FIRST BLOOD TO THE ALL BLACKS

So the first of this season’s Cornish Derbies in National League 2 South decisively went the way of the Cornish All Blacks 31-10 over their old rivals Redruth at Polson Bridge.

That result will certainly go part way to expunge the hurt the East Cornwall side endured last season when the Reds did the double over them.
When the fixtures were released I have no doubt that the Launceston side had Saturday 14th September well-ringed on the club calendar with the order in bold black underlined “Pay Back”.

With the return of players to the club such as scrum-half Lewis Webb, lock Bryn Jenkins and centre Ryan Westren, Launceston were always going to be a tougher proposition this time round.

The game couldn’t have started any better for Launceston with a try in the opening minute scored by full back Kieron Lewitt.
Redruth came back into it and according to reports appeared to dominate in the scrums. They created opportunities with lock Luke Collins felled just short of the line.

They did eventually tie the scores as winger Dean Bonds scored a well-worked try.

Another area of concern will be the goal-kicking as Brett Rule missed with the conversion and a penalty chance before the break.

However, it was either side of half-time that the match was effectively won. Launceston scored their second try through prop Tim Mathias and then winger Liam Yeo scored almost as quick as Lewitt in the first period, the full-back adding both conversions for a 19-5 lead.

Cheered on by the home support the Cornish All Blacks wrapped up the try-scoring bonus point with a fourth try scored by centre Lewis Paterson with Lewitt kicking his third conversion.

Redruth, through skipper Chris Fuca, making his 200th appearance for the Reds, scored a consolation try, sadly it was too little and far too late.
Lewitt then wrapped up the win as he scored Launceston’s fifth try to send the Polson faithful home in good heart.

In Tribute South West 1 West, St. Austell bounced back from their loss at North Petherton last week with a fine win in North Devon at Bideford 38-12. Paul Winerbottom, Ashley Taylor, Curtis Newberry, Sam Tank, Hugh Noot and Matt Shepherd all crossed for the Saints with shepherd kicking four conversions.

Wadebridge Camels put their loss at Camborne the previous week behind them as they won at home against Cullompton 10-6. Cameron Lees scored the Camel’s try with Ryan Johns adding the conversion and a penalty.

Camborne travelled to Bridgwater & Albion and came away with a 14-0 defeat.

In Tribute Western Counties West a last-gasp penalty from Rob Banks gave Penryn a 29-27 win at Tavistock. The game was nip and tuck for 80 minutes. Once again Borough’s Alex Ducker scored a hat-trick of tries with George Jones opening the try count for the visitors.

Jake Seviour added three conversions before Banks match winning strike at the death to make it two wins out of two for the Borough.
Truro won a tight match at St. Clements against Wellington 16-15. Carl Ranscombe scored Truro’s try with Karl Martin adding the conversion and three penalties.

Bude slipped to a second defeat at home as Devonport Services won 10-5. Freddie Saxton scored an un-converted try for the Seasiders.
St. Ives also slipped up for the second week running as they lost again on the road this time at Burnham-on-Sea 37-12. Josh Semmens and Treve Polglase scored tries for the Hakes with Jacob Ninnis kicking a conversion.

Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish got their league campaign under way with a trip to Guildford. Sadly for our exile club they couldn’t get an opening day win as they lost 22-10, however reports say the team performed well against one of the favourites for promotion to London 1 South.
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth Eagles played their opening fixture and won at Crediton 12-8 with tries from hooker Ollie Church and fly-half Edmunds who converted his own try.

Newquay Hornets got a second win with an 18-15 victory at Exeter Saracens. Full-back Ben Bradley scored a couple of tries with Liam Freeman kicking eight points.

The other “Cornish Derby” saw Saltash defeat Pirates Amateurs at Moorlands 23-16.

Hillman and Horton scored the Ashes’ tries with Max Venables kicking the rest of the points.

Veor again found the going tough as they slipped to second defeat this time 73-0 at Tiverton.

In the RFU Junior Vase Area Semi-Finals, Liskeard Looe defeated Stithians 28-5 to set up an Area Final next Saturday against Bodmin who beat Helston 52-14.

Look in again tomorrow as I look at the Cornish Pirates opening Greene King IPA Championship match which they are playing against Bristol this
afternoon at Sandy Park, Exeter.