SW DERBY WIN LIFTS REDS

Everyone is saying that it’s going to be even more important to win your home games in National League 2 South this season such is the tightness in playing abilities.

So it was good to see Redruth build on their good 2 points they got a Bournemouth last Saturday with a 26-14 win against Exmouth at the Rec.
The “Cockles” were making their first league visit to Redruth and they had plenty of familiar faces in their side, John Fabian, Richard Bolt and of course Richard Bright part of Cornwall’s side that got to Twickenham and all former Launceston players. Jon Hill on the bench who knows a thing or two about winning at Redruth.

Young Cornish prospect Luke Chapman, a star from last season’s England u.18’s and who has been part of the set up at Truro College now with Exeter Chiefs and on loan at Exmouth.

Once again it was the Redruth pack that laid the foundations of the win 26-14 and with tries from McAtee, Fuca, Penalty-try and the last gasp effort from Goodfellow the bonus point was collected too. Man-of-the-match Murray Westren kicked three excellent conversions and had a fine game.

Good to see Lewis Vinnicombe back and Owen Hambly as well. Whilst Westren continues to improve with each game, youngsters like Jake Rayment and Harry Baker are developing all the time.

Cracking try from Bright for the visitors showing us he hasn’t lost his try-scoring touch with the move back to his home town.
After a narrow win at home last week a 2 point loss for the Cornish All Blacks at Clifton 22-20.

Ben Hilton and Kieron Lewitt scored tries for the All Blacks with Lewitt kicking ten points.

In Tribute South West 1 West, game of the day had to be at Tregorrick as St. Austell took on Wadebridge Camels in an eagerly awaited derby in front of a crowd of 550.

There were nine tries in the game with the Saints helping themselves to six in a 38-15 win.

Scorers for the Saints were Ashley Taylor (2), Ian Venner, Alex Welland, Curtis Newberry and Matt Shepherd, with skipper Shepherd kicking four conversions.

For Wadebridge Harry Woodward (2) and Dan Lumb scored un-converted tries.

Camborne made the trip to bottom side Coney Hill and came away with a 27-15 win.

Despite scoring a first half try through Ryan Spargo and a penalty from Dave Mankee Camborne trailed at the break 12-8.

Despite the atrocious conditions Town ran in three further tries in the second half from Rob Floyd, Dave Roberts and Will Webster with Mankee adding a couple of conversions.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Penryn defeated Bude 41-18 at the Memorial Ground despite trailing 13-5 at the break. Winger Alex Ducker helped himself to three tries with other scores coming from Ollie Evans, Andrew Seviour and George Jones with Jake Seviour kicking four conversions and a penalty.

For Bude Adam Black and Richie Herzog scored tries with Harry Goodrun kicking two penalties and a conversion.
Truro had a good win at Tavistock 34-14. Theo Gayton (2), Chizz Gilbert, Matt Cross and Ashley Riches all scored tries for Truro with Riches adding a penalty and three conversions.

In Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, the local derby at the Sports centre went the way of the home side as Newquay Hornets defeated Hayle 20-17 despite trailing 17-7 at the break.

The Lions scored three first half tries through Rob Goodman, Martin Strick and Talan Daniels with Strick nudging over one conversion. Hornets got a first half try from Tim Eustice which Sam Cullen converted.

Second half Cullen kicked a penalty and then converted Connor Riley’s try to tie up the scores before stepping up to kick the winning penalty two minutes from time.

Falmouth drew 18 all at OPM’s. Toby Mears and Simon Bailey scored tries for the Eagles whilst the boot of Jeremy Irons kicked the rest of the points.

Pirates Amateurs are still without a win, though they came close, losing at home to Crediton 21-20. Aaron Hall, Ben Noyce and Kieron Brownfield all scored tries with Kelvin James kicking a conversion and a penalty.

Tiverton won at Moorlands against Saltash 40-14. Hillman and Horton got the Ashes tries with Max Venables adding both conversions.
Veor lost at home to Withycombe 62-10 with Stone and Arthur getting tries for the home side.

In Tribute Cornwall 1 leaders Liskeard & Looe defeated School of Mines 17-12, Bodmin thrashed Stithians 62-7, Helston defeated St. Agnes 22-17 and Perranporth won at Ponsmere Valley 32-12 against Roseland.

In Tribute Cornwall 2 leaders Illogan Park won 75-7 against St. Day, Lankelly-Fowey defeated Redruth Albany 28-15 and Camelford beat St. Just 19-12.

The Cornish Pirates had a big win in the British and Irish Cup winning 53-10 on the west coast of Scotland at Ayr.

That gives the Cornish side a maximum ten points from their opening two fixtures.

Next week it’s back to Championship rugby and a trip to Oxford to face London Welsh.

Congratulations to Cornish Pirates head coach Ian Davies who has been asked to coach the Barbarians squad for their Remembrance Day fixture against Combined Services at the Brickfields Plymouth on Tuesday November 12th kick-off 7-15 pm.

It was Cup weekend for London Cornish in the SE area of the Intermediate Cup and they won at Tunbridge Wells 15-3.

Like many I was both shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Bobby Tonkin, part of that great Camborne side from the mid 70’s through to the early 80’s. He played for Cornwall on 27 occasions, playing in prestigious friendlies against South African Barbarians, United States of America, Canada and Capt. Crawshay’s.

A prop who could also hook Bobby went on to enjoy a fine career as a coach after his playing days with Camborne, Hayle, St. Ives and with Penzance & Newlyn as they began their climb through the leagues towards professional rugby.

I am sure all Cornish rugby supporters would wish to send their condolences to Bobby’s family at this sad time.

Congratulations to Cornwall 18 Group on their win in Devon last weekend and the best of luck up in Bristol when they take on Dorset & Wilts and Buckinghamshire.