A very welcome return to form for the Cornish All Blacks on Saturday as they recorded their first win after three succesive defeats when they beat visitors Wharfedale by 38-10, scoring five tries in the bargain. Winger Marc Dibble with a brace, Sam Hocking, Scott Hobson and Ben Turner scored the tries. Full-back Jon Fabian kicked a couple of conversions and two penalties, whilst replacement Mike Provis dropped a goal. Joint head coach Chris Brown was delighted with his side’s win “We’ve been performing in fits and starts, but today I think we put it togeather with some simple stuff, when we got momentumn in the early stages, we were patient, and we opened them up out wide.” He went on to add “This win was important for our comeback but it doesn’t put us anywhere different from where we were last week in terms of the season”.
Redruth kept up their awesome pace at the top of National League 2 with a tenth consecutive win, this time by 35-17 at Waterloo, the win came at a price as skipper PJ Gidlow suffered a serious cheekbone injury, which may well sideline the centre for a few matches. The Reds scored five tries through James Mann, Lewis Vinnicombe, Rob Thirlby, Paul Thirlby and Mike Georgiou. Paul Thirlby added two conversions and a couple of penalties. Next up for the Reds next Saturday, Tynedale, who beat Cambridge in some style 49-15. Can the Reds make it eleven on the trot? Kick-off for this match is 2pm.
Mount’s Bay have found a rich vein of form with a third consecutive win, this time at fellow strugglers Westcombe Park by 26-8. Fly-half Dan Hawkes scored all of the Bay’s points with two converted tries, three penalties and a drop-goal. Another win on Saturday at the Mennaye against Southend will further boost Bay’s prospects of staying up.
In National League 1, the Cornish Pirates’ revival continues with a 19-3 win against Esher at the Pillar Data Arena. Irish winger Brian Tuohy scored both the Pirates’ tries with fly-half Rhys Jones kicking three penalties. Next Sunday the Pirates entertain table-toppers Leeds Carnegie at Camborne with a 2pm kick-off. Can the Pirates maintain form and overturn the league leaders? It promises to be a cracking encounter.
In the Tribute regional leagues, in South West 2 West, St. Ives won a tight encounter at a blustery Alexandra Road 9-6 against Torquay Athletic, Karl Martin once again proving the match-winner with three penalties.
Western Counties West, saw leaders Cullompton maintain top spot with a very comfortable win over Wadebridge Camels by 42-3, a result which dents Camels hopes of promotion this season. A Jake McConnell penalty was all they had to show for their efforts.
Camborne defeated Ivybridge 10-3, Adam Nottman scored the Cherry & White’s try with David Mankee adding the conversion and a penalty.
After their defeat at home to Cullompton last Saturday, Newquay Hornets were keen to make up for that set-back against North Cornwall rivals Bude, they did so in some style winning 55-12. Hornets ran in nine tries through, Adam Rainey (2), Rob McIntyre, Lee Woodhatch, Simon Horton, Stuart Williams, James Ingle, Andy Dixon and Dan Johns. Sam Cullen adding five conversions. Dave Uglow scored a try and Matt Trewin converted a penalty-try for Bude.
London Cornish defeated London South Africa 12-3 in their latest London 3 SW match. Read Dickon Moon’s report here
In the Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn’s home match against Bideford didn’t take place as the referee didn’t show up.
Hayle won the Cornish derby as they defeated poor old Falmouth comfortably 34-3. It was the Lions first home win of the season. Hayle’s tries were scored by hooker Adrian Symons, centre Wayne Jenkins, brother Kevin, lock Richard Spear and winger Dave Seager with two. Fly-half Mike Crump converted two scores. Full-back James Instance kicked Falmouth’s solitary penalty.
Truro will be disappointed to lose at St. Clements to Tavistock 22-16, all the points scored during the first half. James Willcocks scored Truro’s try, which Scott Martin converted, Martin also kicked a couple of penalties, with brother Ross dropping a goal.
Saltash failed to build on their win at Falmouth losing at Moorlands Lane to Plymstock Albion Oaks 20-17. For the Ashes half-backs Geoff Thompson and Ollie Rayner scored tries, both converted by Rayner who also kicked a penalty.
STOP PRESS: Looks like the RFU’s plans for a fully pro level 2 have moved a step closer today, see link.
The Western Morning News of the 11th November carries an interesting article by Mark Stevens, rugby faces revolution