The opening day of the RFU Championship saw the Cornish Pirates travel to Billesley Common to take on Moseley, a side that many pundits reckon will end up once again the relegation play-offs come March. However the form book was torn up as the homeside battled back to from a 24-5 deficit to draw 27 all against a Pirates side that once again hopes to be at the buisness end of the RFU Championship season.

First half tries from winger Dave Doherty, lock Ian Nimmo and full back Rob Cook together with Cook’s boot put the Pirates in a useful 24-10 lead. With centre Drew Locke once again drawing the praise from the commentators for his performance, the Pirates looked set for an opening day win, but it was not to be. Moseley hit back with a converted try after half-time. The Pirates then saw Locke go off injured and Cook yellow carded and the jitters set in!

Deep into injury time Moseley were awarded a penalty try with former Pirate Olly Thomas kicking the conversion to snatch an improbable draw.

No doubt the Pirates will want to put the record straight on Sunday at the Mennaye when Doncaster Knights are the visitors, the Knights suffered an opening day defeat at home to Bristol, who may well prove to be the dark horse in this season’s campaign.

Other news this week from the Mennaye is signing of Redruth’s fly-half Aaron Penberthy by the Championship club. Young Penberthy will remain on loan at Redruth. Pirates CEO Rod Coward stated  “The application and effort displayed by Aaron during pre-season has been impressive, and he is clearly a talented young player with real potential. “Aaron will have game time on loan to Redruth but we can recall him when and as required.”

Redruth gave former St. Austell scrum-half Matt Shepherd his debut at Worthing. Despite a fine performance from their new recruit the Reds went down 27-25 to the Sussex side. Shepherd who has also been training and impressing at the Cornish Pirates played for Cornwall in last season’s Tamar Cup match coming on as a second half replacement he made such an impression that he picked up the man-of-the-match award.

Worringly for the Reds Penberthy picked up a rib injury and may well be doubtful for Saturday’s Cornish derby against Launceston at the Rec.

Not a great start for the Cornish All Blacks as they lost their second league match in National league 2 South going down 26-22 at Polson to Clifton. Out-scored on the try front three to one Launceston had Kieron Lewitt’s boot to thank for keeping them in touch. Ben Hilton got the CAB’s sole try, but it was not the start that skipper Tom Rawlings would have hoped for and no doubt they will travel to the Rec as a wounded animal desperate to get their season back on track with a win in the derby.

The refurbished bottom bar at the Redruth clubhouse will have it’s grand un-veiling on Saturday the bar will now be know as The Richard Sharp Bar  and the great man himself will be there to offically open the bar. With the England v Argentina World Cup game being shown live in the morning along with a video of the Reds game at Worthing it should prove great pre-match entertainment in the clubhouse.

Camborne had a good opening day win in Tribute South West 1 West 15-6 against Cullumpton with Ben Priddey and Laurie Manna getting the tries. Dave Mankee’s boot got the other points. Wadebridge Camels lost at Avonmouth 22-5 with skipper Gary Gynn getting the Camel’s sole try. A depleted Penryn side were no match for Oldfield OB’s going down 37-8 with lock Danny Laity getting the Borough’s try and Rob Banks kicking a penalty.

REDRUTH 33 – 18 SHELFORD

Redruth got their National League 2 South campaign off to
a flying start at the Recreation Ground with a five-try win over opponents
Shelford, reports Bill Hooper.

The Redruth forwards laid the foundations for an
encouraging opening day win with a dominant display throughout. Whilst
scrum-half Nick Simmons about to depart for Australia helped himself to a
couple of tries as a parting momento.

The tone was set with lock Luke Collins pinching the
opening Shelford line out. Domination soon turned to points with No.8 Tom
Duncan powering over from a five-metre scrum after just 5 minutes. Six minutes
later the Redruth faithful were on their feet as winger Lewis Vinnicombe ripped
into the Shelford 22 chipping the ball forward for fellow winger Tom Notman to
race in for a memorable try.

Both scores were converted by fly-half Aaron Penberthy
for a 14-0 lead.

Redruth were then guilty of sitting back allowing the
visitors to come into the game with fly-half Harry Owens kicking a penalty.

The Reds weathered the storm to strike back with a third
try scored by flanker Chris Fuca for a 19-3 lead after 19 minutes.

Shelford enjoyed a period of possession and got some
reward for their efforts as full-back Jay Williams crossed in the Strawberry
Lane corner for an un-converted try.

Just after the half-hour mark Redruth had the bonus point
wrapped up as scrum-half Nick Simmons popped over in the Piggy Lane corner
following a scrum. Penberthy kicked a fine conversion for a healthy 26-8 lead,
which remained the score up to half-time.

Owens kicked a second penalty for the visitors just after
half-time, and then added a conversion to his own try as Shelford countered
from their own 22 as Redruth hesitated. Rupert Ransom at No.8 was proving a
handful for the Reds’ defence

Any nerves about a remarkable revival from the visitors
were quickly dispelled as Simmons grabbed his second try of the game and
Penberthy his fourth conversion to leave the final score at 33-18 and a winning
start for the Reds to send the faithful home in good heart.

Redruth 33 pts

Tries – Duncan, Notman, Fuca, Simmons (2), Conversions –
Penberthy (4)

Shelford 18 pts

Tries – Williams, Owens, Penalties – Owens (2),
Conversion – Owens

The Cornish All Blacks lost their opening fixture in
National League 2 South when they were beaten 31-18 at Old Albanians.

In a pre-season friendly the CORNISH PIRATES got some revenge over WORCESTER WARRIORS wining 24 – 21 at Sixways!

 CORNISH PIRATES  3   EXETER CHIEFS 58

By Phil Westren Cornish Pirates media officer

After all their hard work of recent weeks, the Cornish
Pirates might have felt understandably
forlorn come the end of this pre-season ‘friendly’ played at the Mennaye
Field. However, this had to be balanced by expressing a high level of credit to
the admirable Chiefs whose performance was based on power, pace, and skill
levels that were clinically and accurately applied.

In a quiet, modest and impressive manner Rob Baxter and his
boys certainly made a number of rugby pundits eat their words come the end of
last season, which was their first in the Premiership, and on the evidence of
this display they look more than a good bet to go perhaps go a place or
two  higher than their eighth place
finish.

As for the Pirates, a certain amount of realism will have
hit home, and it will now be a test of character. All knew the possible
outcome, although the gap was a little wider than expected, and it’ll be
interesting to see how the squad react, as it is one certainly not to be
dismissed.

Giant centre Sireli Naqeveluki showed his power right from
the start, setting up a try for full-back Myles Dorrian, a summer signing from
Bedford, in just the fifth minute. Argentina’s international fly-half Ignacio
Mieres converted, as the Chiefs proceeded to dominate play.

For the Pirates, centre Tom Cooper tackled with
determination, full-back Rob Cook was as brave as ever under the high ball, and
in the forwards lock Matt Smith was busy about on his debut.

After Mieries slotted a penalty to increase Exeter’s lead,
the Pirates hit back with a well struck effort of their own from fly-half
Ceiron Thomas, who was another debutant on show.

When half-time arrived the visitors held a a thoroughly
deserved 16-3 lead after Mieres had successfully fired two more penalties
through the posts, and there was a feeling that having applied immense pressure
in all areas, and especially at the breakdown, the Pirates were likely in for a
difficult second period.

If home supporters had feared the worst, then they were
right, as on the resumption of play space was created for Exeter wing Mark
Foster to cross for a converted try at the scoreboard corner..

As the half developed, and both sides made changes, the
Pirates did their best to stave off the inevitable onslaught, but they simply
couldn’t cope with what was in front of them – it a case of full credit to the
Chiefs who ran out comfortable winners. They looked hot and ready for
their  Premiership opener against
Leicester in a couple of weeks time, whilst for the Pirates they are for the
present knowingly a little under baked.

Cornish Pirates: 15 Rob Cook, 14  Darren Daniel (Rhodri McAtee 54), 13 Grant Pointer, 12 Tom Cooper,

11 Wes  Davies, 10 Ceiron Thomas (Ryan Westren h/t), 9 Tom Kessell (James Doherty h/t),
8 Kyle Marriott (c), 7 Phil Burgess (Charlie Walker-Blair h/t), 6 Dave Ewers, 5
Ian Nimmo, 4 Matt Smith (Dave Ward 73), 3 Carl Rimmer (Ryan Storer 73), 2 Rob
Elloway (Tom Cowan-Dickie 65), 1 Paul Andrew.

Replacements (not used):  Gavin Cattle

Yellow card:   Ward

Exeter Chiefs:   15 Myles Dorrian,  14 Mark Foster, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki (Jason Shoemark 50), 12 Josh Tatupu

(Matt  Jess 64), 11 Nic Sestaret (Bryan Rennie h/t), 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Kevin
Barrett (Haydn Thomas 72), 8 James Phillips, 7 Ben White (James Scaysbrook 68),
6 Chad Slade (Richard Baxter 68), 5 Tom Hayes (c, Chris Bentley 56)), 4 Aly
Muldowney, 3 John Andress (Chris Budgen 62), 2 Neil Clark (Simon Alcott), 1 Ben
Moon (Hoani Tui 72).

Scorers:-

Cornish Pirates – pen: Thomas.

Exeter Chiefs – tries: Dorrian,  Foster, Rennie, Tatupu, Baxter, Thomas, Jess;

cons: Mieres (7); pens: Mieres (3).

Referee:   Ross Campbell (RFU)

Attendance: 2,200

SEASON STARTS

This weekend sees the start of the league rugby season with local interest in National League 2 South with Redruth at home to Shelford, whilst Launceston travel to one of the promotion contenders Old Albanians.

It’s also the first round of the Tribute Cornwall Cup.

The Cornish Pirates continue their pre-season build up with a “friendly” against Worcester Warriors at Sixways

When England Counties line up in the Pepe Rojo stadium in Vallodolid to face Spain on Saturday , there will be a familiar face awaiting to confront them in the red shirts of the hosts.

Cornishman Tom Parker originally from Truro, who now lives in the Spanish Basque country and plays his rugby with Basque side Ordizia has been named in the Spanish squad for the upcoming match.

Tom, who can count Harlequins and the Cornish All Blacks amongst his previous clubs, also playing once for Cornwall in 2008 in the Tamar Cup match against Devon at Launceston, is certainly feeling up for the challenge against the England Counties side.

Whilst relishing the prospect of coming up against two fellow Cornishmen in the England Counties team, Ben Hilton (Launceston) and Aaron Penberthy (Redruth), Parker is keen to cross swords with an old adversery and teammate from Launceston Steve Pape.

“I am looking forward to meeting up again with my old clubmate at Launceston Steve Pape, who now plays at Rosslyn Park. I played with him for two years at Launceston and we spent many a Tuesday evening at training at Polson tearing into each other to see who would get the No.4 shirt on the Saturday. He’s a good friend and we chat often, no doubt we will enjoy a beer or two after the match. However, I do hope that I will be on the winning side!

Tom has settled now into his new lifestyle and finds the Basque way of life very similar to Cornwall. “I’ve been here for three years now and feel that the Basque Country is very much my adopted home, it’s very similar in many ways to Cornwall. I will never forget Cornwall and where I come from. I’ve made lots of friends here, the rugby club in Ordizia is very friendly and they are very passionate and knowledgable about the game.

In their opening tour match against a Madrid representative XV, England Counties won 53-24 scoring eight tries.

So another Cornish rugby season comes to end with Cornwall keeping her place in the Bill Beaumont Cup for next year following their nail-biting win over Kent at Canterbury.

I spoke to Benji Thomas this week and despite rumours to the contrary I reckon Benji may well be back in harness for Cornwall once again next season. The man is just so passionate about Cornish rugby.

He’d like to get his squad for the County Championship named much earlier in the season so those players can make themselves available, he would also like to be able to get the players together at times during the season to help prepare the Championship.

Of course there are many factors that can sink the best laid plans as we saw this season with the bad weather delaying the completion of the league program, but with Cornwall effectively only picking from two clubs Redruth and Launceston from the National Leagues any disruption like last season will make Cornwall’s chances of progress very difficult. We just don’t have a sufficent depth of players at this moment in time outside the two National League 2 South sides.

Congratulations must go to Aaron Penberthy (Redruth) and Ben Hilton (Launceston) on their selection for the England Counties tour to Spain beginning this Saturday in Madrid.

Congratulations also to Hugh Vyvyan who picked up a winners medal for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership Final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday. Hugh from a well-known Cornish family is set to go part-time with Sarries next season as he looks to wind down his rugby career.

The Cornish Pirates took their Championship challenge against eventual Champions Worcester Warriors all the way. Their televised matches on SKY certainly gave Cornwall a boost with some stunning shots of Mount’s Bay beaming around the world.

The Pirates will now look to go one better next season and challenge again for that Premiership place with hopefully the Stadium for Cornwall finally getting off the ground and building work getting under way to under-pin their push.

So it’s all over, well not quite for me one more big game to look forward to and that’s the Orange Top 14 final on Saturday between Toulouse and Montpellier. It should be a cracker and you can catch it on ESPN or TV5 monde.

Cornwall prevailed in a game during which the lead changed hands no less than eight times, six of those during a tense second half.

The Cornwall pack laid the foundations for the win with four of their five tries coming from the forwards from lock Ben Hilton (2), No.8 Sam Hocking and flanker Mike Rawlings. Scrum-half Shaun Hawkey scored Cornwall’s other try. Fly-half Aaron Penberthy added 17 points from the boot with three penalties and four conversions.

Kent certainly didn’t roll over scoring four tries through Beaumont (2), Harris and Leeper with fly-half Humphreys kicking four penalties and a conversion.

It was during the final 10 minutes that Cornwall managed to stretch away to secure the win. Cornwall also had a couple of players sin-binned fly-half Ian Morgan and Hocking.

The win sees Cornwall retain their place in the top flight of the Bill Beaumont Cup for next season.

Kent 34 pts

Tries – Beaumont (2), Harris, Leeper, Conversion – Humphreys, Penalties- Humphreys (4)

Cornwall 42 pts

Tries – Hilton (2), Hocking, Hawkey, M. Rawlings, Conversions – Penberthy (4), Penalties – Penberthy (3)

Yellow Cards – Morgan, Hocking

Referee: Mr. M Tutty (RFU)

Cornwall go into this vital must win Bill Beaumont Southern Group relegation decider against Kent this Saturday with yet another changed side.
Injuries and unavailability sees Aaron Penberthy don the 15 shirt with veteran Ian Morgan once again answering Cornwall’s call in the fly-half berth. Shaun Hawkey starts at scrum-half in place of the injured Nick Simmons. Steve Parsons is again available and replaces Tim McBride at centre from last week’s side, teaming up once more with the impressive Steve Johns from Plymouth Albion.

A change in the front row as Peter Joyce is unavailable due to family matters so Craig Williams (St. Ives) steps up from the bench whilst Cornwall U.20 player Penryn’s Matt Williams covers the prop position.

Despite an injury scare Ben Hilton is fit to play in the second row, teaming up once more with Josh Lord, whilst cover is in the form of former Pirate Lee Soper and the impressive young Redruth lock Chris Bailey.

Tom Rawlings back from suspension teams up with his brother Mike at flanker with former team mate Sam Hocking at No.8.
Last season’s TASC U.20 player of the year Adam Lewarne get a place on the bench for his first championship call up.

CORNWALL NEEDS BIG SUPPORT ON SATURDAY, hopefully Cornish exiles in the home counties can get down to Canterbury to cheer the boys on in this vital match. UP CORNWALL!!

CORNWALL COUNTY XV

15. AARON PENBERTHY (REDRUTH)
14. TOM NOTMAN (REDRUTH)
13. STEVE JOHNS (PLYMOUTH ALBION)
12. SAM PARSONS (REDRUTH)
11. TOM GOODMAN (BRIXHAM)
10. IAN MORGAN (ST. IVES)
9. SHAUN HAWKEY (WADEBRIDGE CAMELS)
1. DARREN JACQUES (REDRUTH) CAPT.
2. RICHARD BROWN (REDRUTH)
3. CRAIG WILLIAMS (ST. IVES)
4. JOSH LORD (CORNISH ALL BLACKS)
5. BEN HILTON (CORNISH ALL BLACKS)
6. TOM RAWLINGS (CORNISH ALL BLACKS)
7. MIKE RAWLINGS (CORNISH ALL BLACKS)
8. SAM HOCKING (PLYMOUTH ALBION)

REPLACEMENTS
16. DEAN PASCOE (CAMBORNE)
17. RICHIE KEVERN (CAMBORNE)
18. JAMIE SALTER (CORNISH ALL BLACKS)
19. LEE SOPER (COLCHESTER)
20. CHRIS BAILEY (REDRUTH)
21. ADAM LEWARNE (REDRUTH)
22. MATT WILLIAMS (PENRYN)

Cornwall have been forced into several changes for their clash against Gloucestershire at Cinderford tomorow afternoon kick-off 3pm.

Lock Adam Harris comes in for Redruth’s Damien Cook who is sidelined with illness. Harris who now plays for Rosslyn Park began his career at Hayle RFC and last played for Cornwall in 2007 against Surrey.

At centre St. Ives Tim McBride comes in for the injured Pale Nonu (Cornish All Blacks). Injuries have also accounted for Gary Gynn (Wadebridge Camels) and Adam Nicholls (Cinderford). Cornwall have added to their front row options with Bruce Pow (Cornish All Blacks) whilst Penryn’s George Jones gets a well-deserved call up.

Aaron Penberthy (Redruth) fresh from his International duties with England Counties U.20’s wins his first senior cap at fly-half.

CORNWALL TEAM SELECTED TO PLAY GLOUCESTERSHIRE

15. Brett Rule (Redruth)
14. Tom Notman (Redruth)
13. Steve Johns (Plymouth Albion)
12. Tim McBride (St. Ives)
11. Matt Bowden (Redruth)
10. Aaron Penberthy (Redruth)
9. Nick Simmons (Redruth)
1. Darren Jacques (Redruth) captain
2. Richard Brown (Redruth)
3. Peter Joyce (Redruth)
4. Ben Hilton (Cornish All Blacks)
5. Adam Harris (Rosslyn Park)
6. Mike Rawlings (Cornish All Blacks)
7. Owen Hambly (Redruth)
8. Sam Hocking (Plymouth Albion)

Replacements
16. Craig Williams (St. Ives)
17. Jamie Salter (Cornish All Blacks)
18. Bruce Pow (Cornish All Blacks)
19. Josh Lord (Cornish All Blacks)
20. George Jones (Penryn)
21. Shaun Hawkey (Wadebridge Camels)
22. Ian Morgan (St. Ives)

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

15 Stuart Taylor Old Patesians
14 Chris Hawkins Hartpury College
13 Tom Jarvis Stourbridge
12 Jean Botha Hartpury College
11 Nevaro Codlin Cinderford
10 Tim Stevenson © Hartpury College
9 Jimmy Williams Birmingham & Solihull

1 Paul Price Cinderford
2 Sam Wilkes Cinderford
3 Chris Bundy Cinderford
4 Luke Bellinger Clifton
5 Royce Cadman Newport G-Dragons
6 Simon Gaynor Esher
7 Jack Preece Birmingham & Solihull
8 George Evans Cinderford

Replacements

16 Matt Long Birmingham & Solihull
17 Ben Lewis Lydney
18 Gavin Curry Dings Crusaders
19 Will Foden Hartpury
20 Steve Bryant Old Patesians
21 Craig Jones Lydney
22 Tom Richardson Stourbridge

CORNWALL CONFIDENT AHEAD OF HERTS CLASH

BY BILL HOOPER TASC PRESS OFFICER

CORNWALL despite lacking players from the Cornish All Blacks go into their opening County Championship clash on Saturday at Redruth full of confidence.
Redruth club captain prop Darren Jacques is set to lead the side in Cornwall’s only home game of the season against Hertfordshire, before two away fixtures at Cinderford v Gloucestershire on May 14th and Kent at Canterbury on May 21st.

Former TASC player of the year Sam Hocking is set to return to the county side whilst James Goldsworthy from Tribute Cornwall Cup Holders Camborne will partner Damien Cook in the second row.

Ever green fly-half Ian Morgan (St. Ives) is once more drafted in for his experience and goal-kicking as the tournament again features rolling replacements.
Players who play in this season’s County Championship will also be looking for places on England Counties three match tour to Spain in June.

CORNWALL SQUAD

BACKS: A WINNAN (PENRYN), T NOTMAN (REDRUTH), S JOHNS (PLYMOUTH ALBION), S PARSONS (REDRUTH), M BOWDEN (REDRUTH), I MORGAN (ST. IVES), N SIMMONS (REDRUTH), B RULE (REDRUTH), S HAWKEY (WADEBRIDGE CAMELS), S KENWARD (REDRUTH).

FORWARDS: D JACQUES (REDRUTH, CAPT), R BROWN (REDRUTH), P JOYCE (REDRUTH), D COOK (REDRUTH), J GOLDSWORTHY (CAMBORNE), C FUCA (REDRUTH), O HAMBLY (REDRUTH) S HOCKING (PLYMOUTH ALBION), C WILLIAMS (ST. IVES), D CLACKWORTHY (REDRUTH), S MATAVESI (CAMBORNE), G GYNN (WADEBRIDGE CAMELS), S WOODS (REDRUTH)

The first leg final of the RFU Championship between the Cornish Pirates and Worcester Warriors will be played at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, on Wednesday 11th May (ko 7.45pm).

For tickets please contact the club’s ticket office 01736-331961, open 9am – 4pm Monday-Friday (up to and including Tuesday 10th May). Also, as usual, tickets can be purchased on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com, and from various Warrens bakers outlets about the county.

With reference to the second leg game to be played at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium on Wednesday 18th May (ko 7.45pm) the best advice at present is to visit the tickets section at www.warriors.co.uk or call the Warriors Box Office on 01905-454183 during office hours.