Another difficult Saturday afternoon for the Cornish All Blacks as they visited Goldington Road to take on the Bedford Blues in National League 1. The Cornish side certainly gave it a good lash, leading 16-14 at the break thanks to a try from flanker Wayne Sprangle converted by full-back Jon Fabian, who also kicked three penalties. That was as good as it was to get. The Cornish All Blacks were hit by a four try burst during the third quarter by their hosts who eventually ran out comfortable winners by 43 – 16.
In National League 2, Redruth made the difficult trip to league leaders Manchester losing by eight points 22 – 14. Reds’ coach Nigel Hambly felt his side had made too many errors facilitating the Cheshire side’s task. Redruth scored tries through prop Darren Jacques and No 8 Mark Bright with fly-half Gareth Griffiths bagging both conversions. Wharfedale, who were only five points ahead of the Reds before match, had a fine win at Blaydon pushing the Northumberland club down to one place above the Reds but the deficit has grown now to seven points. Stourbridge visit the Rec on Saturday in the EDF-Energy Trophy.
Top met bottom at the Mennaye as leaders Mount’s Bay met North Walsham in National League 3 South. The Vikings, who flew down from Norwich on the morning of the match, have for many seasons been one of the pacesetters in this league, sadly for them though not at the moment. Skipper Nick Burnett scored the Bay’s opening try from a catch-and-drive after only 9 mins. Richard Carroll scored a second try for the Bay from a similar move on 24 mins, before half-time Bay were awarded a penalty try which Lee Jarvis converted along with Carroll’s earlier score for a 19-0 advantage. Bay got the all-important fourth try after 55 mins following a fine run from winger Chris Morris, for the third time Jarvis adding the extras. North Walsham had the final say with a converted try near the end. On the back of this 26-7 success Bay turn their attention to the EDF-Energy National Trophy next Saturday with a testing tie at National League 2 side Southend.
St. Ives had no match in the league this weekend as they were in Dubai competing in the International Overseas Trophy reaching the Quarter-Finals before losing to Dinamo 31 – 0.
In Southwest 2 West, Camborne made the long journey to St. Mary’s OB’s only to find the match postponed.
In Western Counties West, Hayle defeated Tiverton 8-3, thanks to a try from Adam Keverne.
Wadebridge Camels once again racked up the points this time by 52-5 over visitors Devonport Services. Three players scored twice, Alisdair MacLennan, Jamie Kneale and Dan Briskham with Gary Gynn and Sam Stone grabbing the other tries. Kneale kicked six conversions for a 22 point haul.
Bude beat Withycombe 7-5 thanks to Ollie Denford converting Dave Risdon’s try.
Still no joy for luckless Penryn at the bottom of the league as they lost 38-0 at Kingsbridge.
Up in London, London Cornish’s recent winning streak was brought to an abrupt halt by highflying Purley John Fisher in London 3 SW, 29 – 12 (See Dickon’s match report on the TASC forums). On a brighter note London Cornish 4ths, the Dukes, had a fine win at London French, 65-10 and were then entertained to a four-course meal with wine by their Gallic hosts!!!! There is a match report on this cornu-franco encounter of the London Cornish thread in the forums.
In the Cornwall & Devon League, there were defeats for the top two sides Newquay Hornets and Truro. The Hornets lost by the narrowest of margins 13-12 at Okehampton. Rob McIntyre and Steve Potter scored tries for the Hornets with Ryan Johns kicking a conversion.
Truro suffered a heavy defeat up at Cullompton 34-5. Falmouth had a good win at Teignmouth by 15-0 scoring three tries through Justin Doney, Tim Hill and Tom Sommers.
To round off this week a glance across the Channel so see how rugby in Brittany is faring this season. Brittany’s topside Vannes are handily placed in their group chasing an end-of-season play-off place in Fédérale 1. On Sunday they won 18 – 6 at Poitiers as they reach the half-way stage of the opening pool stage.
Many will remember Cornwall’s trip to Quimper last season, well I am pleased to report that Quimper are thus far having a good season in Fédérale 3 lying second in their pool. Sunday saw them take on local rivals from up the road Plouzané (Brest) with Quimper winning a hard fought and at times feisty affair 27-6 scoring five tries in difficult conditions.
