Slightly late, but more time to reflect on Friday night’s game at the Mennaye under the new lights.
I, for one, thought it was a tremendous evening with it’s own unique atmosphere, which you get at a floodlight game.
What a cracking occasion too for the Cornwall Clubs XV players ably led by skipper Nathan Chapman from Roseland RFC.
Matt Shepherd from St. Austell carried a threat whilst on the park as did Camel’s James Grubb, a late replacement for Camborne’s Dave Mankee.
It’s an occasion that all the Clubs XV players involved will cherish as a highlight during their playing careers.
Full marks too for keeping the Cornish Pirates at bay until 24 minutes.
On the Pirates’ side, Tom Kessell continues to grow in stature, the back row of Jake Parker, Matt Bolwell & Joel Conlon for this game showed the exciting potential of youth at the Pirates’ disposal this season. In the backs Aussie fly-half Angus Sinclair and winger Max Bodilly caught the eye.
It ended 69-0 but the real winner was rugby on such a special occasion.
The entertainment was good too, with Kernow King doing his stuff, sum bleddy boy!
Saturday saw me at Penryn watching their Tribute Cornwall Cup 1st round tie against Pirates Amateurs.
It proved to be a good match with both sides giving it a go. In the end Penryn’s greater fitness and pace in the backs told as they ran out 31-13 winners.
Borough ran in five tries with a brace each for winger Alex Ducker and all-action prop Dan Booth, whilst full back Josh Chambers sped in for the try of the day starting and finishing a move from his own 22.
Three of the four ties scheduled were played, which has to be an improvement on last season, with only the Hayle v St. Ives tie being a walkover for the Lions as the Hakes didn’t have enough registered players!
A friendly was played with St. Ives winning 20-3.
Elsewhere in the Cup, Saltash defeated Veor 79-14, and Truro travelled to Bude and won 19-14.
It was also the RFU Junior Vase 1st Rd. Bodmin had a walkover against St. Day, whilst Liskeard & Looe, St. Just, Stithians and Helston all progressed to Round 2 this Saturday.
Hot on the heels of the news that Cornish Pirates Acting CEO Josh Lewsey was relinquishing his role whilst remaining on the board as an advisor. The former England International, World Cup Winner and British Lion has been appointed as the new Head of Rugby for Wales.
I wish Josh well in his new role and trust that his six months trying to bang a few heads together in Cornwall (In a nice way I hasten to add!), will stand in him in good stead in the pressure cooker that is Welsh rugby.
Talking of Wales, how sad it was to learn of the passing of one of the true greats of Welsh rugby last week, Cliff Morgan.
A magician on the field as a fly-half and choirmaster of the post match singsong, he went on to enjoy a fine career in broadcasting with the BBC and ITV. Who could ever forget his memorable commentary of the Barbarians versus the All Blacks in 1973 at Cardiff Arms Park, sheer poetry. “Oh that fellow Edwards.” He so famously remarked at the try- scoring conclusion of one of the most breathtaking passages of play every witnessed on a field of play.