The Cornish Pirates had a great opportunity on Sunday to cement fourth place in the RFU Championship with thier home game against London Scottish, however things didn’t quite go the their way! Despite leading 17-0 thanks to a couple of tries from winger Matt Evans both converted by Kieran Hallett who also added a penalty, Scottish, led by former Redruth No. 8 Kiwi Mark Bright staged a remarkable comeback to pip the Pirates 20-17 and thus dent their play-off hopes. Former Redruth players PJ Gidlow and Lewis Calder, who played at the Reds whilst on loan with Exeter Chiefs, contributed to the Exiles win, which sees them complete a season double over the Cornish side.
You can read Dick Straughan’s match report from the Morning News in the link
In National League 2 South Redruth’s euphoria of having won at Polson Bridge the week before was brought back to earth with a bump as the Reds lost 35-34 at Chinnor. Having fought back well and with a conversion to win the match it was not to be for the Reds who will now look to bounce back with three league games on the hoof back at the Rec starting with Barking on Saturday.
Read Ed Bawden’s match report in the link
The Cornish All Blacks bounced back from their derby loss with a moral-boosting win over Clifton at Polson by 39 – 21. Winger Richard Bright bagging two of the All Blacks’s six tries.
Dick Benson-Gyles report can be found in the link
In the Tribute leagues, South West 1 West, Camborne have gone top following their 26-12 win over Clevedon and former leaders North Petherton’s defeat at Old Redcliffians. True “Town” are just 1 point ahead of Petherton who still have 2 games in hand. For now Camborne can be happy to be at the head of the pack. Ashley Lawton, Sam Bartle (2) and Ben Kemp score the Cherry and White’s tries with Dave Mankee kicking a couple of penalties.
Wadebridge Camels defeated Paignton 55-7 at the Molesworth Field. Matt Ballard scored three of their nine tries with Richard Treleaven, Zac Cinnamond, Sean Johns, Will Pengelly (2) and Dom Hawkey, with James Grubb adding five conversions.
In Western Counties West, I took in the game between Truro and Penryn. A fine contest saw the Borough pip Trura 29-10 with tries from Alex Ducker, Jordan Rose, Josh Chambers and Ethan Pattison. Ducker also added three conversions, whilst Jake Seviour who went off injured kicked an early penalty. For Truro Karl Ranscombe scored a well-worked try with Jake Champion adding the conversion and a penalty. A big game in the Borough mid-field from Andrew Seviour who got my nod as man-of-the-match.
Bude shared the spoils with Kingsbridge 10-10. Kyle Speare scored their try with Dan Pearce kicking the conversion and a penalty.
St. Austell’s game at Wellington was postponed.
Up in London 2 SW another defeat for London Cornish as they lost at Camberley 17-8.
In the Cornwall & Devon League, St Ives slipped up at third placed Tiverton 41-12. Liskeard/Looe helped their relegation struggle with a 29-10 win over Newquay Hornets. Falmouth lost another Cornish derby this time at the Rec to Pirates Amateurs 20-15. Big news from Falmouth this week is that Truro’s coaching team of Phil Angove and Graham Whitemore will be taking over at the Rec next season, whilst Josh Lord will taking up a coaching role at Truro.
Saltash won at Wessex 31-5 and Hayle beat OPM’s 20-3.
In Cornwall 1. Champions elect Veor defeated Helston 42-6, while in the basement battle Roseland defeated St Just 21-5, though both sides will be in Cornwall 2 next season. There was a walkover for Stithians over Perranporth, though a game was played as a friendly.
In Cornwall 2. Camborne School of Mines warmed up for the “Bottle Match” with a 79-5 win at Redruth Albany. They will travel to London in good spirits for this weekend’s encounter with Royal School of Mines in 111th Bottle Match.
Camelford had a walkover against Lankelly-Fowey and Bodmin’s game at St Day was postponed.
Pirates & Redruth – Special Ticket Price Offers
The Cornish Pirates and Redruth RFC have agreed special ticket offers for the benefit of their supporters.
On presentation of their season ticket Cornish Pirates season ticket holders can gain entry to Redruth’s home matches for just £5 a game (normal admission prices are Adults £10/Concessions £8), whilst in turn members of Redruth RFC, on presentation of their membership cards, can gain entry to Cornish Pirates home matches for the ticket price of just £10 (normal match day prices are .
Adults £18/Concessions £15). Children under 16 are admitted ‘Free’ by both clubs.
It is important to stress that supporters can only take advantage of this new opportunity if they are Cornish Pirates Season Ticket holders or Members of Redruth RFC. The offer will start at the next home game of the respective clubs and it is intended that it will continue next season.
This announcement provides another example of goodwill with reference to the enhanced relationship that has developed between the Cornish Pirates and Redruth RFC and we will look at how we might further develop this relationship in the future.
Pirates v Moseley – Kick-off Change To 1.15pm
The Cornish Pirates can confirm that their next important home match in the RFU Championship against Moseley, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday 10th March, will now kick-off at 1.15pm and not 3pm as originally advertised.
England play Italy in the RBS Six Nations on the same day (ko 3pm), and with big screens showing the international game in the Travis Perkins Beer Tent at the Mennaye Field, rugby supporters will have the opportunity to watch both matches ‘live’.
Tickets for the Moseley game will be available on the day but as ever they are also available on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com, from the club’s ticket office open Mon-Fri 9am – 12 noon, and from certain Warrens shops about the county.
