PIRATES STORM AHEAD

Not bad as they say with two wins from two. The Cornish Pirates followed up their opening day win at Nottingham with a convincing 57-24 demolition of Moseley at Camborne on a bright sunny Sunday afternoon. The Pirates had the try scoring bonus point wrapped up after only 17 minutes as they went on to score nine tries in all.

No. 8 Chris Morgan opened the try-fest after only 61 seconds before grabbing his second after 54 minutes. With Wes Davies and Rhys Jones also grabbing a brace each other scores fell to Jimmy Moore, Aisea Havili and Carl Rimmer. Fly-half Jonny Bentley slotted five conversions with Rhys Jones adding a sixth.

Despite being overrun Moseley stuck to their task and were rewarded with a try scoring bonus point of their own with scores from Nathan Bressington, Andrew Borgen, Ryan Wilson and Justin Mensah-Coker, Tristan Roberts adding a couple of conversions.

So a fine start for the Pirates who now turn their attentions to Friday night fixture up at Doncaster Knights, who currently prop up the table after two games. The only major worry for the Pirates is their already lengthy injury list which has now seen club skipper Gavin Cattle added to it!

Derby day action in National League 1 saw Redruth travel to Launceston. A great game of rugby for the spectators as both sides each scored 4 tries as the Cornish All Blacks won 32-26. Both coaches will not have been too happy with their sides defensive performances. The Cornish All Blacks took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck just before half-time, leading 6-0 thanks to a couple of Tony Yapp penalties and the 40 minute mark fast approaching two quick-fire tries scored by the irrepresable Kieron Lewitt both converted by Yapp put the homeside 20-0 and in the driving seat.

Redruth showed great spirit to comeback early in the second half with a try by Craig Bonds, converted by Mark Scrivener. However the All Blacks hit back with a third try from centre Ed Lewsey again converted by Yapp to restore their 20 point margin. Unbowed Redruth scored a couple of tries through Owen Hambly and Lewis Vinnicombe with Scrivener adding just the one conversion to make it 27-19. Under pressure Redruth conceeded a fourth try as Mark Richards attempted clearence was charged down by Sam Hocking, the No. 8 scooping up the ball and scoring. Surprisingly Yapp missed the conversion allowing Redruth to claim a couple of bonus points as Paul Thirlby scored their fourth try with Scrivener converting. A fuller match report can be found in the link.

A good start to the campaign for Launceston with 10 points from 2 games, though a tough test awaits on Saturday when they travel to Richmond to face London Scottish.

Redruth will look to regroup and lick their wounds with serious injuries to both Sam Parsons and Nathan Pedley picked up as they entertain early league leaders Esher at Redruth on Saturday.

In the Tribute regional leagues, in South West 1 West, St. Ives bounced back after their opening day loss at Clevedon to defeat Cullompton at Alexandra Road 30-17 with John Navin and Ben Taylor amongst the try scorers.

In Western Counties West, Newquay Hornets followed up their opening day win over Penryn with a 36-20 win at Tavistock. Hornets scored five tries through Fraser Kellythorne, Luke Bazeley, Rob McIntyre Dan Pearce and Stuart Williams with Sam Cullen kicking the other points.

Camborne also made it two from two with a 12-8 win up at Bude. James Rapson and Dave Roberts scored “Town’s” tries with Dave Mankee adding a conversion. For Bude Matt Trewin scored a try and a penalty.

Wadebridge Camels made up for their opening day reversal at Camborne with an emphatic 63-6 win over Devonport Services on their Molesworth Field ground. Camels scored eleven tries with Rob Hawkey and Dan Briskham both getting a brace. Adam Flide, Richard Treleaven, Matt Ballard, Alisdair MacLennan, Cameron Lees, Matt Angwyn and Ben Collings also crossed for tries.

Penryn got back to winning ways with a 28-12 win over visitors North Petherton. Prop Dan Boothgot a couple of tries with Richard Hambly and Chris Mann also scoring. Peter Gregory bagged all four conversions.

Truro had a nasty shock at home as Kingsbridge underlined their potential with a 48-12 win at St. Clements.

Up in London 2 South West, London Cornish suffered an opening day defeat at home in their league program going down 14-13 to Guildford, Dickon Moon’s match report can be found in the link.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, St. Austell kept up their 100% record with a 33-9 win at home to Liskeard & Looe. Mishak Eisen scoring a couple of tries for the Saints with Ian Venner and Matt Shepherd also scoring. Andy Ashwin kicking the other points. For the Lions Marcus Hill kicked three penalties.

Saltash defeated cross-Tamar rivals OPM’s 28-10 at Moorlands with tries from Richard Skinnard, Kevin Hurrell, Ben Devonport and Morgan Toms.

Falmouth got a good win at home to Plymstock Albion Oaks 34-5 scoring four tries through Steve Instance, Matt Bevans and Steve Roe (2), Matt horton’s boot added the other points.

Finally Stithians, after their horrendous debut at this level last week at Wellington salvaged a creditable home draw with Hayle 10-10 with Martin Strick’s last gasp conversion of Andrew Creedon’s try. Strick had earlier landed a penalty. For Hayle two tries from Scott Powell and the evergreen Adrian Bick.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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