Jack & Luke help England to Grand Slam win

A fantastic weekend for Cornish rugby culminated on Saturday evening with Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie both being on the pitch at the final whistle as England’s 31-21 win clinched a first Grand Slam for the red rose since 2003.

Jack played every minute of the whole campaign, scored a try in the Calcutta Cup game and put in the tackle of the tournament on Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw to deny the defending 6 Nations Champions what could have proved a vital score.

Luke, having come back from injury, got his chance as a bench replacement in the last two games and was solid when replacing skipper Dylan Hartley in Paris.

Newlyn and Cornwall can be justifiably proud of her two sons.

Sadly there is to be no British & Irish Cup glory for Cornish Pirates DoR Ian Davies to depart the Mennaye with.
Pirates lost their semi-final at Old Deer Park to London Welsh 36-15. Matt Evans and Stuart Townsend scored tries with Laurence May kicking a conversion and penalty.

The final will be between London Welsh and Yorkshire Carnegie who just got the better of Jersey 33-32. The final will be played at Headingley.

In National 2 South Redruth squeezed out a narrow 10-8 win at Worthing thanks to a Dave Mankee penalty in the last few minutes. Brad Howe scored the Red’s only try with Mankee again adding the extras.

The Cornish All Blacks suffered a terrible defeat at home 79-0 against Bury St. Edmunds.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne are now just one win away from claiming their place back in the National Leagues following their 45-17 win at Bridgwater.

Town scored seven tries with winger Alex Ducker bagging a hat-trick, flanker Neil Stanleick a brace with Richie Kevern and Damien Cook also getting scores. Rhys Brownfield kicked five conversions.

Camborne’s next league game is on Saturday week when second place Newent pitch up. It’s going to be a huge occasion worthy of a big Camborne crowd.

On Saturday I took in Tribute Western Counties West derby at Penryn who took on Truro.

With the club pennant at half-mast a minute’s silence was observed prior to the game, in memory of former Penryn captain and county hooker Roger Harris who passed away the previous weekend aged 76.


Photo – Both sides observe a minute’s silence for former Penryn captain Roger Harris

Despite both sides missing players, it proved to be an excellent game with Truro just edging it with a try in the last few minutes from full back Luke Tidball, 22-17.

A Harvey Bell try, and a penalty-try award, that incensed the Borough faithful, plus points from the boot of captain Ashley Hosking made up the Truro total.

For Penryn, Matt Horton kicked four penalties whilst hooker Jordan Smith, how very appropriate given the occasion, scored an opportunist try.

St. Austell drew 15 – 15 at Crediton. Sam Rhodes and Cornwall Under 20 player Will Gilder scored tries, with Cav Boyer kicking the other points.

Wadebridge Camels lost 26-15 at leaders Kingsbridge, Will Pengelly and Adam Blackmore scored tries for the Camels whilst Danny Thomas kicked a conversion and James Grubb a penalty.

Saltash remain bottom following another defeat this time at Torquay Athletic 32-16. Kyle Felton scores their sole try, converted by Todd Crofts who also landed two penalties, with Max Venables also kicking a penalty.

In London 2 SW a huge win for London Cornish at Basingstoke 72-5. The Exiles scored twelve tries with Pete Calvert scoring a hat-trick.

In Tribute Cornwall and Devon League, Bude defeated Bodmin 40-10 thanks to tries from Ollie Denford (2), Kyle Speare (2) and Dan Pearce (2), Pearce also landed five conversions. For Bodmin Phil Carter and James Taylor scored tries.

St Ives won a lively derby with Pirates Amateurs 22-21; both sides had a player red-carded!

For the Hakes, Todd Prisk, Jamie Prisk, Martyn Lawrence and Bobby Conway-Smith scored tries with Grant Thirlby kicking two conversions. For the Ams, Jamie Barrett, Rhodri McAtee and Steve Evans scored tries with James Tresize kicking two conversions and Evans the other.

Falmouth won at home against Paignton 30-0. David Jones (2), Tom Job, Mark Lea, and Ian Rowe scored tries with Justyn Irons kicking the other points. The game was cut short following a bad injury to a Paignton player.

Hayle lost at home to Honiton 27-19. Scott Harvey, Damian Lynes and skipper Mitchell scored tries with Harvey kicking a couple of conversions.

Newquay Hornets bagged a second league win with a 29-13 over Exeter Saracens. George Fox, Ed Cosgrove, Matt Burbridge and Connor Boyling scored tries for the Hornets with Ryan Johns kicking three conversions and a penalty.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, Camborne School of Mines 33-17 win at Liskeard-Looe also counted as a Tribute Clubs Cup quarter-final win.

Lanner remain second after their 28-24 win over Illogan Park. Veor are third a further two points behind Lanner following a big 64-14 win at St. Agnes. Perranporth defeated Helston in a vital relegation game 21-8.

In Tribute Cornwall 2, congratulations to Roseland who are champions following their 42-0 win at Redruth Albany.
St. Just will finish runners-up following their 25-17 win at Stithians, whilst Camelford drew at home with Lankelly-Fowey 7-7.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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