Park Lane has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Pirates and with a few murmurings of discontent in a few quarters following last Sunday’s disappointing result at home to Nottingham another faux pas could have sown the seeds for a mutiny aboard the good ship. Thankfully a 20-13 win stifled for now any such outcrys, however there was still frustration in the manner of victory. The Pirates scored two tries through the ever improving Ollie Thomas and fly-half Gareth Steenson who also kicked the other points with two conversions and a couple of penalties.
Up at Polson Bridge the other local game in National League 1 saw the Cornish All Blacks entertain the Exeter Chiefs. The Launceston club would have been delighted that distractions of the EGM held on the Thursday preceeding this match had been resolved. Many pundits prior to kick-off would have had the Devon side down to claim all five points, though the Chiefs did take the win the margin was only 25-18 with a late try from hooker Neil Clark ensuring a losing bonus point for the CABs. The All Blacks other try was scored by full back Andy Birkett, with Scott Ireland kicking a penalty and a conversion. Jon Fabian droped a goal to complete the scoring.
Six penalty goals struck by the boot of fly-half Tim Mosey deputising for the injured Lee Jarvis saw Mount’s Bay home 18-16 at Ealing to maintain their un-beaten start to the season and keep them at the top-of-the table in National League 3 South.
In South West 1, poor old St. Ives endured a nightmare at Oxford Harlequins thumped 72-3, a result which leaves them at the foot of the table. Mike Crump kicked the Hakes solitary points with a penalty.
In South West 2 West a ray of light for Camborne as they secured their first league point of the season with a 7-7 draw at home to Brixham. Tom Hinds scored the try which was converted by David Mankee.
In Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels defeated Paignton at the Molesworth Field 53-14. Three tries in the first six minutes had the camels on their merry way, Richard Treleaven, Matt Ballard and Jamie Kneal securing the touchdowns with a Sean Hawkey conversion were the early point scorers. Andy Cameron scored a fourth for the Camels just before half-time which Hawkey again converted. Paignton rallied after the break but it was the camels who ran away with the game scoring another five tries through Gary Gynn, Kneal, Cameron, Tom O’Donnell and Alisdair MacLennan, Hawkey and Andy Hicks kicking a couple of conversions.
Bude defeated Sidmouth at Bencoolen Meadow 13-10. Rob Uglow and Barry Sobey scored the North Cornwall side’s tries with a penalty slotted by Matt Trewin.
Hayle slipped to another defeat this time at Ivybridge by 53-14, James Jago and David Guffick scored the Lions’ tries.
Penryn lost again at home this time to Tiverton by 20-3 to remain firmly anchored to the foot of the table.
Up in London another fine win for London Cornish by 33-3 in London 3 SW at home to Andover, see Dickon Moon’s excellent report in the forums.
The Cornwall & Devon League sees two Cornish clubs occupying the top two positions. Newquay Hornets remain top after a 39-6 win at home to Wessex which saw winger Rob McIntyre bag a brace of tries.
Truro are second after defeating Tavistock in Devon 34-27, thanks in part to 19 points from the boot of Scott Martin.
Falmouth drew at home with Cullompton 14-14, Ed Lawrence and Mike Slater scored Falmouth’s tries both of which James Instance converted.
