LAST weekend was certainly am important one in St Austell’s season with a comprehensive 48-10 win over Bude which has virtually confirmed them as Tribute Western Counties West Champions for 2012/13. One more win will make it cast iron certain but for Bideford to catch the Saints will require an extraordinary run of results.
Adam Kellow (2), Mark Vian, Matt Shepherd (2), Andy Ashwin, James Earp and Sam Tank all crossed for the Saints, whilst Shepherd added four of the five conversions with Ashwin the fifth. Dan Pearce scored all of Bude’s points with a converted try and a penalty.
This Saturday St. Austell travel to play Brighton Blues in the semi-final of the RFU Intermediate Cup. A Twickenham final would be the icing on the cake for a remarkable season. I am sure I speak for all in Cornwall in wishing St Austell; Good Luck on Saturday, they will do the town and Cornwall proud.
I watched the only other Western Counties West match involving a Cornish side on Saturday when Penryn entertained Devonport Services.It was a frustrating afternoon for the Borough faithful with 80% of territory and possession Penryn really should have won, however the Services defended stoutly and took the few chances that came their way.
Trailing 12-0 at the break it wasn’t until the final 10 minutes that Borough got a score when winger Alex Ducker rounded off a fine move in the College corner adding a fine conversion to boot. Ducker almost broke away for a second try moments later but the sticky pitch hindered the Penryn flyer. Services held out to end Penryn’s fine run of late. Final score 12-7 to the visitors.
With the Cornish Pirates RFU Championship match at Rotherham twice postponed within 24 hours and Launceston not having a match in National League 2 South it was left to Redruth to hopefully end their run of losses at Dings Crusaders. Sadly it was not to be as the home side won 16-14 to leave the Reds to contemplate another season at this level next term. Scrum-half Greg Goodfellow and winger Lewis Vinnicombe scored the Reds’ tries. For Vinnicombe it was his 100th try for the club! Some record. Paul Thirlby kicked the conversions.
In South West 1 West, Camborne kept up their challenge with a 20-13 win at Bridgwater & Albion. Joe Parma (2) and James Goldsworthy scored the Cherry & Whites’ tries with Dave Mankee kicking the rest of the points.
Wadebridge Camels went down 41-0 at Cullompton.
This Saturday Camborne and Wadebridge Camels meet in the Tribute Cornwall Cup Final at Penryn RFC kick-off 4-30 pm.
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St Ives put their Cornwall Cup disappointment behind them with a 30-3 win over Falmouth to secure promotion back to Western Counties West next season. Ben Taylor (3), Josh Palmer and Ellis Cox scored the Hakes’ tries with Jacob Ninnes kicking the rest of the points. For the Eagles Rob Banks kicked a penalty.
Saltash won the other Cornish derby 41-22 against Hayle. Ryan Cruickshanks and Joe Skinnard both bagged a brace of tries with Will Morton a fifth for the Ashes. Max Vennables kicked all five conversions and a couple of penalties.
The final Saturday of matches in both Tribute Cornwall 1 & 2 saw the Champions confirmed. Veor’s win over St Agnes 26-5 see’s them confirmed champions and back into the Cornwall & Devon League next term. Stithians won at relegated St Just 75-5 and will be in the play-off against the runners-up from Devon 1.
Joining St Just in Cornwall 2 next season will be Roseland who signed off with a 12-11 win over Helston.
In Cornwall 2 Champions Bodmin beat Camelford 64-8, Illogan Park and St Day drew 24 all whilst Redruth Albany won at Lankelly-Fowey 33-15. Camborne School of Mines accompany Bodmin back up to Cornwall 1 next season.
Also on Saturday it’s the Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup at Penryn RFC with the top two from Cornwall 1 battling it out. Veor v Stithians kicks off at 2-15 pm.
Congratulations to Luke Chapman and Matt Bolwell who this week have been in the French Alps competing with England U.18’s in the Justin Bridou FIRA-AER Championships. Wins over Portugal and Scotland see them in the final to be played on Saturday against France at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble.
Also this weekend sees Redruth’s Neil Broadbank and Tom Hendrickson along with Camels Zac Cinnamond take part for the South West in the RFU U.20’s Festival at Welbeck College.
Easter weekend will see the arrival of tourists Old Dunstonians for their games against Penryn, Falmouth and Truro. Also on Sunday the Penryn Easter 7’s. Not forgetting the Cornish Pirates match against Bedford Blues at the Mennaye.
