Cup rugby fails to inspire crowds or players

Locally there was no league programme, with the first round of the Tribute Cornwall Cup scheduled to take place. There were four ties due to take place, but in the end only two were played.

Bude caused an upset winning 42-25 at higher league Truro in front of a sparse crowd, and a Truro side with players unavailable.

However, it proved to be a good game for the few souls present with the North Cornwall side scoring six tries, two from full-back Dan Pearce who also slotted all six conversions for a fine all-round display.

Harry Goodrun, Billy Roberts, Olly Denford and Luke Wilson also crossed the whitewash for Bude.

For a disappointed Truro, Rikki Brandham, Danny Dunstan and Dan Marsh scored tries, with “Eggy” Williams kicking a couple of penalties and two conversions.

St. Ives predictably won at Newquay Hornets 59-14, but Hornets were far from disgraced in their performance against a St. Ives side that will be pushing for promotion this season.

Penryn and Wadebridge Camels had walkovers due to Pirates Amateurs and Falmouth both having problems fielding a front row.

Holders Camborne, St. Austell and Hayle all had byes, whilst Saltash had previously defeated Bodmin in a tie played at the end of August. All are through to the next round, which will be played on 17 October.

The draw below will hopefully prove more of an attraction on the 17th:
Bude v Camborne
Penryn v St. Austell
St. Ives v Hayle
Wadebridge Camels v Saltash

On Sunday in the Greene King Championship the Cornish Pirates slipped to a fourth successive defeat, going down to Yorkshire Carnegie 13-26.

Despite fielding a young side, the Pirates more than held their own against the powerful Yorkshire side and gave the league leaders much to ponder.

Pirates’ sole try was scored by full-back Toby May with fly-half Will Cargill kicking the other points, a conversion and two penalties.

Pirates are home again next Sunday when they entertain London Scottish.

Not good news for either of our National League 2 sides, Redruth were well-beaten on the road at Bishop’s Stortford 47-15. Kyle Marriott and Peter Joyce got tries for the Reds, with Murray Westren kicking a penalty and conversion.

Another tough afternoon for the Cornish All Blacks as they slipped to a fifth big defeat 54-19 at home to Clifton.

Skipper Jamie Salter scored a try as did on-loan No.8 Tom Duncan and lock Ben Hilton, Rhys Brownfield adding a couple of conversions.

Good to see Tyler Gendall, on-loan from the Pirates, getting some game time as he looks to get back following his long lay-off through injury.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish made it back-to-back wins with a 35-3 victory at Warlingham. Tries for the exiles were scored by Craig Chatley (2), Rich Skinnard, Tom Ievers and Tom Upfield, fly-half Phil Dale kicking the rest of the points with two penalties and two conversions.

The rugby world cup continues despite England being dumped out of the competition 33-13 by Australia on Saturday night.

Hopefully Jack Nowell will at least get a run out against Uruguay next Saturday in the final pool game.

Fiji are also departing the competition and Josh Matavesi will hopefully come off the bench again in their final game, also against the busy Uruguayans.

The second game takes place at Sandy Park Exeter this week when Georgia play Namibia on Wednesday at 8:00 pm.

Congratulations to Veor who won 28-27 at Liskeard-Looe in the National Vase qualifier. They now play Tamar Saracens, who won at Totnes 21-13.

Next Saturday sees the Tribute Cornwall 1 & 2 leagues start, as well as the new Duchy league for reserve sides.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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