Photo James Judge: Launceston final whistle
Where to start this week with all the excitement of the past few days?
It has to be Launceston, as they finally got the win they having been looking for since Jimmy Tucker took over as head coach.
The All Blacks defeated Salisbury 16-11 for their first win in over 18 months.
Understandably there were rapturous scenes after the final whistle as the dark cloud was lifted from Polson Bridge.
Fraser Honey steadied the nerves with a couple of penalties and a drop-goal before Martin Kneebone scored the important try that Honey converted.
Launceston had to defend like mad in the closing stages but held out for a famous win.
Also in National 3 SW, Camborne produced a fantastic performance to win 41-24 up at leaders Ivybridge.
The Cherry and Whites got off to a great start with tries from Jack Simmons and Sam Matavesi both converted by Dave Mankee who also slotted a penalty for a 17-0 lead. Ben Kemp got try number three before Joel Matavesi secured the bonus point try both scores again bettered by Mankee.
Sam Matavesi got his second try of the game in the second half which Mankee again converted as he did a second penalty in a faultless kicking display.
So this Saturday it’s Camborne vs. Launceston, a game that will also serve as a Tribute Cornwall Super Cup tie.
I took in a couple of games this weekend, first at Redruth in National League 2 South where the Reds got home just against a useful Redingensians 10-8.
Shaun Buzza scored the Reds only try from a powerful drive with James Huxtable adding the conversion and a penalty, a game that was watched by the new Kiwi directors at the Cornish Pirates, Colin Groves and Dallas Fisher.
That brings me to Sunday and the Championship game between the Cornish Pirates and London Welsh.
A scappy first half saw the Pirates’ line out go AWOL and a slender 3-0 advantage to the home side, thanks to Will Cargill’s boot.
Half-time saw new board members Paul Durkin and Messrs Groves and Fisher introduced to the Mennaye crowd.
The second half was a better affair with Cargill adding another couple of penalties and Laurence May converting skipper Tom Duncan’s try. It ended 16-10 to keep the Pirates’ unbeaten record intact.
You can see much more about the re-structuring at the Pirates in previous blog entries.
In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro bounced back from last week’s defeat at home to St. Austell to win handsomely at Tiverton 32-14.
Adam and Ashley Hosking got on the try sheet for Truro as did Jack Houghton and Josh Symons with Ashley Hosking adding three conversions and a couple of penalties.
Wadebridge Camels staged another comeback this time at St. Austell. Trailing 16-3 the Camels gave Saints the hump winning 17-16.
Tries from Cav Boyer and Ben Chenoweth together with a couple of Boyer penalties accounted for the Saints’ points.
Danny Thomas and Mike Rawlings scored tries for Wadebridge with Thomas converting both and adding a penalty.
Bude struggled at Sidmouth losing 68-17 with Dan Pearce scoring all their points.
St. Ives picked up a losing bonus point at Torquay thanks to tries from Ben Taylor and Steve Kenward with Jordan Gott adding a conversion and a drop-goal in 22-15 loss.
In London 2 SW, London Cornish continued their winning ways with a 41-14 win at home to KCS Old Boys.
All the tries came via the backs with David Smith (2), Tom Jeffery, Craig Chatley, Matt Hakes and George Kimmins crossing the whitewash, Smith added three conversions with Philip Dale adding a fourth.
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth won at Paignton 16-12 to remain top.
Owen Hambly scored the Eagles only try converted by Justyn Irons who also added three penalties.
Penryn are close on their heels following their 39-0 at home against Tavistock.
Borough ran in six tries from George Jones, Jordan Rose (2), Josh Chambers (2) and Colin Campbell with Matt Horton kicking the rest of the points.
This Saturday sees Penryn travel to Falmouth for an eagerly anticipated Fal derby.
Pirates Amateurs kept up the chase with a 50-0 win against Tamar Saracens, Steve Evans (2), Danny Toolan (2), Sam Coogan, Rhodri McAtee, Tony Matthews and Liam Lonsdale all scored with Dan Magee kicking five conversions.
Saltash won at Plymouth Argaum 17-7, Lewis Wells and Tom Rixon scored tries with Nick Blake converting both tries and a penalty.
Bodmin won at St. Day against Lanner 30-8.
In the Tribute Cornwall League Liskeard-Looe who beat Roseland 31-24 and Hayle who defeated Perranporth 67-0 continue to lead the way. See all the results in the Cornish Rugby results page.
