It proved not to be a happy return for Pirates’ coach Alan Paver to his home town of Rotherham on Saturday as a late Caolan Ryan penalty gave the Titans a first Championship win of the season and leave the Pirates high and dry.
The 27-24 defeat came on top of a disappointing week for Pirate supporters with the news that the Stadium consortium are looking for £6 million of public funds to make the project happen. As a well known politician in Europe has said; “The clock is ticking!”
Obviously players and coaches can only control what goes happens on the field, but it’s hard not to believe that the latest twist in this sorry on-going saga must have an effect on players and their morale!
Having reached half-time trailing 21-10, Nicolas De Battista with the try converted by Will Cargill who also kicked a penalty, Pirates mounted a good comeback to lead 24-21 with less than 10 minutes to play.
Tom Duncan and Chris Morgan muscled their way over the line for tries both bettered by Cargill to put them back into the lead, sadly late penalties from Lee Millar and Ryan did for the Pirates.
In National League 2 South, Redruth returned empty handed from Bury St. Edmunds after going down to a 27-14 defeat. Kyle Marriott and Chris Fuca scored a try in each half both converted by Richie Kevern.
In the South West Premier League a welcome win for Camborne 29-7, against fellow strugglers Weston-super-Mare.
James Goldsworthy (2), Ben Kemp and Harvey Bill scored the tries with Dave Mankee converting twice and kicking a penalty.
A good cross-border derby at Polson Bridge in Tribute South West 1 West as Launceston took on Okehampton winning 34-13 to maintain their 3rd spot.
Dan Pearce was the star of the show with a total of 29 points, with two tries, five penalties and two conversions. Lloyd Duke scored the other try.
In London 1 South, disappointment for London Cornish as they lost 20-21 to Chobham. The game was switched from the exiles usual home ground to Imber Court, home of Metropolitan Police. Cornish missed far too many chances and gave away too many penalties. Tries were scored by George Kimmins, Matt Hakes and Rich Stephens, with Kimmins landing a penalty and a conversion.
In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Ives keep hauling in the results to stay top of the pile. Kingsbridge were the latest side to travel to Alexandra Road and come away with nought following the Hakes 27-14 win.
Tries from player-coach Paul Thirlby, Rhys Brownfield, Martyn Lawrence and a penalty-try ensured the bonus point, Brownfield kicked the other points.
St. Austell overcame Truro in a turgid battle at Tregorrick Park 18-13. Truro led 13-8 at one stage thanks to Luke Tidball try converted by “Eggy” Williams who also bagged a couple of penalties. Saints had a Mark Martin try and a Liam Freeman penalty to show for their efforts up to that point.
Max Duggan’s try converted by Freeman edged Saints back into the lead before a second Freeman penalty ensured the win.
There was a big win for Wadebridge Camels against basement side Burnham 57-5. Camels mustered nine tries with Dom Hawkey (2), Ben Humber (2), Will Pengelly, Adam Collings, James Grubb, Gary Gynn and Jack Scott all making hay. Danny Thomas (4) and Grubb (2) kicked the extras.
A good win for resurgent Falmouth as they continue their climb up the table following their 29-15 win over Chard. Tom Edmonds helped himself to three tries with Tom Spiller getting the other. Justyn Irons banged over the other points. Video below courtesy of Kevin Bishop.
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In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, fixtures were badly hit again with the weather with just one game surviving Penryn defeating Hayle 49-0. The win puts the Borough back at the top of the table, whilst for Hayle they are now 12 points adrift of safety and seem likely to return to the Cornwall Leagues next season.
Sam Hitchens (2), Mitch Vague (2), Vivian Wilmott (2), Josh Chambers and Grant Randlesome all crossed for Penryn with Vague kicking another nine points.
Liskeard-Looe remain top of Tribute Cornwall 1 despite not playing as their game against Camborne School of Mines was postponed.
On Sunday Cornwall Under 20s played Devon in their final warm up game ahead of this season’s Under 20 County Championship and won 26-10 at Ivybridge.
The black and golds scored four tries through Jack Osborne, Chae Jenkins, Jack Hodge and Will Gibson with Reuben Edwards kicking three conversions.
A pleasing result for coaches Josh Lord and Matt Shepherd ahead of their opening Championship fixture against Gloucestershire on Sunday 11th February at Cinderford.
The Nat West 6 Nations starts this weekend with Jack Nowell in the squad for the opening fixture against Italy in Rome on Sunday.