What a fantastic program of events laid on by the Cornish Pirates on Sunday with their first St Piran’s festival. There was something for everyone to enjoy and the club are to be congratulated on a marvellous PR job. The only thing missing was the result but in typical Cornish style, the weather played it’s part a real mad March blow spoilt the game as a spectacle.
If the players suffered in the conditions then you had to feel for the lovely ladies from Redruth Amateur Operatic Society, who gave a half-time dance performance in front of the grandstand, they must have felt frozen! So to the minis from Redruth and Truro U. 8’s who battled bravely against the elements.
Having lost a close encounter 6-5 to Bedford Blues who thus gained revenge for the Pirates win at Goldington Road earlier in the season, players and coach were clearly upset. Adryan Winnan looked very downcast after the game the disappointment clearly etched on his face. Brett Davey said that the result “hurt”, you sensed a berevement in the family, hopefully that will spur the boys on next Sunday when they entertain Esher. If John Inverdale looks in discomfort on the TV, then the news from Camborne could be the reason rather than another England flop!!!!
You can read my match report from Camborne here
Redruth survived the “bananna skin” at Cinderford winning 25-20 to keep their noses ahead in National League 2. Tries from lock Luke Collins, winger Lewis Vinnicombe and full-back Emyr Lewis set the Red’s on their way but crucially they couldn’t get that vital fourth try, so their lead at the top has been trimmed by another point and the Bees and Cambridge both got maximum points.
The Cornish All Blacks had a narrow win against a Blaydon side missing winger Andrew Fenby who turned out and scored for Newcastle Falcons on Sunday, (which should make the England Counties selection interesting this week ), 23-19, thanks to a couple of tries from Ryan Westren and Jon Fabian, Adam Staniforth’s boot added the other points.
Mount’s Bay survival took a telling blow at Blackheath as they crashed to the home side 55-21. Bay managed three tries from Dan Hawkes, Craig Goodfellow and Ben Hilton with Hawkes kicking all three conversions.
In the Tribute regional leagues a good win once more for the Hakes in South West 2 West as St. Ives won 23-7 at Yatton thanks to tries from Tom Outram and Louis Stevens and 13 points from the trusty boot of Karl Martin.
In Western Counties West, no doubt that the result of the day and one that made one or two eyebrows raise Camborne 55 – 0 Kingsbridge. Town scored eight tries through Rob Floyd (3), Sam Matavesi (2), Joe Parma, Dave Mankee and Laurie Manna, with Mankee kicking three conversions and three penalties.
Wadebridge Camels were held at Weston Hornets 11-11, a disappointing result for the Camels. Luke Davidson scored the Camels try with Josh Taylor kicking a couple of penalties.
Tiverton beat Newquay Hornets 18-13, early tries from Rob McIntyre and Rob Ley gave the hornets a flying start but Tivy came back to take the spoils.
Bude lost at Ivybridge 20-10 Ollie Rayner kicked a penalty and converted Olly Denford’s try.
in London 3 SW, London Cornish put in a storming second half performance to defeat visitors Bognor 34-14. Dickon Moon’s report is here.
Match of the day in the Cornwall and Devon League was atSt. Clements as Truro entertained leaders Penryn with the city club winning 23-7. Truro scored three tries through Ross Martin, Garth Dodson and Joe Williamson with Scott Martin kicking a conversion and penalty and brother Ross another penalty to complete the scoring. For the Borough Matt Biggins converted a penalty try.
Hayle had a good win over OPM’s 22-0 with tries from Cullam Osborne, Adam Redgrave and Leon Phoe, Paul Lello adding two conversions and a penalty.
Falmouth lost at the Rec to visiting Bideford 23-13. Steve Rowe got Falmouth’s try converted by Tom Spiller who also added a penalty, James Instance dropped a goal.
Steve Down kicked Saltash’s only points as they lost at Moorlands 48-3 to Okehampton.
