Redruth secure morale boosting win

It’s been a tough few weeks for the Reds having lost their last three games on the bounce, so it was vital that they got a good win ahead of Saturday’s Cornish Derby at Polson Bridge against county rivals Launceston.

At half-time last Saturday it looked like the poor run would continue as Redruth put in a poor first forty to go in trailing 25-10 against Lydney.

Poor old Nathan Pedley, back from Australia for Christmas probably wished he had caught up on his jet lag with a good kip, happily for him the Reds put on a storming second half to welcome him home and snatch a 27-25 win as Brett Rule kicked the conversion to the penalty-try that gave them five much-needed points.

County coach Graham Dawe was another interested spectator as the game along with some of the county selectors, they will no doubt be out in force on Saturday when the Blacks plays Reds.

Young Redruth prop Tommy Phillips was awarded man-of-the-match. Last season’s Cornwall Under 18 player of the year has impressed me this season. He has worked hard on improving his game and scrummaging technique, I am sure he has a fine future ahead of him and will progress further.

You can read my report from the West Briton web-site in the link.

Launceston will feel justifiably robbed when a last-gasp penalty by former player Gary Kingdom gave Taunton a 23-20 win at Hyde Park.

They will look to put matters right in front of their own fans and look to gain revenge for their single point loss at Redruth earlier this season.

As ever on these occasions all roads will lead to Polson Bridge on Saturday with a 2:30 pm kick-off for the Cornish Derby.

You can read a summary report on the Launceston defeat at Taunton in the link.

The Cornish Pirates went out of the British and Irish Cup with all guns blazing at Bedford Blues 41-40.

You can read Bill Sobey’s Match report in the link.

The Pirates can now concentrate on securing Championship rugby next season. Next up for them will be the derby fixture against Plymouth Albion at Brickfields on Saturday 27th December kick-off 3 pm.

In the Tribute South West 1 West league it was a disappointing day for both our clubs. Camborne travelled to Bridgwater & Albion going down 39-25 but gained a try-scoring bonus point with four tries scored by Grant Thirlby, Dave Mankee, Sam Bartle and James Goldsworthy. Mankee kicked the other points.

This Saturday Camborne entertain leaders Cleve at the Recreation Ground needing a win to end the year on a high league wise.

St. Austell travelled to Bideford and were defeated 18-10. Full-back Dan Pearce and winger Ben Chenoweth scored a couple of unconverted tries for the Saints.

St. Austell will hope for a cherry Christmas when they face North Petherton at Tregorrick this Saturday.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Truro have slipped off the pace in the promotion battle as they lost their third league game on the bounce. Truro battled hard at leaders Exeter University and came home with a try-scoring bonus point from a 48-25 defeat. Tries were scored by Ieaun Boone, Darren Jacques (2) and Ben Teasdale.

Truro will look to end the year on a high when they entertain Okehampton this Saturday.

Wadebridge Camels good form continued at the Rectory when they defeated Devonport Services 27-5. Dan Briskham, Richard Treleaven (2) and Ben Collings scored the Camels’ tries with James Grubb kicking the other points.

St. Ives battled to a 39 all try with Sidmouth following last week’s heavy loss at Wadebridge.

Tries from Ben Taylor, Sam Heath, Neil Corin (2), Tom Chandler and Scott Perkin gave the Hakes three valuable league points.

Penryn lost at Wellington 38-21, Mike Creeden and Matt Williams scored the Borough’s tries as they fought back from 21-3 down to level the game 21 all thanks to the boot of Billy Benton.

The home side pulled away in the final quarter scoring another three tries.

In London 2 SW see the previous blog entry on London Cornish’s win at Tadley Tigers.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Saltash’s 33-15 win at Bude keeps them level on points with both Withycombe and Crediton at the top.

Ryan Cruickshanks, Will Morton, Steve Down, Ollie Nance and Shaun Crawford all crossed for tries for the Ashes, whilst Max Veneables kicked four conversions.

For Bude, Luke Wilson, Jason Bolt and Tully Innes scored unconverted tries.

Pirates Amateurs lost 30-15 at Crediton. Dan Toolan and Ben Brittan scored tries with Rhys Brownfield kicking the other points.

Falmouth had a good win over OPMs at the Rec 37-13. Tom Spiller, John Tyson, George Clark, Alec Stuthridge and Ashley Searle all scored tries for the Eagles with Justyn Irons kicking the rest of the points.

Bodmin beat South Molton 36-0 scoring six tries through Josh Taylor (2), Paul Carter (2), Pengelly and Lee Taylor with Josh Taylor’s boot adding the rest of the points.

The battle of the Lions sadly turned tame as Liskeard-Looe were forced to concede their game at Hayle.

Former Truro School pupil Tom Pascoe played at hooker for Cambridge University in last Thursday’s Varsity Match against Oxford University at Twickenham. His side were unable to prevent the Dark Blues winning for the fifth time in a row – a first for Oxford though Cambridge have done it on three occasions – by 43-6!

Tom Parker’s Vannes side continue to go well in their pool in Fedrale 1in France. In their final game of the year they won at Saint Sulpice 32-30 and will go into the New Year top of the pool with their eyes on the end of season play-offs which could see a Breton side in the Pro 2 for the first time ever in France.

Congratulations to the following Cornwall Under 18 players who have made the South West squad for the National Development weekend at Loughborough in February; Brandon Andrews, Rikki Bentham, James Bishop, George Bone, James McFarlane, James Rowe and Luke Trewhella.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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