A very busy weekend in the local rugby world with results going along way towards settling issues.
The Cornish Pirates crossed the Tamar to take on Plymouth Albion at the Brickfields and returned back across the river with the points following a 26-20 win in Devon.
These games have had a habit of being dull affairs of late, but not this one. The Cornish side scored tries through Max Bodilly, Tom Riley – on the ground he made his Barbarians debut last November – and Tom Kessell, with former Albion favourite Kieran Hallett kicking eleven points.
You can read Bill Sobey’s Western Morning News report in the link
With Ian Davies’ post-match reaction in this link
Next Sunday at 2 pm the Cornish Pirates take on Welsh Premiership leaders Pontypridd in the Quarter-finals of the British & Irish Cup at the Mennaye.
In National League 2 South, Redruth took another step towards maintain their status with a well-deserved win over high-flying Ampthill & District 41-35.
Two late tries for the visitors gave the score-line respectability and two bonus points to take back home, but for the Reds who this week confirmed that former player Steve Larkins will take over as head-coach next season in the place of Ashley Morcom who had already stated his intentions to stand down at the end of the current campaign.
You can read my Western Morning News report in the link
Launceston on the other hand are right back in the relegation zone with just four games left. They really should have won at Bournemouth on Saturday who are as good as relegated, especially when they led 21-7 at one stage but the Dorset side struck back to claim a 25-21 win which will probably be academic to them but could be of serious consequences to the Cornish All Blacks bid for survival at this level!
You can read Nigel Walrond’s report and reaction from Bryn Jenkins in the link
In the Tribute South West 1 West, matters are a little clearer, but not much, following the latest round of matches. Hornets are the new leaders following their 35-24 win over Camborne, who with just three games left and having played a game more, find themselves now seven points behind the leaders in sixth place.
Cameron Bone, Sam Bartle and Dave Roberts scored Town’s tries with Dave Mankee kicking nine points.
The best the Cherry & Whites can hope for is the runners-up spot and the lottery of another play-off game against the runners-up in the Eastern division Towercestrians.
St. Austell were knocked off top spot due to their inability to secure the try-scoring bonus point in their home win over Clevedon 22-18. Saints scored just the three tries through Hugh Noot, Ben Chenoweth and Ashley Taylor with Dan Pearce adding a couple of conversions and Matt Shepherd a penalty.
Saints are level on points with Hornets but have played two games more, with just a trip to Coney Hill and a home game against North Petherton to come they may have to settle for the play-offs but even that is not guaranteed as Chard could still pip them as could Cleve, North Petherton and of course Camborne!
Wadebridge Camels kept their slim hopes of avoiding the drop alive with a home win against Bideford 17-5. Matt Ballard and Will Pengelly scored the Camel’s tries with James Grubb kicking the other points.
Camels have away trips to Bridgwater and Chard with a home game sandwiched in-between against Camborne for the final run-in.
In Tribute Western Counties West, champions-elect Ivybridge brushed aside second placed Teignmouth 44-19.
Truro closed the gap on Teigns but know that either Burnham are likely to overhaul them with their two games in-hand. Truro did the business over Bude 33-13 at St. Clements Hill. Jake Champion scored eighteen points with two tries and four conversions for the city side with Luke Trescothick, Adam Gayton and Rikki Brandham also crossing the try-line.
For Bude, Adam Black and Joe Wilson scored tries with Duncan Tout kicking a penalty, but it looks more than likely that it will be Cornwall & Devon league rugby for the North Cornwall side next season.
St. Ives battled back from 21-0 down at home to finally defeat Okehampton 39-35 and ease their relegation fears for the moment. Neil Corin scored three tries for the Hakes with Ben Drew, Ben Taylor, Neil Stanleick and Josh Semmens also scoring tries. Kelvin Jones added a couple of conversions.
Penryn had an easy and satisfying win over basement side Paignton at the Memorial Ground 37-3. The game saw the return of scrum-half Taron Peacock who suffered a bad injury when the sides last met. Mitch Vague (2), Lewis Vague, Andrew Seviour, Matt Williams and Phil Hinchley (2) all crossed for the Borough with Jake Seviour adding just the one conversion.
London Cornish maintained their good run in London 2 SW with a 24-13 win at Trojans. David Soar, Mark Osei-Tutu, Mike Bond and Rich Skinnard scored the exiles tries with Luke Spells kicking a couple of conversions. That’s six on the trot for Cornish as they look for their best-ever finish in this league.
In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, leaders Exeter University beat Newquay Hornets 139-0.
Saltash defeated Veor 89-7.
Falmouth won at Exeter Saracens 37-24 to maintain fifth spot. Nick Carne, AJ Geach (2), and Tom Edmonds (2) scored the Eagle’s tries with Justyn Irons kicking the rest of the points.
Pirates Amateurs enjoyed a good home win over OPM’s 34-24. Rhys Brownfield, Stefan Osborne (2), Leigh Edwards, and Danny Toolan scored the Ams tries with Brownfield three conversions and a penalty.
Hayle staged a strong comeback at the end of the game at Honiton but were denied by a single point 20-19.
Cornwall Under 20’s lost their quarter-final match against Gloucestershire at Camborne yesterday 50-19.
Jack Innard who was due to play for Cornwall at hooker yesterday was withdrawn from the side as he has been called up by England U.19’s. Well done to Jack.
You can read my report on the game in my previous blog entry.
Both Tribute Cornwall Cup Semi-finals will be played on Wednesday 9th April. Camborne v Penryn will kick-off at 6pm whilst St. Austell v Saltash will start at 7-30 pm.
The final to be played over May Bank Holiday weekend will be held at Redruth RFC.
Don’t forget the Testimonial game at Redruth on Good Friday 18th April when a Redruth Invitational XV will take on a Cornwall XV in recognition of Damien Cook, Craig Bonds and Paul Thirlby’s long service to the club.
Finally, Redruth Town Council have submitted the names of famous Redruth players of the past to Cornwall Council for the naming of roads in the Wheal Harmony development, the names submitted are James “Maffer” Davey, Bert Solomon, Roy Jennings, Fred Rule, Bill Phillips, Les Semmens and Bill Bishop.
The names of Henry Grylls and William Willmott the founders of the club will be used for the naming of streets in the eventual planned development at The Brewery Leats, which is of course the site of the original pitch.
