A dramatic last-minute try gave the Cornish Pirates a 35 – 33 win over Ealing Trailfinders in The Championship, while Camborne (38 – 26 v London Scottish) and Redruth (36 – 31 v Taunton Titans) both won at National League level. Launceston edged Brixham 38 – 31 in Regional 1, Penzance & Newlyn won 41 – 7 at Winscombe and Wadebridge Camels beat Ivybridge 41 – 25 in Regional 2, but St. Austell lost 54 – 29 at Royal Wootton Bassett. St. Ives won a close one at Saltash, and there were big scores in Counties 2 and 3.

The Championship

Cornish Pirates 35 – 33 Ealing Trailfinders. The sides were level at 21 – 21 at half-time and the Pirates won it with a last-minute try from Matt Pritchard. Everett, Nelson, Palmer and debutant Nick Lilley also crossed, with Arwel Robson kicking five conversions; Ealing replied with tries from Gibbons (2), Moore, Hatherell and Cornish. Joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: “Our last play to work our way back up field and get close to Ealing’s line was exceptional.” It was reported as the Pirates’ first win over Ealing in five years.

National League 1

Camborne 38 – 26 London Scottish.

National League 2 West

Redruth 36 – 31 Taunton Titans.

Regional 1 Tribute Ale South West

Launceston 38 – 31 Brixham.

Royal Wootton Bassett 54 – 29 St. Austell.

Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West

Winscombe 7 – 41 Penzance & Newlyn. Penzance & Newlyn scored six tries, through Joe Best, Sam Carter, Callum Walsh, Ben Martin, Connor Bick and Dan Rhys Evans, with Rhys Brownfield adding a penalty and four conversions. It was their second win in succession. Head coach Murray Westren said the side started really well, though the second half became a scrappier affair. Callum Walsh was man of the match.

Wadebridge Camels 41 – 25 Ivybridge.

Counties 1 Tribute Ale Western West

Newton Abbot 43 – 22 Truro; Saltash 30 – 33 St. Ives.

Counties 1 Surrey/Sussex

Hove 49 – 15 London Cornish.

Counties 2 Tribute Ale Cornwall

Two draws on the day: Perranporth 17 – 17 St. Just and St. Austell II 24 – 24 Falmouth. Other results: Helston 38 – 5 Bude; Liskeard-Looe 20 – 26 Wadebridge Camels II; Newquay Hornets 12 – 68 Launceston II; Penryn 50 – 14 St. Agnes.

Counties 3 Tribute Ale Cornwall

Bodmin 12 – 22 Helston II; Bude II 3 – 59 Penzance & Newlyn II; Camborne School of Mines 54 – 26 Lankelly-Fowey; Falmouth II 19 – 71 Illogan Park; Hayle 70 – 12 Roseland; Redruth Albany 33 – 22 St. Ives II; Veor 68 – 19 Saltash II.

Women’s rugby (Sunday)

In the RFU Junior Cup, Bude Ladies 5 – 20 Truro Women, and Camborne Women advanced after an away walkover at Redruth Ladies. In the RFU Intermediate Cup, Penryn Ladies were given a home walkover against Crediton Women.

Full fixtures and results are on our Full Cornish page.

Scores from trelawnysarmy.org/full-cornish. Match colour from CornishStuff (cornishstuff.com).

COMMUNITY RUGBY SEASON START

LEAGUE SEASON DELAYED UNTIL 21ST SEPTEMBER

By Bill Hooper, Cornwall RFU.

Cornish clubs have had to wait a little longer than usual for the start of the league season after the RFU delayed the start of competitive community rugby until the week commencing Monday 21st September.

File photo: James Tucker of Cornwall (Launceston) runs in a try in the Tamar Cup friendly at Brickfields, Plymouth, April 2026. Photo Simon Bryant Iktisphoto

The RFU said the decision was taken with three concerns in mind: player safety on hard pitches, fairness of competition, and certainty for clubs. In its statement it explained that “prolonged dry weather has left many grounds across the country hard and unsuitable for safe full-contact activity.”

What the delay meant

National League Rugby was allowed to permit National League 1 and 2 matches before 21st September, but Regional 1 and all lower men’s leagues had to postpone any earlier fixtures until after that date. Women’s leagues below PWR also had to reschedule fixtures falling before 21st September.

Age-grade competitions moved too, with the U18 Schools Cups starting on 28th September and the U15s on 5th October. Training was able to continue, with modified contact protocols on hard grounds, and friendlies could still go ahead where conditions allowed.

The RFU encouraged clubs to keep players involved through non-contact formats and T1 Rugby in the meantime, adding that “a delayed start to contact fixtures doesn’t mean a delayed start for your club as a whole.”

Guidance for clubs

Cornwall RFU later passed on further RFU guidance to help clubs, referee societies, schools, colleges, universities, coaches, referees and volunteers through the extra weeks. It covers assessing the safety of pitches, returning players to game fitness ahead of the competitive season, age-grade rugby and more. County Boards, schools, colleges and universities are responsible for deciding when non-RFU league and cup competitions start.

Now the wait is over, keep up with every Cornish club’s fixtures and results on our Full Cornish Fixtures & Results page.

Statement and guidance by Bill Hooper, Cornwall RFU. Reproduced with permission from crfu.co.uk and crfu.co.uk.

TRIBUTE CRFU SUPER CUP FINAL

LAUNCESTON WIN THE SUPER CUP

By Bill Hooper, Cornwall RFU, Polson Bridge, Launceston.

Launceston curtain-raised the new Cornish rugby season in style, winning the Tribute CRFU Super Cup at Polson Bridge on Saturday 5th September, with Penzance & Newlyn taking the runners-up spot.

The competition was played as a three-team round-robin between Launceston, Wadebridge Camels and Penzance & Newlyn, with every side playing the other two in 40-minute games split into two 20-minute halves.

The programme at Polson Bridge

LAUNCESTON V PENZANCE & NEWLYN 2:30
WADEBRIDGE CAMELS V LAUNCESTON 3:30
WADEBRIDGE CAMELS V PENZANCE & NEWLYN 4:30

Supporters were welcome at the ground for £5 (under-16s free), and the day finished with the cup presentation and medal ceremony.

Congratulations to Launceston RC on winning the Super Cup, and to Penzance & Newlyn RFC as runners-up.

With the Super Cup out of the way, the focus now turns to the league campaign, which gets under way this week after the RFU delayed the competitive community season until the week commencing 21st September. You can follow all the Cornish fixtures and results on our Full Cornish Fixtures & Results page.

Report by Bill Hooper, Cornwall RFU. Reproduced with permission from crfu.co.uk.

BILL BEAUMONT CUP FINAL

CORNWALL 39 – 24 LANCASHIRE

By Gareth Davies, Allianz Twickenham Stadium.

Cornwall claimed their eighth County Championship crown with a hard-fought five try win over a
spirited Lancashire outfit at Twickenham.

For Cornwall’s Matt Shepherd it was also a fifth winners medal from his eight finals played at Twickenham.

Looking to emulate the magnificent feat of the Cornwall women’s team just a few hours earlier,
Dawe’s charges fell behind inside the first 90 seconds when a ruck infringement was punished
by Lancashire captain Chris Johnson.

The Heath veteran, playing in his eighth showpiece final, kicked a long-range penalty to open
the scoring.

That narrow Red Rose advantage didn’t last long as with Cornwall’s first assault on their line,
Shaun Buzza went over and Kyle Moyle converted.

Lancashire responded well to conceding the game’s first try and they duly opened their five-
point account in the 11th minute through hooker Jack Ellam. The extras were knocked over by
Johnson and Cornwall were behind.

Two tries in three minutes then underlined Cornwall’s attacking prowess as both Alex Ducker
and then Moyle crossed the whitewash. Moyle, the former Gloucester and Cornish Pirates full-back, chimed into the three-quarter line to feed Ducker who showed magnificent footwork to sit two would-be Lancashire defenders down to score near the posts. Moyle added the extras and almost from the restart, Cornwall struck again.

A scrum in the centre of field after the ball struck the referee saw Cornwall execute a training
ground move with perfection. Josh Mataevesi’s short delayed pass found Dean Wills and then
Shepherd with Moyle supporting to dot down.

Another seven-point score was registered and at that point Cornwall threatened to run riot but
once again huge credit must go to Lancashire as they dug in magnificently.
So much so that Moyle opted to kick for goal from a penalty inside the Lancashire half as the
interval approached to stretch the score out to 24-10 in Cornwall’s favour.

Lancashire would ensure that Cornwall’s lead would be down to single figures at the turnaround
when powerhouse flanker Ashton Kassam-Sharples scored and Johnson converted.
After the interval, Cornwall nerves would have started to jangle when Lancashire levelled up the
game when full-back Sam Freeman burrowed his way over from close range for his side’s third
converted try of the afternoon.

Freeman’s score came on the back of a penalty advantage for the Red Rose side which also
resulted in Josh Matavesi being shown a yellow card.

At 24-24 and with Cornwall losing one of their many talismen, Lancashire hopes were raised
that they could secure an against all odds triumph.

Moyle kicked a fine penalty from just inside the Lancashire half to edge Cornwall back in front
before the game changing moment arrived in the 53rd minute. Lancashire’s Tom Ailes broke
through the Cornwall defence and his brilliant offload was snared by replacement Matt Bradley.
The Sale scrum-half dived for the line and he slid over, only to be denied by a truly remarkable
try-saver from Wills. Held up was referee Tom Evans-Jones’ call and from the subsequent
restart, Sam Matavesi delivered a captain’s knock to win a penalty and the momentum swung
towards the Black and Gold.

Back from his 10 minutes on the sideline, Josh Matavesi then increased Cornwall’s lead with a
powerful run off the back of an attacking line-out. The former Bath and Newcastle man reached
out to place the ball on the whitewash and despite strong Lancashire protests, which led to
handbags between the two sides, the try was awarded and Moyle converted.

Some real breathing space for Cornwall, who suffocated the Lancashire attack and despite the
Red Rose outfit having a sustained spell of possession and multiple phases, they were nullified.
With 10 minutes to go, another fine backs move resulted in Bodily cutting a superb line to score
a fifth Cornwall try. The conversion was missed as Moyle recorded the only blot on his personal
copybook from the tee.

Ben Priddey thought he had extended Cornwall’s lead further as the clock approached 80
minutes but the referee, in consultation with one of his tough judges, ruled that the Camborne
try scoring machine had knocked on.

It was the final noteworthy action of the match and when the final whistle sounded, despite
heavy rain falling under gloomy London skies, a second side in black and gold had triumphed at
headquarters, in what turned out to be a truly landmark day for Cornish rugby.

Cornwall (Camborne, unless stated): Kyle Moyle, Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Max Bodilly (London Welsh), Josh Matavesi, Alex Ducker, Dean Wills (Redruth), CJ Boyce; Tyler Gendall, Tom Cowan-Dickie (both Redruth), Sam Rodman, Mawgan Osborne, Edd Pascoe (both Redruth), Shaun Buzza, Sam Matavesi (Capt), Herbie Stupple.

Replacements: Declan Prowse (Penzance & Newlyn), Jack Andrew, Jago Sheppard, Ben Hancock (Launceston), Jordan Nicholls, Will Hennessy, Harry Larkins, Ben Priddey.

Tries: Buzza (5), Ducker (14), Moyle (17), J Matavesi (60), Bodily (70). Pens: Moyle 2/2. Cons: Moyle 4/5

GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2 FINAL

CORNWALL WOMEN 46 – 27 DURHAM WOMEN

Cornwall Women produced a scintillating performance on their first ever match at the home of English rugby to defeat Durham Women in the Gill Burns Division 2 county final, reports Bill Hooper

Cornwall Women scored eight tries during the match with Cornwall’s Michaella Roberts scoring a brace in a player of the match performance. The No.8 carried time and time again, constantly making good ground putting Cornwall on the front foot against a Durham side that played their part in the final.

Despite a promising start by Cornwall it was Durham who opened the scoring with an unconverted try scored by Kathryn Barrett who slipped the Cornish defenders.

From the beginning of the match Cornwall’s scrum had the measure of the Durham eight at the set-piece with Roberts proving a handful along with Alex Hutchings. Good Cornish pressure saw Abby Smith go close before the ball was moved wide with Faith Rowe finding Hannah Mills to dot down out wide.

Moments later Durham regained the lead when their skipper Jess Clabby sliced through the Cornwall cover, Sabrina McCann adding the conversion.

Cornwall got back to within two points when from a penalty kicked to the corner by Tori Crutchley, skipper Megan Arnold won the lineout with the pack putting in a great drive to the Durham line for Roberts to dot down.

Cornwall then took a firm grip on the game scoring two converted tries, first of all Cornwall’s scrum shoved Durham off their own ball strong drives saw Kim Upcott pick up from a ruck and then drive towards the posts, brought down just short the prop managed to dot down under the sticks.

From the re-start Hutchings made good ground before Amy Warman’s pass found Roberts who spotted a gap and sped from her own half to score a marvellous try, Tori Crutchley added both conversions and Cornwall were suddenly 24-12 up that scoreline remained to half-time.

Cornwall brought on some fresh legs for the second half just 5 minutes in from a scrum Cornwall broke away, the ball went wide to Abby Masquelier she was brought down short, Warman re-cycled the ball to Jessie Humber who did well to ground then ball in the corner.

Durham then lost Molly Dutchburn to the sin bin for repeat offending, Cornwall made the most of the extra numbers, good play by Roberts and Hutchings saw the ball moved into the Durham twenty-two, when the ball was moved wide Georgia Hall’s pass found Masquelier who showed her pace to out flank the cover and score to put Cornwall 34-12 ahead.

Any thoughts Cornwall had of game won were quickly dispelled. The influential Roberts found herself on the sidelines with a yellow card, Durham took full advantage when Hollie Mountain found space out wide to score, then Daisey Graham pulled back another try to bring the Northerners back to within twelve points.

Then Maggie Graham scored a fifth try for Durham with just seven minutes remaining to set Cornish nerves jangling.

Cornwall needed calm heads, they went for more! Mills, Ninnis and Upcott drove up into the Durham twenty-two before Faith Rowe picked the ball up three meters out and wriggled to the line to score, Hall’s conversion gave Cornwall some breathing space.

The icing on the cake came when Masquelier danced down the touchline to skin the tiring Durham defence and dot down with aplomb by the posts. Hall’s conversion went the wrong side of the sticks but it mattered not Cornwall were Champions and the celebrations began.

Speaking after the match Cornwall’s head coach Jo Holden was understandably delighted by her side’s performance. “We showed Cornish granite out there today, it was a game of ups and downs, we were well ahead, then got pegged back, but we showed our mettle and the support of the crowd helped us get over the line. I couldn’t be happier for our team. What a great bunch they have been, a pleasure to coach.”

Cornwall Women (Launceston unless stated): Rachel Hicks, Suz Franks, Abigail Smith, Tori Crutchley (Truro), Hannah Mills (Ivybridge), Faith Rowe (Truro), Amy Warman; Libbie Cole, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold (Capt), Jessie Humber (Ivybridge), Alex Hutchings, Elizabeth Langton (Ivybridge), Michaella Roberts (Ivybridge).

Replacements: Jessica Varker (Helston), Zeta Penrose (Truro), Rhiannon Thomas, Caitlin Milliken (Camborne), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Evie Groves (Truro), Abby Masquelier (Penryn).

Cornwall scores: Tries: Mills 12, Roberts 26, 33, Upcott 31, Humber 47, Masquelier 56, 80, Rowe 76. Cons, Crutcley 32, 34, Hall 77

Durham Women: Sabrina McCann (Bishop Auckland), Georgia Massey (Bishop Auckland), Kathryn Barrett (Bishop Auckland), Jess Clabby (Capt, Ryton), Daisy Graham (Houghton), Neve Kinghorn, Leonie Kinghorn (both Stockton), Kenzie Burnside (Houghton), Tamsin Thompson (Peterlee & Horden), Meg Owen (Bishop Auckland), Hannah Picknett (Yarm), Maddy Chandler (Bishop Auckland), Dagmara Podgorska (Stockton), Sophie Underwood (Durham Uni), Naomi Garbutt (Stockton).

Replacements: April Roxby (Peterlee & Horden), Molly Dutchburn (Bishop Auckland), Amy Hayhurst (Stockton), Maggie Graham (Houghton), Clara Verlaque, Hollie Mountain (both Bishop Auckland), Ndapanda Kakundi (Stockton), Emma Lawson (Bishop Auckland).

Durham scores: Tries: Barrett 6, Clabby 15, Mountain 64, D Graham 71, M Graham 75. Cons, McCann 16.

Referee: Chrissy Clark (Oxon SRFR)

You can watch both the men’s and women’s finals via the RFU You Tube Channel from 10:50 am on Saturday morning.

RFU Livestream You Tube Channel

Women’s final is at 11 am

Men’s final at 5 pm

Watch the the livestream and put on BBC Radio Cornwall for the best audio of the game.

Here is the link for the Radio Cornwall online commentary for the Women’s final

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/live/cd7pqdx1j9et

BBC Cornwall doing a big match preview at 6 pm Friday evening

Thanks to the efforts of Kevin Thomas from Cornwall RFU and their valued sponsors Newell’s Travel, Newells are laying on two coaches on Saturday for the Bill Beaumont Cup final at Twickenham kick-off 5 pm. These coaches are up and back on the Saturday.

Please note that neither coach will arrive in time for the Women’s final at 11 am, the logistics are not possible, regretfully.

Coach A, Will pick up from;

Falmouth, Truro, St. Austell, Liskeard & Saltash

Coach B, will pick up from;

Penzance, Camborne, Redruth, Cornwall Services (A30), Launceston

Arrival time at Twickenham is 3 pm.

Cost per person £74 return per person.

To book, contact Newell’s Travel on 01726 932329.Phone lines are open 09:30 – 17:00. Payment (bank transfer only) will be taken at the time of booking and will be strictly first come first served.