My third trip of the season to watch the Cherry and Whites as Camborne looked to close the gap on the top two Cleve and St. Austell in Tribute South West 1 West.
Sadly, Town couldn’t make home advantage count against a very useful Hornets’ side whom thanks to their 34-17 win leapfrogged Camborne in the table.
Hornets’ win took away Camborne’s unbeaten run at the Rec stretching back some twenty months encompassing twenty-one games.
With both the top two sides also losing Camborne lost the chance to make up ground and have now slipped back to fifth in the table eight points behind leaders Cleve and six points behind St. Austell. North Petherton are up to third with Hornets now fourth two points ahead of the Cherry and Whites.
Camborne were always second best on the day as they struggled to impose their game. Hornets powerful pack gave them the perfect platform, whilst in the backs they had some powerful runners who were able to break the gain-line.
Sam Bartle worked tirelessly for Camborne and he got my vote as their man-of-the-match.
Dave Mankee chipped away at the lead with four penalties, whilst replacement back Joe Parma finished off a good try in the scoreboard corner.
The game also marked winger Rob Floyd’s 100th game for the club.
One thing I can say and that’s the pasties at Camborne supplied in house by Scrummages Catering were “bleddy ansum!”
This Saturday’s trip to Thornbury will now take on even greater importance as Town look to bounce back and maintain their challenge.
St. Austell fought back to earn a losing bonus point from their 25-18 defeat at Clevedon. Matt Shepherd scored all the Saints’ points with a couple of converted tries and two penalties.
Wadebridge Camels suffered a heavy defeat at Bideford 56-6 to complete a bleak day for Cornish sides at this level with just a couple of Jamie Taylor penalties to show for their efforts.
In National League 2 South, as you were, one home win, one away defeat. The Cornish All Blacks scored four tries in their 32-5 win at home to Bournemouth with Bryn Jenkins, Liam Yeo and Kieron Lewitt (2) all crossing the Polson whitewash. Lewitt also kicked three conversions and two penalties.
Bournemouth’s try was scored by a Cornishman, Dan Pollard!
A long day on the minibus was broken by a game of rugby at Ampthill for the Reds, but once again it was the away day blues for Redruth as they succumbed 38-17.
Redruth were well in contention at half-time trailing just 21-17. Murray Westren and Darren Jacques (yet again) scored tries for the Reds with Ashley Hosking kicking both conversions and a penalty.
Redruth will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Bishop’s Stortford this Saturday at the Rec. Kick-off for this game is 2 pm.
In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro recorded a good win at Bude 51-7. Tries for Truro were scored by Luke Tidball (3), Jake Champion (2), Tom Hatfield and a Penalty-try. Champion also kicked five conversions and two penalties. For Bude Silas Keeling scored a try with Olly Denford kicking the conversion.
Penryn drew 7-7 at Paignton. The abandoned after 55 minutes following a serious injury to Penryn’s Taron Peacock. It remains to be seen if the result will stand.
St. Ives lost at Okehampton 32-19 and remain third from bottom just two points above Bude. Craig Williams, Tyler Gendall and Arron Bennett scored tries for the Hakes with Williams kicking a couple of conversions.
In Tribute Cornwall and Devon League; Falmouth remain our best placed side following their 50-5 win at the Rec against Exeter Saracens. Sam Burke (2), Josh Symons, Matt Biggins, Justin Irons, Ollie Church, Tony Whittle and Tom David all scored tries for the Eagles with Irons adding five conversions. Falmouth are fourth but eighteen points behind both Exeter Uni and Tiverton.
Hayle are the next best placed Cornish side in sixth and they had a good win against Honiton 35-8. Dan Magee, Scott Harvey, Rob Goodman and Danny Clackworthy scored the Lions’ tries. Magee added 15 points with the boot.
Newquay Hornets had no answer to the students from Exeter Uni as they won at the Sportscentre 62-7. Harry Penderich scored Newquay’s only try with Sam Cullen adding the extras.
Saltash won at Veor 44-14. Will Morton (2), Max Venables (2), James Moriarty and Ollie Mulberry scored the tries for Ashes, Venables kicking the rest of his side’s points.
Mankee and Laity scored tries for Veor with Mankee adding both conversions.
Pirates Amateurs won at OPM’s 18-13. Danny Tooland and Dan O’Hanlan scored tries for the Ams with Rhys Brownfield kicking the rest of the points.
In Tribute Cornwall 1; Liskeard-Looe dropped points for the first time this season as they were held 24-24 at Penryn by Camborne School of Mines.
Bodmin picked up a losing bonus point from their 23-19 defeat at Stithians.
Perranporth won 23-16 at Phileigh against Roseland, whilst Helston won at St. Agnes 14-0.
In Tribute Cornwall 2, another big win for leaders Illogan Park, 67-10 at Camelford. Second place St. Just defeated Lankelly-Fowey 36-12. Whilst the Mining Division derby saw St. Day defeat Redruth Albany 35-31.
Well done to Sam Matavesi who came on twice during the Centenary match at Twickenham for the Fijian RFU against the Barbarians. The Baa Baas ran out winners by 43-19 in a game full of running rugby.
Finally Sunday saw the Cornish Pirates take on Nottingham at Meadow Lane with a last-gasp penalty snatching a draw for the home side 27-27.
Good to see Matt Evans back from his exploits with Canada during the autumn.
Read Dick Straughan’s match report for the WMN in the link.
A quick update on rugby in Brittany. Vannes are going well in Federale 1 as they head into their Christmas/New Year break. A 13-9 win at Bobigny sees them in a play-off spot. Tom Parker is still with them this season adding some Cornish beef in the boiler room!
Also a mention for two former Reds, Ed Carne and Luke Cozens both playing in Federale 2 with Rouen along with former Pirate Ben Mercer and having a good season under coach Richard Hill.
