Early season form is always a good pointer, Sunday’s derby battle between the Cornish Pirates and Plymouth Albion was no different.
Having battled in relegation play-offs, it looks like Albion may well be challenging further up the table this season. Truth is they really should have won this game but goal-kicker fly-half Paul Roberts had an off day with the boot converting just one of his kicks at goal from six attempts.
The Pirates’ hero at the death was Rob Cook, back on loan from Gloucester following Grant Pointer’s dislocated shoulder last weekend in Jersey. His penalty in time added on secured an improbable 19-17 win.
Mention too for winger Matt Evans who scored both of the Pirates’ tries at this early stage of the season he’s well ahead on the club’s try-scoring stakes on five with the other players still to register!
You can read Dick Straughan’s match report here from the thisiscornwall site further reaction also from skipper Gavin Cattle from Bill Sobey in the Western Morning News here
Saturday saw another fiercely contested local derby as Redruth got the better of Launceston in National League 2 South. The final score-line of 46-24 to the Reds was probably not the result many pundits would have predicted. These matches are usually close affairs, but once again as last season the Cornish All Blacks look to be starting the season slowly.
My report for the thisiscornwall website can be found here.
To read the fuller report then watch out for Thursdays’ West Briton.
In Tribute South West 1 West Camborne made it two wins with a workmanlike win over visitors Thornbury, Tries from winger Shane Woods and No.8 Dave Roberts and eleven points from the boot of Dave Mankee saw the Cherry & Whites home.
Wadebridge Camels slipped to a second defeat this time away at North Petherton 24-15. Camels scored tries through Matt Ballard and Adrian Cullis.
In Tribute Western Counties West, St. Austell provided the only bright spot winning their second game to maintain their fine start. Victory at Ivybridge was earned by 24-18 thanks to tries from Matt Shepherd, Sam Tank, Steve Howarth and Ben Chenoweth, with Shepherd adding a couple of conversions.
Truro slipped to defeat at Devonport Services 24-17. Whilst Penryn lost for the second time, this time at Kingsbridge 53-20 as did Bude at Bencoolen to Bideford 25-5.
In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League Saltash share top spot with a second bonus point win this time at Pirates Amateurs 26-12, thanks to tries from Richard Skinnard (2), Joe Skinnard and Kieran Ardnell. Max Venables adding three conversions. For the Pirates Ams Rhys Brownfield kicked four penalties.
St. Ives also made it two wins with a 17-3 win at OPM’s. Tries for the Hakes came from Rob Nicholas and Sean Stephen whilst fly-half Ceiron Thomas kicked a couple of penalties and a conversion.
Falmouth also recorded a second win with a 38-12 win over Crediton at the Rec. Simon Bailey, Rob Banks, Gareth Lever, Tom David and Paul Saberton all crossed for the Eagles with Banks converting all five tries and a penalty.
Hayle got their season off to a good start with a 32-12 win over Wessex. Liskeard & Looe lost at Lux Park to Tiverton 17-15 and Newquay Hornets lost also at the Sportscentre to Teignmouth 43-15.
Voting has now closed for Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club Player of the Year awards. Both awards will be announced publicly at our Annual general meeting at the St. Austell Brewery Visitor centre on Wednesday October 3rd. We are delighted that BBC Radio Cornwall’s reporter Peter Richmond will be on hand to present the player’s shields.
