In the Championship,having struggled with a spate of injuries the Cornish Pirates were this week hit by a flu bug prior to their trip to Rotherham, so in many ways it was perhaps not too surprising that they lost at Clifton Lane 29-20. Former Redruth centre PJ Gidlow came on as a second half replacement for the Titans making his debut for his new side.
The Pirates scored a couple of tries from scrum-half James Doherty and all-action skipper Blair Cowan. Jimmy Moore playing at fly-half slotted both conversions and a couple of penalties. Chris Stirling will no doubt rue the fact that his side didn’t get any points from the game despite their handicaps. Mark Stevens WMN match report can be found here
In National League 1 Redruth secured a narrow win over a very useful Otley side at the Rec. The Reds welcomed back Mark Bright after his Air New Zealand Cup exploits with Tasman Makos. It took the Kiwi No.8 just three minutes to set up a try for scrum-half Mark Richards in the Piggy Lane Corner.
With Mark Scrivener adding a couple of second half penalites the Reds looked set for the win until Otley hit back with a penalty from their excellent fly-half James Murray who also converted Oliver Stedman’s try. Redruth held out 11-10.
The Cornish All Blacks were well beaten up at Cambridge 22-8 with just a Tony Yapp penalty and a try from Bruce Pow to show for their efforts.
In the Tribute regional league in South West 1 West, St. Ives followed up their win at Yatton the previous week with an impressive 52-5 win over St. Mary’s Old Boys at Alexandra Road. The Hakes ran in eight tries with Ashley Weston, Tom Nicholas, Tom Outram, Nick Hitchens (2), Ben Taylor, Tim McBride, and Shane Poynton all crossing. Player/coach Ian Morgan chipped in with four conversions with James Trezise adding a couple more.
In Western Counties West, Camborne kept the pressure up on leaders Kingsbridge with a 30-14 win at home to Okehampton. Joe Parma, Sam Matavesi, Ryan Spargo and Laurie Manna all scored tries for the Cherry & Whites. Shane Woods adding a couple of conversions and two penalties.
The aforementioned leaders Kingsbridge won 23-0 at the Sports Centre against Newquay Hornets who are having a torrid season thus far.
Truro are third in the table after their 27-11 win at Tiverton. Rikki Brandon and Luke Trescothick scored Truro’s tries whilst the boot of Scott Martin added 17 points.
Wadebridge Camels also won in Devon 29-15 at Tavistock. Danny Briscombe (2), Ben Collings and Mark Grubb scoring the Camels’ tries. Josh Taylor kicking three out of four conversions and a penalty.
In the day’s Cornish derby Penryn defeated Bude at the Memorial Ground 34-7. Six tries for the Borough faithful to cheer from Mike Slater, Matt Symons, Allen Jordan (2), Taron Peacock and Kevin Hughes. Peacock slotting a couple of conversions. For Bude Matt Willimas got their sole try, which Olly Denford converted.
Up in London it was Intermediate Cup day with London Cornish progressing to the 3rd round with a 25-21 win over Sevenoaks. Dickon Moon’s match report can be found here.
In the Cornwall & Devon league, village side Stithians are up to third after a 41-20 win over visitors Torrington.
St. Austell, after a couple of defeats won at Tregorrick against Teignmouth 20-14.
Hayle beat Falmouth in the Cornish Derby 16-7, whilst up in the east of the county Liskeard & Looe lost at Lux Park to leaders Wellington 23-19 and Saltash lost at Moorlands to Bideford 13-9.
