CORNISH PIRATES ALMOST SECURE HOME QUARTER-FINAL

The Cornish Pirates have virtually guaranteed themselves a home quarter-final in this season’s BRITISH & IRISH CUP following their 28-21 win against Scottish Premiership side Ayr at a wet and muddy Mennaye on Sunday.

It was certainly a tighter affair than the Pirates 53-10 win at Millbrae back in October as Ayr included a few more players from Glasgow Warriors, both sides travelled down to the Westcountry together staying at Exeter with Ayr arriving at the Mennaye in the Exeter Chiefs’ team bus!

Eight of the Ayr side were named on Monday in trimmed squad of 27 for the Scottish Club XV’s Internationals against Irish Clubs XV and France Fédérale, among them try-scorer at the Mennaye Craig Gossman and skipper Dean Kelbrick.

It was good to see Tom Duncan back from injury featuring for the first time this season; he had a run out last week for Camborne 2nds and got twenty minutes game time against Ayr.

Pirates will wrap up their pool program next Friday when they play Ulster Ravens at Belfast Harlequins Deramore Park Ground kick-off 7:30 pm.

Bill Sobey’s ’s match report can be found in the link from the Morning News here.

With post match reaction from Ian Davies in the link here.

In National League 2 South a disappointing double defeat for both our Cornish sides.

The Cornish All Blacks were always going to be up against it at leaders Hartpury College, and so it proved with the students running out winners 40-13.

You can read Nigel Walrond’s match report in the link from today’s Morning News.

Whilst at the Recreation Ground, Redruth let slip a thirteen point lead in the final eight minutes of the game to lose 26-25 to Chinnor.

My match report in the link from today’s Morning News here.

The battle continues at the top of Tribute South west 1 West, St. Austell remain in third place just three points behind leaders Cleve with an important game in-hand. Saints enjoyed a fine 46-15 win over Sidmouth at Tregorrick Park. Hugh Noot (2), Ashley Taylor (2), Matt Shepherd, Ian Venner, Darren Pellow and Steve Howorth all crossed for the Saints with Shepherd adding three conversions.

Camborne remain just about in touch a further eight points behind Saints following their 17-6 win at Cullompton. Wingers Alex Ducker (2) and Rob Floyd scored the Cherry and Whites tries with Dave Mankee kicking a conversion.

Wadebridge Camels remain perilously close to the drop zone following another disappointing defeat this time at Clevedon 25-0.

Next Saturday’s round of matches will go a long way in deciding who will remain in the promotion mix. Top-of-the-table Cleve travel to Camborne, a game that the Cherry and Whites will need to win to stay in the mix.

Whilst St. Austell travel to second placed Hornets, whom I saw defeat Camborne impressively at the end of November at the Rec 34 – 17. St. Austell will need to get something from this match depending on the result at Camborne!

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro made it six wins in a row with their 36-17 win at Paignton.

Darren Jacques made his debut for Truro and this week another former Red, Lewis Vinnicombe, announced that he too is signing for Truro.

Mark Lea (2), Carl Ranscombe, Tom Hatfield and the Gayton brothers Theo and Adam all scored tries for Truro with Ashley Riches adding three conversions.

Penryn and Torquay Athletic shared the spoils at the Memorial Ground 33 – all!

Matt Horton’s conversion of his own try tied the scores in the final moments. Horton added a second try to his haul with other tries coming from Mitch Vague, Phil Hinchley and Matt Williams with Horton adding a couple of penalties.

This Saturday a cracking local derby at St. Clements Hill as Truro entertain Penryn. With both sides scoring plenty of points it promises to be a very entertaining game as Truro look to keep in contact with the sides above them.

St. Ives lost at home to Teignmouth 30-12. Tom Chandler and Neil Stanlick scored tries for the Hakes with “Eggy” Williams adding a conversion.

Bude remain in the bottom two following defeat away to Wellington 30-8. Ben Hancock with their try and Andy Yates with a penalty.

Frustration in London 2 SW as London Cornish slipped to a late defeat at leaders Gosport & Fareham 20-17. Despite tries from Ciaran Acford, Rich Skinnard and Andrew Eustice a late penalty-try sank the exiles.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Hayle defeated Falmouth 41-11. Rob Cutter (2), Talan Daniels (2), Doug Arnull and Scott Harvey all crossed for the Lions with Dan Magee kicking four conversions and a penalty.

For the defeated Eagles, Ollie Church claimed a try with Justin Irons kicking a couple of penalties.

Pirates Amateurs enjoyed a good win over Exeter Saracens 37-31. Ben Eddy, Dexter Ross-Nicholl, Jack Vosper and Ryan Forrester all scored tries for the Ams with Rhys Brownfield kicking the rest of the points.

Saltash lost at Moorlands to Withycombe 24-19. Whilst Crediton won at Wheal Gerry against Veor 25-10. Steve Arthur converted a penalty-try and kicked a penalty for the home side.

Many congratulations to Liskeard-Looe who have wrapped up the Tribute Cornwall 1 title after defeating Helston 17-0. The Lions bounce back up to the Cornwall & Devon League after just one season back in Cornwall 1.

Bodmin maintain their grip on a play-off spot after defeating bottom-of-the-table St. Agnes 49-0.

Camborne School of Mines remain third following their win over Roseland 10-7.

Stithians won at Perranporth 20-19.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, Illogan Park defeated St. Just 15-9, whilst St. Day won at Redruth Albany 10-3.

The game between Camelford and Lankelly-Fowey was postponed.

Fantastic news this week that Exeter Chief’s Jack Nowell is in England’s RBS 6 Nations squad.
Those of us that watched him play at Redruth as a sixteen year old will have a broad smile, not forgetting that he is product of Penzance & Newlyn mini & juniors and came through at Truro College.

Closest shave this week must be for Tom Parker who was on his way with his Vannes team to play Montluçon when the team coach caught fire.
Happily Tom and the rest of the team got out safely but the coach was burnt out.
Vannes not surprisingly lost the game played the following day but only by 21-20!

Posted in Bill's Blog

One comment on “CORNISH PIRATES ALMOST SECURE HOME QUARTER-FINAL
  1. Stuart Hoy says:

    …..once again crackin’ report Bill from a very wet & windy Lichfield! ….Cheers Lichfield Cornish @Stu Hoy Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 17:10:28 +0000 To: sghoy57@hotmail.com

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