Difficult to know whether the groans from the BBC studio in Rome on Sunday were to do with another dismal England second half performance or the text messages that John Inverdale received informing him of his beloved Esher’s demise at Camborne at the hands of the Cornish Pirates by 70 – 10! No doubt that the fare served up at Camborne was much more to our taste as the Cornish Pirates at last gave the performance that we have sensed was within them as they put to the sword a side in emphatic manner. Tim Cowley opened the try count after only four minutes and the scores came thick and fast as winger Rhodri McAtee, full back Adryan Winnan and centre Paul Devlin grabbed a brace each. Further scores came from flanker Chris Cracknell, replacement winger Brian Tuohy and a penalty try awarded by referee Mr. Rose who had a busy weekend as he ran the line at Newport on Friday night during the Wales v Scotland U.20 match. Gareth Steenson kicked eight conversions, with his replacement Olly Thomas kicking the other two. All Esher had to show for their efforts were a couple of tries from centre Dougie Flockhart.
Up at Polson the Cornish All Blacks did their chances of staying in National League 1 next season a power of good with a 24-15 win over fellow strugglers Pertemps Bees. Winger Matt Jess took his try haul in the league to an impressive eleven with a brace whilst fly-half Scott Ireland scored the All Blacks other try. Full-back John Fabian converted all three scores as well as kicking a penalty. For the Bees they scored three un-converted tries through Marika Vecacegu, Dave Knight and Reece Spee.
Redruth continue to put daylight between themselves and the relegation zone in National 2 with a 22 – 10 win over northerners Waterloo. You can read my match report on the main part of the site.
Mount’s Bay continue on their march to the National 3 South title with an impressive 57-5 win over Clifton at the Mennaye scoring nine tries with another hat-trick of tries for Bay winger Jamie Semmens, full-back Tim Mosey weighed in with a brace with the other scores going to centre Jon Marlin, No8 Adam Nicholls, winger Olly Faulkner, and fly-half Lee Jarvis, Jarvis landed six conversions. Ed Smith scored a consolation score for the visitors just before half-time.
In South West 1, St. Ives nightmare season continued, as they were unable to raise a side to travel to Bracknell, thus forfeiting the points.
Camborne lost at home to Newton Abbot 36-14 in South West 2 West and are resigned to returning to Western Counties West next season. Flanker Martin Goldsworthy scored Town’s try finishing off a fine break by full-back Joe Parma with scrum-half Dave Mankee kicking three penalties.
In Western Counties West, performance of the week must be Penryn’s first win of the season with a narrow 13-12 win at Ivybridge, Andy Feviour and Kevin Kitto scored tries for the Borough with Alex Stuthridge kicking a penalty. No doubt the win will be a great boost for Penryn but it’s come too late to avoid the drop at the end of the season.
Wadebridge Camels produced another fine performance at home beating Withycombe 59-0 scoring nine tries centre Dan Briskham scored twice with other try scorers being winger Andy Cameron, flanker Sam Stone, lock Rob Hawkey, full-back Jake McCarroll, hooker Matt Ballard, prop Richard Treleaven and winger Alisdair Maclennan, McCarroll kicked the other points. Camels are up to third but are five points off the play-off spot.
Hayle are down in the drop zone just above Penryn following their 52-3 defeat at Sidmouth.
Bude drew 8-8 at home with Minehead Barbarians Luke Dunkin scored their try with Matt Trewin kicking a penalty.
In London 3 SW, London Cornish defeated London Irish Amateurs 53-10 scoring nine tries. Read DOR Dickon Moon’s match report in the forums.
In the Cornwall & Devon League, Newquay Hornets remain top following their 27-12 win at Bideford. The Hornets scored four tries through Lee Woodhatch, former St. Ives player James Earp, Ross Robbins and Ryan Johns who also kicked the other points for his side.
Truro remain in 5th following their 29-5 win at Crediton, winger Matt Trevail scored three tries, with prop Chris Gilbert and replacement hooker Adrian Geech also touching down Ross Martin kicked a couple of conversions.
Falmouth’s defeat at the Recreation Ground to Tavistock 22-13 looks like condemning them to another season in this league next term. Recent signing Aki Bundi scored their try with James Instance adding the conversion and a couple of penalties.
The second weekend of the Royal Bank of Scotland 6 Nations saw both Wales and France secure two wins out of two and an unconvincing England secure a narrow win in Rome. Wales defeated Scotland 30-15 to secure the second leg of a possible Triple Crown. France again showed their good and bad side in defeating plucky Ireland 26-21 with the irrepressible Toulouse winger Vincent Clerc scoring a hat-trick of tries. England hung on in Rome to win 23-19 having led 20-6 at half-time. Jonny Wilkinson was involved in both England tries and kicked his 1,000 point in his 13 point haul. One other international result of note was Antim Cup match in Tbilisi where Georgia beat Romania 22-7 to take a firm hold at the top of the European Nations Cup Group A.
