The Cornish Pirates got their play-off hopes back on track with a hard fought 17-0 win over old rivals Plymouth Albion on Sunday at a wet and murky Camborne.
Albion’s fly-half Kieran Hallett had an off day with the boot fluffing three kickable first half penalties , and Gary Kingdom pulled one wide as well to compound Albion’s misery.
The Pirates on the other hand had no such qualms, following an initial penalty Rob Cook added conversions to the Pirates’ two first half tries from their Kiwis Blair Cowan and Jonny Bentley.
The second half became a turgid wrestle in the mud as conditions worsened. Albion’s Canadian international Tyler Hotson had a rush of blood thumping Pirates’ Laurie McGlone, the Canadian’s indiscretion warranted more than a simple yellow card.
With Bedford Blues turning over Bristol 17-16, it sets up the Pirates back-to-back encounters with the Midlanders, the first act on Easter Sunday at Camborne.
In National League 1, the Cornish All Blacks enjoyed another fine win on the road this time at Nuneaton 36-14. Apart form a penalty-try award, Jon Hill’s charges scored tries through Kieron Lewitt, Lewis Webb, Bryn Jenkins, Darren Semmens, and Ryan Westren. Tony Yapp chipping in three conversions.
Redruth let a 17-10 lead slip at Monks Lane to end up on the wrong end of a 28-22 defeat as they endured yet more misery on the road. Injuries to Adryan Winnan and Nick Simmons didn’t help the mood in the Red camp either and with Brett Rule picking up a nasty injury on Sunday in the Skinners Brewery CRFU Super Cup Final 1st leg at Launceston, the Redruth backroom staff have got their work cut out to get the Reds ready for Tynedale on Easter Saturday.
In Tribute Southwest 1 West, St. Ives lost at Chosen Hill 37-13, Raphael Barragwanath got the Hakes try with veteran Ian Morgan kicking the points.
In Tribute Western Counties West, Camborne are almost there following their 30-27 win over Truro at the Rec. Truro certainly pushed the “champions elect” all the way with 17 points from the boot of Grant Thirlby as well as a try to add to the try from Luke Trescothick.
Camborne scored four tries with Adam Notman grabbing a brace, Joe Parma and James Goldsworthy, Shane Woods kicking 10 points.
Wadebridge kept up their chase with a 45-0 win at Bude. The Camels only have one more league game to play on April 10th at home to …Camborne!!! Ian Boyling (2), Tom O’Donnell, Luke Davidson, Dan Prout and Mark Grubb scored the Camels’ tries , with Davidson adding a further 15 points with the boot.
It’s heartening to see Penryn on the up and finishing the season strongly, which hopefully augurs well for next season. The Borough won 17-14 at Minehead.
Newquay Hornets are looking anxiously over their shoulders as they slipped to another defeat at home, this time to Okehampton 34-10. Prop Simon Lutey grabbed a try for the Hornets with Sam Cullen adding the conversion and a penalty.
Up in London, in London 2 SW, London Cornish lost at home to Effingham & Leatherhead 24-15
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon league, Falmouth’s game at OPM’s was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
St. Austell could offer little as they lost at runaway leaders Wellington 31-0. Stithians lost at Exeter Saracens 38-10. A good win for Hayle over doomed Saltash by 33-0. Liskeard & Looe scored 14 tries as they thumped Plymstock 80-3.
On Sunday in the first leg of the Skinners Brewery CRFU Super Cup Final 1st leg played at Polson, the Cornish All Blacks defeated Redruth 20-16. Redruth fielded a few Exeter Academy boys to bolster their depleted squad. Josh Lord playing at No.8 and fly-half Joe Wearne scored the All Blacks’ tries with Wearne adding both conversions and a couple of penalties. For the Reds, Chiefs’ Ruaidhri Murphy scored a try as did winger Ashley Hosking, a fine break out of defence and showing fine footballing skills. Brett Rule and Jason Pengilly added penalties.
All to play for in the second leg at Redruth on Sunday 18th April.
Having returned home from Paul Bawden’s funeral last Thursday, I was shocked to learn of the death of another Trelawny’s Army stalwart, Tom Prout, who was for so many years editor of our newsletter Black & Gold and who still wrote a column Tom Prout’s tuppence worth. Tom was also the webmaster for the Cornwall RFU website. A keen supporter of the Cornish All Blacks, Tom also had a soft spot for his home town club Lankelly-Fowey. As a former Navy man Tom always looked forward to Cornwall’s clash with the Royal Navy for the Ginster’s Cup.
Tom my ‘andsome you will be truly missed on the touchline.
