Photo- Reds’ head coach Steve Larkins felt his side were comfortable throughout
The Cornish derby between Redruth and Launceston is always a fixture that is eagerly anticipated by both sets of supporters and Saturday’s encounter was no different.
The heavy rain overnight and during the morning made the pitch heavy, whilst the unwelcome strong wind negated any constructive play proving to be great leveller between the sides.
Launceston’s woeful season continues and at the half-way point the portents are not good for the east Cornwall side.
Picture – Launceston head coach Jimmy Tucker felt his players fronted up well
Redruth won comfortably enough thanks to the power of their pack with tries from lock Ashley Lawton and flanker Ben Priddey, whilst Sam Parsons try sealed the win with full back Brett Rule kicking a fine conversion to complete a 17-0 win.
The game was also the 1st leg of this season’s Tribute CRFU Super Cup, so the Reds will defend their advantage when they travel to Polson in April.
Quite what the future of the Super Cup is remains to be seen for next season.
Redruth travel to Camborne on Boxing Day for the yuletide derby to defend the Rodda’s Milk Cup in front of a large crowd.
Down the road at the Mennaye the Cornish Pirates lost for the first time in this season’s British & Irish cup when Cardiff Blues gained revenge for their defeat at the Arms Park last week with a 18-15 win in Cornwall.
The Pirates points came thanks to a penalty-try award and a touchdown from Max Bodilly. Laurence May kicked a penalty and conversion.
With London Welsh defeating Nottingham they now top the pool after 4 rounds.
In Tribute South West 1 West, leaders Camborne travelled with a few regulars missing and paid the price as they failed to pick up any league points for the first time this season as they lost 38-25 at Thornbury.
“Town” did score three tries through prop John Drew, scrum-half Taron Peacock and No.8 Neil Stanleick. Fly-half Rhys Brownfield converted two tries and kicked a couple of penalties.
Camborne are still 7 points ahead of the chasing pack.
In the Tribute Western Counties West, Truro lost at Kingsbridge 25-18. Daryl Richards and Ethan Patterson scored tries with George Badcock kicking the rest of the points.
Penryn had another morale boosting win when they defeated Sidmouth 27-26 at the Memorial Ground.
Alex Ducker (2), Kirk Oldfield, Ben Ashwin and Ben Trevaskis scored tries with Jake Seviour adding an important conversion.
St. Austell picked up a losing bonus point at leaders Exeter University as the went down 15-10. Ben Chenoweth scored the Saint’s try with Andy Ashwin adding the conversion and a penalty.
Saltash lost at Tiverton 10-3 with Max Venables kicking their sole points.
Wadebridge Camels picked up a welcome draw at Crediton 17 all. James Grubb and Adam Collings scored tries with Danny Thomas adding both conversions and a penalty.
Up in London 2 SW, London Cornish won a proverbial game of two halves 22-20 to go into their festive break well placed in the league.
Trailing 20-0 to Weybridge Vandals at half-time the Exiles roared back in the second period.
Tries were scored by Josh Allison, Tom Jeffery and Tom Hupfield with Phil Dale kicking two conversions and a penalty.
In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, Bude were leading 45-7 against Plymstock when the game was called-off following injury to an Oaks player.
Joe Wilson (2), Steve Yates, Dan Pearce, Liam Cook, Ollie Denford and Freddie Saxton scored tries with Pearce adding five conversions. The game was halted on 64 minutes, so league officials will decide if the result stands. I would think it likely.
St. Ives, who have been boosted with the re-signing of lock Todd Prisk from Fylde, are still hot on Bude’s tails following their 55-0 win against Exeter Saracens. Ben Taylor (2), Todd Prisk, Sean Stevens, Jamie Prisk, Paul Thirlby, Grant Thirlby, Cameron Bone and Martyn Lawrence scored tries with Thirlby G adding five conversions.
Falmouth lost ground following their first home defeat of the season at the hands of Pirates Amateurs 18-27. Jack Lusdale (2) and Jamie Semmens (2) scored tries with Lusdale kicking the other points.
For the Eagles Dan Kirk and Tom Spiller scored tries with the trusty boot of Justyn Irons kicking the other points.
Hayle had a very good win at Tavistock 15-12. Tony Matthews and Dom Lello scored tries for the Lions with Steve Richards kicking the points.
Newquay Hornets got their first win of the season when they defeated Honiton 12-3. Tim Eustice and George Fox scored tries with Ryan Johns adding a conversion.
Leaders Withycombe won 20-0 at Bodmin.
In the latest round of pool matches in the Cornwall Clubs Cup there were wins for Liskeard-Looe, Roseland and Lanner, whilst there were walkovers for Illogan Park against Albany and St. Just, against School of Mines, who are presumably all on holiday!
Exeter Chiefs couldn’t repeat their fine win of the previous week against Clermont Auvergne at stade Marcel Michelin on Sunday as they went down 42-10 in central France.
Hot of the press the Bay Shield game between St. Ives and Hayle has been cancelled for Boxing Day.
It just remains for me to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Nadelik Lowen. Remember the rugby all starts again on Boxing Day!