Opening weekend league round up

The long awaited first weekend of league action saw some encouraging results for our Cornish clubs along with one or two disappointments.

The Cornish Pirates report is in the previous blog entry so straight on to National League 2 South and Redruth’s fine win at Dings Crusaders so often a graveyard for Cornish clubs.

Tries from scrum-half Jack Oulton, flanker Ben Fox and centre Nelly Webber laid the foundations as did the goal-kicking of Richie Kevern in the 25-17 win.

Next up for the Reds are Taunton who will arrive at the Rec full of confidence after their 62-24 win over Worthing.

Camborne travelled to Ivybridge for their opening game in the South West Premier with a depleted squad, despite a late rally they were left with just a losing bonus point from a 29-24 defeat,

The Cherry and Whites were awarded a penalty try, plus tries from Josh Semmens and Alex Ducker with Jake Champion kicking the other points.

In Tribute South West 1 West, Launceston made an excellent start with a 36-25 win at Lydney.

The Cornish All Blacks secured all five points on offer thanks to a brace of tries from skipper Lloyd Duke and further tries from Brandon Rowley, Adam Collings and Shaun Crawford. Glenn Coles kicked the rest of the points with a conversion and three penalties.

A good start at this level for St.Ives, who defeated Cullompton at Alexandra Road 41-14. Martyn Lawrence bagged a couple of tries as did Jamie Prisk with further tries coming from Joe Parma and Ben Taylor. Rhys Brownfield landed four conversions and a penalty.

London Cornish were pipped at Cobham in their opening London 1 South fixture 29-25. Two second half yellow cards proved costly. Cornish scored three tries through Rory Stanyard, Harry Somers and Dave Funston. George Kimmins kicked the rest of the points.

In Tribute Western Counties West, I watched an entertaining opening game of the season at St. Clements Hill where visitors Falmouth held out against a final onslaught from Truro to take the spoils 22-17.

Falmouth held firm in the opening stages when it looked like the bigger Truro pack would steamroller the Eagles.

Instead Matt Poole opened the scoring with a well-worked try converted by scrum-half Matt Austin.

Truro replied with a try from lock Sam Parker but Falmouth pulled further ahead when Austin finished off a good break from centre Tom Edmonds to score under the posts, the scrum-half adding the extras for 14-5 half-time lead.

Early in the second half full-back Matt Horton finished off another flowing move for an unconverted try.

Horton then dropped a goal and Falmouth looked hone and dry with less than ten minutes to play.

To their credit Truro fought back in time added on to score tries through No.8 Jack Tidball and wing Ieuan Boon with the first score converted by Ethan Tyler to secure a losing bonus point.

St. Austell got off to a winning start 15-6 against Paignton. Trailing 6-3 at the break with just Chris Ashwin’s penalty on the scoreboard.

Two tries in the second half from player coach Kyle Marriott and Ben Chenoweth plus an Ashwin conversion saw the Saints off to a winning start.

Wadebridge Camels were given a lesson by Crediton 43-20 at the Molesworth Field. Darren Livett scored a try on his league debut with Mike Rawlings getting a second. Danny Thomas landed both conversions and a couple of penalties.

Saltash were given a rude awaking to life back at this level as they went down 64-7 at Sidmouth, Ollie Mulberry with their sole try converted by Ryan Cruickshanks.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, an early shock for Penryn, many peoples’  tip for promotion this season as the Borough slipped to defeat at Plymstock Albion Oaks 25-20.

Penryn scored four tries through James Salisbury, Tony Pellow, John Followell and Chris Hellier to at least return home with a couple of points.

Bude got off to a good start with a 16-14 win at Tavistock. Ed Hillman-Cooke scored all their points with a try, conversion and three penalties.

Liskeard-Looe drew 12-all at fellow promoted side South Molton. The Lions scored two tries through Jordan Smith and Chris Chew with Ieuan Evans kicking a conversion.

Pirates Amateurs picked up a couple of points despite losing at Plymouth Argaum 29-24. Alfie Prosser (2), Ryan Stanley and Issac Blackbourn scored their tries with Blackbourn and Trev Dugdale each kicking a conversion.

Lanner lost 50-15 at Withycombe.

Not a happy day for Hayle as they slipped to a 99-0 defeat at Torquay Athletic.

The Cornwall 1 & 2 clubs were involved in the first round of qualifying for this season’s RFU Junior Vase.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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