NOTTINGHAM DUMP PIRATES OUT OF TROPHY

The dream of the EDF-Energy National Trophy quarter-final tie between Mount’s Bay and the Cornish Pirates was shipwrecked good ‘n proper at Meadow Lane on Sunday afternoon as Nottingham dispatched a sadly lacklustre Cornish side by 39-8 to book their place at the Mennaye to face the Bay.

It was a performance that has been described by those that were there as “embarassing”, not a discription that will sit easy with either the Pirates’ supporters or management as the club looks to secure funding for next season’s “Championship”. The sad fact though is that the side this season are no better than a mid-table, all they have to play for now is PRIDE and to secure the best possible finish as a launch pad for next season and hopefully a more successful campaign.

For the good of Cornish rugby let us all hope that “the problems” that have clearly existed this season can be resolved and the club move forward, it is the least that the supporters deserve!

There will at least be an all-Cornish tie in the quarter-finals of the EDF-Energy Junior Vase as Liskeard and Looe overcame Essex side Campion at Lux Park 25-3 to set up the tie with St. Austell. Baz Hocking led the scoring with a couple of tries a conversion and a penalty, other points came from Bob Bettison and a conversion from Marcus Hill.

In National League 2, leaders Redruth left it very late to snatch victory from defeat at Westcombe Park. Trailing 13-10 well into injury time Redruth scored their third try of the afternoon from replacement winger Rob Thirlby to snatch a vital win. Emyr Lewis and Mark Bright scored the other Reds’ tries.

Mount’s Bay’s hopes of avoiding relegation took another blow as they lost at Giggleswick School to Wharfedale. With the Dalesmen securing all five points on offer the relegation trapdoor has opened a little wider. Ben Hilton scored a try for Bay with Dan Hawkes adding the conversion and three penalties.

In the Tribute regional leagues, St. Ives’ game at Walcot was called off due to the weather.

In Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels dropped a vital point at bottom club Withycombe drawing 10-10. Rob Hawkey and Sam Stone scored tries for the Camels.

Newquay Hornets completed the double over Camborne with a 29-15 win at the Recreation Ground. Hornets ran in five tries with a brace from winger James Ingle, No.8 Stuart Williams, former Camborne flyer, Rob Ley and centre Romy Vassell. Sam Cullen kicked a couple of conversions. Camborne kept in it with tries from Rob Floyd and Shane Woods with Dave Mankee adding a conversion and a drop-goal.

Bude found the going tough up along the North Coast at Minehead losing 34-6, Ollie Rayner with acouple of penalties.

In London, London Cornish’s game was the victim of a water-logged pitch.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn maintained their championship push with a win at Hayle 12-5 thanks to tries by Darren Pellow and Taron Peacock with Peacock adding a conversion. For Hayle Adam Redgrave scored a try.

Truro maintain their push with a win over Crediton 16-8. Luke Trescothick scored the try with the Martin brothers kicking the other points, Scott the conversion and two penalties, Ross a drop-goal.

Saltash lost at Moorlands 8-5 to Wellington, Rob Woolridge scoing a try for the Ashes.

Falmouth had no answer to Tavistock going down 57-0.

Congratulations to Redruth Colts who overcame Ivybridge 15-0 at Redruth to reach the last eight of the National Colts Cup.

Truro College have made the semi-finals of the Daily Mail U.18 Cup following their 15-8 win in Cheshire to Lymm. They now face Surrey school John Fisher in the semi-final, which will be played at Broadstreet RFC in Coventry on Saturday March 14th, hoping to book their place in the Twickenham final on Wednesday 1st April.

So to the second weekend of the RBS 6 Nations, although Wales did beat England 23-15, England showed far better than they did in their previous game. France disappointed in their 22-13 win over Scotland for whom the Evans brother stood out. Ireland completed a routine win in Rome to keep their championship hopes on course winning 38-9.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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