THE NEWS LAST WEEK  from Cornwall Council that time scale for the delivery of the Stadium for Cornwall had been extended came as very unwelcome news for many sport’s fans in Duchy.

The delay now means that the Cornish Pirates should they win the Championship play-off final will not now be in a position to claim it’s place in the Aviva Premiership for season 2012/13.

The earliest will be for season 2013/14 so long as there are no other frustrating delays. Pirate’s owner Dicky Evans spoke for many when he declared.  ” I am dismayed that factors outside our control mean that the agreed Business Plan cannot now be achieved , compounded by the news that the stadium will not be delivered for next season. Personally I am distraught and I feel extremely sad that so many good people who have put in so much effort have to handle this news.

Without doubt this will greatly affect our plans and I will now take stock over the next week with the key Club management staff and the playing force to review options for the future of the Cornish Pirates.”

Well just a couple of day’s later Evans came back fighting with a new plan for the Pirates for this season. He said. ” We are , however, fully satisfied that subject to the INOX housing application being approved early next year that work on a stadium will start in 2012 at a time that will ensure delivery ready for use in the 2013-14 season.

“In summary, the Pirates will definitely be playing at the Mennaye next season and almost certainly moving to Truro for the following season whichever league is involved, including the Championship.

“The squad and coaches have been fully briefed and although very disappointed at the turn of events they are fully committed to continue in their quest to win both competitions, the Championship and the Cup this season.

“Nothing has changed in our ambitions to be the best on and off the field despite the one year delay in delivery of a stadium facility.

So much now depends on the Council’s decision on January 12th when the INOX housing development comes up. If that’s passsed then hopefully work on the stadium will get under way as long as there are no further delays due to opposition. Fingers crossed!

The other news concerned Cornish Pirates High Performance Manager Chris Stirling will be taking a year’s sabbatical back in his native New Zealand. All being well Chris will return after 12 months in the meantime from the beginning of next season coaches Iain Davies and Harvey Biljoen will assume responsibilites for the day-to-day running of the Pirates.

Can’t help feeling that Chris will be in a great position to recruit a few “All Blacks” to the Pirate’s cause should they get to the Aviva Premiership!

On the playing front the Cornish Pirates booked their home quarter-final berth with a 30-3 over Welsh Premiership side Cross Keys at the Mennaye on Sunday in the British & Irish Cup. You can read Dick Straughan’s match report for the Western Morning News in the link here.

In National League 2 South a crowd of over 1,000, including a couple of Launceston’s finest former players, Roger Spurrell and Jimmy Tucker, as well as the promising Chiefs player who was with the Reds last season Jack Nowell, saw the Cornish All Blacks overcome their Cornish rivals Redruth 20-10 at a freezing Polson Bridge on Saturday afternoon. Bill Sobey’s match report for the Western Morning News can be found in the link here.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne defeated Paignton 34-6 at the Rec scoring five tries with a brace from Richie Kevern. Wadebridge Camels won at Sidmouth 22-21 thanks to tries from Matt Ballard (2) and Will Pengelly, whilst Penryn lost up at Cleve 19-15 despite tries from Ethan Pattisson and George Jones.

There was a very encouraging turnout of players yesterday at Launceston for the Cornwall U.20 trials. I spoke to coach Tom Rawlings on Saturday and he has been greatly encouraged by the response of the players for this season’s championship, which sees Cornwall playing two of their three pool matches at home.

Don’t forget rugby over Christmas in Cornwall. Apart form the Cornish Pirates’ tasty looking Championship encounter with Plymouth Albion at the Mennaye on Christmas Eve, there are the traditional Boxing Day derbies to look forward to with Camborne hosting Redruth for the Rodda’s Milk Cup, Hayle playing St. Ives and Penryn versus Falmouth. All three matches kick-off at 2-30. There are various club games against President’s or Chairman’s XV notably at Newquay Hornets and Bude.

All that it remains for me to do is to wish “One & All” a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Unbeaten Sides Go Head To Head     

By Phil Westren, Cornish Pirates Media Officer.                                    

CORNISH PIRATES V CROSS KEYS at the Mennaye Field Sunday 18th December kick-off 2pm

Two teams who have both played three and won three games in this season’s British & Irish Cup competition go head to head at the Mennaye Field on Sunday (ko 2pm).

In a new cross-pool format the Pirates top Pool 1 following wins against Bristol (50-22), Plymouth Albion (0-38), and Munster A (6-10). As for visitors Cross Keys, they top Pool 2 having impressively beaten Moseley (42-3), Ayr (7-32), and Welsh Premiership leaders Neath (45-18).

Cross Keys winger Kristian Ballard, with four to his name, is the top top try-scorer in the competition to date, and their back line is one that can clearly play an expansive style, which is of no surprise considering former Wales star Mark Ring, who was the Director of Rugby with the Pirates in 1997, is the Welsh side’s backs coach.

With the forecast looking improved for Sunday, a good-sized crowd is expected at the Mennaye Field for what should be a fascinating clash.

Tickets are available as usual from the club’s ticket office, open Mon-Fri from 9am-12 noon, on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com, and from from certain Warrens bakers shops about the county.

Season ticket holders should note that entry to this match IS covered by their season ticket.

Also, of interest to family groups there’s an excellent ‘Family Saver’ ticket offer for this game – only £25 for 2 adults and children.

Make sure you print your ‘Family Saver’ offer flyer by visiting www.cornish-pirates.com and clicking on the ‘Family Offer’ link, then simply bring the flyer with you on the day and pay at the gate. Alternatively, the family ticket offer will also be printed in the ‘Cornishman’ newspaper’ on Thursday 15th December, which can also be cut out to bring along and pay at the gate on the day.

There was hardly a dry eye in the house when on 77 minutes of Redruth’s National League 2 South encounter against Worthing on Saturday winger Nathan Pedley took his leave for the final time.

The length and warmth of the ovation he recieved said it all as the Redruth faithful stood as one to acclaim one of their favourites for the final time prior to his leaving for a new life in Australia, as so many of his fellow Cornishmen have done in the past.

Peds had for the final given his all for the red shirt, in the dressing room before the team came out he’d promised to give everything for his final game and asked his team mates to do like wise for him in his final game. They certainly did that.

The icing would have been a try-scoring finale, it wasn’t to be, but he came mighty close at the beginning of the second half in the lead up to Chris Fuca’s first try. It was his day and a result to cheerish as well as all the other memories and achievements in a ten year career in the Redruth first team.

You can read my match report from the Redruth v Worthing match here in the link

Next Saturday is the return fixture with Launceston at Polson Bridge and as Dave Penberthy reminded us during the post-match presser, Redruth have never won there in the league. Both sides have got a bit of form though Launceston were unlucky to lose at Clifton on Saturday. It promises to be a titanic affair with no quarter asked nor given. There will be changes to the Redruth side, centre Tom Cooper’s loan period from the Cornish Pirates has now ended and he will hope to feature, injuries permitting, in the Pirates’ British & Irish Cup match against Welsh Premiership side Cross Keys on Sunday at the Mennaye, kick-off 2pm. Aaron Penberthy could also feature in that game!

Launceston’s match report against Clifton from the Western Morning News can be found in the link here once again our player of the year Ben Hilton got on the scoresheet.

News broke on Thursday that Ryan Westren, who had been on loan with the Cornish All Blacks, had asked the Cornish Pirates to be released from his contract so that he could join Championship side London Scottish. Westy never really got a chance to show his skills down at the Pirates for various reasons, but I am sure everyone will want to wish him well with his new club. We will all be looking out for Scottish’s results as they look to climb the table.

The Cornish Pirates played up at Leeds on Sunday and a late Mike Stephenson try for the hosts condemned the visitors to a 14-13 defeat, another frustrating loss on the road.

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

The other main topic today is the announcement that delays will mean that the Stadium for Cornwall will not be ready in time for any of the 2012/13 season. This is a blow to everyone concerned with this important project for sport in Cornwall. You can read more in the link from BBC Radio Cornwall in the link here 

In Tribute South West 1 West, a good win for Wadebridge Camels at Chosen Hill by 29-3 with tries from Dom Hawkey, Dan Lumb, skipper Gary Gynn and Sam Stone.

Camborne, for whom Lewis Vinnicombe made his debut, lost at Sidmouth 23-17, despite the home side playing with just thirteen men for the final quarter following two red cards. Sam Matavesi got the Cherry & White’s try with Dave Mankee kicking four penalties.

Penryn lost at home to Brixham 19-18 with former Borough player Ian Morgan helping the Devon fishermen to the win. Luke Lester and James Mann got the tries for the Borough with former Falmouth player Matt Horton kicking the points.

The draw has been made for the Tribute Cornwall Cup semi-finals, ties are due to be played w/e 17th March 2012. Finals day will be on Easter Saturday 7th April 2012.

In the Cornwall Cup

Bude v St. Austell

Camborne (hldrs) v Wadebridge Camels

In the Clubs Cup

St. Just v St. Day

Helston v Saltash

Note Clubs Cup semi-finals are no longer played over two legs.

A good weekend for the Cornish Pirates and our two National League 2 South sides Launceston and Redruth as all three recorded fine wins resulting in five points.

Sunday saw the Cornish Pirates back home after a series of games on the road – with two Championship defeats in their last two outings at Bristol and Doncaster – get back to winning ways in emphatic fashion with a 42-10 win over London Scottish.  A result that will have no doubt brought a sigh of relief to the Pirates coaching team, and an even bigger one for the supporters.

Four first half tries laid the foundation for the result with  Sam Hill, Drew Locke, Charlie Walker-Blair and Rob Cook all crossing the whitewash as the Pirates went in 30-10 up.

Second half tries from David Doherty and Matt Evans secured the points. No doubt that Myles Dorrian’s inclusion at fly-half made a big difference, hopefully he will be allowed to get game time at the Pirates as Cieron Thomas and Jonny Bentley recover from injuries, the news on Bentley is not good with Chris Stirling intimating on the radio yesterday that the Kiwi fly-half could be absent for a long period. The match report from the WMN can be found in the link

Five tries for the Cornish All Blacks who look to be running into form prior to their derby against Redruth in two weeks time at Polson. Taunton were on the wrong end of the 42 – 15 scoreline, with loanee from the Pirates Ryan Westren grabbing a brace. Other scores came from Truro College flyer Aaron Struminski, Jamie Salter and Ben Hilton. Struminski is certainly making a name for himself this season having been recruited by skipper Tom Rawlings. You can read Dick Benson-Gyles’ report for the WMN here    

Redruth maintained their fine run winning at Westcombe Park on Saturday by 33-10. It wasn’t plain sailing up in Kent as some of the Redruth players were delayed getting to the ground as the car they were travelling up on broke down on the M4, then they were delayed on the M25. So Redruth had to start the game with some of their replacements, which saw Owen Hambly at centre and Danny Clackworthy in the second row! Despite the problems the players made the game. Redruth scored tries through Tom Cooper, Tom Notman, Greg Goodfellow and skipper Craig Bonds, with Aaron Penberthy’s boot adding the other points.

One piece of disappointing news this week was that of Lewis Vinnicombe leaving the club and heading down the road to Camborne. With Nathan Pedley set to play his final game for the Reds on Saturday against Worthing and the news that Matt Bowden is likely to be further absent due to a hernia, the opportunity beckons for more of the youngsters to step up to the plate.

Talking of Camborne they had a great win at home against Chosen Hill Former Pupils in Tribute South West 1 West, by 77-10. Penryn lost at Berry Hill 16-3, whilst Wadebridge Camels drew with Thornbury 13-13. Read the roundup from the WMN here.    

It was good to read in the Indy on Sunday that Cornwall U.20’s had a good turnout at Truro last weekend. Coach Tom Rawlings will be fielding a side in a trial game against Launceston Development at Polson on Sunday 18th December.

REDRUTH 49 – 6 SOUTHEND

Redruth put in a tremendous all round performance to deservedly record their biggest win of the season at the Recreation Ground over spirited opponents Southend, reports Bill Hooper.

Despite looking the better side Redruth lead just 9-3 after 23 minutes, with three Aaron Penberthy penalties against a sole reply from Seasiders’ full back Andrew Frost.

The breakthrough came just a couple of minutes later as scrum half Greg Goodfellow fed centre Tom Cooper – another player from the Cornish Pirates looking for game time following injury – the centre showed some lovely footwork to set up Rhodri McAtee for the Reds opening try.

Penberthy couldn’t add the conversion, but it was the only kick he missed at goal out of nine attempts.

Spurred on by the try Redruth maintained the pressure with the forwards getting the upper hand in the set-piece.

Redruth got a second try before half-time with some quick thinking from man of the match No.8 Tom Duncan who took a quick tap penalty near the Southend line to power over after 36 minutes.

Southend looked for a score before half-time with a period of pressure up in the Piggy Lane corner seeing them get a penalty with McAtee sent to the sin bin for the Reds for killing the ball. Frost kicked a second penalty for the visitors with the final kick of the half.

Redruth carried on in the second half despite being a man down for the first ten minutes with Penberthy getting his first try for the Reds after 48 minutes following good work from Cooper and prop Peter Joyce.

Ten minutes later the try-scoring bonus point was secured with McAtee again at the heart of the move with flanker Owen Hambly in support to feed winger Nathan Pedley who crossed for the fourth Reds’ try.

The best try of the afternoon came after 63 minutes when Redruth’s skipper Craig Bonds looked to move the ball from near his own line, McAtee took the ball near his own twenty-two before setting off on a long run towards the Piggy Lane corner, he looked certain to score, the Southend cover scrambled across, however Hambly was in support to take the inside pass and score under the posts.

Then to round off the try scoring the Welsh Whippet showed his renowned seven’s pace scoring the Reds’ fifth try following a good break from replacement hooker Darren Semmens, scoring with aplomb in Hell Fire corner to put the seal on a great performance.

Redruth 49 pts

Tries – McAtee (2), Duncan, Penberthy, Pedley, Hambly, Conversions – Penberthy (5), Penalties – Penberthy (3)

Yellow Card – McAtee (40)

Southend 6pts

Penalties – Frost (2)

Referee: Fergus Kirby (RFU)

It’s not good for the “old ticker” watching Redruth – mind you the same can be said for the Cornish Pirates, especially after they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday at Bristol – but despite the on-going defensive frailities it was good to see the class and pace of Welsh 7’s star Rhodri McAtee in a Redruth shirt. OK he may only be with Redruth for a couple of weeks, and lucky for him he hasn’t got to travel as Redruth have got two home games on the trot during his loan period, his first try was a piece of individual brilliance which perfectly illustrated his tag of “Welsh Whippet”. Taking the ball then setting off on a diagonal run cross-field, to run-around the defence as if they were statues, then plonk the ball down behind the try-line. Marvellous. His second was just as good, on-hand to take the pass from Chris Fuca (what a season he’s having again).

However, Rhodri’s magic can’t hide the fact that Redruth’s defence is quite frankly poor! Poor Dave Penberthy must be tearing his hair out as week in week out we seem to talk about the same problems but still the players seem to be committing the same errors week after week, why? Is the question that the Redruth faithful keep asking.

You can read my report from the game on the Trelawny’s Army site, just follow the link here.

While tapping away on my match report yesterday afternoon for the WEST BRITON (sorry you’ll have to wait until Thursday for that one!) I was glued to the radio listening to the Pirates match up at the Memorial Stadium against Bristol all looked to be going .Tries from Andrew Suniula a brace from all action hooker Dave Ward and another express special from Dave Doherty had the Pirates well in command after 50 minutes at 28-10. Despite scoring a fifth try from Cornishman Tom Kessell on at scrum-half for injured skipper Gavin Cattle, the Pirates let Bristol off the hook and back they came to sneak a very good win 37-33. Can’t imagine High Performace Manager Chris Stirling will have been too impressed with his team’s failure to secure the result, which is something they will need to do should they qualify for the final stages of the RFU Championship play-offs. Once again you can read the match report and quotes from Dick Straughan’s report for the Western Morning News  in the link here quotes in this link.

The Cornish All Blacks continue to pull away from the bottom part of the table with a welcome 39-17 win over Barnes at Polson Bridge. Good to see our player of the year Ben Hilton on the scoresheet again with a couple of tries against the londoners. Dick Benson -Gyles report from the Western Morning News again in the link here

In Tribute South West 1 West, match of the day was at Camborne where the Cherry & Whites took on Wadebridge Camels running out comfortable winners by 37-6 with Joe Parma scoring three of Town’s six tries. Meanwhile Penryn lost at home to Avonmouth OB’s by 8-5, centre Will Payne getting the Borough’s try.

News from acoss the Tamar today as Plymouth Albion announce that Director of Rugby Graham Dawe and the club have parted company. Former Exeter Chiefs head coach Pete Drewett takes over at the Brickfields. I have nothing but total admiration for Dawsey for all he has achieved both as a player and coach and wish him well as I am sure all members of Trelawny’s Army do in whatever role he takes up next in rugby.

SIMPLE  words, but on Thursday 17th November 2011 it is to be hoped that Cornwall Council do just that and clear the way for the Stadium for Cornwall to be built. Without it then the dreams and hopes of many will wither and die and I doubt very much, certainly in my lifetime, that we will see the oppourtunity again and Cornwall will be just another back water of sport with just memories of a long gone era and the young will be left with bitter regrets that they too will have to pack up and go if they want to persue their dreams on the sporting field.

I hope that our elected represenatives will see the opportunities and make the bold choice for the good of youth of today and future generations.

I am afraid that “dreckly” this time just won’t do!

What a gutsy performance on Friday night in the teeth of an Irish gale by the Cornish Pirates to dig deep and earn a great win 10 – 6 against Munster in the rural settings of Clonmel in the British & Irish Cup, which may well be in it’s final year. I am fed up with the RFU’s total mis-management of this competition, which on the face of it should be a great one but has been reduced to an utter farce, through tinkering and the failure to find a sponsor. Read Phil Westren’s account from the official Pirates’ site here.

Nights like the one in Clonmel should be forging the competition, which for all Cornish Pirates supporters has a special place. I for one relish cross-border competition, it is refreshing and breaks the run-of-the-mill fare of the current Championship, which is also still in need of a sponsor! Is there no hope!!

In National League 2 South, I think it’s safe to say that neither the Cornish All Blacks nor Redruth are going to be in the mix for promotion this season. Both sides suffered defeats on the road, Launceston at leaders Richmond 38-15, you can read Dick Benson Gyles match report here, whilst the Reds were humbled at Old Albanians 50-7, you can read Ed Bawden’s match report here.  Not a good omen if you are a Cornwall supporter as Cornwall must travel to Hertfordshire next May in the Bill Beaumont Cup. It will take a very good well-prepared team to get a result at last season’s county finalists.

In Tribute South West 1 West, a good day for both Camborne and Penryn, but another defeat for Wadebridge Camels. The Cherry & Whites won at Cleve 14-13, whilst the Borough won at Thornbury 20-13 with James Mann crossing twice for Penryn. Camels endured another tough day as visitors Clevedon ranout  winners 49-3 at the Molesworth Field. You can read the Western Morning News roundup for Tribute South West 1 West here.

In the Tribute Western Counties West St. Austell are second following another fine win this time at Bude 43-6. Scrum-half Matt Shepherd dotted down a couple of tries and kicked four conversions.

Hayle remain top of the Tribute Cornwall & Devon league after a 12-0 win over Plymouth Barbarians.

In Cornwall 1 Saltash lead the way after winning at St. Just 33-15 in the top-of-the-table encounter, whilst St. Agnes head Cornwall 2 after defeating Camelford 69-7.

From the Cornish Pirates’ media officer Phil Westren

The songs says it’s a long way to Tipperary and on Friday
evening the Cornish Pirates will travel to the Irish county on what will be a
rare visit to the Emerald Isle. They will actually fly during the day from
Exeter to Dublin and then travel on to Clonmel RFC where Munster ‘A’ await in
the British & Irish Cup competition. The kick-off is at 7pm.

This will be a game between the first-ever finalists, it
remembered that the Pirates beat the might of Munster 23-14 at Camborne in May,
2010.

The Pirates have comfortably won their opening two games in
the Cup against Bristol Rugby and Plymouth Albion and presently top Pool One,
but they know a much sterner test awaits in Ireland against a side playing its
first game of the season in the competition.

There are several changes to the Cornish Pirates team from
the one that won well at home to Rotherham Titans on Sunday, including the
selection at full-back of Canadian international Matt Evans who is set to make
his debut for a side that will be skippered on the night by flanker Chris
Morgan.

Cornish Pirates:   M. Evans, R. McAtee, D. Locke, S. Hill, D.
Doherty, R. Cook, T. Kessell, K. Marriott, C. Walker-Blair, C. Morgan (capt),
I. Nimmo, L. McGlone, C. Rimmer, D. Ward, R. Storer.

Replacements:   T.Cowan-Dickie, R,. Elloway, P. Andrew, B. Cowan, P. Burgess, G. Cattle, R. Westren.

BBC Radio Cornwall have confirmed that they will be unable
to provide coverage of the match, which is a decision fully understood at this
particular time. However, the Cornish Pirates will provide regular updates from
Clonmel on both their Twitter and Facebook

For further information visit www.cornish-pirates.com

Note:   Now in its third year of competition, the British & Irish Cuponce again involves 12 teams
from the English RFU Championship, six from the Welsh Principality Premiership,
Irish provinces Munster, Leinster and Ulster and three Scottish sides, Melrose,
Currie and Ayr.

The Cup has this season switched to a cross-pool format,
meaning each club gets two home games and two away games. As a result the teams
in Pool One will face Pool Two sides, Pool Three will take on Pool Four and
Pool Five tackle Pool Six, with the winners of each group and best two
runners-up progressing to the quarter-finals.

INFORMATION ON THE MUNSTER SIDE FOR TOMORROW FROM MUNSTER BRANCH SITE

Munster have named a strong side that includes internationals Mick O’Driscoll and Peter Stringer for the British & Irish Cup clash with Cornish Pirates at Clonmel RFC tomorrow evening (7pm).

TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRITON WEB SITE

Youth rugby

Cornwall U18 22, Berkshire 13

After a below par display in their opening SW Championship fixture, resulting
in a 32-17 defeat to Buckinghamshire, Cornwall travelled to Bristol for their
second fixture.

Playing against a strong wind an early penalty was conceded to give their
opponents a 3-0 lead before a turnover inside their own 22 saw the quick
Berkshire backs spread the ball and good support play saw them open their try
account and a further penalty eased them into 13-0 lead before a penalty from
Danny Thomas brought the score back to 13-3.

Right on half time a driving maul set up from a lineout close to their line
saw the Cornish pack crash over with skipper Mike Wright claiming the score.

In the second half powerful pack play laid the basis of a more dominant
display with several powerful surges only being stopped by illegal Berkshire
play, resulting finally in a yellow card, before Aaron Bennetts finally crashed
over with Danny Thomas converting.

There was no stopping the black and golds’ pack again and Luke Tidball
finished off good sustained pressure with a try which Thomas converted to secure
a well merited victory 22-13.

For Cornwall forwards Mike Wright, Neil Broadbank and Jack house all thrived
in the tight while Brandon Roth, who came off the bench along with Luke Tidball
and Robin Wedlake looked threatening in the three quarters and ensured Cornwall
will travel to Okehampton this Sunday for the crunch local derby against Devon
(2.30pm) in fine spirits.