London Welsh again showed why they are everyone’s favourites for a swift return to the Aviva Premiership with a comfortable defeat of the Cornish Pirates 41 – 6 at their Oxford base the Kassam Stadium.
All the Pirates had to show for the long trip were a couple of Kieran Hallett penalties.
They will look to bounce back to winning ways this Friday evening when they tackle visitors London Scottish at the Mennaye with a 7-45 pm kick-off.
Good news for former Cornish Pirate Blair Cowan – now with London Irish- who has been called up to the Scotland squad for the autumn internationals.
In National League 2 South it was normal service as the home side won and the away side lost!
The Cornish All Blacks did what Redruth couldn’t manage on the opening weekend of the season beat Cambridge.
Launceston came from behind to defeat their visitors 23-17 with a brace of tries from Sam Chapman and a third score from Lloyd Duke. Kieron Lewitt added eight points with the boot.
Redruth lost narrowly by just one point at Ding’s Crusaders 14-13, despite tries from Dean Bonds and Luke Jones along with a penalty kicked by Ashley Hosking.
Redruth now have back-to-back home games starting with Shelford this Saturday before entertaining London Irish Wild Geese on Saturday week.
In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne defeated visitors North Petherton 24-10 to move up the table.
There was of course a minute’s silence prior to kick-off in memory of Bobby Tonkin who sadly passed away last week.
First half tries from Sam Bartle and a brace from lock Ben Kemp with a conversion from Dave Mankee saw the Cherry and Whites lead 17-3 having played into the wind.
Second half they pinned the visitors back in their own 22 for long periods before Dave Roberts finished off good work from Jason Jackson to secure the bonus point with Mankee adding his second conversion.
St. Austell enjoyed a good win on the road at Bridgwater & Albion 22-17. Ian Venner, Alex Welland and Jamie Holloway all scored tries with Andy Ashwin kicking the rest of the points.
This Saturday the mouth-watering Cornish Derby takes place at Tregorrick Park as St. Austell entertain Camborne, not one for the faint hearted!! Kick-off 2-30 pm.
Wadebridge Camels slumped to defeat at the Molesworth Field to Chard 21-17. A second penalty-try undid them two minutes from time.
Dan Lumb and Tom Rowe got tries for the Camels with Danny Thomas adding both conversions to Josh Taylor’s first half penalty.
In Tribute Western Counties West, there was only one Cornish side successful and that was Bude, who earned only their second win of the current campaign 17-12 against fellow strugglers St. Ives. James Comber, Silas Keeling and Ben Hancock scored tries with Harry Goodrun slotting a conversion.
For the defeated Hakes, Jamie Prisk and Aaron Bennett scored tries with Prisk adding a conversion.
Penryn lost 33-12 to Devonport Services. Despite a good start with a try from Alex Ducker, Services had too much pace outside for Borough to deal with. Jake Seviour grabbed a second try for Penryn which he also converted but by now Services were well in command.
Truro will be disappointed to have lost at St. Clements to Teignmouth 16-14.
Rikki Brandham scored one of Truro’s two tries with the second a penalty-try award. Both scores were converted by Ashley Richies.
Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish defeated Trojans 38-16, thanks in part to four tries from former Saltash player Richard Skinnard.
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Falmouth condemned Pirates Amateurs to a seventh straight loss winning 18-13 at the Rec. Jacob Stephens and Sam Burke scored the Eagle’s tries with Justin Irons adding a conversion and two penalties.
For the Ams, Rhys Brownfield and Jack Nicholas scored tries with Brownfield kicking a penalty.
Newquay Hornets won the other derby defeating Veor 36-28 at Wheal Gerry. Tim Eustice (3), Harry Pendreich and Brad Rossbrough all scored tries with Sam Cullen adding four conversions and Connor Riley a drop-goal.
Hayle won 29-27 at home to OPM’s thanks to a last minute Martin Strick penalty. Scott Murray (3) and Rob Goodman bagged the Lions’ tries with Strick kicking three conversions before his penalty exploit.
In Tribute Cornwall 1, Bodmin maintain top spot with their fifth win from five games after defeating Roseland at Phileigh 38-7.
Liskeard & Looe had their game at Stithians postponed and are still unbeaten with four from four.
Both sides meet this Saturday at Clifden Park in an East Cornwall derby.
Perranporth won the battle of the surf cities defeating St. Agnes 34-21 at Ponsmere.
School of Mines had a good win over Helston at the Memorial Ground 24-5.
In Tribute Cornwall 2, leaders Illogan Park won 19-12 at nearest rivals St. Just.
Camelford won at Trewirgie against Redruth Albany 50-5, whilst St. Day defeated Lankelly-Fowey 41-10 to wipe out their minus league points deficit from not fulfilling their opening two fixtures.
Further congratulations to Cornwall 18 group who beat Dorset & Wilts in Bristol last Sunday to make it 3/3 wins this season.
They are back in Bristol this Sunday coming against Berkshire with South West selections in the offing!
