PROMOTION FEVER STARTS TO HIT

THE FINISHING LINE is in sight when the beginning of March comes around and those clubs with a sniff of promotion start to believe that it could well be a possibility.

This season apart from the usual promotions from Tribute Cornwall League 1 & 2, which are pretty well dried and dusted, there is a fair bit to get excited about.

The Cornish Pirates though look to be out of the reckoning this season for a Championship play-off place. A top four finish was always going to be a big ask, especially with their small squad. In truth the home loss to London Scottish has done for them, that coupled with Bristol’s win last weekend at Bedford and another loss for the Pirates on the road at Otley against Leeds Carnegie makes a play-off place very unkikely. There is still the British & Irish Cup to play for and the tie against MUNSTER at the Mennaye on Sunday April 7th promises to be a cracker.

Read Dick Straughan’s match report in the link from WMN.

So back to the promotion contenders, let’s start with Redruth in National League 2 South. A second home win on the trot, with Lydney routed 69-0 to follow on from the win against Barking. Next up Hartpury College, who are tucked just behind the Reds in the table. Hartpury inflicted on the Reds their heaviest defeat in the league this season 47-15 back in November.

Whoever wins this game will go a long way towards securing either an automatic promotion spot or at the very least a play-off berth. It promises to be a cracker and bearing in mind the team selection by the Reds last weekend expect a surprise or two this weekend!

Bill Sobey’s match report from the Redruth v Lydney game is in the link

So in Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne are looking good and they too have a big game this weekend when they play NORTH PETHERTON at the Rec. Having won at North Dorset 19-17 last Saturday the news that Pethy had lost at home 56-10 to Chard was an unexpected bonus. Dave Mankee scored all the Cherry & White’s points with a try, conversion and four penalties.

Wadebridge Camels look set to stay put for another season following their defeat at Clevedon 29-18. Tom Rowe and Sam Stone scored tries for the Camels with James Grubb kicking the rest of the points.

In Tribute Western Counties West, St Austell look to be back in the driving seat for automatic promotion following their big win at Tregorrick against Truro 45-3. For the Saints tries were scored by Alex Welland, Matt Shepherd (2), Sam Rhodes, Sam Tank, Ian Venner and Murray McCoan with Shephed kicking five conversions. For Truro Jake Champion kicked a penalty.

Penryn did St Austell a big favour turning over Bideford at the Memorial Ground 34-19. Alex Ducker scored three tries with Andrew Seviour and Matt Williams also crossing the whitewash. Ducker also added three conversions and a penalty. If only Penryn had played like this before Christmas!

Bude lost a tight gane at Honiton 19-18. Despite a couple of tries from the impressive Kyle Speare and eight points from Dan Pearce’s boot.

In London 2 SW, London Cornish crashed to another big defeat this time at home to Chobham 61-12. They should be safe from the drop but this has proved to be a very difficult season for our exile club, injuries have done for them, poor DoR Dickon Moon has had to spend a lot of time watching horse racing this season!

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St Ives are still chasing hard on the heels of Teignmouth, who did the Hakes a big favour defeating Tiverton last weekend. St. Ives had a walkover against Wessex.

Hayle won the Penwith derby against Pirates Amateurs 14-6 at the Mennaye. The Lions benfited from two penalty-tries both converted by Martin Strick. Rhys Brownfield kicked a couple of penalties for the Amateurs.

Saltash defeated Crditon 30-27, whist Newquay Hornets had a good win over Withycombe 24-20. OPM’s defeated Liskeard/Looe 20-15 the Lux Park Lions look set to drop back into Cornwall 1 next season.

In Tribute Cornwall 1, leaders Veor had a week off so Stithians win at Helston 77-5 keeps them in the play-off spot. St Agnes won at Roseland 24-17, whilst Perranporth had a walkover against St Just.

In Cornwall 2, Bodmin defeated Lankelly-Fowey 130-3, whilst School of Mines put their Bottle Match defeat behind them with a 22-21 win at Illogan Park. St Day won at Trewirgie against Albany 36-31.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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