There was not a lot to report on scoring wise in this South West Premier League game played in appalling conditions at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, but there was a heroic rear-guard action from the Cherry and Whites during a second half that lasted 55 minutes.
The only score of the game, following a move initiated by scrum-half Taron Peacock from a quick tap, came from an unconverted try from winger Ben Tyler-Guy after 22 minutes as Town played with the elements first half.
No.8 Kieran Westlake had a big game for Town as did his fellow back rowers Jordan Rose and Phil Hinchley.
Camborne 5-0 Bracknell was how it ended. Head coach Damien Cook was pleased with the win and the way his side defended. “Defence win games the boys showed a lot of character out there today putting into practice what we train for, defence is a skill and it’s something that you have to work on constantly. I’ll take that today with the conditions we had to play in.”
Hopefully Town will have Declan Matthews and Dave Mankee back in contention very soon, whilst Ben Kemp awaits the result of a scan to see how his injury is healing.
Less luck for Redruth in National League 2 South away to Taunton Titans as they slipped to a 34-17 defeat.
Given the context of the match with a good number of regulars unavailable, the youngsters who came into the side did a fine job and did the shirt proud.
It took time for the side to settle so it was no surprise that the Reds found themselves 20-0 down at half-time, all the points scored by former Launceston players, a couple of tries from Aron Struminski both converted by Gary Kingdom who also kicked a couple of penalties.
Replacement prop Jack Hodge pulled a try back for the Reds at the start of the second half but the Titans pulled further ahead thanks to a third try scored by flanker Ratu Vakalutukali again bettered by Kingdom.
Connor Gilbert got a second try for Redruth before Taunton secured the bonus point when replacement hooker Andy Hamilton went over, Kingdom again on the money with the extras.
Connor Swan came on to make his debut for the Reds in place of Jack Oulton at scrum-half.
Unbowed Redruth came again with Sam Stevens getting as third try following good work from Sam Matavesi, back from his travels with the Navy. Nielson Webber added the conversion. Reds pressed for a fourth try but it was not to be. Head coach Pale Nonu said. “We got ourselves into good positions but made some silly mistakes which cost us. We kept on going to the end chasing a bonus point.”
On Sunday it proved another disappointing away performance from the Cornish Pirates in the RFU Championship away at Yorkshire Carnegie as they lost 28-26.
Pirates did themselves no favours conceding two converted tries in the first eight minutes of the game.
The visitors struck back with a try off a catch-and-drive scored by Alex Cheesman, converted by May who then landed a penalty to cut the deficit to just four points.
Carnegie then scored a third converted try but that was cancelled out when Tom Cowan-Dickie went over with May again on the money with the extras.
May kicked a couple of penalties early in the second half to put the Pirates into the lead 23-21.
With ten minutes to go, May extended the lead for the Cornish side 26-21. It was not to be as the Pirates found themselves with fourteen men following Jack Andrew’s yellow card, a powerful maul for the home side saw them go over with the conversion confirming their win.
Back to Saturday and in the Tribute South West 1 West, Launceston finally played a game at Polson Bridge this season defeating North Petherton 18-15. Ryan Westren, Martin Kneebone and Dan Pearce scored the All Blacks’ tries with Pearce kicking a penalty.
In London 1 South, London Cornish made it three wins on the trot with an emphatic 57-35 against Thurrock.
Cornish ripped into the opponents during a devastating first half that saw them go 47-7 up at the break. Tries were scored by James La Broy Chris Kolapo-Ajala, David Smith, Nick Goss, George Kimmins, Andy Hill, Tom Ievers and a penalty try, along with 7 conversions and a penalty by Kimmins.
In the Tribute Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels got the better of Truro 21-14 at the Molesworth Field. Joe Pretty, Rich Treleaven and Russ House crossed for the Camels’ tries with Danny Thomas adding all three conversions.
For Truro, who have only won once so far this season, “Eggy” Williams and Darren Jacques scored tries with Williams kicking the conversions.
St. Austell remain the best placed Cornish side in third, after their 19-3 win at Tregorrick Park against Torquay Athletic. Chris Ashwin, Andy Inch and CJ Boyce scored the Saints’ ties with Cav Boyer adding a couple of conversions.
After an enforced week off St. Ives came back with a bonus point win at Paignton 28-15. Jamie Prisk bagged a couple of tries with other coming from Martyn Lawrence and Sam Carter. Rhys Brownfield landed all four conversions.
Falmouth also maintained their recent form with a 25-5 win at the Rec against Burnham-on-Sea. Nick Carne scored the Eagles’ only try, as star of the game Justyn Irons added the conversion and six penalties.
In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn battled to a win in difficult conditions at the Memorial Ground 11-0 against Bude. Ben Birkett scored the only try of the game with Mitch Vague kicking two penalties.
Pirates Amateurs boosted by the return of Steve Evans from Truro and Neil Stanleick Camborne got their first win of the season against Wessex 22-14. Stanleick scored both tries with Lonsdale kicking four penalties.
Lanner maintained their great form at St. Day with a 36-3 win against Hayle.
Amongst the Falcons’ try scorers were Harris, Prout, Moyle (2) and Richards.
Saltash provided great cheer for that great stalwart of Cornish rugby supporters Stu Hoy as the Ashes’ 37-10 win was just the icing on the cake for Stu’s birthday celebrations back home in the Duchy.
Tom Martin, Lewis Wells, Jason Carroll and Ryan Rayner all scored tries with Harrison Reburn kicking three conversions and two penalties and Kieran Down also adding one of each.
The Tribute Cornwall League results can be found on the results page.
