Photo : Ian Morgan happy with Camborne’s start
The league season got under way for most of our clubs last Saturday and the weather was typical Cornish rugby weather!
In the Championship, the Cornish Pirates got their season off to a great start with a win on the road at Bedford Blues 26-17.
Fly-half Will Cargill had a 100% record with the boot kicking four penalties and adding the conversions to Matt Evans and Tom Duncan’s tries.
Pirates will be looking to back up their opening day win at the Mennaye next Sunday when Ealing Trailfinders make the trip down to the far sou’west. Former Red Mark Bright has joined Ealing this summer and he always seems to raise his game when back in the Duchy!
In National League 2 South, Redruth withstood a ferocious late surge by Henley Hawks to hold out for a 23-18 win.
Quite where referee Calum Howard found almost fifteen minutes of time added on was a mystery to all in the ground.
Head coach Marek Churcher was delighted with his side’s performance. Tommy Phillips, Brett Rule and Ashley Lawton scored the tries with James Huxtable kicking the rest of the points.
The Reds are at home again this Saturday with newly promoted Barnstaple making the trip down from North Devon.
In National League 3 South west, there were mixed results for our two sides. Camborne, playing their first game back in the National league for 19 years, got their season off to a great start with a 30-14 win at home against Cleve.
The excellent Jack Simmons scored two tries with Dave Roberts getting a third. Dave Mankee back from his sojourn across the Red river banged over all three conversions and three penalties to boot.
Not such a good start for Launceston as they lost at Polson 21-16 to Dings Crusaders, despite the visitors playing most of the game with fourteen men as hooker Paul Fincken was red carded for punching!
Andy Knight and Tom Sandercock scored tries for the All Blacks with Fraser Honey and Ben Hawke adding a penalty each.
Launceston travel to Hornets on Saturday for what will be a very tough game.
In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro registered an opening day win 41-16 against Torquay Athletic.
Getting a good start to the season has eluded Truro of late but they made no mistake scoring six tries through Toby Armstrong (2), Jake Champion (2), Ashley Riches and Ethan Pattison. Ashley Hosking banged over four conversions and a penalty.
Bude defeated Devonport Services 22-19 thanks to a late Dan Pearce penalty.
Elsewhere it was defeats for our sides. St. Austell, despite a brave battle went down 25-19 at Tiverton. Shane Johns, Cav Boyer and Max Duggan with the Saint’s tries with Liam Freeman landing a couple of conversions.
Wadebridge Camels lost at home 5-10 to Exeter University, player-coach Mike Rawlings with their sole points.
St. Ives also lost at home against Cullompton 10-23, Jordan Gott and Josh Palmer scored tries for the Hakes.
In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League. There was a good win for Falmouth 15-0 against Topsham, Matt Brewer and Ashley Searle scored the Eagle’s tries with Justyn Irons adding a penalty and conversion.
Pirates Amateurs got off to a winning start 6-0 at Plymouth Argaum thanks to a penalty and drop-goal from Dan McGee.
Saltash lost at Moorlands 3-0 against Paignton.
Lanner also lost 3-0 at Tamar Saracens.
Penryn lost 15-12 at Plymstock. All their points coming from Matt Horton’s boot.
Bodmin’s game with Withycombe was re-arranged.
In Tribute Cornwall League both Hayle and Newquay Hornets made solid starts. The Hayle Lions defeated Illogan Park 53-3, whilst Hornets accounted for Stithians 62-0.
Liskeard-Looe defeated Perranporth 31-11, St. Agnes won at Roseland 8-3, St. Just defeated Redruth Albany 13-7, Lankelly-Fowey won at Camelford 41-7 and Veor beat Helston 15-5.
Camborne School of Mines begin their program next Saturday.
