The first round of the RFU Championship promotion play-off’s has already thrown up some surprising results, not least Exeter Chiefs slip-up at Meadow Lane against Nottingham on Sunday by 20 – 9. The pundits prophecy of an Exeter Chiefs – Cornish Pirates semi-final already looks to be in tatters.
Not that the Cornish Pirates will be too downhearted about their 19-12 loss at Bristol on Friday night, a tight game and a losing bonus point to bring back to Cornwall against the promotion favourites is not a bad start. I think a lot of these games are going to be tight affairs and teams are going to have to maximise their points haul when in the “red zone”. The other game in this pool was also tight with Bedford just edging out Plymouth Albion, 10 – 9 at the Brickfields. It makes Sunday’s encounter at Camborne even more savoury than it already was. The loser of that game will to all intense and purpose be out of the running after only two games. Read the post match comments from Friday night from today’s Western Morning News in the link
So get along down to Camborne on Sunday, it won’t be pretty, it will be a tight nervous affair and don’t be surprised if a late, late drop-goal decides it!!
With Redruth having a day off, well most of the squad were involved in a sponsored row at ASDA Penryn with funds going to the club and the Handstand Appeal for Marshall Janson, it was left to the Cornish All Blacks to carry the Cornish flag on Saturday in National League 1. What a game it was too, 3rd place entertaining 2nd and the home side nicking a worthy 13-12 win over the Scottish exiles. Scottish No.8 Will Lip and a penalty try converted by Simon Amor gave the visitors a 12-3 half-time lead, Tony Yapp had kicked an early penalty for the Cornish All Blacks, Amor had missed a couple of kicks, the exiles certainly missed Frankie Neale on England Counties duty in France. In the second half the home side turned the tide with a try from skipper Tom Rawlings, which Yapp converted also the match winning penalty shortly after.
In the regional league in Tribute Southwest 1 West, St. Ives won the battle of the fishermen with a 22-12 win at home against Brixham. Nic Hitchens scored two tries with hooker Ben Taylor and prop Craig Williams also crossing. Ian Morgan adding a conversion. It leaves the “Hakes” in 7th place in the league safe from any relegation worries.
In Tribute Western Counties West, leaders Camborne maintained their push for honours with a hard-fought 29 – 22 win at Tiverton. Winger Adam Notman scored a couple of tries for the Cherry & Whites, with Joe Parma scoring a third for the visitors. Shane Woods in the absence of Dave Mankee chipped in with four penalties and a conversion.
Wadebridge Camels maintain their push with a 74-0 win over bottom side Withycombe, Leigh Charles led the scoring with a hat-trick of tries and seven conversions. A brace too for Sean Hawkey on the comeback trail after his nasty injury last season.
Truro defeated Bude in the Cornish derby 24-10 at St. Clement’s Hill. Sean Roseveare, Luke Trescothick and Tim Gay scored Truro’s tries with Grant Thirlby adding three penalties and a conversion. Matt Trewin converted a penalty-try and a penalty for the visitors.
Penryn defeated early season pace-setters Kingsbridge 25-7 at the Memorial Ground. Grant Randlesome, Isaac Fields, Mike Slater and Darren Pellow all scoring tries for the “Borough”. Alex Stuthridge adding a conversion and penalty.
Newquay Hornets were forced to concede their match at North Petherton as they couldn’t field a front row. A friendly game with uncontested scrums was played, which the Somerset side won 34-14.
In London 2 SW, our exile club London Cornish lost at Bognor 32-3.
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St. Austell lost ground in the promotion stakes with a 13-9 loss at second place Exeter Saracens. Falmouth lost at Teignmouth by 9 – 7. Stithians enjoyed a good win at home against Crediton by 10-3. Two good wins in Devon for our local sides, Hayle winning 19-0 at Plymstock and Liskeard & Looe winning 22-10 at OPM’s. Saltash found league leaders Wellington too hot to handle losing at Moorlands 65-3.
