LAUNCESTON, recorded their fifth win from six games on Saturday as they defeated Tynedale 23-17 at Polson Bridge in National League 1. Although out scored on the try front 3 to 2, the Cornish All Blacks can thank the boot of Tony Yapp as he kicked a valuable 13 points. Tries came from Darren Semmens and Jason Luff.

Redruth made the trip to high flying Wharfedale and travelled home with a losing bonus point having gone down 28-21. Redruth were able to field Adryan Winnan at full back and will have been happy to see the return of Nathan Pedley. Redruth were always in it, having been awarded a penalty try, Lewis Vinnicombe again got on the score sheet with his 6th try of the season.

Sunday afternoon saw the arrival of Bristol to Camborne to take on the depleted Cornish Pirates, a pity this game arrived at a time when the Pirates have been decimated by injuries. A tight first half saw both sides turn around tied at 6-6. The highlight had to be Aisea Havili’s drop-goal to open the scoring….class!

The second half was a different affair as Bristol’s pack got on top. Despite the set back there were some great performances from the pirates with hooker and skipper for the day Dave Ward and No.8 Laurie McGlone showing up well.

Former Albion star Luke Arscott opened the try scoring after 50 minutes with winger Dan Norton’s try following a blindside break the pick of the scores. Flanker Redford Pennycock scored Bristol’s third try before the power of the visiting pack claimed the bonus point try as the Pirates conceeded a penalty-try near their line. At least the 4,115 crowd had something to cheer as Rhodri McAtee scored a last gasp try, which full back Rob Cook converted.

In the South West Tribute leagues, in South West 1 West, a better day for St. Ives as they drew at home to Paignton 14-14. Mike Molloy kicked three penalties and Ben Taylor scored the try.

In Western Counties West, Camborne got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 34-0 win over visitors Minehead Barbarians. Dave Roberts with a brace, Sam Matavesi, James Rapson and Nathan Curnow were the try scorers with Dave Mankee’s boot adding three conversions and a drop-goal.

Truro are third after their 33-15 win over Okehampton at St. Clements. Two tries from scrum-half Rikki Brandon with Tim Gay and Gareth Hodgson also crossing, Scott Martin kicking the other points.

Wadebridge Camels are just behind Truro after their thumping win at home to North Petherton 50-3.Well ahead at half-time thanks to tries from Sean Hawkey Cameron Lees and Sam Stone, Camels scored another four tries during the second half through Dan Briskham (2), Ben Collings, and Matt Ballard, Josh Taylor kicking the other points.

Penryn had a fine win in Devon at Tiverton where they won 44-26. Matt Simmonds (2), Sam Harrison, Chris Mann, Rob Banks and Grant Randleson all crossed for the Borough. Banks adding 4 conversions and 2 penalties.

It was “Surf City” derby up at Bude as Newquay Hornets were the visitors with the home side catching the breaker to hit the beach first by 22-12! Bude scored four excellent tries through Danny Frost, Matt Trewin, Olly Denford and Paul Williams, Denford also landing a conversion. For the Hornets Rob McIntyre and James Bazeley scored tries with Sam Cullen adding a conversion.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish recoreded their second league win of the season as they defeated Trojans 24-20. Dickon Moon’s report can be found here.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, a major upset as leaders St. Austell crashed in spectacular fashion at Falmouth by 32-6, Steve Roe (2), Alex Tacchi and Phil Wells scored tries for Fal as they recorded their best win for a couple of seasons. Stithians had another great win at home to Saltash in the Cornish derby by 52-29, with the Creedon’s getting on the scoresheet as well as Lewis Vague, Ben Ashwin, Ben Waters James Bubb and Tom Clarke. For the Ashes Joe Skinnard scored a couple of tries with Kieran Hurrell also grabbing one.

Hayle lost at Crediton 22-7 with Liam Kearey scoring their try, Scott Powell converting. Liskeard & Looe lost up at Bideford 37-20.

Last week’s column when I waxed lyrical about all things Pirate must have been the proverbial kiss of death, next outing first defeat of the season!

Dawsey came down and worked out a plan to grind out a win and fair play to Albion on their 16-8 win on Saturday at the Brickfields. Missing influential Kiwi’s skipper Blair Cowan and fly-half Jonny Bentley, the Pirates trailed Albion 11-3 at the break with just a Rhys Jones penalty to show for their efforts. Albion scored a second try before Rhodri McAtee scored for the Pirates but that was as close as they would get, and so Albion became the first side to haul down the Pirates’ colours in the league this season.

Next Sunday the Cornish Pirates entertain Bristol. A great shame that former Pirate Bertrand Bédés will not be in the Bristol line up having suffered a ruptured cruciate knee ligament after just eleven minutes of the match against Rotherham. Bertrand we wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you back playing as soon as possible.

Two good wins for Cornish Clubs in National League 1 on Saturday. The Cornish All Blacks travelled to Monks Lane and got the better of Newbury Blues 25-23. Ryan Westren and Ben Turner (2) got the All Blacks’ tries, with Tony Yapp kicking ten points.

After leading Blaydon by 6-0 at half-time, Redruth scored four second half tries to notch up their second win on the trot by 30-12. Skipper Darren Jacques, Lewis Vinnicombe, Chris Morris and Jamie Semmens all crossed for the Reds with Mark Scrivener adding another ten points with the boot.

In the Tribute Leagues. In South West 1 West, a day that St. Ives will want to forget in a hurry as they travelled back from Newton Abbot having conceded 81 points.

In the Western Counties West; match of the day was between the two unbeaten sides as Kingsbridge entertained Camborne with the home side winning 13-9. Town’s David Mankee kicked three penalties.

Truro had a good win at North Petherton winning 26-15, with tries from Chris Gilbert and Sean Rosewarne. Scott Martin’s boot kicked the other points.

Derby day at Newquay where the Hornets took on Wadebridge Camels. Camels winning 26-16, thanks to four tries from Dan Briskham, Tom O’Donnell, Sam Stone and Ben May, Josh Taylor adding three conversions. For the Hornets, a penalty try converted by Chevy Reed who also kicked three penalties.

Bude lost at Minehead by 22-17, despite scoring three tries through Dave Uglow, Steve Yates and Olly Denford. Denford also added a conversion.

Penryn will have been disappointed to lose at home to Tavistock 26-16. James Mann scored a couple of tries for the Borough with Banks kicking a couple of penalties.

Up in London it was a day off in the leagues so no game for London Cornish.

In the Cornwall & Devon League; St. Austell maintained their fine start with another win this time at Saltash 38-17.

Hayle got to back to winning ways with an 18-17 win at home to Bideford. Stithians maintained their fine run with another win this time at Plymstock by 24-17 with three tries from Nathan Thomas. Liskeard & Looe won at home to Teignmouth by 29-16, whilst Falmouth lost 16-0 at Exeter Saracens.

Bedtime reading at the moment is Steve Tomlin and Dick Straughan’s excellent book PIRATES, PIRATES! It’s a great read and I certainly recomend any rugby enthusiast to get hold of a copy. Once completed I shall review the book on the website.

You really can’t ask for much better as the Pirates completed their September program with four wins out of four, second place in the league table just one point behind early pace-setters Bristol, the next side to venture west of the Tamar in two weeks time.

Before that of course there is the little matter of the Pirates’ trip to Plymouth Albion next Saturday, always a mouth-watering prospect. Quite what the on-watching Graham Dawe will have made of the Pirates’ performance yesterday will no doubt occupy his mind for the rest of the week as he seeks to plot their downfall. Albion will be buoyed by their promising performance in defeat against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

Coventry’s director of rugby Phil Maynard had made a few interesting observations on the Pirates in the local Coventry press in the week leading up to the fixture, such actions merely serve to motivate the opposition even more, the reading of the table should prove sobering!

Proving the point that the Pirates were well motivated was skipper Blair Cowan’s big hit on Coventry’s blindside flanker Henno Venter after barely 3 minutes on the clock, the poor chap didn’t know what day of the week it was as he eventually got shakily to his feet having to be helped from the field.

Despite the early setback it was Coventry who had the first scoring opportunity as full-back Ben Russell missed a kickable penalty on 4 minutes.

Following a penalty kick to the park gate corner by fly-half Jonny Bentley, the Pirates set-up a good drive towards Coventry’s line. As the ball went wide Pirates’ No.8 Laurie McGlone drove powerful over the gain-line, with Coventry infringing, Bentley had the chance to open the scoring with a well-struck penalty after 8 minutes.

Coventry, however were out to prove that they are much-improved side from last season, they certainly contested well in the set-piece and loose, frustrating the Pirates as the half wore on. They were rewarded with a drop-goal from their Tongan fly-half Fangatapu Apikotoa on 16 minutes.

Buoyed by this success the visitors continued to press, scrum-half Micheal Walls went close to scoring a try as Coventry pounded the Pirates line, whilst full-back Wes Davies had to be alert as Coventry’s dangerous French winger Romain Plantey looked to get in down at the scoreboard corner.

Coventry did get some reward before half-time as Russell kicked a penalty. Stung the Pirates roared back at their opponents. Hooker Rob Elloway kicking on towards the line only for Russell to get back just in time. Further Pirates pressure saw Coventry’s skipper Jamie Miller sin-binned for his side’s persistent infringing. Despite the man advantage the Pirates couldn’t add to their score before half-time, though Bentley thought he’d scored, only for referee Mr Doyle to signal a double movement.
Half-time entertainment was provided by an excellent U.10’s match between Camborne and Wadebridge Camels as well as a display from the Cornish Comets gymnastic display team. As ever wonderful entertainment from our Cornish youngsters.

Upon resumption of play the Pirates set the ground buzzing with a wonderful score, the ever-alert Bentley chipped cleverly ahead for centre Nick Jackson who took the ball before releasing Davies who ran in to the clubhouse corner after barely 30 seconds of the second-half. Bentley couldn’t add the extras from out-wide, but he was on cue 5 minutes later as he converted his own dazzling score as he showed wonderful balance and stepping to waltz his way through the Coventry defence to score under the posts putting the Pirates15 – 6 up.

Play ebbed from one end to the other, Bentley again cross-kicked for winger Rhodri McAtee but the Welsh winger was held. Coventry attacked up at Hubert’s Hill corner through Plantey who was well tackled by lock Luke Collins, who managed also to strip the ball from the winger, great play from the giant Cornishman.

Both sides looked to their benches for that extra impetus. It was the visitors who made the breakthrough with skipper Miller claiming a try following a big drive form his forwards. Russell failed with the conversion, but he made amends shortly after with his second penalty with five minutes left on the clock to set-up a grandstand finish.

Some fine play from the Pirates saw replacement centre Mark Ireland put McAtee in for the Pirates’ third try in the clubhouse corner, Bentley couldn’t convert but he’d already done enough to earn the man-of-the-match accolade.

Coventry threw everything into the final moments to try and snatch the win, however the Pirates had the satisfaction turning the ball over to snuff out the final threat.

Following the game Pirates backs coach Harvey Biljon was delighted with a fourth win on the trot “I said before the game we’d take the win, even if it was ugly. Quite clearly today there was one team out there trying to play rugby and one team trying to kill the game.

Obviously their ploy before the game was to slow everything down so that we couldn’t play the tempo game we wanted to play. At the same time, a game like that today was what we needed, there are smart teams out there in the Championship who are streetwise and we’ve got to look at ourselves to make sure we find a way to combat those slowing down tactics.

“We shall now sit down and review our first four games and re-set our goals for the next portion of the season, I am happy with the win today, but I would have liked to entertain a little more all the supporters we had here today, they were quite rightly frustrated with the numerous stoppages during play from our visitors.

Turning his attention to next Saturday’s derby match at the Brickfields “Good to see Dawsey at the game today, not too sure what he would have taken from today’s performance. The boys will know it’s going to be a massive game next week and I am sure we will have a massive following of supporters going up there. We as coaches have got to make sure this week the new players that have come into the squad understand the history and what a game like this is all about.”

Cornish Pirates 20 pts

Tries – Davies, Bentley, McAtee; Conversion – Bentley; Penalty – Bentley

Coventry 14 pts

Try – Miller; Penalties – Russell (2); Drop-goal – Apikotoa

Yellow Card – Miller (39)

Cornish Pirates: W Davies, J Moore, N Jackson, S Winn (M Ireland 57), R McAtee, J Bentley, B Jones; C Rimmer (P Andrew 57), R Elloway (D Ward 57), R Brits ( A Paver 68), L Collins (S Betty 76), R Labuschagne (M Evans h/t), B Cowan (capt), S Betty (T Holmes 52), L McGlone

Replacement (not used): R Jones

Coventry: B Russell, J Lewis (W Hurrell 54), P Mackenzie, C Lewis, R Plantey, F Apikotoa (O Winter 51), M Walls; D Maddock (K Davis 35-40), J Merrigan, J Hall ( R Dugard 62), S Herrington, L McGowan, H Venter (R McMillan 3, S Roberts 40), B Pons (B Dechartes 80), J Miller (capt).

Referee: Mr J P Doyle (RFU)

Crowd: 2,695

It was my first visit to Camborne this season to watch the Cornish Pirates in action, and I can assure One & All it will not be my last.

After the frustrating time of the last campaign you are immediately struck by the change in regime that now reigns at the club.

The “slightly” relaxed and informal feeling of last season, has been replaced by a much smarter, professional and orderly appearance. Gone are players and coaches loafing around in flip flops and shorts. Blazers and ties are de rigueur as well as for many of the backroom staff and match day officials. The Pirates have certainly moved up a notch or two, many would feel not before time too!!

The smarter appearance off the field has been transmitted also to the on-the-field performances with the Cornish Pirates completing a four from four win ratio from their September program, a statistic that will no doubt gladden the heart of Dicky Evans, present at Camborne on Sunday, as well as Pirates’ faithful at home and further a-field. The advent of Pirates TV this season means that now people around the globe can watch live feed of the Pirates matches and feel part of the action from a distance and there are many Cousin Jacks and Cousin Jennys who will be happy to do so.

Some things don’t change, thankfully, such as the welcome for the media from Phil Westren in the media hut. One is always well looked after, as ever, it is most appreciated.

My match report from the game is available on the main part of the site, or the posting above!

Whilst on the subject of the Pirates, this week saw the launch of the new book written by former Pirate Steve Tomlin along with journalist and radio/tv commentator Dick Straughan entitled “Pirates! Pirates!” It charts the rise of the club from Western Counties in 1995 to the present Championship status. I have a copy and once read I hope to write a review on the website. At first glance it looks to be a “must have” for any rugby enthusiast, with Christmas fast approaching it’s will be an ideal present.

I was sorry to learn this week of the enforced retirement of Wadebridge Camels lock Julian Wilce, who for many seasons wore the black shirt of Launceston with distinction. Wilcey who earned 17 Cornwall caps, picks out winning the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup with the Camels a couple of seasons ago and Launceston’s promotion play-off win at Halifax in 2004 as two of his career highlights. Wilcey won’t be lost to the game as coach John May is keen for him to help out on the coaching side at Wadebridge.

So on to a review of the action. In National League 1 a couple of wins for our Cornish sides. Redruth got their first win of the campaign with a 35-22 win at Nuneaton. Four tries for the Reds through scrum-half Mark Richards, winger Lewis Vinnicombe, and flankers Fraser Clilverd and Herbie Stupple. A welcome return to form from the boot of Mark Scrivener added another 15 points.

The Cornish All Blacks looked to have their win all sown up as they led 35-12, but had to withstand a Stourbridge fight-back to finish up 35-29 winners! Skipper Mal Roberts (2), flanker Tom Rawlings, winger Lewis Paterson and centre Ryan Westren scored the All Blacks’ tries with Tony Yapp kicking the other points.

In the Tribute regional leagues; St. Ives, after their big defeat last week at Hartpury College got back to winning ways with a 13-7 win at home to Ivybridge. James Tresize kicked a couple of penalties with Matt Molloy converting Jon “Oggy” Wright’s try.

In Western Counties West, Camborne sit proudly on top of the table following their 53-10 win over visiting Devonport Services. Trailing early in the game 10-0, Town hit back scoring eight tries in reply. Winger Rob Floyd (2), flanker Ryan Spargo (2), centre Laurie Manna, fly-half Dave Mankee and forwards Martin Woolcock and Scott MacDonald all crossed for the Cherry & Whites.

Equal on points with Camborne are Kingsbridge who snatched a last-gasp win at Bude 20-15 as the scores were tied 15 all deep into time added on. Bude scored three un-converted tries through Ollie Denford (2) and Will Kingdom.

In the latest Cornish derby in this league, Truro beat Newquay Hornets 28-19 at St. Clements. It was three tries-a-piece. Mark Lea, Luke Trescothick and Scott Martin for Truro, whilst Dan Pearce, Fraser Kellythorn and Marc Richards crossed for the Hornets, but it was Martin’s boot that proved to be the match winner for Truro with 13 points.

Penryn won 23-7 at Withycombe with tries from winger Darren Pellow (2) and James Mann.

Wadebridge Camels defeated Minehead Barbarians at the Molesworth Field 22-12 with tries from Luke Davidson Ian Boyling and Matt Ballard.

In London 2 SW, not such a good result for our exiles as London Cornish lost 26-10 to London South Africa at Imber Court. Matt Strover, scored Cornish’s try with Conor O’Daly adding the conversion and a later penalty. Dickon’s match report here

In the Cornwall & Devon League a big win for St. Austell who are also four wins from four, Plymstock the latest victims dispatched 71-0!

Stithians continue to progress with a 60-12 win over OPM’s, whilst Falmouth won 16-5 at the Rec against Saltash. Hayle found it hard going in South Devon as they lost 49-14 at Teignmouth, whilst in North Devon, Liskeard & Looe couldn’t prevent Torrington getting their first win of the season as the hosts won 19-5.

At half-time you really thought that the visitors would runaway with the game in the second half as they led 20-5. Nothing of the sort, as Redruth fought back with credit to lose in the end by 17-23, Esher’s relief at just booting the ball off the park at the end when they spurned a penalty chance to deny Redruth any points sums up just how hard a test they were given.

Redruth got off to the best possible start with a try after only 5 minutes from Lewis Vinnicombe, unfortunatly Brett Rule couldn’t add the conversion as the lack of a reliable goal kicker still haunts the Reds, hopefully Wihan Neethling will soon be back fit and able to display his renowned kicking ability.

Despite the fine start it was Esher who dominated for the rest of the half with plenty of pace and power, only some fine defence from the Reds preventing the visitors from scoring more than the two tries they did, with Sam Ulph Esher had a goal kicker to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

In the second half it was a different senario, towards the end Redruth looked the fitter team as they rocked the league leaders. Tries from Craig Bonds, nicely set up by Jamie Semmens on his Redruth debut, and Brett Stroud gave the Reds hope, though the talking point was the try by Gareth Evans disallowed for a double movement.

The Cornish All Blacks suffered their first defeat of the season at Richmond against London Scottish 42-13. This time it was the All Blacks who were on the receiving end of two quick tries before the break, that coupled with the sending off of centre Ed Lewsey on 58 minutes effectivly killed the game as a contest. Lewis Patterson scored Launceston’s try just before half-time with Tony Yapp adding the conversion and two penalties.

On Friday night we all listened to coverage from Castle Park as the Cornish Pirates took on Doncaster Knights and travelled back from Yorkshire with a 21-10 win. Skipper Blair Cowan scored both the Pirates’ tries with Rhys Jones adding a conversion and 3 penalties. Three wins from three is an impressive start from the Pirates as they will look to build this Sunday when they entertain Coventry at Camborne.

A reminder that Cornwall play the Royal Navy this Wednesday evening at Hayle RFC with a 7-30pm kick-off

Not bad as they say with two wins from two. The Cornish Pirates followed up their opening day win at Nottingham with a convincing 57-24 demolition of Moseley at Camborne on a bright sunny Sunday afternoon. The Pirates had the try scoring bonus point wrapped up after only 17 minutes as they went on to score nine tries in all.

No. 8 Chris Morgan opened the try-fest after only 61 seconds before grabbing his second after 54 minutes. With Wes Davies and Rhys Jones also grabbing a brace each other scores fell to Jimmy Moore, Aisea Havili and Carl Rimmer. Fly-half Jonny Bentley slotted five conversions with Rhys Jones adding a sixth.

Despite being overrun Moseley stuck to their task and were rewarded with a try scoring bonus point of their own with scores from Nathan Bressington, Andrew Borgen, Ryan Wilson and Justin Mensah-Coker, Tristan Roberts adding a couple of conversions.

So a fine start for the Pirates who now turn their attentions to Friday night fixture up at Doncaster Knights, who currently prop up the table after two games. The only major worry for the Pirates is their already lengthy injury list which has now seen club skipper Gavin Cattle added to it!

Derby day action in National League 1 saw Redruth travel to Launceston. A great game of rugby for the spectators as both sides each scored 4 tries as the Cornish All Blacks won 32-26. Both coaches will not have been too happy with their sides defensive performances. The Cornish All Blacks took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck just before half-time, leading 6-0 thanks to a couple of Tony Yapp penalties and the 40 minute mark fast approaching two quick-fire tries scored by the irrepresable Kieron Lewitt both converted by Yapp put the homeside 20-0 and in the driving seat.

Redruth showed great spirit to comeback early in the second half with a try by Craig Bonds, converted by Mark Scrivener. However the All Blacks hit back with a third try from centre Ed Lewsey again converted by Yapp to restore their 20 point margin. Unbowed Redruth scored a couple of tries through Owen Hambly and Lewis Vinnicombe with Scrivener adding just the one conversion to make it 27-19. Under pressure Redruth conceeded a fourth try as Mark Richards attempted clearence was charged down by Sam Hocking, the No. 8 scooping up the ball and scoring. Surprisingly Yapp missed the conversion allowing Redruth to claim a couple of bonus points as Paul Thirlby scored their fourth try with Scrivener converting. A fuller match report can be found in the link.

A good start to the campaign for Launceston with 10 points from 2 games, though a tough test awaits on Saturday when they travel to Richmond to face London Scottish.

Redruth will look to regroup and lick their wounds with serious injuries to both Sam Parsons and Nathan Pedley picked up as they entertain early league leaders Esher at Redruth on Saturday.

In the Tribute regional leagues, in South West 1 West, St. Ives bounced back after their opening day loss at Clevedon to defeat Cullompton at Alexandra Road 30-17 with John Navin and Ben Taylor amongst the try scorers.

In Western Counties West, Newquay Hornets followed up their opening day win over Penryn with a 36-20 win at Tavistock. Hornets scored five tries through Fraser Kellythorne, Luke Bazeley, Rob McIntyre Dan Pearce and Stuart Williams with Sam Cullen kicking the other points.

Camborne also made it two from two with a 12-8 win up at Bude. James Rapson and Dave Roberts scored “Town’s” tries with Dave Mankee adding a conversion. For Bude Matt Trewin scored a try and a penalty.

Wadebridge Camels made up for their opening day reversal at Camborne with an emphatic 63-6 win over Devonport Services on their Molesworth Field ground. Camels scored eleven tries with Rob Hawkey and Dan Briskham both getting a brace. Adam Flide, Richard Treleaven, Matt Ballard, Alisdair MacLennan, Cameron Lees, Matt Angwyn and Ben Collings also crossed for tries.

Penryn got back to winning ways with a 28-12 win over visitors North Petherton. Prop Dan Boothgot a couple of tries with Richard Hambly and Chris Mann also scoring. Peter Gregory bagged all four conversions.

Truro had a nasty shock at home as Kingsbridge underlined their potential with a 48-12 win at St. Clements.

Up in London 2 South West, London Cornish suffered an opening day defeat at home in their league program going down 14-13 to Guildford, Dickon Moon’s match report can be found in the link.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, St. Austell kept up their 100% record with a 33-9 win at home to Liskeard & Looe. Mishak Eisen scoring a couple of tries for the Saints with Ian Venner and Matt Shepherd also scoring. Andy Ashwin kicking the other points. For the Lions Marcus Hill kicked three penalties.

Saltash defeated cross-Tamar rivals OPM’s 28-10 at Moorlands with tries from Richard Skinnard, Kevin Hurrell, Ben Devonport and Morgan Toms.

Falmouth got a good win at home to Plymstock Albion Oaks 34-5 scoring four tries through Steve Instance, Matt Bevans and Steve Roe (2), Matt horton’s boot added the other points.

Finally Stithians, after their horrendous debut at this level last week at Wellington salvaged a creditable home draw with Hayle 10-10 with Martin Strick’s last gasp conversion of Andrew Creedon’s try. Strick had earlier landed a penalty. For Hayle two tries from Scott Powell and the evergreen Adrian Bick.

By tea time on Sunday we will have an idea on how the last few weeks preperations have gone, as all our sides will have completed their opening league encounters, except of course for Cornwall league teams who start their campaign the following weekend along with London Cornish.

Last Saturday saw the Cornish Pirates travel to the Twickenham Stoop to take on troubled Harlequins from the Guinness Premiership, the result an encouraging 47-17 defeat, which bodes well for the forthcomming Championship campaign and the opening day fixture next Sunday at Nottingham. It looks like the Pirates have at long last un-earthed a playmaker at 10, which was cruelly lacking at times last season. Kiwi Jonny Bentley looks to the answer to the Pirates’ prayers. It’s also good to see winger Aisea Havili playing with renewed confidence after the torrid time he endured last season under the old regime. Outscored by 7 tries to 2, Bentley and Havili scoring their tries, the Pirates also have one or two injury doubts as they prepare to travel to Nottingham as centre Steve Winn and lock Ben Guillver suffered injuries during the game.

The Cornish All Blacks played on Friday night up at Taunton winning 20-3. A tough league opening for the Cornish All Blacks as they travel to Cinderford on Saturday.

Redruth had Development fixtures over the weekend against Penryn and Bude as they look to finalise their preparations for Saturday’s opening day fixture against Cambridge, with the trip to the Cornish All blacks the following Saturday and the visit of Esher the weekend after that Redruth’s opening program is challenging to say the least!!! There should be a big crowd on Saturday at the Rec as Redruth look to overturn the result in Cornwall last season when these two sides met. A 1 point win for the Reds will do nicely!

St. Ives have an intersting fixture at Clevedon in Tribute south West 1 West, whilst it’s Cornish derby time already in Tribute Western Counties West as Camborne host Wadebridge Camels and Newquay Hornets take on Penryn with Truro and Bude also in the league there will be no shortage on Cornish derbies to savour in this division this season!

So the waiting is nearly over……..Let battle commence…Good luck to all Cornish clubs this season.

A good sized crowd for the Cornish Pirates one and only pre-season game at Camborne, just under 2,500 saw the new look side crush Welsh Premiership side Cardiff by 60-13 as they let rip during the second half.

A tighter first period saw the visitors take the lead with a try scored by winger Ryan Howells with Gareth Davies adding the extras.The Pirates hit back with a couple of tries before the break from prop Paul Andrew and centre Mark Ireland with fly-half Jonny Bentley adding a conversion and a penalty in reply to Davies’ penalty for a 15-10 lead.

With scrum-half James Doherty forced to leave the field at half-time, Rhodri McAtee slotted in at 9 and once again showed his versitility. Aisea Havili showed great pace as he set up Andrew for his second try. The tries came at regular intervals as Laurie McGlone, Wes Davies (2) and Jimmy Moore (3) all got in on the act with Rhys Jones kicking five conversions. All Cardiff could muster in reply was a second Davies penalty.

Forwards coach Ian Davies was pleased with his side’s first outing “I think we saw the boys express themselves after a really hard pre-season. We looked to play some football, we scored some really good tries from phase playas well as some fron unstructured play. The cohesiveness was certainly there as well, we’ve brought in 14 new guys and 3 new coaches, but it looked like the guys had really, really gelled.”

Next up for the Pirates a trip to the Twickenham Stoop and Guiness Premiership side Harlequins!

Redruth travelled up to the Brickfields for the re-match with Plymouth Albion, who fielded a much changed line up from a week ago. In the end Albion ran out winners 21-7 thanks two late tries from forwards Sean-Michael Stephen and Wayne Sprangle. Kieran Hallett added the other points with the boot. For Redruth former Albion player No.8 Gareth Evans scored a fine first half try, converted by Redruth’s latest recruit Wihan Neethling. Reds head coach Nigel Hambly there was satisfaction and acknowlegment that there is still work to do. “I think the big thing we can take is that our defence was excellent, we were a little bit disappointed with the way we attacked, but when you are trying to put togeather a side for a new season the attack side of things will come later. It’s defence you need to get right first.”

At Polson Bridge a whole day of various entertainment was capped by the Cornish All Blacks first run out with a 48-0 win over Barnstaple. Coach Jon Hill was pleased with his side’s first effort. “We played some really good rugbyin the first-half , but missed quite a few opportunities. The forward confronation was there for all to see, but we ran away with it in the second half as our fitness and skill levels told, our ability to raise the intensity of the game meant we created we created a lot of opportunities.”

I took the opportunity on Sunday to watch Camborne play London Cornish over 4 x 20 minutes. The match was the annual Arthur Hunt Memorial Plate, which the exiles play each season against Cornish opposition. Camborne won the encounter by 24-17. town got off to a fine start in the opening quarter with tries from Dave Mankee and Sam Matavesi both of which Mankee converted. London Cornish gradually fought their way back into the game, scoring a fine try through prop Gibbs with O’Dawes adding the conversion and then a penalty to leave Camborne 14-10 after two quarters. The exiles scored a second try through Rickhall again O’Dawes adding the extras, before Camborne hit back scoring two fine tries through winger Rob Floyd and centre Tom Hinds, to cap a fine display. An entertaining game, no doubt both sides will take plenty of positives as they build for their respective league seasons.

In another pre-season match at St. Ives, the Hakes defeated Liskeard & Looe 68-0.

Having been unable to make Camborne on Saturday evening I had to watch the Pirates game via the web on Pirates TV. This season fans will be able to watch home games live on Pirates TV, if they have paid their £20 / month sub to get this service as part of the overall package as part of the Pirates Crew. For moment it’s on “freeview” as they trial the product, then there will be a 4 week notice period before it becomes “subscription only”. With rugby reporter and BBC radio Cornwall comentator Dick Straughan behind the mic it was an intertesting opening day performance. A few niggles during the first half and some sound quality problems during the game, gives the technos a few problems to iron out before the next performance. Injured winger Paul Devlin played the role of pundit and did a fine job. So overall a very interesting innovation, which is most welcome. Hopefully it will go from strength to strength.

Back at long last after the trials and tribulations of getting my computer back and running after it crashed at the end of June whilst I was on my hols. I suppose I should be grateful that I didn’t have to comment on the Mount’s Bay saga! It’s always sad to see any club fold especially in the way that Bay did, what a ten years it was, Bay had more success than some clubs have had in 100 years. There was an inevitability about the whole affair, really as last season progressed the gut feeling was this will not end well, and so it proved. Hats off to Redruth and the other clubs who tried to salvage the club as well as those loyal Bay sevents who tried to re-launch the club. It is a sad fact that Penzance now has no league rugby to enjoy this season. I very much hope that next season the Pirates Amateurs will rightfully be admitted to the league setup to give the Mennaye and the town of Penzance league rugby once again. I am delighted to hear that Bay’s supporters club “The Boarding Party” are to continue and will carry on attending games not only in Cornwall but up country as well with London Cornish and Caldy already pencilled in, they will be most welcome guests as the season goes on.

So rugby is back and I saw my first game of the season on Saturday as Redruth entertained Plymouth Albion. A good win for the Reds 27-13 against a largely experimental Albion XV. Dawsey was keen to run the rule over new and potential signings. For Redruth under new skipper Darren Jacques it was good to see the new boys fitting in well such as Adryan Winnan, Fraiser Clivred, Gareth Evans and Evo, as well as some of the youngsters getting a taste Tom Duncan and Stuart Crew.

No doubt Albion will roll out the “Chiefs” on Sunday for the re-match at the Brickfields, but it was still nice to put one over Albion!!!

Next Saturday sees the new look Cornish Pirates play their first pre-season match against Welsh Premiership side Cardiff RFC at Camborne with a 5pm kick-off. The following day Camborne entertain London Cornish for the Arthur Hunt Memorial Shield, this should be an entertaining match kick-off is at 12-30pm.

COMETH THE HOUR, COMETH THE MAN, no doubt about it Cornwall’s very own Raging Bull did the buisness at Newlands on Saturday as he captained the British and Irish Lions to an important win over Western Province, just a week before the first test against the Springboks. If Phil Vickery isn’t wearing the No. 3 shirt next week there will be another Cornish uprising that’s for sure!!

Phil’s gone about his buisness in his usual calm manner and has peaked at the right time to stake his claim to be in the starting XV. The lions are comming to the boil just at the right time, next Saturday’s test match is sure to be a cracker.

Well done to Peter Joyce and Owen Hambly who both had a fine tour with England Counties to South Korea and Japan as the Counties won all three matches.

Last Saturday night I watched a great final in the French Top 14 as Perpignan won the famous Bouclier de Brennus for the first time since 1955, beating poor old Clermont Auvergne, once again the bridesmaid as they lost their 10th final!

A famous win for the French today as they beat the New Zealand All Blacks in Dunedin in the 1st test.