A STOPPAGE time try scored by the men in red (only they wore blue) sent the Cornish Pirates tumbling out of the British & Irish Cup at the Quarter-Final stage last Sunday at the Mennaye.
The 10-9 loss effectively ended their season with just pride to play for in their remaining three RFU Championship fixtures. The first being their game at Rotherham Titans this evening followed by the Sky game at Nottingham on Sunday with Jersey rounding off the season at the Mennaye on Saturday week.
It will be a chance to bid a fond farewell to players who are moving on such as Paul Andrew (Worcester Warriors), Phil Burgess (England 7’s) and a well deserved retirement for Wes Davies who has served the Pirates so well having enjoyed two spells at the club.
Others too, will no doubt be playing their final game in the famous shirt, whilst some will no doubt be back once the “contract negotiations” are cut and dried!
Great to read news from Dicky Evans about plans to revamp the Mennaye with a new main stand and new flood lights amongst some of the works planned. This will give the Pirates greater flexibility in playing games with no doubt a few evening kick-offs to look forward to. You can read Dicky Evans’ statement in the following link.
Dick Straughan’s match report can be found in the following link
It was a day of mixed fortunes and big scores for both our National League 2 clubs. The Cornish All Blacks beat relegated Barking 74-10 scoring eleven tries at Polson Bridge. Whilst for Redruth their end of season woes continued with a 61-19 defeat at promotion chasing Henley Hawks.
Launceston v Barking match report from WMN here.
Henley Hawks v Redruth WMN match report here.
As widely expected Redruth scrum-half Greg Goodfellow got a three week ban for his red card at Canterbury. He will be available for Redruth’s final league game of the season against Taunton and for Cornwall’s County Championship campaign.
However, it looks like Launceston’s Mike Rawlings could miss the County Championship due to injury.
In the local leagues, Camborne kept up their push for a play-off place with an entertaining 43-20 win over Sidmouth. Ashley Lawton scored a couple of tries with Dave Mankee, Adam Notman, Luke Johnson and skipper Dave Roberts crossing the whitewash. Mankee kicking the rest of the points.
Wadebridge Camels had a narrow win at home against Thornbury 32-30. Sean Johns, James Grubb, Adam Blackmore and Cam Lees scored the Camels’ tries with James Grubb kicking the other points. That win lifts the Camels up to fifth in Tribute SW 1 West.
In Tribute Western Counties West, despite losing at Devonport Services last Saturday 27-24, St. Austell are all but crowned Champions as their nearest challengers Bideford failed to claim a bonus point win. The title should be sealed at Tregorrick when the Saints take on Exeter Saracens. Matt Shepherd scored a brace of tries with Jack Grigg and Adam Pearce also crossing. Shepherd also kicked two conversions.
Penryn with a few players missing and others playing out of position, won at Exeter Saracens 36-20. Grant Randlesome, Ethan Patterson (2), Gareth Tedstone, Alex Ducker and Lewis Vague. Ducker adding three conversions.
Bude defeated Tavistock 31-20 to ensure they remain at this level next season. Luke Dunkin, Olly Denford and Kyle Speare scored the tries with Dan Pearce kicking the other points with the boot.
Truro are just above Bude in the table as they lost at Torquay 29-13. Ashley Riches scored a try for the City boys near the end which Jake Champion converted to add to two penalties kicked earlier by Justyn Irons.
Up in London 2 SW London Cornish won their vital game at Old Alleynian 44-15 to finally banish any fears of the drop in their 50th season! Read DoR Dickon Moon’s report in the link
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Champions-elect Teignmouth won at Falmouth 36-0.
Runners-up St. Ives won the derby against Hayle 25-7. For the Hakes Neil Corin (2), Tyler Gendall and Ellis Cox scored tries with Max Bodilly kicking a conversion and a penalty.
Pirates Amateurs lost at OPM’s 31-14. Matt Nicholas and Stephen Osbourne crossing for the Ams with Rhys Brownfield adding a conversion.
Saltash won the East Cornwall derby and Liskeard/Looe 41-15. Max Vennables scored 26 points with two tries, other tries came from Sean Crawford, Joe Skinnard and Josh Webb. For the Lions who will be plying their trade in Cornwall 1 next season, Lewis Elliot, Ben Kitto and Gareth Cook scored tries.
Finally, congratulations to Wadebridge Camels prop Zac Cinnamond who has been selected for the England Counties U.20 tour to Georgia next month. See link
