-bath – I still have the mud-splattered program with David Duckham’s autograph on it – I remember well standing on the banking, which would be just behind the stand a Penryn on the old configeration of the pitch, with showers of mud and beer cans raining down mostly in the direction of a Cornishman, Barry Ninnes from St. Ives who was playing for Coventry and had changed county allegence from Cornwall to Warwickshire. It hadn’t gone down well locally!

So much for memory lane, back to the present and a win for the Borough as they defeated Truro 18-12. A close game with not much to seperate the sides, though Adryan Winnan’s sublime cross-field kick created the opening try for winger Darren Pellow, fellow winger Dan Booth got the other try with the boot of Navy skipper Dave Pascoe kicking the points. Karl Martin kicked four penalties for Truro, for whom wingers Luke Trescothick and Mark Lea stood out as did Richard Tucker in the pack.

The win keeps Penryn up near the top of Tribute Western Counties West with fellow un-beaten side Wellington, who were promtied from the Cornwall & Devon League last season.

Elsewhere in the league Newquay Hornets lost heavily at home 55-0 to leaders Wellington, whilst Bude lost an entertaining game at Exeter Saracens 58-32.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St. Austell lost their un-beaten record as they slipped up at home to Bideford 14-10. Sam Tank getting both Saints tries.

Falmouth had another good win this time against Crediton 33-15 at the Rec. Falmouth’s five tries came from Clayton Meeks (2), Phil Wells, Ashley Searle and Josh Chambers, with Matt Horton kicking four conversions. Saltash beat Stithians 39-19 at Moorlands Morton and Skinnard both grabbed a brace with Arndell and Hurrell also crossing. Ashwin, Keay and Creeden scored tries for Stithians. Hayle won 41-7 at Philleigh against Roseland. Tom Outram scord a couple of tries in the Lions six-try win. Liskeard & Looe had a thumping win at Lux Park against Torrington 72-3.

In National League 1, the Cornish All Blacks drew 24-24 with Tynedale at Polson Bridge, both sides scored three tries with Lanson’s tries comming from a penalty-try and a brace for centre Ryan Westren who is showing great form at present.

Redruth lost for the fourth time this season going down 34-15 at London Scottish. Nic Simmons and Steve Kenward got the Reds’ tries with Aaron Penberthy adding a conversion and a penalty.

Up in London London Cornish maintained their fine start to the season with a 15-10 win over Twickenham in London 2 SW

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne won the derby at St. Ives 23-18, whilst Wadebridge Camels won at Ivybridge 30-13.

Three weeks into the league season, four if you follow the Cornish Pirates in the Championship, it’s already been eventful!
Our leading club side the Cornish Pirates have made a useful start to their Championship campaign with three wins and a draw. The three wins have all come from home wins back at the Mennaye the latest a 32-15 win over Birmingham & Solihull. However it wasn’t all plain sailing as the Pirates found themselves trailing 15-7 until the 65th minute when Tom Luke added a second try to Tyrone Holmes first half score. Rob Cook’s second conversion brought them back to within a point, before the full-back kicked two penalties to ease his side back into the lead.

Two late tries for the Pirates sealed the win and the bonus point with Rhodri McAtee, the man for all seasons, getting the first and centre Nick Jackson the second. Cook added a conversion to complete the scoring.

There has been some discussion in the press in recent weeks about the Stadium for Cornwall project with one or two unhelpful comments about this vital project for Cornwall being made by people who really should know better.

It’s disappointing to think that there are still some people with a voice on Cornwall Council who fail to grasp the impact this major project will have for the benefit of Cornwall. One can hope that their eyes can be opened sooner rather than later. Of course when the time comes they will have to answer their actions to their electorate when/if they wish to stand for re-election!

Launceston’s Ryan Westren deservedly took the man-of-the match award for the home club with a superb hat-trick of tries and polished all-round performance as the All Blacks took the honours in the first of this season’s Cornish Derbies.

Redruth indiscipline contributed greatly to their own downfall in a display that will have left Redruth’s Director of Rugby David Penberthy fuming with frustration over his player’s performance. Three times during the first half referee Mr. Hall brandished a yellow card in the direction of a Reds’ player!

Owen Hambly was the first to depart after 20 minutes after repeated indiscretions on the deck, then crucially just before half-time Redruth lost both locks Luke Collins and Damien Cook within a minute. The Cornish All Blacks took full advantage during both periods to build up a comfortable lead.

Aaron Penberthy gave Redruth the lead after 17 minutes, but it was short-lived as Launceston’s Mal Roberts landed a penalty following Hambly’s departure and then a conversion to Westren’s first try after 29 minutes.

Roberts then extended his side’s lead following Collins trip to the sin-bin for a high tackle on winger Ben Turner. Cook’s yellow card right on half-time gave the Cornish All Blacks a tremendous advantage at the start of the second half and they made full use of it.

Roberts stretched his side’s lead with an early penalty then converted Westren’s second try which came from a Redruth error as they chased the game. At 23-3 Redruth faced a mountain to climb to get anything from the game. Any hopes were quickly extinguished as Steve Perry kicked out of defence for Launceston, Nathan Pedley mis-judged the ball, which fell kindly for winger Richard Bright who ran in unopposed. Roberts surprisingly failed with the conversion.

The Cornish All Blacks sensed the try bonus point, however they suddenly found themselves down to fourteen men as scrum-half Lewis Webb became the fourth player to see yellow. Collins made the most of a drive in the clubhouse corner to score a try for Redruth, Penberthy’s conversion got the Reds’ into double figures.

Launceston were not to be denied, fittingly it was Westren who got the fourth try to complete his hat-trick following up a kick through from Perry. Roberts added the extras. Moments later salt was rubbed into the Reds’ raw wounds as replacement winger Kerion Lewitt scored Launceston’s fifth try, Westren this time turning provider.
Redruth did salvage a consolation score near the end when replacement winger Sean Hawkey scored a fine un-converted try in the clubhouse corner. At the final whistle Redruth were a well-beaten side and the Polson crowd savoured another derby day victory.

Cornish All Blacks 40 pts
Tries – Westren (3), Bright, Lewitt, Conversions- Roberts (3), Penalties – Roberts (3)
Yellow Card – Webb

Redruth 15 pts
Tries – Collins, Hawkey, Conversion – Penberthy, Penalty – Penberthy
Yellow Cards – Hambly, Collins, Cook

Referee: Mr. T Hall (RFU)
Man-of –the-Match: Ryan Westren (Cornish All Blacks)

JUST when you thought nothing major was likely to happen as the weeks slowly passed to the first of the pre-season matches next month, than the “fat hit the fire” on Friday afternoon as the Cornish Pirates announced that they were abandoning the Recreation Ground at Camborne and returning to play next season at their own ground at the Mennaye.

As was to be expected such an unexpected announcement as this caused all manner of reaction far and wide, the term seismic would not be inappropiate as the ramifications reverbarated from Pendeen to Saltash and all points in between!!!

On the face of it appears to be a disagreement between the Cornish Pirates and Camborne RFC over the use of a Marquee on non-match days. Further statements are expected from both parties during next week, perhaps then we shall have a better understanding of “wasson”.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of this sorry affair, it’s the rugby public who sadly will be the ones to suffer over this contretemps!

This is the statement realised by the Cornish Pirates on Friday;

“With a month to go before the first game the Cornish Pirates have abandoned plans to continue playing at Camborne.

The Clubs have been unable to agree on the use on non match days of the new events marquee currently being installed at Camborne so rather than continue in this state of flux and incur further cost without knowing the outcome the decision has been made to up sticks and undertake the work and installation at the Mennaye where we have unfettered access.

Supporters and members are advised that every effort will be made to make the Mennaye experience as comfortable as possible in the short time left with new stands and the 200 seater marquee sited near the existing stand, which we hope to upgrade.

The club is very grateful to Camborne RFC for the use of its ground over the last few years where some terrific rugby has been on show – not least the last game played there in the Cup Final against Munster.

We don’t believe this will have a negative impact upon our ambitions, but how this move affects the financial health and future of the Pirates is unknown at this stage, however the club will reimburse any new season ticket holders who cannot see themselves supporting the club at the Mennaye in the forthcoming season.”

Both parties were asked to comment by BBC Radio Cornwall on Saturday’s sports program hosted by Ross Ellis but neither party were willing to comment further until next week, although Camborne RFC did not challenge the official statement from the Cornish Pirates!

What effect this will have on BOTH clubs remains to be seen but for the Cornish Pirates and it’s ever expanding fanbase this cannot be a welcome move, the only postive is that it makes the calls for a Stadium for Cornwall even greater than they were before. The Mennaye is a fine old ground but it is limited and it is not fit for purpose in the modern day Championship. I am sure every effort will be made by the club – and the wonderful supporters who are already rallying around – in the short time that remains to get things as far up to scratch as is possible. Penzance will be charming and welcoming to one and all, but when the big games come and the ground starts creaking over the 2,000 mark the limitations will sadly be exposed.

I for one will do my utmost to get to as many games as I can, it won’t be easy having to work on a Sunday, and when the clocks go back and kick-off reverts to 2pm then I will probably be forced to listen to the games on radio or tune in to Pirates TV, others too from further a-field will find it difficult, if not impossible, so I have no doubt that there will be an adverse effect on gates this season. I would be happy to be proved wrong.

And what of Camborne, I should think that many businesses are up in arms over this and it won’t help the coffers of Camborne RFC either! On the other hand in Penzance they will be rubbing their hands gleefully. Not a happy time for Camborne in this difficult economic climate.

The decision is made and we must all come to terms with it as best we can. We can but hope that the Cornish Pirates brand doesn’t suffer too much from it in the short to medium term.