A summary of the 2005-2006 league season
This page summarizes all the league games involving Cornish clubs in National League 1, National League 2, and SW1 that took place in the 2005-2006 season.
Another new season is about to begin; however, rarely one with such expectation and new hope. This season sees the launch of the Cornish Pirates, following the historic agreement of members from Penzance & Newlyn RFC to adopt the bold plans of their President Dicky Evans to create a team that will one day, hopefully, reach the Premiership of English league rugby, on the wave of support from the whole of Cornwall.
Not only a new name but also a new (for the moment temporary) home in Truro, on the site of the former playing field of the former Truro Cathedral School at Kenwyn. Quite what the former headmaster Micky Mischler, an Oxford man through and through, though never sadly a Blue, and one who gave much service to Schools' rugby in the Duchy, would make of "professional" rugby players roaming over his boys' playing field I dread to think. However, I am sure that he would have been pleased to think that, for a short time anyway, the Top Field at Kenwyn will help to put the Cornish Pirates, and Cornish rugby, firmly on the national stage.
As I write this preview, work is frantically going on to get the temporary stadium ready in time for the Cornish Pirates' first home game against the Rotherham Titans on Sunday 19th September. It is to be hoped, as I am sure they will, that the Cornish public will get behind this bold and brave iniative, and fully support the Cornish Pirates in their bid to reach the top. After a fourth place finish last season in National League 1, it's going to be tough to better this time around. Promotion, of course, is not an option, and will not be until the new permanent ground has been built in 2/3 years time. NEC Harlequins, having been relegated from the Premiership, have been able to retain most of last season's squad and must on paper be firm favourites for a swift return to the upper flight. With the signing of former All Black fly-half Andrew Mehrtens it will take a very good team to deny them and why not the Cornish Pirates at Kenwyn on Sunday 18th March 2006. The standard in this division gets better and better each season and the Cornish Pirates will have a tough start to the league campaign when they visit newly-promoted Doncaster on the opening day. Coach Jim McKay has been busy strengthening the squad to maintain the momentum from last season, with players such as Richard Welding, Joe Beardshaw, and Dan Parkes arriving, as local favourite Rob Thirlby departs to Premiership side Gloucester.
The pre-season saw a trip to Kenya for the Tusker Safari 7's, followed by a successful visit to the Henley 7's, where the Cornish Pirates beat Northampton Saints in the final. Friendly wins over local rivals Launceston 50 - 33, and Redruth 52 - 14 and good showing despite defeat against Celtic league side Newport Gwent Dragons offer optimism for a season as good if not better than last.
It's going to be a very interesting season on and off the field at Kenwyn as the club seeks to build the brand. Rome wasn't built in a day it will take time to put the structures in place, but better to take time and get it right.
Trelawny's Army wishes the Cornish Pirates every success on and off the field during this important debut season.
In National League 2, Launceston will be looking to improve on their fifth place last season. Last season was very much like the curate's egg, good in parts, poor in others, mostly during the second half of the season. Coaches Chris Brown and Jon Hill have worked hard during the close season to improve the squad, bringing in experience in the form of former England international Dave Simms and that nuggty scrum half from Crediton, Richard John. Young talent too in the form of the Hocking brothers, Sam and Baz. Despite losses against National League 1 clubs Cornish Pirates and Plymouth Albion, along with a defeat in their prestigious game at Polson against former European Champions and Guinness Premiership side Bath by 56-10, Launceston showed potential in competing well with their higher league opponents, raising hopes that the Cornish All Blacks will be a strong promotion candidate this time around.
Redruth, after the drama of a play-off victory over Macclesfield, join Launceston in National League 2 this season. The Reds are able to call on the bulk of last season's successful squad. Kiwi Bede Brown has departed, as has South African Andy Hymans, who returns to his former club Penryn. Making the trip in the opposite direction is back row forward James Mann. Neil Douch has hung up his boots after many seasons' loyal service, but Ashley Morcom arrives from Penzance & Newlyn to bolster the Reds' front row. Mark Richards and James Tresize both arrive from Mounts Bay. Jamie Caruana, formerly of Truro and a Maltese international, and Liam Trevitt both come in from Reading. Petia Gialow is also due to arrive from New Zealand with the returning Kiwi Dan Goodwin. Defeats against League 1 sides the Cornish Pirates and Exeter Chiefs, and a win over St. Ives in the friendlies, have enabled coach Nigel Hambly get the squad ready for the important first league match against Wharfedale. It's going to be tough adapting to a higher standard. However, the Reds have a tremendous team spirit which has helped them get to where they now are; I am sure this will help them again this season. Redruth should finish mid-way or above and I am sure they will surprise one or two sides in the division along the way.
So, all in all, much to look forward to and whet the appetite for this season.
Trelawny's Army wishes ALL three of our National League clubs, as well as all our clubs playing in the Powergen regional and Cornish leagues, not forgetting our exile club, London Cornish, every success for 2005/6. We also urge One & All to get out and support Cornish rugby on the touchline every weekend during the season.
The Cornish Pirates got their league program off to a winning start with a fine win at newly promoted Doncaster.
A major worry will be the loss of scrum-half Rhodri MacAtee after only 4 minutes with a nasty shoulder injury. He was replaced by Ryan Westren.
Early penalties were exchanged by Jonathan Boden and Lee Jarvis before Pirates' summer signing Richard Welding scored his first try of the afternoon in the right hand corner. The try was unconverted. Boden and Jarvis again traded penalties before Welding scored his second try, collecting a fine kick from Duncan Roke to cross the whitewash. Boden's third penalty completed the first half scoring.
Doncaster hit back soon after the restart when Michael Wood scored a fine try for the hosts. The Pirates, ahead by only two points, upped the pace and scored two converted tries, through hooker Paul Ince and full back Wez Davies, to stretch their lead to 16 points. Boden added a couple more penalties to the Doncaster tally, with Jarvis replying with one of his own.
The Cornish Pirates finished off the scoring with a Matt Jess try which Tom Barlow converted. A welcome five point start to the campaign.
Doncaster: J. Boden, J. Rothwell, B. Hunt, D. Murray, M. Wood (C.
Deakin 50), J. Benson, L. Lane (C. Harrison 48); S. Bunting (R. List 74), J.
Roddam, S. Baretto, G. Kenworthy, D. Cook, R. Earnshaw, S. Grainger, O. Cook
(D. Montagu 60). Rep (Not used), S. Plevey.
Cornish Pirates: W
Davies; R Welding, D Roke, K James, M Jess; L Jarvis (T. Barlow 79), R McAtee
(R. Western 4); A Paver, P Ince (V. Ma'asi 77), D Seal (D. Parkes 52); W James,
J Beardshaw (T. Cowley 54); J Bearman, I Motusaga (S. Betty 79), M Evans. Rep
(Not used): S James .
Referee: Gareth Copsey (RFU).
Launceston came a cropper at Goresbrook as last season's National League 3 South champions got their campaign off to a flying start. Man of the match must be Barking's Samoan flyer Felise Ah-Ling, who scored four tries. Barking's Italian full back Corrado Pilat kicked 17 points as well.
Launceston began brightly and were ten points up in as many minutes. An Andy Machett try, converted by Tony Yapp, plus a penalty again from Yapp shortly afterwards, put the Cornish All Blacks in a good position. But Pilat kicked a penalty and then converted Ah-Ling's opening try to level the scores.
Barking took the lead as Ah-Ling grabbed his second try, Pilat adding the extras. Back came Launceston, as they benefited from the award of a penalty try as Matchett was illegally impeded going for a kick-and-chase for the line. Yapp's conversion and penalty soon after put Launceston back in the lead at 20-17. A second penalty from Pilat tied the scores at the break.
Launceston again began the half well, scoring a third try through flanker Josh Lord, which Yapp converted. Yapp then missed with a penalty. Rob Batho and Sevaiana Rokaboro combined well to send in Ah-Ling for his third try, and Pilat's conversion tied the scores once more. Both sides then had a player sin-binned, Rob Batho for Barking and John Griffiths for Launceston.
A speculative kick by Pilat caused confusion in the Launceston defence and flanker James Kellard followed up to pounce and score. Pilat was once again successful with the conversion. Pilat and Yapp then traded penalties.
After a lengthy delay for an injury, Barking finished off the scoring with Ah-Ling scoring his fourth try which Pilat failed to convert.
Barking: 15. C. Pilat, 14. L. Williams, 13. J. Steyn, 12. A.
Skurr, 11. F. Ah-Ling, 10. E. Elmand, 9. A. Eaton (capt),; 1. P. Ansell, 2. M.
Williams, 3. L. Liebenberg, 4. P. Twydell, 5. B. Heydenrych, 6. S. Rokobaro. 7.
J. Kellard, 8. R. Batho Reps: A. Knowles, S. Rate, R. Connell. J-J. DeWet
Launceston: 15. Andy Birkett, 14. Nigel Simpson, 13. Marc Sweeney,
12. Jimmy Tucker, 11. Andy Matchett, 10. Tony Yapp, 9. Richard John; 1. Keith
Brooking, 2. Dave Risdon (Capt), 3. Wayne Reed, 4. Dave Sims, 5. John
Griffiths, 6. Josh Lord, 7. Wayne Sprangle, 8. Nick Burnett. Reps: 16. Jason
Bolt, 17. Sam Hocking, 18. Steve Perry, 19. Kieron Lewitt
Redruth, resplendent in their new "all Red" strip, got their National League 2 program off to a winning start, scoring 26 unanswered points during the second half to see off a gutsy Wharfedale side.
The Yorkshire dales' side had first use of a stiff breeze and looked the brighter side during the first quarter. However, they failed to make use of their advantage and were made to pay by the Reds, who scored four tries during the second period to notch up a valuable bonus point.
The Greens' scrum-half John Newton was a constant threat, as was England Counties' centre Chris Malherbe in midfield. After failing with an earlier attempt, fullback Mark Bedworth gave the visitors a deserved lead after 12 mins with a penalty kick.
During the second quarter, the Reds came more into the game, centre PJ Gidlow making a fine break and linking up with winger Lewis Vinnecombe to take play into the visitors' 22. However, the Reds lost position and had winger Nathan Pedley sin-binned for a professional foul. Wharfedale increased their lead on 33 mins, following a fine try by their winger Simon Horsfall in the scoreboard corner; the conversion attempt failed.
Redruth came back and once more it was PJ Gidlow who made a break. Nathan Pedley was impeded, allowing Paul Thirlby a chance, which he took to cut the deficit with a fine penalty kick. Despite strong pressure towards Hell Fire corner, the Reds where unable to add to their score before half time.
Redruth now had the advantage of the wind and made full use of it. Wharfedale back row replacement Antony Capstick earned a yellow card. Thirlby kicked to the corner and from the catch-and-drive hooker Mark Harper was driven over for the try on 45 mins. Thirlby missed the conversion, as he did a penalty attempt shortly after.
From a scrum near the half way line, near the Eastern Bank touchline, Reds' No 8 Dan Goodwin picked up and saw a gap, running in from 40 meters to the delight of the Reds' supporters. Thirlby kicked a difficult conversion on 55 mins to put the Reds 15 - 8 up.
Wharfedale suffered another yellow card as the Reds' pressure began to tell, and flanker Alastair Allen was given 10 mins in the bin. Craig Bonds scored a third Reds' try, following a kick-and-chase on 68 minutes. Again Thirlby added the extras to stretch the lead to 22 - 8. James Mann, in his first league appearance for the Reds, ran up field which led to a penalty, which Thirlby missed. Then fullback Chris Jones tore up field from his own line, linking with Bonds, who in turn found Vinnecombe, who scored under the posts for the fourth Reds' try. A fitting finale to a great second half from the Reds.
Redruth: 15. Chris Woods, 14, Lewis Vinnecombe, 13, Craig Bonds,
capt, 12. PJ Gidlow, 11. Nathan Pedley, 10. Paul Thirlby, 9. Mark Richards (17.
Marek Churcher 77); 1. Darren Jacques (19. Ashley Morcom 68) 2. Mark
Harper (18. Ben Priddey 77), 3. Sam Heard, 4. Ben Sidgwick, 5. Richard Carroll,
6. Nathan Pascoe, 7. James Mann (17. Chris Fuca 77), 8. Dan Goodwin
Wharfedale: 15. Mark Bedworth; 14. Simon Horsfall, 13. Chris
Malherbe, 12. Andy Baggett capt, 11. James Hutchinson; 10. Adam Whaites (19.
Chris Meehan 72), 9. John Newton; 1. Philip Peel (16 Craig Ingram 49), 2. Gavin
Hindle, 3. Neil Dickinson (18. Frazer Lovatt 63), 4. David Lister, 5.
Oliver Renton, 6. Gareth Lodge (17 .Antony Capstick 40 ), 7. Alistair Allen, 8.
David Baldwin.
Referee: Mr R. Parker-Sedgemoor (RFU)
In the only South West 2 West game involving a Cornish club, Mounts Bay got off to a wining start at St. Mary's Old Boys, winning by 33 - 13. Mounts Bay had a few problems in the front row and took time to settle; they trailed at one point 10-0.
Fly-half Steve Evans scored the Bay's opening try, with Jamie Salter scoring a second to level matters. Mo Oto Ota then landed a couple of penalties, with an Old Boys' success sandwiched in between, to leave the score at 16-13 to Bay with 15 minutes to play. Bay then scored three tries from Ricky Pellow, Ben Eddy, and Oto Ota to secure the points. Oto Ota also added a conversion.
In the only Western Counties West game involving a Cornish club, Hayle lost at Withycombe 40 - 13. The Lions scored two tries through No8 Ben Hardwick and lock Kevin Jenkin. Matthew Davies also dropped a goal.
In the first round of the Powergen National Trophy, Penryn won 17 - 14 at Torquay Athletic. Ben Short and Peter Webster scored the Borough's tries, while the boot of Martin Strick added the other points.
St. Ives also came through, winning at Clevedon by 21 - 20. Ian Veall and Stuart Turnbull scored the Hakes' tries, with Dan Hooper kicking a conversion and three penalties.
For the second week in a row, the Cornish Pirates faced an away match against a side newly-promoted to Division 1. Having disposed of Doncaster 40 - 20 last week, this time the Pirates faced a tougher proposition in a confident and well-drilled Newbury side.
With regular scrum-halves Gavin Cattle and Rhodri McAtee both injured, Marek Churcher, on-loan from Redruth, was preferred to Mounts Bay's Ryan Westren.
The Pirates started well enough. A good passing move after just 4 minutes should have led to a try in the corner, but the final pass went astray. On nine minutes, after some weak defensive work from the Pirates and somewhat against the run of play, Newbury broke away and scored in the corner. Fly-half Blair Feeney, who kicked impressively all afternoon, landed the difficult conversion.
Newbury continued to press and after 12 minutes Pirates found themselves 14 - 0 down, having conceded another converted try. Again it was the Pirates' defence that let them down. Newbury number 6 Isoa Damu Damu, who was a handful all afternoon, broke three tackles to set up the try.
Scrum-half Churcher, in his first game for the Pirates, didn't look comfortable; more than once he was caught in possession, and the ball from the scrum was slow and not always accurate.
Six minutes later, Pirates got their first points on the board with a penalty from Lee Jarvis. This was almost immediately cancelled out, however, by a penalty from Feeney, making the score 17 - 3 to Newbury.
At last Pirates began to show what they are capable of, and the second and third quarters were their best period of the match. First, a slick handling move let in Richard Welding. This was followed, three minutes later, by a try from centre Shaun James. Jarvis converted both tries to even the scores at 17 apiece.
Jarvis and Feeney then exchanged penalties to make the score 20 - 20 at the break, and set up the prospect of a fascinating second half.
Soon after the restart Jarvis missed a penalty attempt. With his next penalty he opted to kick for the corner. However, the lineout was messy and the scoring chance evaporated with a Pirate knock-on. Sam Betty came on to replace Ivo Motusaga in the back row.
On fifty minutes, a good passing move led to Matt Jess being forced into touch just short of the try-line. There then followed a spell of strong Pirates' pressure on the Newbury line. The Cornish side were awarded several penalties as Newbury tried desperately to keep them out. Eventually, a Pirates' knock-on relieved the pressure.
The first score of the second half was a penalty by Jarvis. Soon afterwards, Jarvis was replaced by Tom Barlow and Ryan Westren came on in place of Marek Churcher. Barlow soon made his mark with a penalty that increased Pirates' lead to six points.
By now, the Pirates' pack were in dominant mood. They set up some good rolling mauls and forced the Newbury eight back at the scrums. However, Newbury were not finished yet. Needing only a converted try to win, they set up some good handling moves that stretched the Pirates' defence. Eventually, their pressure told and they crossed the Pirates' line, out wide, in the sixth minute of injury time. Feeney, who had kicked immaculately all day, had only to land the conversion for Newbury to take the match. It was a difficult kick and, luckily for the Pirates, he missed it by a shade. A further few minutes of injury time followed, during most of which the Pirates sensibly held on to the ball with a series of rolling mauls.
What are we to make of this curate's egg of a Pirates' performance? The positive parts were the lineout, which worked well all afternoon, the powerful scrummaging and mauling, some slick inter-passing by the backs, and Jarvis and Barlow's kicking. Less good was some of the tackling, and there were too many handling errors. All in all, six-and-a-half out of ten. But you feel that this side will improve.
Launceston for the second week running had no success on the road in a physical encounter at Grove Park. With defences on top during the first period, two Andre Wilson penalties gave the home side a six-point advantage at the break.
The opening try of the game came after 50 minutes, Manchester fullback Sean Hannah finishing off some fine work from his centres Isaac Richmond and Craig Cooper. Wilson's conversion pushed the score to 13-0.
Tony Yapp reduced the arrears with a penalty. Launceston were now seeking another score and Kieron Lewitt was very close to a try. Yapp kicked a second penalty to give the Cornish All blacks hope going into the final quarter. However, the game became bogged down, and all chances Launceston had of taking anything away from the game evaporated when they lost a scrum and Manchester launched an attack which saw wing Dave Wood score their second try of the game.
Esher proved too good for Redruth in this league encounter played at Moseley Road. The Reds brought in Oscar Osir for the injured Lewis Vinnecombe on the wing, and Tim McBride took the vacant spot on the bench vacated by Marek Churcher's loan to the Pirates.
The Reds were soon up against it, and soon down to 14 men after No 8 Dan Goodwin was sin-binned after 4 minutes. Esher took advantage and Matt Moore scored an opening try for the Surrey side on 9 minutes, which fullback Neil Hallett converted. Esher were very prominent in attack, with strong Redruth defending, notably from PJ Gidlow and a returning Goodwin keeping the home side out. Redruth had dangerous moments of their own, fullback Chris Woods going close.
Redruth got on the scoreboard when scrumhalf Mark Richards collected a charged-down kick to score an opportunist try after 27 minutes. Either side of halftime Hallett kicked penalty goals to stretch his side's advantage. This signalled Redruth's best spell as Woods and Osir came close to capitalising on a Paul Thirlby kick through. Goodwin, Richard Carroll, and Mark Harper all went close to snatching a try.
Esher finally made the important breakthrough after 65 minutes when centre Chris Yates broke through the Reds' line and fed fellow centre Jason Keyter, who scored under the posts, Hallett slotting the extras. Thirlby kicked a penalty for the Reds on 71 minutes and, with the Reds looking for another score, Moore latched on to a Redruth pass to sprint upfield to claim his second try of the game. Hallet's third conversion completed the scoring.
Redruth will hope to get back to winning ways at home next Saturday, when Harrogate are the visitors.
In South West 1, Penryn travelled to Reading Abbey for their opening fixture in the league and were beaten 10 - 0.
In South West 2, Mounts Bay are the early pacesetters following their 57 - 15 win over Taunton at the Mennaye. Steve Evans scored three tries, with a brace each for Jamie Semmens and Mo Oto Ota. Pete Bush scored the other Bay try. Oto Ota was also successful with 7 conversions and a penalty.
Truro opened their league campaign with a home win against Gloucester Old Boys by 18 -8. Luke Trescothick and Daniel Duncan scored Truro's tries, both of which were converted by Scott Martin who also kicked a penalty.
Camborne were denied by a last gasp penalty at home to St. Mary's Old Boys, 19 - 18. The Cherry and Whites scored two tries through David Roberts and Richard Harris. David Mankee kicked a conversion, a penalty, and a drop goal .
St. Ives lost at Brixham 29 - 18.
In Western Counties West, Bude opened their campaign with a win over Ivybridge 1by 6-6. No 8 Dave Uglow scored the only try of the game with centre Paul Williams adding the conversion and three penalties.
Hayle suffered a second defeat, this time at Barnstaple by 36-10. Dave Seager scored the Lions' try, which Paul Lello converted, together with a penalty.
This was very much a trip down memory lane for this reporter to the very field on which he played in the sky blue and white-hooped shirts of the former Truro Cathedral School. To me and countless other "Old Truronians" it was always known as the Top Field and I make no apology to referring to it as such.
On a sunny day, the Cornish Pirates turned in a Five Star performance to "christen" their new temporary home. Winger Richard Welding became the first hero of the new ground in scoring five of his sides' seven tries, in what was a comprehensive win in front of a good crowd, including Messrs Baron and Thomas from the RFU. It must have encouraged club president Dicky Evans to see instant success both on and off the field.
It was the Pirates who kicked off towards Shortlanes end and immediately took the game to their opponents. Fly half Tom Barlow soon had a chance of points but his kick from 40 meters went wide of the posts. Rotherham then gave notice that they hadn't come just to make up the numbers when they launched a series of powerful drives near the Pirates' line in the Kenwyn Hill corner of the ground. Pressure eventually told and Titans No 8 Chris Hala'uifa had the honour of scoring the first try on the Top Field in National League rugby on 13 mins. Fly half Mike Whitehead was unable to convert the score.
The Pirates were stung by this setback and set about scoring themselves. Matt Jess had the first of several promising runs. However, he was up against a formidable opponent in Rotherham's Dave Strettle and the tussle between these two England Counties XV wingers was a match in itself.
The Pirates continued pressing and a hurried clearance near the Titan's line was run back with interest by Welding, who scored his first try on 18 mins in the north-east corner of the ground. Barlow kicked a fine conversion to edge the Pirates ahead at 7-5.
The Pirates were beginning to get on top and penalties were going their way. Barlow kicked to the NE corner and, following a big drive from the lineout, the ball came back infield at pace for Welding to sniff a gap and score his second try of the game on 25 minutes. Barlow couldn't add the extras this time.
Rotherham immediately had a chance of points when, following a knock-on from the restart, the Pirates were penalised at the resulting scrum, with Whitehead kicking three points from the 22. Undeterred, the Pirates were soon back in Rotherham territory. Wez Davies and Welding combined well during a promising attack, and Barlow put a snap drop attempt wide of the posts. Jess had another good run, but got no change out of Strettle. The pressure was again mounting on the Titans and it was the ever-industrious scrum-half Gavin Cattle who charged down an attempted clearance in the visitors' 22. This led to a hasty clearance kick, which found Welding out on his wing. The winger had no hesitation in again running the ball back, dancing his way around the despairing tackles to score his third try on 35 mins. Barlow kicked the conversion to make the score 19 - 8, which is how it stayed to half time.
Pirates were now playing towards the City end and soon they, or should I say Richard Welding, had ensured the bonus point, as the winger scorched in for his fourth try on 44 minutes in the top corner. Barlow converted the score and, with the Pirates at 26 - 8, the crowd were in fine voice.
Cattle was kicking for the corners to pin the Titans back in their 22. Pirates were looking irresistible with the ball in hand and it was no surprise to see Wez Davies score his sides' fifth try in the Kenwyn Hill corner. A sixth try soon followed, and this time Matt Jess was able to escape the attention of Strettle as he followed up a kick to pounce again in the Kenwyn Hill corner.
At 36-8 the Pirates had not yet finished, and it was fitting that Man of the Match Richard Welding should claim a fifth try in the top corner, following a fine break by Wez Davies. Barlow added the extras. Rotherham, to their credit, did not let their heads drop and they were rewarded with a try at the end when centre Tom Allen crossed deep in injury time.
But the day belonged appropriately to the Cornish Pirates. Thank you for a "Grand Day Out", and here's to many more on the Top Field at Kenwyn.
Cornish Pirates: 15. W. Davies, 14. R. Welding, 13. D. Roke (18. K. James 56), 12. S. James, 11. M. Jess, 10. T. Barlow. 9. G. Cattle; 1. A. Paver, 2. P. Ince (21. N. Makin 56, 19. V. Ma'asi 75), 3. N. Adams (22. D. Seal 56), 4. W. James, 5. J. Beardshaw, 6. J. Bearman (capt), 7. S. Betty, 8. T. Cowley (20. M. Evans 72).
Reps not used: 16. M. Churcher, 17. L. Jarvis
Earth Titans: 15.E. Claasens, 14. D. Srettle, 13. T. Allen, 12 L. Blackett (capt 17. L. Strauss 69), 11. A. Carter, 10. M. Whitehead, 9. J. Bedford (16. M. Jonker 76); 1. J. Carey (18. J. Golding 59), 2. N. Hannah (21. N Conroy 53), 3. J. Rawson (20. A. Hopcroft 40) , 4. L. McGowan, 5. G. McComb (22. N. Pike 62), 6. S. Donald, 7. N. Cochrane, 8. C. Hala'uifa (19. H. Fourie 72).
Ref; Mr. T. Beddow (RFU)
Redruth got back to winning ways after their reversal last Saturday at Esher. It took time to grind down their gritty Yorkshire opponents; the Reds finally pulled away on the scoreboard in the final quarter. Before the match started a minute's silence was observed in memory of former Redruth and Cornwall winger Tony Mead, who sadly passed away this week.
There were prestigious visitors in the grandstand, Chief Executive of the RFU Francis Baron, and Chairman of the Management Board of the RFU, Martin Thomas, both on a weekend visit to Cornwall.
On a sunny, dry, but decidedly chilly afternoon, Harrogate kicked off towards Hell Fire corner. Redruth had the better of the early exchanges and a period of concerted pressure brought an early reward when stand off Paul Thirlby kicked a penalty after five minutes.
You'd have thought that an early score would have settled the Reds. On the contrary, within five minutes the Reds had conceded two tries and trailed by 12-3. Both tries came from the dangerous Harrogate backs. First, fly half Mike Aspinall rounded off a fine move after various phases of play on 7 minutes, and Mark Pease converted. Then Pease scored the second. This resulted from the restart going out on the full and Harrogate setting up an attack from the resulting scrum, which led to Pease cutting through the midfield to score. Pease was unable to convert.
Thirlby was able to cut the deficit with his second penalty of the match. The same player then went on to convert his own try, after a sustained period of pressure, to regain the lead for the Reds at 13-12.
Harrogate were still very much a threat, with their back row player Maifea Maifea at the forefront. Lewis Vinnecombe made a tremendous break from full back in his own half to carry the danger deep into Harrogate's 22. The visitors were forced to clear from behind their own line, with the ever-dangerous Dan Goodwin carrying on the attack from the hasty clearance. But Redruth soon had another penalty from 30 meters out, which Thirlby kicked to make it 16-12. Pease kicked a penalty for Harrogate just before half time, to leave the Reds 16-15 up.
Redruth kicked off the second half playing down the slope. Scrum-half Mark Richards was soon into his game, pinning the opposition back deep into Hell Fire corner. The Reds moved the ball wide, with PJ Gidlow smashing his way through the Yorkshire side's defence. Redruth turned pressure into points when Thirlby dropped a neat goal on 51 minutes.
Richards was pulling the strings at the base of the scrum, constantly pushing Harrogate back into their own 22. Redruth had another penalty chance, which Thirlby converted after 62 minutes.
Oscar Osir, on for Chris Woods, almost scored after combining with Richards. But the try was not long in coming and it was the former Penryn flanker James Mann who was driven over by the forwards to score the Reds' second try of the game on 69 minutes, Thirlby adding the extras. The noise from the stands was deafening as klaxons and roars of delight greeted the score, which put the Reds' two converted tries ahead.
Harrogate spent a fair few minutes en-camped in the Reds' 22, trying to get the converted try which would give them a losing bonus point. Redruth broke out with a charge led by James Mann and PJ Gidlow. Deep into time added on, Lewis Vinnecombe followed up a chip and was able to collect and score the Reds' final try in the Piggy Lane corner.
Man of the match, flanker James Mann, collecting his award from Martin Thomas said, "Bring on Barking", which should be a cracker next Saturday at the Recreation Ground.
Redruth: 15. L. Vinnecombe, 14. C. Woods (16. O. Osir 67), 13. C. Bonds, 12. PJ Gidlow, 11. N. Pedley, 10. P. Thirlby 9. M. Richards; 1. D. Jacques (18. A. Morcom 71), 2. M. Harper (19. B. Priddey 83), 3. S. Heard, 4. N. Pascoe, 5. R. Carroll, 6. J. Mann, 7. J. Navin (capt) (18. B. Sidgewick 84), 8. D. Goodwin
Harrogate: 15. P. Williams (M. Winter 85), 14. S. Parsons, 13. J. Baker, 12. M. Pease, 11. M. Harris (19. D. Harrity 70), 10. M.Aspinall, 9. M. Chester; 1. S. Wilson, 2. E. Spackman (18. M. Erven 60), 3. R. Wilson (17. G. Dodgson 63), 4. B. Black (capt), 5. M. Challinor, 6. B. Williamson, 7. M. Maifea. 8. S. Powell.
Referee Mr. S Harland (RFU) .
The Cornish All Blacks finally got their season going with a win at the third time of asking. Two tries from winger Andy Matchett in the first half, one of which was converted by fly half Tony Yapp, gave the Cornish side a reasonable advantage at the break.
However, Launceston were caught on the hop as the Midlanders scored an early try through winger Jon Hall, which was converted by Duncan Hughes to cut the arrears to 12-7.
Tony Yapp again stretched the Cornish All Blacks advantage with a penalty kick. Launceston exerted tremendous pressure up front and were finally rewarded when Nigel Simpson scampered over for their second try.
Various Powergen Cups matches took place this weekend. In the National Trophy, St. Ives won a close encounter with Swanage & Wareham 24-22.
Penryn are out of the competition after crashing 65-20 at Maidenhead.
In the Intermediate Cup, there was success for Mounts Bay against Bude, a side that has in the past given them much cause for concern, though not this time as Bay won comfortably by 69-0.
Truro disposed of Hayle 38-0. Camborne were given a tough time at Kingsbridge before emerging winners 27-10.
In the Junior Vase there were wins for Saltash, Falmouth, Perranporth, Wadebridge Camels, Illogan Park, St. Austell, and of course London Cornish (see Dickon Moon's match report in the forums).
This big win at the County Ground propelled the Cornish Pirates to the top of National League 1. After going behind to an early drop goal from Chiefs' outside half Adam Staniforth, Tom Barlow kicked a penalty to bring the Pirates level. Pirates' skipper Joe Bearman then snapped up a stray pass from Staniforth to run in from 60 meters. Barlow added the conversion and two further penalties to put the Cornish Pirates 16-3 ahead. Just before half time the Cornish side scored a second try when fullback Wez Davies fed Shaun James, who scored in the corner. Barlow missed the conversion but made amends with another penalty kick. Just before the break Chiefs' full back Gary Kingdom kicked a penalty to make the score 24-6 at the turn.
Exeter made a better fist of affairs in the second half, but had just a second penalty from Kingdom to show for their concerted early effort. Instead it was the Cornish Pirates who put in a three try burst, No 8 Matt Evans scoring the first and Wez Davies a second. Both tries were converted by Barlow. With the game in time added on, Kevin James scored a fifth Pirate's try, which Lee Jarvis, on for Barlow, failed to convert from the touchline. Down but not out, Exeter had the final say when replacement lock Mark Gabey was driven over for Kingdom to convert.
Redruth maintained their unbeaten home record this season at the expense of last season's League 3 South champions, the only side to win in the league at Redruth during 2004/5.
Barking arrived having won their opening three league games. However, they were well beaten by a gutsy Redruth, who gave a disciplined and tenacious performance in ending their visitors' early season record.
Redruth kicked off playing down the slope. Barking looked the more settled side during the opening minutes, settling into their driving game through their forwards. Barking earned an early penalty, which their Italian international Corrado Pilat kicked to put them 3-0 up after 2 minutes.
Redruth took time to settle, their play was scrappy, especially in the lineouts, as they put themselves under pressure early on. There was a dust up amongst the players, with a Barking player lucky not to be yellow carded for some foul play. This fired the Reds up.
Pilat pinned the Reds back near their own line. Barking No 6 Sevanaia Rokobaro looked a dangerous player on the charge, but he was well policed by the Red's back row. On 18 minutes Pilat was put under pressure by a hanging kick and was taken slightly late by PJ Gidlow. There was a major reaction by players on both sides, which resulted in Pilat and Redruth's Richard Carroll spending 10 minutes in the bin.
Mark Richards was probing the touchline with his kicking, putting Barking on the back foot. Redruth had a scrum on the Barking 22, the ball was moved left with PJ Gidlow making a big drive towards the Piggy Lane corner, the ball went out to Oscar Osir and the winger dived in at the corner on 22 minutes. Thirlby kicked the conversion to put the Reds 7-3 up.
Barking, through their fly half Ehan Helmand, were putting up high kicks to the Reds' 22, trying to catch out Lewis Vinnecombe. James Mann led a breakout, ably supported by Mark Richards and Dan Goodwin, into the Barking 22, winning the Reds a penalty which Thirlby kicked to the Piggy Lane corner. From the catch-and-drive hooker Mark Harper was driven over on 30 minutes. Thirlby couldn't add the extras this time.
Barking's fly half Helmand again put in a long kick towards the scoreboard corner which Vinnecombe had to clear into touch under pressure. From the lineout, Barking moved the ball at pace along the line and worked an opening for winger Felise Ah-Ling, who crossed in the Strawberry Lane corner. Pilat was unable to convert. After the restart, Richards made a blindside break from a scrum into the visitors' 22 but failed to link with Osir. Thirlby had another penalty chance before the break but put his effort wide.
Barking brought on a replacement prop at half time, with Simon Knowles on for Leonard Liebenberg. Barking restarted playing towards Hell Fire corner. However, it was Redruth who took the game by the scruff of the neck and gradually imposed themselves on their opponents during the third quarter. Thirlby kicked a penalty into the Strawberry Lane corner and from the catch-and-drive Redruth set up a big drive for the line but knocked on!
The Reds had a scare when Pilat put Ah-Ling away but the pass was forward. Thirlby had a penalty shot but it was outside his range, going wide and falling short. Redruth's forwards were driving and mauling well as a unit and a big drive took them up to the line. However, referee Mr Woodmason came back for an earlier infringement, giving Thirlby an easy kick from in front of the posts on 50 minutes.
Thirlby was successful with further penalties on 59 and 62 minutes to stretch the Reds' lead to 21-8. Barking did try to get back in it but they found a big Red wall, especially in the form of PJ Gidlow, barring their route. Pilat had a penalty chance, which rebounded off an upright. Barking had a big five minutes with a succession of penalties, which they kicked twice to Hell Fire corner, but the Red wall kept them out. The third time they took a tap but James Mann nicked the ball and Thirlby put in a relieving kick to a huge cheer from the crowd. There appeared to be another player altercation at the death, but the referee wisely blew for time.
Redruth have improved over the last few weeks. The test will come in a fortnight when they travel to Dry Leas to take on the Henley Hawks.
Redruth: 15. L. Vinnecombe, 14. O. Osir, 13. C. Bonds, 12. PJ
Gidlow, 11. N. Pedley, 10. P. Thirlby, 9. M. Richards; 1. D. Jacques, 2. M.
Harper, 3. S. Heard, 4. N. Pascoe, 5. R. Carroll, 6. J. Mann, 7. J. Navin
(capt), 8. D. Goodwin.
Reps (Not used) 16. M. Churcher, 17. B. Sidgewick,
18. A. Morcom, 19. B. Priddey
Barking: 15. C. Pilat, 14. L.
Williams, 13, J. Steyn, 12. A. Skurr, 11. F. Ah-Ling, 10. E. Helmand, 9. A.
Eaton; 1. P. Ansell (17. G. Walker 68), 2. W. Nel, 3. L. Liebenberg (16. S.
Knowles 40, 3. L. Liebenberg 75), 4. M. Twydell, 5. B. Heydenrych, 6. S.
Rokobaro, 7. J. Kellard, 8. P. Everitt (capt)
Reps (Not used) 18. R. Batho,
19. J-J. DeWet
Referee Mr E. Woodmason (RFU)
The Launceston forwards laid the foundations for this important win. With the scores tied at 14-14, it was a drop goal from Tony Yapp which proved to be the match winner.
At the start, Yapp and Blackheath's Charlie Harding traded penalties. Both sides then scored unconverted tries, Dave Fitzgerald for Blackheath and Nick Burnett for the Cornish All Blacks. Yapp and Harding again traded penalties to leave the half time score 11 - 11.
With time running out Yapp and Harding again traded penalties, before Yapp's last minute drop won the game and the points.
In Powergen South West 1, Penryn at last got a home game and a win, scoring eight tries against Spartans in a 55-12 win. Nick Brown and Ben Short scored two tries apiece, with Justin Hocking, James Jago, Lewis Vague, and Andy Hymans scoring the other tries. Martin Strick kicked six conversions and a penalty.
In South West 2 West, Mounts Bay remain top following a 36-18 win at Exmouth. Mo Oto Ota scored three tries, with Stuart Evans and Adrian Bick also touching down. Oto Ota also kicked four conversions and a penalty.
St. Ives entertained Berry Hill at Alexander Road handing, the visitors a defeat by 32 - 5. The Corin brothers, Graham and Neil, each scored a try, as did player coach Ian Sanders, Liam Chapple, and Theunis Frick. Frick also added a couple of conversions and a penalty.
Camborne enjoyed a welcome win away at Taunton by 36-16. Brett Wafker (2), Nathan March, Richard Harris, and David Roberts scored the Cherry & Whites' tries, with Wafker adding four conversions and a penalty.
Truro were stung by the Hornets 34-17 in Weston. Sean Roseveare (2) and Luke Trescothick scored Truro's tries, with Scott Martin kicking a conversion.
It was not a good day for our two Cornish clubs in Western Counties West. Hayle were well beaten by league leaders Newton Abbot 65 - 6 at home. Matt Dawes kicked two penalties for the Lions.
Bude lost at Torquay Athletic 39-3, Paul Williams kicking the solitary Bude penalty.
The Cornish Pirates' early season run came to an abrupt halt at Goldington Road on Saturday when they were well beaten by a well-organised Bedford side, who are themselves still unbeaten.
Defeat was compounded with the loss of yet another back row player. No 8 Matt Evans was forced to retire from the fray on 19 minutes with a serious knee injury. Further tests were due to take place today, Monday, to ascertain the extent of this latest setback for Evans, who spent most of last season on the sidelines following a nasty injury at Nottingham, but the initial prognosis was not good! The loss of Evans saw the introduction of recent signing, Australian Simon Hoskings, who teamed up in the back row with loan signing Chris Morgan and skipper Joe Bearman.
Yet the Pirates couldn't have wished for a better start, playing down the slope, as the league's top try grabber Richard Welding scored his ninth league try of the season after just three minutes, following a pass from fly half Tom Barlow. Barlow added the conversion for an early 7-0 lead. The Pirates needed to make the most of the slope during the first period, but a combination of good defence and a reshuffled back row nullified their efforts. A couple of good attacking options deep in the Blues' 22 went begging and instead it was the Blues who got on level terms, with centre Mike Allen taking a pass from Ali Hepher to score a fine try, with fullback Mark Harris converting. Harris then kicked a penalty at the end of the first half to give the Blues a 10-7 lead.
The Pirates got off to bad start in the second half, conceding a second try in which Hepher was again instrumental, through hooker Chris Johnson, which Harris converted. The Blues scored a third try through back row player Nic Strauss and a fourth, sealing the bonus point, from fellow back rower Sasha Harding, both scores being converted by Harris to give the Blues a 31-7 lead. The Pirates did give their fans something to cheer when Welding scored his second try of the game following some good work from fullback Wez Davies.
The Cornish Pirates will hope that this was just a bad day on the park and that they will get back in the winning groove next Sunday on the Top Field, Kenwyn, against Nottingham, but it will be tough against a side that has shown some good early season form.
With our National League 2 clubs having an enforced day off due to the re-jigging of the Powergen Cup, the spotlight fell on South West 2 West. Mounts Bay travelled up to bottom side Berry Hill and were made to work hard for their 26-20 win. Two tries from Jamie Semmens and one from Steve Evans, together with a conversion and three penalties from the boot of Ryan Westren, saw the Bay through.
Truro lost at home to St. Mary's Old Boys at St. Clements by 27-22. Scott Martin score 17 of his side's points, with the other score coming from Hambly.
Camborne and Exmouth will have to do it all again as the game was abandoned on 55 minutes due to an injury to the referee. At the time Camborne were 11-0 up.
In Western Counties West, a better day for our two Cornish sides. Bude beat Paignton at Bencoolen Meadow 25-3. Jeff Kaufmann scored two tries, with Ben Westaway and Will Kingdom getting one apiece. Paul Williams kicked a penalty and a conversion.
Hayle recorded their first win of the season, winning 27-15 at Sidmouth. Kevin Mankee scored a couple of tries and a third was scored by Paul Lello. Mankee also kicked a drop goal, whilst Lello's boot accounted for the rest of the Lions' haul.
In the only Powergen National Trophy 3rd Round tie affecting a Cornish club, St. Ives lost out to higher league opposition Cinderford by 22-19. The 4th Round draw sees Redruth make a second trip to Henley in 7 days to play the Hawks, while Launceston are also on the road back to the Rectory Field to play Blackheath, both ties being on Saturday 15th October.
It was a bit of a curate's egg performance from the Cornish Pirates this afternoon at Kenwyn, good in parts, but for long periods, especially during the first half, they still seemed to be suffering from the "Blues", post Bedford.
The Pirates needed a strong performance from a key player to lift them. It came from captain Joe Bearman, who led his troops from the front and rightly was awarded the "Man of the Match" for his outstanding performance.
Nottingham are, unquestionably, an improved side from last season, led as they are by the England Counties' captain, flanker Craig Hammond, and with the influential former Sedgley Park second row Paul Arnold. Playing in their familiar green and white hoops, Nottingham kicked off playing towards Shortlanesend and immediately took the game to the Cornish Pirates. Quicker to settle, they had the home side on the back foot, with fly half Alistair Warnock kicking for the corners, trying to pin the Cornish Pirates back in their 22.
Warnock soon kicked the opening points with a penalty. Another dangerous move by the visitors saw winger David Jackson causing panic in the home defence. His good work was improved by centre Tim Molenaar, who ripped the ball out and scored under the posts for Warnock to add the extras: 10-0 to the men from Robin Hood country. Warnock was wide shortly after with a penalty attempt, before succeeding with another shortly after: 15 mins played and 13-0 up.
The Cornish Pirates tried to play their way back into the game but they overcomplicated moves, which added to their frustration. It was Bearman who made a storming (one of many on the day) run into the Nottingham 22, forcing the visitors to concede a penalty. Tom Barlow kicked to the Kenwyn Hill corner, the Pirates secured the lineout and, whilst the initial surge was held, the arrivial of the three-quarters added weight which took the ball over the line for on-loan flanker Chris Morgan to score. Barlow was unable to add the conversion, and so it stayed 5-13 at the break.
It was vital for the Cornish Pirates to get off to a positive start in the second half. A fine break in midfield by centre Duncan Roke took play deep into the visitors' 22, and quick ball saw the flyer Richard Welding put away to score his 11th try of the league campaign. Barlow's conversion left the Cornish Pirates a point adrift.
Shaun James had a good run but errors were still hampering the Pirates' game. The Pirates then kicked a penalty to the Treliske corner and a catch-and-drive saw Morgan again driven over to score. Barlow failed with the conversion attempt. This score got the crowd, much larger than for the Rotherham game, behind the Pirates as they sensed that at last the tide appeared to be turning in their favour. The try bonus point was not long in arriving. A bullocking run from second row Will James into Nottingham's 22 set up a quick move left by Barlow to skipper Jo Bearman, loitering out on the wing, to take the pass from 5 meters out and cross in the Treliske corner. Barlow's conversion made the score 24-13.
Nottingham were not done for yet and they struck back with a fine try from winger Will Logan, which Neil Stenhouse, on for Warnock, converted to bring the visitors back to 24-20. However, in a final twist to the game, the Cornish Pirates made it safe with a fifth try for debutant Australian Simon Hoskings which Lee Jarvis, on for Barlow, couldn't convert.
The large crowd went home happy with the result, but coach Jim McKay will be eager to iron out the problems his side had before travelling to Pertemps Bees (Birmingham & Solihull for the purists) in two weeks time.
Cornish Pirates: 15. W. Davies, 14. R. Welding, 13. D. Roke, 12.
S. James, 11. M. Jess, 10. T. Barlow (18. L. Jarvis 74), 9. G. Cattle (16. N.
Chivers 80) ; 1. A. Paver (21. D. Parkes 74), 2. P. Ince (20. N. Makin 60), 3.
N. Adams (D. Seal 47) , 4. W. James, 5. J. Beardshaw, 6. S. Hockings, 7. C.
Morgan, 8. J. Bearman (capt). Reps not used: 19. A. Nicholls, 22. R.
McAtee.
Nottingham: 15. B. Thompson; 14. D. Jackson, 13. T. Wyles,
12. T. Molenaar (21. A. Cook 77), 11. W. Logan; 10. A. Warnock (20. N.
Stenhouse 67), 9. T. Richardson; 1. P. Cook (16. N. Fowkes 40), 2. J. Duffy
(17. A. Loney 40), 3. T. Lea'aetoa, 4. P. Arnold, 5. D. Moore, 6. C. Hammond
(capt), 7. D. Wilks (19. G. Chenoweth 57), 8. N. Fitisemanu (18. A.
Corcoran 40). Reps not used: 22. J. Wilson.
Referee Mr T. Beddow (RFU).
Redruth were forced to make the first of two successive trips to Dry Leas without centre Craig Bonds, who is out for 6-8 weeks, and Kiwi No 8 Dan Goodwin, who picked up an injury in the win over Barking two weeks ago. Redruth gave a debut to the former Camborne and Penzance & Newlyn centre Paul Gadsdon.
Redruth got off to a great start when Lewis Vinnecombe scored a try after just two minutes, latching on to a P J Gidlow pass following a fine break from the centre. Paul Thirlby was unable to add the extras.
However, the Reds' cause was not helped when they found themselves down to 13 men when both Sam Heard and Nathan Pedley were sent to the sin-bin within minutes of each other: Heard for slowing down the ball in a ruck underneath his own posts (the resulting penalty Hawks' fly half Barry Reeves converted) and then, shortly after, Pedley for throwing a punch at an opponent, which the touch judge spotted.
Reeves was instrumental in Henley's try just before half time, giving a long pass to winger Chris Simmons, who scored in the corner. Reeves kicked a touch-line conversion to give the Hawks a 10-5 advantage.
Further indiscipline cost the Reds two penalties early in the second half, allowing Reeves to nudge the Hawks to a 16-5 lead. However, it was Redruth who dominated for long periods and they scored a second unconverted try on 74 minutes through replacement back-row forward, Kenyan Ben Ayimba. The pressure that the Reds exerted during the final moments resulted in the Hawks getting three yellow cards.
No doubt Reds coach Nigel Hambly will reflect that this was a league game that the Reds should have won!
HENLEY HAWKS: 15. ADAM SLADE 14. ANDY MACRAE, 13. LUKE BURNS, 12.
PAUL DUNCKLEY, 11. CHRIS SIMMONS, 10. BARRY REEVES, 9. STEVE DRAKE; 1.ROWAN
FULLER, 2 IAN GIBBONS, 3. JAMES HADFIELD, 4. JAMES WINTERBOTTOM, 5. STEVE
GREEN, 6. JON TENCONI, 7. JEFF ATKINSON (CAPT), 8. DAVE ARCHER .
REPLACEMENTS: 16. STEVBE ROBINSON, 17. CHRIS HALL, 18. BEN GLOSSOP, 19.
JAMES GAUNT.
REDRUTH: 15. LEWIS VINNECOMBE, 14. NATHAN PEDLEY, 13.
PAUL GADSDON, 12. PJ GIDLOW, 11. OSCAR OSIR, 10. PAUL THIRLBY, 9. MARK
RICHARDS; 1. DARREN JACQUES, 2. MARK HARPER, 3. SAM HEARD, 4. NATHAN PASCOE, 5.
RICHARD CARROLL, 6. JOHN NAVIN (CAPT), 7. CHRIS FUCA, 8. JAMES MANN.
REPLACEMENTS: 16. JAMES TRESIZE, 17. BEN PRIDDEY, 18. BEN AYIMBA, 19.
ASHLEY MORCOM.
The Cornish All Blacks suffered a third defeat in five league outings, going down to a determined Waterloo side at Polson Bridge.
Launceston were slow out of the blocks and soon found themselves trailing as full back Neil Hunter kicked a penalty and then left wing Craig Aikman crossed for a try. The score remained the same until half-time.
The Drummers went further ahead after the break when their scrum half Jon Broxson capitalised on an uncontrolled ball from a scrum in the Cornish All Blacks' 22 to pick up and score an opportunist try.
With the final quarter approaching, Launceston at last started to play something like they can. Wing Nigel Simpson scored a fine try, which Steve Perry converted to make it 7-13. But it was Waterloo who scored a third and controversial try, as the corner flag appeared to be taken out by try scorer Dan Smith before touching down. Despite being alerted to this fact by his touch judge, referee Mr Copsey gave the try!
Launceston did manage a second try through winger Andy Matchett, but it was too little too late, even though a losing bonus point was salvaged.
In the Powergen leagues, Penryn lost at home against Weston-super-Mare by 31-6. Two Martin Strick penalties were all the Borough had for their efforts.
In South West 2 West, match of the day was unquestionably at the Mennaye, where Mounts Bay entertained Camborne in an eagerly awaited clash. If the first half was closely contested (Bay led 16-14 at the break) then it was one way traffic after half time, as the Bay's superior fitness told and they ran out winners by 66-14 to remain top.
St. Ives were well beaten at Hornets 42-10, whilst Truro had an excellent win away at Taunton 32-5.
It was another good day for both Cornish clubs in Western Counties West. Hayle enjoyed a fine win at home against Crediton 31-8, whilst Bude travelled to Kingsbridge and won 9-3.
The Cornish Pirates recorded their sixth league win with a first ever success at Sharman's Crossroads.
It was the Pirates' pack which laid the foundations for another 5 point win. Scrum half and former Bees player Gavin Cattle scored the Pirates' first try following a powerful surge by the visiting pack. Moments later, it was the turn of Matt Jess to finish off some fine work from centre Duncan Roke, who sadly departed from the game after 30 minutes following a clash of heads.
Just before half-time the Pirates lost prop Nick Adams to the sin-bin but it did not appear to lessen the Pirates' domination of the game. Cattle grabbed a second try and then set up No 8 Tim Cowley for the try-bonus score.
The Bees responded with an opportunist try from full back Dave Knight, who followed up a Ben Harvey penalty attempt which rebounded from an upright. This gave them renewed heart and further tries came from winger Tom Beim and replacement Nick Baxter, Harvey converting all three scores to bring the home side back on the scoreboard.
Lee Jarvis stretched the Pirates' lead with a penalty, before a final try from Chris Morgan denied the Bees a losing bonus point.
Barely thirty-six hours after a fire badly damaged the Hell Fire corner end of the Grandstand and the main bar area, Redruth's splendid band of volunteers had the ground prepared for this encounter. Hats off to them!
They were rewarded by a home win, a scrappy affair with Redruth just about deserving the win. The game started 15 minutes late as Orrell were held up in traffic on the notorious A30. Showers before hand left the playing surface greasy.
Once again Redruth got off to a flying start, centre PJ Gidlow breaking the line to feed winger Lewis Vinnecombe, who crossed in the scoreboard corner on 2 minutes. James Tresize was unable to covert from out wide.
Orrell were making a good game of it and had good periods of possession and territory early on. Twice in quick succession, Reds' scrum half Mark Richards had to look lively in saving the day. Vinnecombe had a sniff of a second try but knocked-on a cross kick from Marek Churcher.
Orrell enjoyed a period of pressure in Hell Fire corner. Following a line out in the Reds' 22, the ball was spun out at pace to their England Counties' winger Warren Spragg, who scored in the Piggy Lane corner on 17 minutes. Full back Chris Glyn kicked a good conversion.
Mark Richards was varying his game well, with little kicks over the on-rushing defence for his attackers to run on to. Following a tremendous surge upfield from prop Darren Jacques and hooker Mark Harper, Richards deft kick into the Orrell 22 ran over the goal line, only to elude Vinnecombe's grasp. Many in the ground thought he had scored, though referee Mr Williams adjudged a knock on!
Richards again pinned the visitors back in their 22. Redruth pinched the resulting lineout and set up a powerful maul towards the line. A secondary drive saw the Reds up to the visitors' line before the maul collapsed. Following the touch judge's intervention, both James Mann and captain John Navin were sent to the sin-bin! Redruth had to play on with 13 men. Yet it was the Reds who scored next, with hooker Mark Harper being driven over for an unconverted try. Unfortunately Redruth contrived to give away a penalty from the restart which Glyn converted to tie the score at 10-10. Tthe score remained the same until half time.
Redruth started the second half well, again pinning back Orrell, but were unable to capitalise on territorial advantage. After another thundering drive from prop Jacques, Redruth earned a penalty which Tresize kicked after 46 minutes. Richards, who was continuing to have a fine game at scrum half, almost spoilt matters when Spragg latched on to a loose pass and broke upfield, supported by Sam Reay. The cover got back in the nick of time but gave away a kickable penalty, which Glynn missed.
The game then turned into a stalemate, with defences on top and chances few and far between. The game was held up after a serious injury to Reds' skipper John Navin saw him stretchered off.
Damien Cook's timely line out steal snuffed out the final Orrell threat, and an ensuing penalty was kicked out by Richards as the referee blew for time.
The relief of four league points after a traumatic few hours at Redruth was palpable, though the club will have to deal with a mounting injury and un-availability crisis for the tough trip to Halifax next Saturday.
Redruth: 15. J. Tresize, 14. L. Vinnecombe, 13. P. Thirlby (16.T.
McBride 20), 12. PJ Gidlow, 11. O. Osir, 10. M. Churcher, 9. M. Richards;
1. D. Jacques, 2. M. Harper (17. B. Priddey 73), 3. S. Heard (18. P. Joyce 73),
4. D. Cook, 5. N. Pascoe, 6. J. Mann, 7. J. Navin (capt), 8. B. Ayimba
(19. J. Hosking 66)
Orrell: 15. C. Glynn, 14. 14. A. Robson (16. A.
Cross 18), 13. C. Briers, 12. S. Reay, 11. W. Spragg, 10. J. Armstrong, 9. I.
Martin; 1. A. Fuller (19. D. Salisbury 45), 2. N. Dower, 3. M. Collie (18. M.
Chivers 76), 4. G. Walsh, 5. R. Bradshaw, 6. S. Williams, 7. J. Lyon, 8. M.
Henwood (17. C. Lockwood 79)
Referee: Mr. N. Williams (RFU)
The Cornish All Blacks picked up two valuable points on their trip to the picturesque Yorkshire Dales with a hard-fought draw at Threshfields, though they will know that two points could, and perhaps should, have been four, or even five!
Trailing 12-0 at halftime due to four penalties from the Dalesmen's centre Mark Bedworth, Launceston wanted to play an expansive game but Wharfedale slowed the ball down at the breakdown to foil their opponents for over an hour, until the referee finally took action. Launceston got on the scoreboard with a fine try from outside half Steve Perry from a move that involved Andy Birkett, Perry, and Martin Lacey. Perry added the conversion. Soon after, a sweeping move was rounded off by centre Kevin Francis to tie the scores.
Wharfedale regained the lead when fullback Adam Whaites finished off a breakout from their 22, Bedworth adding the extras.
All Blacks' winger Nigel Simpson cut through the defence, chipping ahead, but Wharfedale were caught killing the ball, which saw their flanker Alastair Allen sent to the bin. Perry kicked the resulting penalty. Launceston then went into the lead when Simpson went off on a diagonal run which saw him in at the corner, and Perry converted the score. Bedworth notched a late penalty to tie the scores as each side had chances to win the match.
In South West 1, Penryn had another miserable away trip, going down in Hampshire to Basingstoke 38-10. The game was reduced to uncontested scrums when the Borough lost both their props with injuries. Skipper Justin Doney scored Penryn's only try, with Martin Strick adding the conversion as well as a first half penalty.
In South West 2 West, leaders Mount's Bay came unstuck, losing at Coney Hill by 34-27. Hooker Darren Semmens scored two tries, with scrum-half Ricky Pellow adding a third. Steve Larkins converted all three and kicked two penalties.
Truro hung on for a narrow 17-15 win over Exmouth. The visitors had former Truro player Mark Lea and ex-Bay favourite Mo Oto Ota, both of whom scored for the visitors. Truro prevailed due to the boot of Scott Martin. Richard Hambly and James Allen scored Truro's tries.
St. Ives enjoyed a welcome win over St. Mary's Old Boys by 30-12. Lock Andy Skinner, Ian Veal, and Graham Corin scored the Hakes' tries, with the boots of Dan Hooper and Theunis Frick adding the other points.
Camborne slipped up away at Berry Hill 19-6, with just two David Mankee penalties to show for their efforts.
In Western Counties West, Bude defeated Withycombe 14-10. Paul Uglow bagged both the Bude tries, which were converted by Paul Williams.
The Cornish Pirates gave a ruthless performance in defeating a plucky Sedgley Park team on Sunday afternoon.
Rarely can a try-scoring bonus point have been secured within 15 minutes of the kick off, yet that was the mood the Cornish Pirates were in as they set about their task in a clinical manner.
It was not the easiest of days to play rugby, as a strong wind blew in from the SW corner of the ground, Treliske corner. However, it did little to disrupt the free-flowing rugby that the Cornish Pirates served up.
You could sense it just wasn't going to be the Tigers' day as full back Arno de Jager fumbled the reception of Lee Jarvis's kick off. From the resulting scrum the Cornishmen moved the ball wide, putting winger Kevin James in for the try with 41 seconds on the clock! Jarvis kicked the conversion. Three minutes later, Jarvis took a wayward kick out of defence to launch an attack. Matt Jess came off his wing to take the pass and fly in for the second try. Once again Jarvis added the extras.
Sedgley Park hardly knew what had hit them. However, they benefited from a penalty on 7 minutes which their fly-half Phil Jones converted to cut the deficit temporarily. But two minutes later Cornish Pirates' full back Wez Davies, fed by Cattle, ghosted his way through the Tigers' defence to score in the Shortlanesend corner. Try number four was not long in coming, as Kevin James scored his second following a lineout. Try number 5 arrived before the 20 minute mark as Cattle followed up a kick over the top from No 8 Tim Cowley. It was 29-3 and you had to feel sorry for the odd spectator still coming in at the gate!
The scoring frenzy eased up a touch during the second quarter. Jarvis continued to probe for the corner and pin the Tigers back in their 22. Any ball that the Tigers did manage was very slow. Pirates' pack, especially Will James, who had another excellent game, saw to that. The Cornish Pirates set up numerous drives near their opponents' line with many of the three quarters joining in the maul. Shades of Twickenham 1991 and Tommy Basset's try.
Still the Cornish Pirates had one more score up their sleeves before the break and it again came after a period of sustained pressure in the Treliske corner, with Chris Morgan drawing the cover before passing to skipper Joe Bearman who crossed.
Cattle again looked dangerous as he made a break up the Eastern touchline but put a foot in touch.
The first score of the second half wasn't long in coming with on-loan signing Jon Pritchard latching on to a Jarvis kick to score at the Caravan park end. Jarvis's conversion took the home side to 41-3. It was the signal for bench activity as Park made three changes immediately. Following a tap penalty, replacement John Skurr scored a good try in the Treliske corner on 49 minutes.
Clearly battered both physically and mentally by the incessant Cornish play, Sedgley Park conceded two further tries towards the end as Chris Morgan was driven over and then Shaun James went in, the latter converted by Tom Barlow. Pirates' resolve was still evident as Wez Davies put in a big hit on 79 minutes, on Dave McCormack, who thought he might be in at the corner, to force him into touch.
Understandably Jim McKay was very upbeat after the match and felt that his team had taken a step up today. Good to hear that Namibian Heino Senekal returns to Cornwall this week.
Cornish Pirates: 15. W. Davies, 14. K. James, 13. S. James. 12.
J. Pritchard, 11. M. Jess, 10. L. Jarvis (T, Barlow 68), 9. G. Cattle (R.
McAtee 71); 1. A. Paver (D. Parkes 50), 2. N. Makin, 3. N. Adams (D. Seal 50),
4. W. James, 5. J. Beardshaw (S. Hockings 57), 6. J. Bearman (capt), 7. C.
Morgan (A. Nicholls 68), 8. T. Cowley (P. Ince 75).
Sedgley Park:
15. A. de Jager, 14. J. Feeley, 13. S. Woof, 12. C. Hall (T. Albinson 68), 11.
D. McGee, 10. P. Jones, 9. C. Wilkinson (D. McCormack 46); 1. P. Gazzola (G.
Roberts 24), 2. R. Oxley (P. Keys 56), 3. G. Evans (P. du Plessis 63), 4. T.
Fourie, 5. E. Lund, 6. R. Senior (J. Skurr 46), 7. J. Ponton (capt), 8. S.
Anania (C. Rowe 46).
Referee Mr. L. Apgeraint-Roberts (RFU)
It was not a great Saturday for the rest of the Cornish clubs in their various leagues.
Launceston entertained league leaders Esher, hoping to make up lost ground. Instead the Cornish All Blacks suffered their fourth league defeat of the season, going down 35 - 10 to leave themselves hovering just above the drop zone.
Steve Perry kicked the Cornish All Blacks' solitary score in the first half, in reply to two Neil Hallet penalties and a try scored by Matthew Moore.
Trailing 11-3 at the break, Launceton had the stuffing knocked out of them by two tries within five minutes. The first, following a charge-down whilst Launceston were attacking in the Esher 22, saw centre Jason Kilter gather and run in for a 70 metre score. A fine back movement saw Esher score a third try through Karrel Dixon.
On 60 minutes Esher secured the try bonus point with a fourth try from David McCullum. Josh Lord scored a consolation try for Launceston, but the game was already lost. Hallett added another penalty to compound Launceston's miserable afternoon.
Redruth didn't fare much better than Launceston (see above) on their trip to Ovenden Park, where they were beaten by a rejuvenated Halifax 26-8. Fax's fly half Doug Snaft scored 16 of his side's points, with three penalties, two conversions, and a drop goal. Ollie Marns and Will Greenwood scored the home side's tries. Both sides had two players sent to the bin, with Reds' Sam Heard and skipper-for-the-day Richard Carroll forced to sit out 10 minutes.
Reds' fly-half Mark Scrivener made a welcome start after his prolonged absence through injury and kicked a first half penalty for the Reds. Centre PJ Gidlow scored the Reds' try on 62 mins.
The Reds were left with much to ponder about on the long road back to Cornwall!
In South West 1, Penryn were forced to press into service a couple of players from their Colts in entertaining league leaders Chinnor. They didn't let their side down, but in the end Penryn suffered yet another league defeat, which leaves them in the relegation zone. Martin Strick kicked an early penalty before spending 10 minutes in the bin, and Chris Cole the Borough's try.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay resumed normal service with a 48-15 win over Truro. Steve Larkins scored 23 of Bay's points, including 3 tries, and Adam Redgrave scored two. Truro scored tries in each half, through Scott Withecombe and Shaun Rosevere, to make a good game of it.
St. Ives found themselves trailing as the game drifted into time added on at Taunton, but a Dan Hooper penalty and an Ian Veal converted try brought about an improbable win by 22-15. Theunis Frick kicked the other Hake's points.
Camborne's inability to make use of the elements during the first half led to their undoing at the Recreation Ground. Leading 8-0 at the break through a Dave Mankee penalty and a try from Richard Harris, they had to watch their visitors, Coney Hill, score 24 unanswered points during the second half to run out 24-8 victors.
In the Western Counties West Cornish derby, Hayle defeated Bude 24-17 in a good contest. Mark Stevns, Kevin Jenkin, Dave Guffick, and Paul Lello scored the Lions' tries, with Lello adding two conversions. For Bude, Dave Uglow and Barry Sobey scored tries, with Paul Wiliams converting both and adding a penalty.
Testimony to Redruth's never-say-die spirit was that they were in a position to win this game in the dying minutes. Indeed, centre PJ Gidlow scored what he felt was a good try, only for referee Mr. Biggs to adjudge a knock on!
Moseley, who for many observers were clearly the most accomplished side to have visited the Recreation Ground this season, would have felt aggrieved if Redruth had won, as they should on chances created been well in the clear before the end.
Once again the lineout was a desperate affair for the Reds, with Moseley's locks Hallman and especially Stott providing their side with plenty of possession and stifling Redruth's attacking opportunities.
After a good initial attack, Redruth were soon on the back foot as Moseley's backs attacked with menace. Moseley spurned an initial penalty attempt after only four minutes, when fly half Ollie Thomas pushed his attempt wide. Jamie Caruana, back from Rugby World Cup qualifying duty with Malta, and Gidlow had their hands full in defence. Moseley spurned a clear overlap on 8 minutes.
So it was slightly against the run of play that the Reds took the lead on 12 minutes. Following a scrum in the Moseley 22, hooker Mark Harper was driven over in the Strawberry Lane corner, Mark Scrivener adding the extras. The reply from Moseley was almost instantaneous. Two Redruth players converged on a high ball and the ball bounced off a Redruth player into the hands of Moseley centre Chris Holder, who had a simple run in. A second Moseley try was not long in coming and again it was a Redruth mistake, a knock on in mid-field allowing Moseley to counter and set up a catch-and-drive in Hell Fire corner for hooker Dean Bick. Thomas was successful with the conversion.
Moseley then enjoyed a good period of pressure without adding to the score. Redruth were dealt a bitter blow on 27 minutes when scrum half and skipper Mark Richards was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury, which may well see him sidelined for 3 to 4 weeks. With Gavin Donald coming on for Richards, Redruth had to re-shuffle, Marek Churcher moving from full back to scrum half, Scrivener going to full back, and Donald into the fly half berth.
Thomas stretched Moseley's advantage to 15-7 with a penalty kick on 33 minutes. However, Redruth managed to kick two penalties through Scrivener before the break to leave them trailing by just two points at 15-13.
Redruth began the second half well and could have had an early score following a charge into the 22 by flanker Julian Hosking, but the ball was knocked on.
Redruth were down to 14 men after 48 minutes when Nathan Pascoe was yellow carded for throwing a punch during a major scuffle between a number of players. It would appear that he was more sinned-against than sinning! Unfortunately for Redruth, they lost concentration and Moseley centre Paul Cox found a big hole to run through and score his side's third try on 49 minutes, Thomas adding the conversion.
Scrivener pushed a penalty attempt wide on 52 minutes. A few minutes later Redruth had another penalty chance and this time Donald stepped up to take the kick, which he did successfully, together with a second a short while later, to bring Redruth back to within 3 points at 22-19.
Moseley's players could see the win slipping away at that point and it might have done, if Redruth hadn't given away a simple penalty for off-side 30 meters in front of their posts, which Thomas gleefully kicked to seal the points.
Redruth will have to regroup for the first of this season's derby matches with Launceston at Polson Bridge next Saturday. It promises to be a classic encounter.
Redruth: 15. M. Churcher, 14. L. Vinnecombe, 13. J. Caruana, 12.
PJ Gidlow, 11. T. McBride, 10. M. Scrivener, 9. M. Richards (capt) (16. G.
Donald 29); 1. D. Jacques, 2. M. Harper 9 (18. B. Priddey 72), 3. P. Joyce (19.
S. Heard 45), 4. D. Cook, 5. N. Pascoe, 6. B. Ayimba, 7. J. Hosking, 8. J.
Mann.
Rep not used: 17. C. Fuca
Moseley: 15. D. O'Leary, 14. N.
Bressington, 13. C. Holder, 12. P. Cox, 11. C. Colvin, 10. O. Thomas, 9. G.
Taylor (capt); 1. B. Buxton (17. P. Coles 77), 2. D. Buck, 3. J. Fallon, 4. D.
Hallman (18. T. Skelding 72), 5. R. Stott, 6. N. Mason, 7. J. Rodwell, 8. M.
Evans.
Reps not used: 16. A. Caves, 19. G. Macdonald.
Referee :
Mr. A. Biggs (RFU)
The Cornish All Blacks enjoyed the best possible tonic for the visit of Redruth next Saturday with a fine win at basement side Harrogate. With new loan signing Stuart Alred starting at fly half, Launceston ran in four tries to secure the important bonus point. No8 Steve Williams opened the try count, before further touchdowns from Nick Burnett (2) and Dave Risdon. Alred's boot added the other points.
In Powergen South West 1, Penryn's woes continue as they lost away to Clevedon 33-15. On the plus side, the Borough scored three tries through Mike Slater, Phil Wells, and Chris Brown. This result leaves Penryn second from bottom with just the one win from seven games.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay earned a good win away at Brixham by 31-15. Bay scored three catch-and-drive tries, with Adrian Bick claiming two and Olly Faulkner the other. The fourth try went to Ben Hilton. Steve Larkins boot added the other points. Mounts Bay entertain St. Ives on Saturday, should be a "cracker".
Truro won the keenly-contested Cornish derby at St. Clements Hill, defeating a plucky Camborne 20-19. Truro raced to a 20 point lead following tries from Luke Trescothick and Ian Hambley. Scott Martin converted both tries and also two penalties. Camborne fought back, scoring three tries through Aisia Fisilau, Martin Woolcock, and Nathan March, with Dave Mankee converting two. Camborne thought they had scored a winning try after driving over the Truro line in injury time, but the referee was unsighted!
St. Ives' match against Exmouth was abandoned after 62 minutes, following an injury to Exmouth's skipper Darren Legge. Thankfully he has now returned home to recover from his neck injury. St. Ives were leading 29-0.
In Western Counties West, Bude defeated former league leaders Newton Abbot 20-10 at Bencoolen Meadow. Bude scored three tries through Simon Lewry, James Comber, and a penalty try.
Hayle found the going tough at Ivybridge, going down 28-15.
Whilst many eyes were on the Cornish Pirates' National League 1 clash against NEC Harlequins on Sunday, there was still plenty of local rugby to cheer the enthusiast, not least the National 2 clash at Polson Bridge between Launceston and Redruth. Launceston won this first league encounter with a 20-17 last gasp win over their old rivals. The Cornish All Blacks led 9-3 at the break, thanks to three Stuart Alred penalties to a solitary reply from Gavin Donald. However, Redruth countered well after Marek Churcher hacked on a stray Launceston pass to allow winger Lewis Vinnecombe to score a fine try, Donald’s conversion edging the Reds ahead. Alred restored the All Blacks' lead with a fourth penalty, 12-10. With ten minutes remaining, the Reds' pack won some ball and Donald and PJ Gidlow combined well to release Vinnecombe for his second try. Again Donald converted, to make it 17-12 to the Reds. Alred struck a fifth penalty to leave Launceston 2 points adrift with time fast running out. The Launceston pack drove deep into Reds' territory, allowing blind side winger Nigel Simpson to score the winning try of a pulsating Cornish derby.
In South West 1, Penryn slipped to a seventh defeat and even at this early stage of the season appear to be heading back to South West 2 West. Chippenham won at the memorial Ground 16-15. Justin Hosking and Phil Wells scored tries for the Borough, with Martin Strick kicking a conversion and a penalty.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay got the better of St. Ives in a hotly-contested Penwith derby, 16-10. Ryan Westren scoring all the Bay’s points with a try, conversion, and three penalties. Sam Snee scored the Hake’s try, which Dan Hooper converted, with Ian Sanders dropping a goal.
Truro travelled to Coney Hill and were well beaten 38-0.
Camborne will consider themselves unlucky to lose at home to Brixham 15-10. Sean Oaks scored the Cherry and White's try, which Dave Mankee converted, as well as a penalty. Camborne, like Penryn, need to discover the winning habit soon.
In Western Counties West, Bude recorded a fine win at Sidmouth 41-7. Hooker Paul Cholwill scored a brace, with other tries from Dave Uglow, James Comber, Barry Sobey, Geoff Kauffmann, and Mark Denis.
Torquay Athletic won at Hayle 14-6 to remain top of Western Counties West. Paul Lello dropped a goal and kicked a penalty for the Lions.
This was a match that the Pirates could easily have lost. In the fourth minute of injury time at the end of the game, with the score 17 - 20, Pirates had the put-in to a defensive scrum five meters from their line. Scrum-half Gavin Cattle flipped the ball back to fly-half Lee Jarvis, who had just come on in place of Tom Barlow. Jarvis fumbled and knocked on, giving the Welsh the put-in to another five yard scrum. Throughout the second half, the Welsh pack seemed to get stronger and stronger, so it was only some desperate defending that kept them out. Eventually, the ball moved across the Welsh backs and Pirates conceded a penalty in a very kickable position. Welsh fly-half Mark Meenan, who had kicked pretty well all afternoon, stepped up to even the scores at 20 - 20 -- and pulled his kick left of the posts! Seconds later, Cattle deliberately ran the ball out of play and the referee signalled the end of the match. The Pirates had scraped the win.
As we were told by several Welsh supporters before the match, the London club's lowly position in the league belies their true abilities. With several players back from injury, and following consecutive wins against Coventry and Rotherham, the Welsh were confident of making a match of it -- and so it proved.
Pirates kicked off facing a low sun. The ball was gathered by a Welsh player, but his kick for touch was charged down and the ball sent spinning towards the Welsh try line! Fortunately for the Welsh, Pirates lost the race to the line. Recovering from this early scare, the Welsh raced into a 6 point lead with two penalties from Meenan.
Pirates countered with the first try of the game. Kevin James made a break in midfield which eventually led to a score in the far corner. Barlow converted to make the score 6 - 7 and put the Pirates' noses in front. Two minutes later, Barlow kicked the first of his two penalties to extend the lead to 6 - 10.
At this stage, the packs looked evenly matched. Both were keen to try rolling mauls. The Welsh rolling maul looked the more effective. The Pirates' was frequently halted by Welsh bodies going to ground.
On fifteen minutes, the Welsh strayed off side and Barlow put the penalty into the corner. Pirates' pack couldn't shunt the Welsh back over the line. Pirates recycled the ball through many phases but couldn't penetrate the Welsh defence and eventually lost the ball through a knock on.
Two minutes later, it was the Welsh turn to fire a penalty into the corner and try a catch-and-drive, but the Pirates' defence kept them out.
A dynamic Pirates' breakout was foiled at the end by a dropped pass. Shortly afterwards, a slick Pirates' handling move seemed to create an overlap for Matt Jess but the winger put his foot in touch close to the line.
Pirates put another penalty into the corner but their subsequent rolling maul couldn't make progress against the strong Welsh pack. Pirates recycled the ball through many phases and eventually Kevin James went over. Barlow converted to extend the Pirates' lead to 6 - 17.
Pirates were awarded a scrum just inside their own half, but the referee changed his decision to a penalty to the Welsh for talking back. He then moved the penalty 10 yards forward when the Pirates failed to retreat quickly enough. This bit of indiscipline by the Pirates gifted the Welsh a very kickable penalty, which Meenan promptly converted to make the scores 9 - 17.
Just before half-time, the Welsh scored the best try of the game. Meenan kicked a cross-field ball which dropped just ahead of his sprinting winger. The winger gathered the ball without breaking his stride and raced over in the corner. Meenan was unable to convert, so the score at half-time was 14 - 17.
Early in the second half Pirates exerted some good pressure and a break was held up just short of the corner. However, on 14 minutes Meenan kicked a penalty to even the scores.
Pirates tried for another push-over try but were held up and forced to move the ball wide, where they were forced into touch.
The Welsh were awarded a penalty, for holding on, just outside the Pirates' 22, but Meenan fired wide of the posts. The Pirates then put together some good phases of play, switching the ball right and left, until they were eventually pulled up for crossing.
By this time the Welsh pack were looking the stronger. They seemed able to wheel the Pirates' scrum at will, and their rolling mauls were becoming difficult to stop. Some of their big forwards, such as lock Jim Brownrigg, were making good yardage when carrying the ball. A particularly strong passage of Welsh play was only halted by crossing.
With half an hour of the second half gone, and the scores still tied at 17 - 17, Pirates' hooker Viliami Ma'asi was replaced by Nick Makin. The Pirates started to put together some good back moves, but the Welsh defence was strong. Then, on 35 minutes, Pirates were awarded a penalty for an offence at a scrum. Barlow made no mistake and edged the Cornish side ahead again by 17 - 20.
In the first minute of injury time, Lee Jarvis came on for Tom Barlow and the nerve-wracking incidents described above occurred. In the end, the match was decided by the efficiency of the two sides' kickers: Meenan kicked 4 penalties, but missed 2 penalties and 1 conversion. Barlow kicked 2 penalties and 2 conversions, and missed none.
Redruth look to be back on track when they followed up their fine win at Stourbridge last week with an excellent 30-8 win over Blackheath at the Recreation Ground. Coach Nigel Hambly has called for a more professional approach from his charges and the last two games have seen the Reds step up to the mark.
Oscar Osula got the opening Reds' try, which Gavin Donald was unable to convert. Blackheath kicked three points through Adrian Delport. Then the Redruth pack set about asserting themselves on their opponents. Donald kicked a penalty from in front of the posts to give the Reds an 8-3 half-time lead.
Mark Scrivener came on for Donald after 50 minutes and soon increased the Reds' lead with a penalty. Blackheath's problems continued as No 8 Ken Asme spent 10 minutes in the bin. The Redruth pack then drove Blackheath back over their line for Richard Carroll to claim the second try.
A fine three-quarter move from deep saw Maltese International Jamie Caruana score the Reds' third try, Scrivener converting. Redruth sensed that the bonus point was available and went for the all-important fourth try, which duly arrived courtesy of prop Sam Heard, who proved unstoppable. Scrivener added the conversion to notch up the 30 points.
With the last play of the match replacement Nicholas Maurer scored a consolation try for the "Club".
Launceston suffered another reversal on the road, this time against old foes Halifax, with the Cornish All Blacks going down 20-10. The flu bug deprived Launceston of Stuart Alred and Nick Burnett. Wayne Sprangle and Nigel Simpson scored Launceston's two tries.
Next Saturday, Launceston entertain second-placed Moseley, whilst Redruth travel to the side above them in the league, third-placed Waterloo Drummers. Both matches will give the Cornish boys the stiffest of examinations.
In South West 1, Penryn recorded only their second league win of the season when they defeated Oxford Harlequins by 17-8. However, this fine result was marred by a serious injury to their influential back Andy Hymans, who suffered a fractured ankle in three places! Penryn welcomed back fly-half Dave Pascoe, who kicked four penalties, with Jason Peseta scoring the Borough's try.
In South West 2 West, Mounts' Bay defeated Hornets 41-23.
St. Ives scored a fine win on the road, winning at Coney Hill 16-3. Ian Veal scored the Hakes' try, with Dan Hooper adding the conversion as well a three penalties.
Dave Mankee saved the day for Camborne with a last gasp penalty to give the Cherry and Whites a share of the spoils in their home game with Gloucester Old Boys 19 - 19.
Truro were well beaten at St. Clements as visitors Brixham ran out winners by 44-13. Marco Danielli scored Truro's sole try.
In Western Counties West, Bude after turning around tied at 12 - 12 with basement side Ivel Barbarians, scored 29 unanswered second half points to run out 41-12 winners, Dave Uglow grabbing three tries.
Hayle enjoyed a fine win at home to Kingsbridge, winning 28-8.
The Cornish Pirates put in a storming second half display to take the spoils in this Boxing Day South West derby at the Brickfields and to head into 2006 on a high. As coach Jim McKay said after the match "Today was about raising the bar".
Nat Saumi, a former favourite in West Cornwall, put the Albion ahead after only four minutes with a penalty kick. Tom Barlow soon cancelled out the advantage as he notched the first points of the afternoon for the Cornish Pirates. The battle was joined up front as each pack attempted to assert its authority on the other. Inevitably it was Albion who made the breakthrough as they set up one of their trademark driving mauls near to the Pirates' line, allowing their Puma back row forward Martin Schusterman to score a fine try. Schusterman was then guilty of giving away a penalty, which led to Barlow kicking a second penalty just before half time.
Barlow gave way to Lee Jarvis during the interval. The Cornish Pirates were immediately on the attack, with Rhodri McAtee spurning an early chance when he coughed up the ball. This merely served to increase the Pirates' tempo and they soon set up a series of drives near Albion's line which eventually saw hooker Vili Ma'asi drive over. Jarvis kicked the conversion, as he did a short while later to his own try, a fine movement which saw centre Duncan Roke, McAtee, and full back Wez Davies all involved in the build up, to make it 20-8 to the visitors!
Albion were not about to lie down and they struck back just after the hour mark with a try from centre Keni Fisilau when he was driven over the Pirates' line. Saumi kicked the conversion. Saumi and Jarvis then traded penalties before, deep into injury time, Jarvis kicked a monster drop goal to give the Pirates a 26-18 lead. Time was still to be played according to referee Mr Rose, which allowed Albion to score a third try through French winger Nicolas Sestaret to clinch a losing bonus point. For once it was the Cornishmen who travelled back across the Tamar with a smile on their faces and keep the pressure on Harlequins at the top of the table.
Plymouth Albion: 15. L. Arscott, 14. N. Saumi, 13. R. Van Eyk,
12. K. Fisilau, 11. N. Sestaret, 10. E. Barnes, 9. N. Cane (M. Albina 40); 1.M.
Rice, 2. S. Pearl (G. Dawe 54), 3. R. Hopkins, 4. N. Rouse, 5. T. Hayes, 6. M.
Schusterman, 7. D. Thomas (capt), 8. A. Tooala (B. Luxton 76).
Reps not
used, S. Leung-Wai, J. Fabian, S. Zimmerman, C. Lowrie
Cornish Pirates: 15. W. Davies, 14. R. Welding, 13. D. Roke, 12.
K. James, 11. R. McAtee, 10. T. Barlow (L. Jarvis 40), 9. G. Cattle; 1. A.
Paver, 2. V. Ma'asi (N. Makin 57), 3. N. Adams (D. Seal 79), 4. W. James (H.
Senekal 65), 5. J. Beardshaw, 6. S. Hockings, 7. I. Motusaga (S. Betty 80), M.
Evans.
Reps not used, M. Jess, J. Pritchard
Referee Mr. D. Rose (RFU)
In Cornwall, the annual Boxing Day encounter between Camborne and Redruth saw, not surprisingly, Redruth emerge the winners by 25-8. Redruth scored five tries through centre Jamie Caruana, hooker Sam Harrison, and winger Nathan Pedley, with youngsters Marc Britton and Ryan Spargo completing the scoring. For Town, Tom Hinds scored a first half try with David Mankee kicking a second half penalty. Elsewhere St. Ives beat Hayle.
On a cold January afternoon, the Cornish Pirates gave another good-sized crowd a warming six-try performance in defeating a defiant Doncaster side, who in scoring four tries themselves left Cornwall with a bonus point, and not so much with their tails between their legs as they had done on the previous trip to Cornwall this season when losing to Redruth in the Powergen National Trophy!
Lee Jarvis kicked off for the Cornish Pirates towards Shortlanesend. The Pirates found it difficult in the opening quarter to impose their game on their opponents. Doncaster had early pressure up in the Mitchell & Webber PA box corner, with their centre Nick Wakley going close, only to be foiled by the Pirates' cover. Soon after, there was a fine mid-field break from Jarvis, who found his centre Kevin James, only for the Pirates to give away a penalty at the breakdown.
Slowly but surely the Cornish Pirates began to up the pressure on the Doncaster defence. Following a lineout, the Pirates worked a move that saw Rhodri McAtee come off his wing to collect a pass from Jarvis and score his first try of the afternoon on 19 minutes. Jarvis kicked the conversion.
Doncaster's skipper and fly half Rob Liley missed with a penalty attempt, as did Jarvis shortly later. The Cornish Pirates kept the tempo going, and centre Duncan Roke appeared to be impeded as he kicked through into Doncaster's 22. However, they were to be rewarded with three more tries before half-time. Doncaster were guilty of not clearing a kick from their 22, which the Pirates moved right before switching play back again, leaving McAtee in space to score his second try on 28 mins, Jarvis converting again. Then McAtee turned provider as he linked with Roke, who scored under the posts, giving Jarvis the simplest of conversions. The bonus point was secured in first half stoppage time, courtesy of lock Heino Senekal, who barged over from close range. Jarvis couldn't add the conversion, so half time saw the Cornish Pirates sitting pretty at 26-0 up.
The crowd were entertained to some excellent singing at half time from the ever-popular Cadgwith Singers, whilst the Bolingey Barbarians collected for worthy children's charities in Cornwall.
Doncaster made a couple of changes at half time with scrum half Charlie Harrison replaced by Lyr Lane and prop Richard List by Simon Bunting. Those changes, coupled with a few choice words from coach Pieter Muller, saw Doncaster fly out of the blocks on the restart. Lee Jarvis was caught in goal by Doncaster's England Counties' lock Dan Cook to concede a 5-metre scrum. The ball went right to winger Michael Wood, who scored in the Treliske corner. Rob Liley converted, despite the boorish behaviour of a few of the crowd.
Then Doncaster's centre John Cannon, who had proved to be a thorn in the Pirates' side all afternoon, popped up a pass to Wood, who sprinted in from 60 meters for his second try. Liley again obliged with the extras.
Jarvis steadied the ship with a penalty, following a fine move involving Kevin James, Matt Jess (on for Richard Welding at half time) and Roke. The defining moment of the match now came. A loose kick from Doncaster's full-back Jon Bowden was taken by Jarvis, who fed the ball to McAtee on his own 10 metre line. Feinting one way, then the other, the winger saw a gap and set off on an arcing run which took him clear of the Doncaster defence. He ran 60 meters all the way to the line in the Kenwyn Hill corner to rapturous applause from the home fans, a truly remarkable try, sheer magic! Jarvis added the extras.
Doncaster hit back with Wakely again tackled just short of the Pirates' line. Still the Cornish Pirates weren't finished, as skipper Gavin Cattle took a quick tap penalty whilst Doncaster were still re-grouping, to scuttle over the try line to score his side's sixth try of the afternoon, Jarvis once more adding the conversion.
Credit to Doncaster, who showed great character of their own in scoring two late tries through flanker Russell Earnshaw and prop Simon Bunting to seal a try scoring bonus point. A fracas near the end between Bunting and Alan Paver saw Paver sent to the sin bin. Doncaster brought on Duncan Murray as a replacement for Earnshaw during time added on.
Man of the match, Rhodri McAtee, who else!
A well-earned win, which keeps the Cornish Pirates in second place, just. Roll on Newbury.
Cornish Pirates: 15. Wes Davies, 14. Richard Welding (Matt Jess
40), 13. Duncan Roke, 12. Kevin James (Shaun James 73), 11. Rhodri McAtee, 10.
Lee Jarvis, 9. Gavin Cattle (capt); 1. Alan Paver, 2. Viliami Ma'asi (Nick
Makin (59), 3. Nick Adams (Dan Seal 68), 4. Heino Senekal (Sam Betty 75), 5.
Joe Beardshaw; 6. Simon Hockings, 7. Iva Motusaga, 8 Matt Evans. Reps not used,
Jon Pritchard, Peter Ince.
Doncaster: 15. Jon Boden, 14.
James Rothwell, 13. Nick Wakley, 12. John Cannon, 11. Michael Wood, 10. Rob
Liley (capt), 9. Charlie Harrison (Llyr Lane 40), 1. Richard List (Simon
Bunting 40), 2. Steve Boden (Johnny Roddam 72), 3. Ngalu Tau (Steve Barretto
67), 4. Glen Kenworthy (Oliver Cook 76), 5. Dan Cook, 6. Russell Earnshaw
(Duncan Murray 80), 7. Simon Grainger (Ryan Peacey 62), 8 Dan Montagu.
Referee: David Rose (RFU)
In the Skinners' Brewery Cornwall Cup, there was one second round match and two re-arranged first round ties. At Polson Launceston eventually overcame a plucky Mount's Bay side by 18-15, with Kieron Lewitt kicking a late penalty to ensure the Cornish All Blacks progress to the next round. Jamie Semmens and Palepoi Nonu scored first half tries for the Bay, with Lewitt kicking a penalty for the home side before Wayne Sprangle scored a try to make the half-time score 8-10. Steve Evans then scored a third try for the Bay to put them 15-8 up. Sprangle scored a second try which Lewitt converted to tie the scores. Both sides had chances to win the game until Lewitt's late kick took Launceston through.
In the re-arranged first round ties. Hayle overcame Liskeard & Looe 43-14, while Falmouth won at Wadebridge Camels 33-14.
It was a very successful Saturday for the majority of Cornish clubs. In National league 2, both Launceston and Redruth earned vital home wins. Launceston carried on their pre-Christmas form to defeat Manchester by 40 - 15 at Polson. Leading 14-8 at half time through a penalty try and one from centre Marc Sweeney, both converted by Stuart Alred, the Cornish All Blacks went on to totally dominate their opponents during the second period, adding further tries from the irrepressible Andy Birkett (2), Nigel Simpson, and replacement Barry Chapman. Alred converted five out of six. A result which sees the East Cornwall side leapfrog Redruth in the league table, just.
In South West 1, Penryn's cause was not helped with another home defeat by 8-5 to Clevedon. With the Memorial Ground resembling a mud bath, it was not easy to play constructive rugby. Nick Brown scored the Borough's try.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay remain on course for SW1 following a fine win at the Mennaye against Brixham by 52-15. Palepoi Nonu led the way with three tries, with other tries from Darren Semmens, Rongo Atkins, Everard Read, Jamie Semmens, and Steve Larkins. Larkins' boot accounted for the rest of the points.
St. Ives, who still have two games in hand, recorded a fine win at Exmouth by 41-17. Lee Taylor (2), Graham Corin, Andrew Skinner, Scott Perkin, and Paul Nixon scored the Hakes' tries. Dan Hooper kicked the other points. Mark Lea scored the Cockles only try.
In the Cornish derby at Camborne, the home side defeated Truro 19-7. Town led 6-0 at half time, thanks to a couple of Dave Mankee penalties. Camborne stretched their advantage after the break when player-coach Brian Andrew scored Town's first try. Andrew's replacement, Chris Hewitt, scored their second try. Mankee added a third penalty to make it 19-0. Joe Williamson scored a late try for Truro, which Scott Martin converted.
In Western Counties West, Bude slipped up at Newton Abbot by 31 - 8, Devon Melville scoring all 31 of the All Whites' points!
Hayle had another good win at home, defeating Ivybridge 35-12. Rob Hardwick, Kevin Jenkin, and Dave Seager scored the Lions' tries, whilst Paul Lello's trusty boot accounted for the other points.
In a Trial Match on Sunday afternoon at Redruth, Redruth Under 19s defeated Cornwall Under 20s 10 points to 5! Maybe the Reds Under 19s should be renamed the Cornwall Under 20s!
Redruth enjoyed a fine result against high-flying Esher, winning a close encounter 23 - 21 at the Recreation Ground. Redruth were delighted to welcome back scrum half Mark Richards after injury and he celebrated his return by scoring the Reds' opening try.
After a couple of penalties from Mark Scrivener for Redruth and Neil Hallet for the visitors, Esher scored the game's opening try following the sin-binning of Reds' winger Nathan Pedley for a handling infringement in his own 22. Esher kicked for the corner and drove over from the lineout, with Duncan Cormack getting the touch down. Richards then scored his solo effort from 40 meters out, which Scrivener converted to give Redruth a 2 point lead, 13-11. However, Hallet's third penalty before half time gave the visitors the slimmest of advantages at the break.
Scrivener regained the lead for Redruth in this see-saw encounter with his third penalty success shortly after the resumption of play. Redruth then had to endure a tremendous Esher onslaught, matched by Redruth's brave and defiant defence. Eventually Esher got a penalty which enabled them to kick to the corner and for Cormack to notch his second try from the catch-and-drive. Hallet kicked the conversion.
Redruth now threw everything at Esher. Damien Cook pinched a lineout on the visitors' 22 which enabled the Reds to drive towards the Esher line. Esher were guilty of pulling down, which saw their hooker Simon Elkinson sent to the bin. Redruth kept the pressure on Esher and further offences saw referee Mr Hall run under the posts to signal a penalty try, which Scrivener gleefully converted, to the joy of the Redruth faithful. Hallet did have a chance to snatch the spoils but his long-range effort sailed past the upright!
The Cornish Pirates maintained their second place in the league following another bonus point win over Newbury at Kenwyn on Sunday. Conditions were not easy, with driving wind and rain. Neither was the over fussy refereeing of Mr. Kitts, which stifled the game somewhat.
The local side adapted the better to the conditions. An early reward came when, following a kick out of defence by Kevin James, Newbury's skipper and fullback, Cornishman Malcolm Roberts, held on to the ball too long and was penalised. Lee Jarvis kicked to the corner and from the resulting line-out, Viliami Ma'asi was driven over to claim the Cornish Pirates' opening try after 5 minutes. A few minutes later centre Duncan Roke snapped up a cross-field kick to score his first try of the afternoon. A perfect start. Jarvis was unable to convert either score.
The Cornish Pirates lost influential skipper Gavin Cattle and hero of the last home match Rhodri McAtee within minutes of each other, to be replaced by Martin Chivers and Wez Davies. Chivers was soon involved in helping create the Cornish Pirates' third try on the half-hour mark, finding Jarvis, who spied a huge gap in the visitors' defence before off-loading to the on-rushing Iva Motusaga, who scored in the right-hand corner. Jarvis too had to leave the fray, replaced by Tom Barlow. Prop Alan Paver incurred the displeasure of Mr. Kitts and was sent to the bin. During this period Newbury scored their solitary points of the first half: following a catch-and-drive, flanker Chris Cracknell scored a well-worked try.
The Cornish Pirates were forced into a fourth change at half-time as flanker Simon Hockings made way for the returning Joe Bearman. Once again the home side made the brighter start, with Barlow kicking a penalty and then a couple of minutes later the conversion of his own try, an interception from inside his own half, to secure the bonus point. Newbury then scored a second try through flanker Matt Styles on 50 minutes.
The game then became bogged down and the score remained the same until the final minute. A penalty kick attempt from Barlow hit an upright and was fumbled by a Newbury player. From the resulting scrum Chivers found Roke, who scored his second try of the game to cap a fine performance.
Coach Jim McKay praised his side's fine win in dedicating the win to former Cornish Pirates' Chief Executive, David Jenkins, who relinquished his post during the week for personal and family reasons.
The Cornish Pirates will be buoyed up for the long trip to Rotherham for next Saturday's match against Earth Titans.
Redruth's never-say-die attitude saw them grind out, by the slimmest of margins, a second precious away win. The Reds picked up another two yellow cards, for second row Richard Carroll and prop Sam Heard, with Carroll also sustaining a suspected broken arm!
Reds' fly-half Mark Scrivener opened the scoring with a penalty after only 2 minutes. Redruth contained the dangerous Harrogate backs well. However, Mike Aspinall levelled the scores on 17 minutes with a penalty.
Redruth scored their first try when Harrogate were reduced to fourteen men, following the yellow carding of flanker Scott Powell. The Reds' forwards drove the ball towards the Harrogate line and, when the ball was moved out, winger Lewis Vinnecombe was on hand to score his eighth try of the season.
Redruth then saw their advantage disappear as Aspinall kicked three penalties to put the home side in front. Matters did not improve as Heard and Carroll trooped off to the bin within 3 minutes of each other. Redruth's defence was titanic as the Red line held firm. Heard and Carroll returned to the fray, but Carroll couldn't continue and was replaced. It was Heard who was to prove to be the match winner, scoring the Reds' second try following concerted forward play near to the home side's line.
Redruth then held out, with young Simon Peters on for Marek Churcher making an important tackle on Harrogate's No. 8 Maifea Maifea.
This game was characterised by hard, dour work by the packs with flashes of brilliance by both sets of backs. The first few encounters showed that it was never going to be pretty up front but both sides stuck to their task right to the end. Nevertheless, however achieved five points is five points! The score reflects the game but it might have gone the other way but for a very dubious decision against Stourbridge on the half hour; on the other hand Launceston could easily have had another three tries without any real Stourbridge complaints, such is the game! writes Tony Randel.
The first score was to Stourbridge after their lumpy but not terribly agile pack recycled the ball well as they made ground and forced Launceston into conceding a penalty in their own 22. Alex Grove landed his first points of the day to put the home side into the lead. It did not last long! Between the ninth and twelfth minutes Stuart Alred landed three penalties for the visitors, one simple one but two brilliantly from long range. The early Stourbridge pressure had been reversed as Launceston kept them pinned back around their 22m zone by good tactical kicking from messrs Birkett, Alred and Perry. A real Launceston scoring chance came soon after as the backs attacked from deep within their own half but the final pass went astray – the first of three such errors during the afternoon.
Stourbridge hit back on the half hour when fly half Alex Grove (an 18 year old rugby School pupil) lofted a beautiful cross-field kick for speedy winger James O’Brien to gather cleanly and make the ground before passing just inside for full back Jon Hall to score. Grove added the extras to put Stourbridge back into the lead. Almost straight from the restart O’Brien gathered a loose ball in his own 22, made off very fast down the wing and kicked ahead over the heads of the Launceston defence. The defence turned to chase him with virtually no chance of catching him but he was adjudged to have knocked on as he gathered his own kick – certainly those in the stand who were closer to the event than the referee thought it an odd decision! Had he scored and given Stour a worthwhile lead, things might well have gone differently for the rest of the day!
That was water under the bridge and the Cornish All Blacks took full advantage of their stroke of good fortune. Minutes later they struck from deep in their own half with a classic backs try. Good service from Marc Dibble straight to Steve Perry, set up Marc Sweeney to break through the Stourbridge defence before he passed to Nigel Simpson who made some 60m down his wing before passing back inside for Marc Sweeney to score his first try of the day. Stuart Alred landed the difficult conversion. Nudging ahead at 16-10 things were turning in the visitor’s favour. On the stroke of the forty minutes Andy Birkett took a quick throw-in to Andy Matchett on the half-way line. Matchett ran a superb diagonal straight to the opposite corner as he scythed through the Stour defence before he passed to Marc Sweeney, who had been right on his shoulder throughout the run, to score. Alred’s conversion attempt hit the upright. Launceston conceded a further penalty for offside in their own 22 just before the whistle went to turn round at 13-21 which was a fair reflection of the game at that point.
It did not take long into the second period for the scoring to start again. A good period of sustained Launceston forward pressure forced a penalty which Alred converted. Another good Nigel Simpson run down the right wing with Sweeney outside him looked like a score but the pass outside was just to far ahead of its man as it flew into touch. The second of the day! Stourbridge were determined to stop the game all being one way traffic and they put in a tremendously spirited burst of play in the middle of this half. After seven or eight minutes in the Launceston 22 something had to give. Eventually Hese Fatalou gathered from the base of a 5m scrum to score between the posts. A well deserved try for the hardest working of the Stour forwards; he works like a Jack Russell, always ‘snapping at heels’ and in the thick of things but has the build of a Staffordshire bull terrier! The conversion by Grove narrowed the Launceston lead to a mere four points.
Launceston could not escape this perilous looking situation until the 71st minute when, from a scrum on the Stour 22, Andy Birkett (replacing Marc Dibble at scrum-half) passed to Steve Perry, who was playing the game of his life, before he off-loaded to the ubiquitous Marc Sweeney for his hat-trick try! Again Alred added the extras. Launceston extended their lead, and got the bonus point, in 76th minute with another classic move by the backs. This time Andy Matchett set the line in motion before passing inside to Andy Birkett who sent a long raking pass straight out to Nigel Simpson on his wing, he broke two determined tackles before scoring.
Well into injury time, Stourbridge got a consolation try by Toby Handley after all the work had been done by Hese Fatalou and Jon Hall.
Although the Launceston front five never achieved the dominance they had in the last two games, they did enough for all the back row to make hard yards on many occasions before giving the backs the scoring chances. The back row and the backs all tackled like demons all day to show that there is more than one way of winning a game.
Old rivals Blackheath visit Polson next week. If past history is anything to go by that should be a cracker. Come and support the Cornish All Blacks on a bit of a roll!
Stourbridge: tries, Hall, Fakatou, Handley; cons, Grove (2);
pens, Grove (2).
Launceston: tries, Sweeney (3), Simpson; cons,
Alred (3); pens, Alred (4)
Stourbridge: Jon Hall, James
O’Brien, Toby Wilson, Julian Horrabin (Mark Eastwood 47), Cameron Mitchell
(Roman Pietroski 75), Alex Grove, Toby Handley, Virgil Hartland, Alan Hubbleday
(capt), James Tideswell, Lee Crofts, Simon Homer 9 Manny Sharima 75), Hese
Fakatou, Stean Williams (Tom Jordan 60), Scott Witcomb
Launceston:
Andy Birkett, Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Stuart
Alred, Marc Dibble (Keiron Lewitt 68), Keith Brooking, Dave Risdon (capt), Ian
Langbridge, John Griffiths, Dave Simms (Julian Wilce 60), Josh Lord, Wayne
Sprangle, Nick Burnett (Dave Kimberley 75)
Referee: Mr Richard Draper
(RFU)
In South West 1, Penryn won a high-scoring basement battle against Cheltenham at the Memorial Ground by 46-38. A remarkable show of character as at one stage the Borough were trailing 21-3! Scrum-half Dave Pascoe scored 21 points, including a try. Other tries came from Lewis Webb (2), Nick Brown (2), and Justin Doney.
In South West 2 West, St. Ives defeated Camborne 16-0 at Alexandra Road in a feisty encounter. Dan Hooper kicked two first half penalties for the Hakes. The referee needed eyes in the back of his head as the game boiled over, two players from either side being sent to the bin. Paul Nixon scored two unconverted tries to seal St. Ives' win in the second half.
In Western Counties West, Hayle won 16-5 at Paignton.
In the Powergen Cups, Cornish interest ended for this season in both the Intermediate Cup and the Junior Vase. Mount's Bay will be kicking themselves as they lost a match, 28-25, that they will look back on as one they should have won. Despite playing unbeaten South West 1 side Weston-super-Mare, the Bay will rue their missed kicks, which could have turned the tie in their favour. Everead Reid (2), Ben Hilton, and Palepoi Nonu scored the Bay's tries, with Steve Larkins kicking a conversion and penalty.
Truro could have no such complaints, as they were emphatically beaten at Haywards Heath 54-3. Scott Martin kicking the sole Truro penalty.
In the Junior Vase, Wadebridge Camels found London 4 SW side Dorking too hot to handle as they were beaten at home 35-5. Ashley Rescorla scored the Camels only try.
The Cornish Pirates fell to earth with a bump at Rotherham's Earth Arena on Saturday with the Titans exacting sweet revenge for their heavy defeat at Kenwyn in September.
It was the classy Titan and England Counties' star Dave Strettle, playing at fly half, who started the rout with a 60 metre touch line dash, which centre WP Strauss converted after only ten minutes. Strauss then kicked a penalty to put his side ten points up.
To their credit the Cornish Pirates rallied and got on the scoreboard when hooker Vili Ma'asi was driven over by the forwards, with fly half Tom Barlow adding the conversion.
The Titans pack then took the game to the Pirates. Just before half-time, following a powerful drive close to the Pirates' line, quick ball was fed out to Errie Claassens, who scored out wide.
Rotherham kept up the pressure during the second half, scoring a third try on 50 minutes through skipper Lee Blackett and then, five minutes later, the bonus point try through scrum half Morne Jonker, both scores being converted by Strauss. The Titans had to wait until time added on to increase their score, with tries from No 8 Scott Donald and replacement prop Attie Pienaar, Strauss adding just the one conversion.
The Cornish Pirates will need to re-group before facing Exeter Chiefs at Kenwyn on Sunday.
When you think of points, this was the Alred show as Stuart’s prodigious boot landed 26 of them. A string of four penalties in the first twelve minutes put Blackheath in the unenviable position of playing catch-up rugby for the rest of the game. They tried valiantly and narrowed the gap to 21-15 with ten minutes to go but Launceston never really looked like losing this fast paced game on a beautiful sunny windless day at Polson; writes Tony Randel.
Teams don’t give away penalties they are forced into conceding them. Continuous Launceston pressure on a spirited Blackheath side forced them into a long series of errors for which they were duly punished by both the boot of Stuart Alred and the yellow cards of the referee. However ‘Club’ always looked very dangerous with the ball in hand and for long periods of the game looked more like scoring tries than the home team.
Blackheath really only had themselves to blame for constantly trailing in this open and hectic game. Apart from the string of penalties their line-out failed abysmally as the Cornish All Blacks never lost a throw of their own and stole at least five from Club. The 4 Launceston jumpers of Griffiths, Sims, Lord & Williams all had great games in the air, the repertoire & variety of lineout moves gets better with each game. The set scrums were similarly one sided but Blackheath did set up some strong rolling mauls.
The first four penalties were for not releasing (twice), crossing and pulling down all well within the visitor’s half. But the Club hit back with a try by big lock Ally Vanner after young South African fly-half AJ Delport had made the break. Delport converted. Yet another penalty widened the gap again to 15-7 before Delport missed his chance of a penalty. The referee was particularly keen on ‘not releasing’ and both sides paid the price on numerous occasions. Launceston defended doggedly as Blackheath camped in their 22 for a good ten minutes towards the end of the first half but failed to score. One further Alred penalty gave the Cornish All Blacks a healthy 18-7 lead at half time.
The second period started badly for Blackheath when flanker Dave Allen was yellow-carded for stamping. Despite the numerical advantage Launceston could not get over the Club line and indeed, as so often happens, Blackheath came back with a Delport penalty to narrow the gap. Yet a further Alred penalty opened the gap again to 21-10 but a fine break again by Delport down the centre spread-eagled the Cornish All Black defence for always dangerous number 8 Ken Aseme to score. The conversion missed but at 21-15 all was set for a nail biting finish. So it proved; Blackheath could scent a potential win and really played out of their skins but when lock Ally Vanner was sin-binned for pulling down a maul and Alred landed his 8th penalty on the stroke of full time the Polson faithful heaved a sigh of relief. Deep into injury time Marc Sweeney set off on one of his trade mark diagonal runs leaving tacklers grasping at air, good interplay with Wayne Sprangle who did well to get a pass to Nigel Simpson outside him, who raced round to touch down between the posts. Needless to say the kicking prodigy added the extras!
Man of the Match was Stuart Alred, receiving both the supporters & the coach’s votes. Other contenders were Josh Lord, Nigel Simpson, Stuart Williams, Marc Sweeney & Dave Sims. In such a frustrating game, Dave Risdon showed some impressive captaincy to maintain the teams focus & discipline. Well done Riz.
Redruth are still looking for a first ever win at Goresbrook, despite a flying start which saw them race into a ten-point lead.
Barking's full back Kit Branch missed with an early penalty attempt. However, Mark Scrivener made no such mistake five minutes later, kicking the Reds into a three point lead. Scrum-half and skipper Mark Richards then hoisted a high kick which was fumbled by the home defence, allowing winger Lewis Vinnecombe to kick on and win the race for the touchdown, Scrivener adding the touch line conversion.
Barking's woe was further compounded when they lost two players in quick succession to injury, necessitating a reshuffle. Branch was once again short with a penalty attempt before he scored a fine try and conversion for Barking, following a series of forward drives on the half hour mark.
Soon after there followed a lengthy injury to Redruth hooker Ben Priddey, which required the player to be sent to hospital by ambulance. Mark Harper came on as replacement.
Following the 12 minute stoppage, Redruth proceeded to lose a lineout on their 22. Barking then drove to the line for their skipper Leonard Liebenberg to score an unconverted try.
Scrivener missed with an early second half penalty attempt for the Reds. Instead it was Barking who stretched their lead, with a third try again coming from a catch-and-drive on the Redruth 22. This time it was Guillaume Schueller who claimed the score on 53 minutes.
Ironically, it was then Redruth who dominated field position, but could find no way past the East Londoners' defence. Still, they did come away with a losing bonus point.
In the Powergen Leagues, Penryn in South West 1 suffered a humiliating defeat at Chinnor, going down 88 - 10. Flanker James Geraty scored the Borough's sole try, which Dave Pascoe converted, as well as a first half penalty. The end of the season can't come soon enough for poor Penryn!
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay continue their relentless march through the leagues with an emphatic 78-14 win at St. Clements over a hapless Truro. Bay crossed the home side's line twelve times, with Ollie Faulkner leading the way with four tries. Palepoi Nonu and Everard Reid each grabbed a brace, with other touch downs from Owen Hambly, Ricky Pellow, Ali Durant, and Callum Osborne. Ryan Westren landed seven conversions and Steve Larkins two. For the city, Ian Hambly and Brett Whitmill scored tries, with Scott Martin adding a conversion.
St. Ives enjoyed a 27-0 win at home over Taunton. Ben Trevorrow, Grant Thirlby, and Daniel Hooper scored first half tries for the Hakes, with Hooper adding a penalty and two conversions. In the second half their sole points came from a try from lock Andrew Skinner.
Camborne gave a plucky display, losing 34-30 at Coney Hill, especially so as they had to play with 14 men for most of the match after flanker Nathan March was sent off. Aisia Fisilau and Jimmy Richards (2) scored the Town's tries, with David Mankee's boot adding the other points.
The only two Cornish sides in Western Counties West met up in North Cornwall, where Bude ran out the victors over Hayle by 27-18 to maintain their second place. No 8 Dan Stanton (2) and Richard Parnell scored Bude's tries, all of which Paul Williams converted as well as a couple of penalties. Dave Seager and Matt Nicholls scored tries for the Lions, with Paul Lello's boot adding the other points.
Greyhounds used to be unleashed to chase the hare at Altcar, within sight of Waterloo Rugby Club's Blundellsands ground, for the Waterloo Cup. On this occasion Waterloo Rugby Club unleashed their backs (more bulky but just as fast as most greyhounds) to wreak havoc on the visiting Cornishmen in the first thirty minutes. The Cornish hare survived the Lancastrian greyhounds to kick back, in the way that a cornered hare will do. From then on no-one knew who was going to get the next score! Ten tries scored in the game made it scintillating rugby. Whilst the Cornish All Blacks might have lost this encounter the game of rugby football won; writes Tony Randel.
No team often goes over 300 miles away from home, picks up a bonus point for four tries and still loses! It happened. No one can fault the commitment of the Cornish All Black squad on the day but Waterloo just had that extra 2% in most areas of the game. The first 30 minutes Blitzkrieg by the hosts that put them 24-3 ahead was just too much for the Cornish All Blacks to recover from; but they tried their hardest and had the best of the game from then on. They did everything they could except win in a superb game which was fast and furious for the whole 80 minutes and some.
From the kick-off Waterloo started their onslaught with a run down the centre into the Launceston 22 by powerful number 8 Ben Lloyd who remained a potent threat all day. They remained in the Launceston 22 for five minutes until scrum-half Craig Aikman linked with Lloyd to send the big number 8 over near the corner; Neil Hunter converted the first of his five out of six. On the 15 minute mark Launceston were penalised for crossing, Waterloo kicked to the corner, worked a catch and drive only for Launceston to pull down the maul and, quite rightly, have a penalty try awarded against them. The Cornish All Blacks got on the score board three minutes later with a Stuart Alred penalty after Waterloo were caught not releasing. The gap opened to the full 14 points again almost immediately when Steve Perry was yellow carded for a professional foul which almost certainly saved a try! At this stage Launceston were very much on the back foot; defending gallantly but not really looking like scoring. We had to wait a full five minutes for Waterloo to increase their lead when centre Jason Duffy gathered a loose ball and made 30 yards before sending in Paul Edwards on his wing.
At 24-3 and Launceston down to 13 men after John Griffiths was sin-binned a cricket score was looming. It was not to be. As so often happens when a team really has their backs to the wall it brings out the best in them. Andy Birkett launched a move involving Marc Sweeney and winger Nigel Simpson which was stopped only yards from the line as it took three Waterloo defenders to force him into touch. Having got well into the Waterloo 22 Launceston were not leaving it! They took possession of the area, recycled the ball well and really looked as though they meant business. So it proved; just on the 40 minutes Marc Sweeney broke with his usual fleetness of foot, the ball passed through a number of hands before ending up back with Sweeney to score way out wide.
Turning round at 24-10 down was disappointing but with Launceston well in command in the last ten of the first half it was all to play for still.
Two early Waterloo forays early in the second half into Launceston territory were snuffed out before Josh Lord intercepted a wayward pass on about the half-way line. He made a good twenty five yards before passing intelligently way out wide to Nigel Simpson who shook off the Waterloo pursuit to score. The closing of the gap did not last long. Indeed Waterloo opened it further to 38 -17 with tries from Craig Aikman after flanker Dan Smith charged down a clearance and from winger Neil Kerfoot after some really impressive Waterloo handling in mid-field.
Not phased by the large gap in points the spirited Cornishmen got a second wind. With Waterloo down to 14 men after replacement flanker Nijiki Tchakoute was sin-binned for stamping, Launceston hit back. Scrum half Richard John linked with Steve Perry who passed out wide to give Andy Matchett the chance to score way out wide. Sensing a come-back in the making Waterloo again piled on the pressure. Ben Lloyd gathered from the back of the scrum, made the hard yards and passed for Neil Kerfoot to get his second try of the day. For once Hunter missed the conversion!
But still Launceston would not lie down. With ten minutes to go and a nineteen point deficit a lesser team would have thrown in the towel but not the Cornish All Blacks! Richard John took a tap penalty on the Waterloo 22, found Perry, and the centre raced past three defenders to touch down to earn the bonus point for four tries. Whilst a win might have looked unlikely narrowing the gap to less than seven points for a further bonus point was now definitely on the cards. Launceston forced Waterloo into conceding three penalties in their own 22 in the dying minutes but whatever they tried they could not cross the line.
When the final whistle went, despite the defeat by the league leaders, the Cornish All Blacks could hold their heads high. Winners and losers alike can both be proud of the fact that they entertained a good crowd to a truly pulsating game of rugby which, despite the yellow cards, was played in tremendous spirit at a pace few teams could have sustained for eighty minutes. The game of Rugby Football was the real winner in the sunshine at Blundellsands.
Waterloo: tries, Lloyd, Edwards, Aikman, Kerfoot(2), pen; cons
Hunter (5); pen, Hunter
Launceston: tries, Sweeney, Simpson,
Matchett, Perry; cons, Alred (4), pen, Alred
Waterloo: Neil Hunter,
Neil Kerfoot, Freeman Payne, Jason Duffy, Paul Edwards, Tony Handley (capt),
Craig Aikman (John Broxson 60), Martin O'Keefe (Rob O'Donnell 69), Chris Tyms,
Sean Ruwers (David Giles 17), Paul White, David Blyth, Dan Palmer, Dan Smith
(Nijiki Tchakoute 52), Ben Lloyd. Yellow Card, Nijiki Tchakoute
Launceston: Andy Birkett, Nigel Simpson (Keiron Lewitt 59), Marc
Sweeney, Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Keith
Brooking, Dave Risdon (capt) (Jason Bolt 63), Ian Langbridge, John Griffiths,
Dave Sims (Julian Wilce 59), Josh Lord, Steve Dyer (Dave Kimberley 59), Stuart
Williams.
Yellow Cards: John Griffiths, Steve Perry
Referee: Mr Terry Hall (RFU)
In taking the Cornish Pirates' ground record at Kenwyn on Sunday the Exeter Chiefs exacted revenge for the Cornish side's win at the County Ground last September.
There has been much speculation on and off the field the last couple of weeks at the Cornish Pirates and it seems that minds may not be fully focused on the matter at hand at the moment. This must change now.
After a couple of penalty successes from Tony Yapp, it was the Pirates' Old Boys, the Fatialofa brothers, who set up Yapp for the opening Chiefs' try on 18 minutes, which the fly half converted to put the visitors 13-0 up. The Cornish Pirates could make no headway against the Chiefs, even when Junior Fatialofa went off to the sin bin. Instead, it was Yapp who kicked a third penalty to extend Exeter's lead. Tom Barlow at least managed to put the Cornish Pirates on the scoreboard to give the large crowd at Kenwyn something to cheer.
A few choice words sent the Cornish Pirates out for the second half and they began with greater purpose. Iva Motusaga scored a fine try after peeling off a maul on 49 minutes, with Barlow adding the conversion and then a penalty a few minutes later to bring them to within three points of the Chiefs. Scrum-half Gavin Cattle looked to have scored a good try but referee Mr. Wrigglesworth thought otherwise (see the photo on the Cornish Pirates' website!).
The crowd were given hope of a comeback when Lee Jarvis, on for Barlow, kicked a mighty penalty from 40 metres to level matters. It was a false hope as Exeter took the spoils with a try two minutes from the end from winger Jason Luff, which Yapp converted to confirm the win.
After all the pre-match hype, Reds' coach Nigel Hambly will have been well satisfied with the four league points with a workman-like win over the Henley Hawks to bolster their league position. Satisfying also to see players returning from injury working their way back to match fitness.
The dry sunny conditions belied the cold and bitter breeze, which made handling difficult. Henley kicked off playing down the slope first half, both sides feeling each other out. Reds' centre PJ Gidlow was prominent, trying to smash a hole in midfield, but the Hawks' defence held firm. Henley, though, showed that they had pace out wide. Following a sweeping move, winger Dave Tibbott had a try disallowed for a forward pass on 11minutes. Henley had a penalty chance shortly after when Redruth were guilty of not releasing, but Rory Teague's effort went well wide of the uprights. The same player knocked on in a promising move shortly after. Tibbott, who was a constant threat, was again denied up in the Piggy Lane corner as Henley pressed. Lock Mark Douglas saw a crosskick fly over his head into Hell Fire corner as the wind picked up!
Redruth took to the offensive as the half hour mark approached, with storming runs from flanker Benji Ayimba and the irrepressible Gidlow. It was one of Gidlow's storming breaks that led to Henley infringing and allowing Gavin Donald to kick Redruth's first points, with a penalty after 34 minutes. It was a short-lived advantage as Teague kicked a simple penalty to level the scores before half-time. Donald missed a chance for the Reds with a penalty going wide, and Lewis Vinnecombe had a strong run near the scoreboard corner, being felled just short.
In the second half, the Reds had an early let-off as Hawks' No 8 Dave Archer looked clear in the Strawberry Lane corner, only to dramatically lose his footing and fall well short of the line. Henley were then reduced to 14 men as flanker John Tenconi was yellow carded. With a man advantage, the Reds won a line out in the Piggy Lane corner and drove flanker James Mann over for the opening try on 48 minutes, Donald adding a difficult conversion. A little too much backchat from the Hawks saw Redruth awarded a penalty at the restart and Donald was only just wide with his prodigious effort.
The Hawks responded briefly with another strong run from Tibbott and a penalty success for Teague. As the game entered the final quarter it was Donald with a second penalty who increased the Reds' score to 13-6. Vinnecombe thought he had a try but it was chalked off for a forward pass during the move.
Donald struck a third penalty on 71 minutes, a quirky one that looked to be going wide then changed direction. With time running out, Redruth put on the pressure in Hell Fire corner. Dan Goodwin, on for Mann, went close for a try. Eventually the pressure told and flanker Benji Ayimba scored the Reds' second try, which Donald converted. Henley did have a final say as centre Paul Dunckley scored a consolation try from a quick tap penalty in the last move of the match, which Teague converted.
Redruth can now look forward to hosting Manchester next Saturday in their re-arranged league match.
Redruth: 15. M. Churcher. 14. L. Vinnecombe, 13. P. Gadsdon (C.
Bonds 72), 12. PJ Gidlow, 11. N. Pedley, 10. G. Donald, 9. M. Richards; 1. A.
Morcom (S. Heard 60), 2. M. Harper, 3. P. Joyce, 4. D. Cook, 5. N. Pascoe, 6.
J. Navin, capt (D. Goodwin 62), 7. B. Ayimba, 8. J. Mann (S. Harrison 77)
Henley Hawks: 15. A. Slade, 14. C. Loubers, 13. P. Dunckley, 12. L.
Burns, 11. D. Tibbott, 10. R. Teague, 9. J. Gaunt (M. Burton 33); 1. R. Fuller,
2. S. Wood (A. Grierson 67) 3. J. Hadfield (I. Gibbons 67), 4. J. Winterbottom,
capt, 5. M. Payne, 6. J. Tenconi, 7. M. Douglas, 8. D. Archer. Rep not used C.
Cimpoiasy
Ref: Mr. N. Williams (Bristol Society)
In South West 1, it proved to be another depressing day at the office for Penryn as they slipped to another heavy defeat, this time at home to Basingstoke by 45 - 17.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay gained revenge over the only side to down their colours in the league this season when they accounted for Coney Hill at the Mennaye by 49-0. Only ahead by 14-0 at half-time, thanks to tries by Palepoi Nonu and Steve Evans, both converted by Ryan Westren, Bay stormed ahead with a three-try burst during 11 second half minutes. Owen Hambly and Mikaele Mau both scored twice, with Ben Hilton and Westren also grabbing tries.
St. Ives squeaked home by a point at St. Mary's Old Boys, winning 14-13. Lee Taylor scored both the Hakes' tries, with Dan Hooper adding the conversions.
Camborne had a vital win over bottom club Berry Hill at the Recreation Ground by 31-26. James Richards (2), Mark Rogers (2), and Dave Roberts scored Town's tries, with Dave Mankee kicking a couple of penalties.
Truro were unlucky to go down to a late penalty at Exmouth to lose 22-20. Rikki Brandham and Ian Hambly scored Truro's tries, with Scott Martin kicking the other points.
In Western Counties West, Bude slip to third spot, having been held 10-10 at Withycombe. Both the North Cornwall side's tries came from catch-and-drives and were scored by Rob Uglow and Paul Cholwill.
Hayle scored four tries in defeating Ival Barbarians 24-0. The Lions' try scorers were Matt May (2), Richard Spears, and David Seager, Paul Lello adding the two conversions.
When Henley last visited Polson three years ago they won a nail-biter with a late score. This time the Cornish All Blacks turned the tables on them at Dry Leas but left it until the second minute of added time. This sort of thing does no good to the blood pressure, let alone the nails, of some of the more senior Launceston supporters. Rather as the previous week at Waterloo, the Cornish All Blacks made winning difficult for themselves as they had to recover from a 13 point deficit after 33 minutes; the difference being that this time they did it - just; writes Tony Randel.
Star of the show was undoubtedly Marc Dibble. Marc, who is so often the bridesmaid not the bride as he comes on as a replacement anywhere in the backs, started this game at full back in place of Andy Birkett whose priority for the day was a wedding (more beer, fags and maids at a wedding, Birks!). He never missed a high ball, started some determined counter attacks and won the game with his 82nd minute touch down between the posts. A great performance from someone whose talents are often not fully appreciated.
The Cornish All Blacks started well with a try after five minutes by skipper Dave Risdon after he was driven over the line from a line-out resulting from a penalty for Henley lifting a scrum. International referee Mr Gareth Copsey was as sharp as you would expect on the slightest infringement but it was an education for both teams to play under such a professional and experienced official. Stuart Alred had one of his rare lapses with the boot as he missed what was a difficult conversion. A good Launceston backs move sent Marc Sweeney down the right wing but he was bundled into touch some 10m short of the line.
After that the wheel appeared to come off the Launceston chariot as things went all Henley's way. A good try came after 12 minutes as their back row and centres linked well to send flanker Steven Green in for a try. Although Rory Teague missed the conversion he slotted a long range penalty some three minutes later to put the hosts into the lead. The visitors' woes continued as Henley scored another try after scrum half Simon Drake set up Dave Tibbott to pass to full back Adam Slade who sent in lightening fast winger Chaska Loubers to score. Teague added the extras to open up a lead of 10 points.
Henley were looking sharper than the visitors; particularly the way their backs and forwards were linking and always looked most threatening. The Launceston cause was not helped by John Griffiths going to the sin bin for an offence spotted by the touch judge rather than the referee, or it might have been a red card. The subsequent penalty hit the posts. A further blow came to the Cornish All Blacks when Keith Brooking went off with an arm injury. Henley took advantage of Launceston's plight with a further long range penalty after the referee had read the riot act at some length to both captains! As the first period was drawing to a close the visitors got a new lease of life and exerted great forward pressure in the Henley 22. This forced a penalty for offside between the posts for Alred to narrow the gap again to 18 -8.
After an early exchange of unkickable penalties and sustained Launceston pressure at the beginning of the second half Henley started to loose their composure and discipline. Hooker Steve Wood was sin-binned for handling in the ruck. A good kick for touch by Alred set up the line-out on the Henley 5m line. A good catch by Dave Simms quickly ended up in Dave Risdon's hands and he was driven over for his second try of the day - leading by example as always. Alred added the extras to bring Launceston within three points of the home team!
It was now really all to play for. It showed. Both sides tried everything. Nigel Simpson had another run down his wing before forced into touch; Stuart Williams played a blinder at the back of the line-out and from the back of the scrum all day but still the Henley defence held. A strong Henley counter attack was only held out by great Launceston defence. The last twenty minutes saw end to end rugby between two evenly matched sides who were giving nothing away. If anything Henley looked the most likely to score but the Launceston pack were on top and keeping possession with some long and sustained rolling mauls. Stuart Alred attempted a long range penalty from inside his own half to even the scores but it fell just short.
An eventual Launceston break came when Marc Sweeney made one of his classic diagonal runs from the half way line, passed outside to Marc Dibble who was almost clear before a high tackle by replacement winger Carl Cimpoias sent him to the sin-bin. The Launceston catch and drive from the line-out was held up over the line in the 79th minute! Just as the Launceston supporters were thinking they would have to be content with the losing bonus point things were turned on their head. Wayne Sprangle gathered from the base of a scrum on the half way line and made the hard yards before passing to Steve Perry as he was tackled, Steve made some more as he passed to Dave Risdon taking his place in the back-line. Rizzie passed quickly to Marc Sweeney who broke through the Henley defence before off-loading to Marc Dibble to touch down between the posts. Stuart Alred added the extras. One final Henley foray was snuffed out before the referee blew for time and the Launceston faithful heaved a sigh of relief. The smiles on the tired faces of the Cornish All Blacks were testament to a job well done against a strong, well drilled Henley team.
Henley: tries, Green, Loubers; con, Teague; pens, Teague (2)
Launceston: tries, Risdon (2), Dibble; cons, Alred (2), pen, Alred
Henley: Adam Slade, Chaska Loubers, Paul Dunckley, Luke Burns, Dave Tibbott (Carl Cimpoias 70), Rory Teague, Simon Drake, Rowan Fuller, Steve Wood (Ian Gibbons 59), James Hadfield, James Winterbottom (capt), Jon Tenconi, Steve Green (Ian Gibbon 49-59), Adam Holloway, Dave Archer; reps not used, Stuart Roberts, Andy Grierson Yellow cards; Wood, Cimpoias
Launceston: Marc Dibble, Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Steuart Alred, Richard John, Keith Brooking (Ian Langbridge 30), Dave Risdon (capt), Wayne Reed, John Griffiths (Julian Wilce 64), Dave Simms, Josh Lord (Steve Dyer 70), Wayne Sprangle, Stuart Williams; rep not used Nick Holt.
Referee; Mr Gareth Copsey (RFU)
After two weeks of much speculation off the pitch about the club's future plans and player commitments, much of it wild speculation, it was refreshing to get back to playing matters. What a match to relish with the visit of the Bedford Blues to Kenwyn, a side lying second in the table just above the Cornish Pirates! If ever a fixture to focus the minds of players and supporters alike and an opportunity to silence the doubters. It turned out to be a match which didn't disappoint the large crowd on the day.
Lee Jarvis kicked off towards the City end and it wasn't long before Bedford's big forwards, notably their Tongan prop Soane Tonga'uiha set up their driving game with impressive handling skills. Blues' fly half created an opening try for the visitors, selling a dummy to get behind the defence and offload to skipper Matt Allen, who crossed. Hephner's conversion put the Blues 7-0 up with less than 3 minutes played.
The crowd awaited the Pirates' reaction; it was not long in coming. Winger Richard Welding was hauled down inches short of the try line in the PA Box corner. Rhodri McAtee was then short in the following attack before Bedford cleared their lines. The Pirates then set up a maul which drove the much-vaunted Blues pack back to their 22. Jarvis sold a dummy to break the line and feed the fast-arriving Kevin James, who went over at the posts on 7 minutes. Jarvis's conversion tied the scores.
The Pirates were soaking up tremendous pressure from the heavy Blues' pack, yet looked to counter at every opportunity via the backs. It made for an enthralling match. The Blues crucially lost a lineout which saw the ball worked wide. Duncan Roke, in from full back, was brought down short of the line. However, Gavin Cattle took the ball and flipped it to big Heino Senekal and the giant lock crashed over for the Pirates' second try on 26 minutes. Jarvis missed the conversion but soon made up for it with a monster penalty kick from the half way line to stretch the Cornish Pirates' lead to 15-7 after 32 minutes.
The home side then had another blistering attack repelled by the Blues as they sought a third try before half time. Instead it was Bedford who scored a fine try, with a catch-and-drive following a penalty to the Pirates 22. It was no surprise to see Tonga'uiha power his way to the line. Hephner's conversion made it 15-14 to the Cornish Pirates at the break.
The third Pirates' try arrived shortly after half time with Cattle and Jarvis combining well, before Jarvis kicked ahead for the on-rushing McAtee, who hacked on and beat Mike Staten to the touch down in the Treliske corner. Jarvis then kicked two further penalties after 51 minutes and 65 minutes to put the Cornish Pirates two scores clear at 26 - 14.
Both sides brought on various replacements. Welding had another fine run down the eastern touchline. However, it was Bedford who had the final say when some slack defence allowed Allen to score his second try of the afternoon, which replacement Tom Luke converted. Almost on time there was a punch up by the subs benches involving the Pirates' Will James and the Blues' Matt Allen and Jon Phillips, which referee Mr Beddow dealt with sensibly. A tremendous win for the Cornish Pirates, which should renew their confidence as they look forward to Nottingham next Saturday.
Cornish Pirates: 15. D. Roke, 14. R. Welding, 13. S. James (W.
Davies 70), 12. K. James, 11. R. McAtee, 10. L. Jarvis, 9. G. Cattle (capt, N.
Chivers 80); 1. A. Paver, 2. N. Makin, 3. N. Adams (D. Parkes 70), 4. H.
Senekal, 5. J. Beardshaw (W. James 50), 6. J. Bearman (S. Hockings 18-30), 7.
I. Motusaga, 8. M. Evans.
Reps not used T. Barlow & V. Ma'asi
Bedford Blues: 15. J. Hinkins, 14. C. Moir (E. Lewis 54), 13. L. Roberts, 12. M. Allen (capt), 11. M. Staten, 10. A. Hephner (T. Luke 73), 9. D. Malone (K. Dickson 54); 1. S. Tonga'uiha, 2. C. Johnson (C. Whitehead 75), 3. J. Brooks (J. Graham 73), 4. J. Phillips, 5. A. Brenton (M. Comb 54), 6. N. Strauss, 7. A. Kettle (C. Rainbow 63), 8. S. Brady (C. Whitehead 71 - 75)
Referee: Mr. T. Beddow (RFU)
This was a game Launceston should have 'put to bed' in the first twenty minutes. However, numerous handling errors, kicking away hard earned possession and often muddled defence gave Wharfedale all the chances their accomplished centres needed to very nearly breach the walls of 'Fortress Polson'. It was only an added time try by stalwart war-horse and ever popular Wayne Reed (playing in his 200th National League game) that saved the day; writes Tony Randel.
Anecdotal history, rather then fact, tells us that no team has ever flown to Cornwall for a National League game and won! Wharfedale pushed very hard to re-write the history books but without success; perhaps next year they will come by bus! The early start from high in the Yorkshire Dales showed as Launceston had by far the better of the first half. The Cornish All Blacks completely dominated the set scrums; their early tactical kicking by Steve Perry and Andy Birkett was immaculate and they had Wharfedale right on the back foot. It looked as though the game-plan was to move the ball out wide as quickly as possible to thwart the fiendishly clever, hard tackling and fast Wharfedale centre pairing of Malherbe and Bedworth. Great in theory but it did not work. Forward passes and knocks-on came a-plenty every time the Launceston backs looked like scoring. Still the Launceston dominance up front meant they kept most of the possession but so often, later in the game, the back three kicked away the vital possession straight into the hands of the opposition.
It was not until the end of the first quarter that Launceston put the first points on the board from a Stuart Alred penalty awarded for not releasing. That was the wake-up call Wharfedale had been waiting for. Straight from the kick off their centres broke through the Launceston defence only for the final pass to end as a knock-on. They were learning from the hosts! It did not happen the second time. Scrum half James Doherty (Wharfedale's man-of-the-match) fed Mark Bedworth a long pass, as he was tackled ferociously by Steve Perry he passed to full back Adam Whaites outside him to touch down right in the corner. Unfortunately Whaites injured his left leg and had to be stretchered off; never a pleasant experience for players or spectators; but he was seen hobbling around the bar later in the evening - these Yorkshire Dalesmen are tough!
In the last ten minutes of the first half Wharfedale conceded five penalties. From one Launceston set up a rolling maul only to knock-on when the ball came out. A further knock-on came after good ball from a line-out and another good backs' movement. It was not until the series of five ended that, at last, Alred went for goal so that the teams turned round at 6-5 to the hosts. It could have been 26-5! Launceston had 70% of the possession and 80% of the territory but only a one point advantage!
The second period started fast and furious. Alred missed a long range penalty attempt and Wharfedale hit straight back from the kick-off with another Malherbe run snuffed out by Nigel Simpson. Marc Sweeney set up the next Launceston attack but was well tackled as he tried to run his trademark diagonal. A Launceston catch-and-drive was held up and frustration was mounting! However it was the Wharfedale discipline that broke when flanker Alastair Allen was sin-binned for excessive use of the boot.
As so often happens the side down to fourteen men play like sixteen; Wharfedale, for once, got quick ball from a scrum and unhindered James Doherty sent a long pass to winger Hodgson who found replacement full back John Newton outside him to score in the corner.
56 minutes gone and 10-9 to the visitors. Game on! Just on the sixty minutes the lead was reversed. From a period of indecisive mid-field play Launceston seized the initiative. With the backs and the back row linking well they opened up the Wharfedale defence before sending Marc Dibble over for a try in the corner. Despite Alred missing the difficult conversion it put the Cornish All Blacks back in the lead. An Alred penalty from some 35m opened the gap to a full score; 17-10 with fifteen minutes to go. Wharfedale are renowned for their Yorkshire 'grit'. Their 'Flying Club' (they even wear a special tie to prove it) were determined not to go home empty handed. John Newton got his second try of the day after a 'Green Machine' rolling maul had made 15m before being halted and the ball spun wide.
With only two points in it at 17-15 and four minutes to go the always dangerous Chris Malherbe seized on a loose ball. He made twenty metres himself before finding speedy John Newton outside him, neither Simpson nor Birkett could get near him as he hared to the line. Mark Bedworth (whose normally reliable kicking had been off-form on the day) made no mistake this time to put the visitors into a 22-17 lead on 78 minutes!
In defending their slender lead Wharfedale became desperate under the equally determined Cornish All Black onslaught. As Launceston camped in the Wharfedale 22 the visitors conceded a string of three penalties. In the 81st minute Richard John took a quick tap and passed to Wayne Reed - nothing (not even all the rams in Yorkshire) was going to stop him scoring on this occasion as he charged over the line. But it was not all over yet! Remember the 22-22 draw at Wharfedale in October; was this to be the same? As Stuart Alred prepared to take the conversion you could have heard a pin drop apart from the Wharfedale team shouting, as they often do. This time however they left their line before the ball was struck. Although Stuart missed with the first attempt he made no mistake the second time after the referee allowed a second attempt because of Wharfedale's behaviour. It was a slightly sorry way to end what had been a close and good tempered encounter between evenly matched teams from clubs with a very similar ethos only separated by about 370 miles.
Launceston: tries, Dibble, Reed; cons, Alred; pens, Alred (4)
Wharfedale: tries, Whaites, Newton (2), Hodgson; con, Bedworth
Launceston: Andy Birkett, Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry, Marc Dibble (Andy Matchett 66), Stuart Alred, Richard John, Jason Bolt, Dave Risdon (capt), Wayne Reed, Julian Wilce, Dave Sims, Josh Lord (Dave Kimberley 56), Wayne Sprangle, Nick Burnett; reps not used, Gareth Davies, Barry Chapman
Wharfedale: Adam Whaites (John Newton 22), Simon Horsfall, Chris Malherbe, Mark Bedworth, Andrew Hodgson, Andrew Baggett (capt), James Doherty, Philip Peel, Gavin Hindle (John Lawn 53), Martin Halsall (Andrew Peel 40), David Lister (Oliver Renton 47), Antony Capstick, Alastair Allen, Rob Lednor, Sam Allen Yellow Card: Alastair Allen
Referee: Mr Glenn O'Hara (RFU)
In the Powergen Leagues, in South West 1 Penryn endured another poor outing, going down at league leaders Weston-super-Mare by 71-0 and conceding eleven tries.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay completed the league double over Camborne, winning 45-29 at the Recreation Ground. Bay scored seven tries, with two for Adam Redgrave; other scorers were Ollie Faulkner, Steve Evans, Pete Bush, Palepoi Nonu, and Francisco Desformes. Mark Rogers, David Roberts, and James Richards scored tries for the Cherry and Whites.
St. Ives came out on top 16-11 in their crucial clash with Hornets at Alexander Road. Trailing 11-3 at one stage, with only a Grant Thirlby penalty for their efforts, St. Ives rallied with a try from Thirlby, before Ben Trevorrow scored a second. Thirlby then kicked a second penalty to secure the points.
Truro lost at home to Taunton 22-18 to slip further towards the foot of the table. Marco Danielli and Sean Roseveare scored Truro's tries, with the other points coming from Scott Martin's boot.
In Western Counties West, Bude defeated Kingsbridge 43-10, with tries coming from Simeon Lewry(2), Barry Sobey, James Comber, Steve Yates, Steve Johns, and Julian Morris.
Hayle went down at Crediton by 18-13. Paul Carter scored a couple of tries for the Lions.
Cornwall U.20's made a winning start to their County Championship campaign when they defeated Gloucestershire 15-13 on Sunday at St. Clements, Truro. In the other game in the SW Group, Devon beat Somerset 24-20.
Congratulations too to Redruth Colts, who defeated Brixham Colts 29-16 to reach the last eight of the National Colts Cup at Redruth on Sunday.
Another nail-biter which went right down to the wire; but this time it was Esher trying desperately to score in the final minutes, with the Cornish All Blacks determined to hang on to their lead. Both sides will regret the 'last passes' that went forward (Launceston 5, Esher 3 at least) to prevent more tries in this fast, exciting, and hard-running game. Whilst the Launceston defence may have been a bit less than rock-like in recent weeks, this time it was magnificent as time and again it stopped determined Esher attacks dead in their tracks to be the deciding factor in this well deserved victory. Forget The Magnificent Seven; this was the Magnificent Seventeen as every Launceston player gave their team performance of the season; writes Tony Randel.
The home team opened the scoring in the third minute after a determined opening onslaught where their ability to quickly move the ball wide was amply demonstrated. As Launceston were pinned down in their own 22 they were penalised for not releasing. The League's second highest point score Neil Hallett made no mistake as the ball sailed between the uprights. The Cornish All Blacks upped their game and looked the more aggressive as Andy Birkett, Marc Sweeney, and Andy Matchett all created openings before the attacks were halted. Pressure from the Launceston front five soon took its toll when Esher were penalised for pulling down a scrum, to allow Stuart Alred to level the scores in the 13th minute. Esher had a chance to go ahead in the 20th minute when Hallett, uncharacteristically, missed a relatively simple penalty after Launceston had pulled down a good Esher rolling maul.
As it was, The Cornish All Blacks took the lead they were never to lose in 26th minute with an Alred penalty after Esher were caught off-side just outside their own 22. Some good kicking by Andy Birkett kept Esher on the back foot for some while but when a kick failed to make touch and was seized upon by Hallett he showed his speed as well as his prowess with the boot. He almost broke through the Launceston defence on his own but was stopped dead in his tracks by a bone-rattling Birkett tackle. Launceston were winning all the set pieces but Esher were marginally quicker at the breakdown at this stage.
The 'forward pass disease' then set in! After Marc Sweeney had scythed through the Esher defence he had Nigel Simpson clear on his wing but the pass went forward. As the first half went into injury time Hallett levelled the score for Esher after Launceston were penalised for offside. Within seconds Esher were penalised for handling in the ruck and Alred landed a good 35 metre penalty for the Cornish All Blacks to turn round with a three point advantage. That was a very true reflection of the play at this stage.
Straight from the kick-off, the ball was caught by Stuart Williams, who quickly fed it to Marc Sweeney. Andy Birkett made the hole in the Esher defence to pass to Andy Matchett speeding down his wing - but forward again! Nevertheless, the visitors' reward came five minutes later when the backs and the back row linked brilliantly to swing the ball from right to left and back to the right again. Marc Sweeney drew in the Esher defence to off-load to Wayne Reed to charge to the line; as he was about to be held up he passed to captain Dave Risdon to finish the move. Alred missed the difficult conversion.
Launceston's eight point advantage looked in danger when an Andy Birkett chip over the heads of the Esher defence fell short and into the hands of Chris Yates. He set up his backs but a veritable phalanx of Cornishmen stopped Esher making any progress. The lead proved fragile when Esher gathered a loose ball after Launceston had initially won an Esher line-out. Their scrum half Barr passed to Yates who found a gap in the Launceston defence before passing to send very fast winger Matt Moore on a truly great solo run to score. When Hallett slotted the conversion Esher were back to within one point of the visitors.
Launceston came back three minutes later with a penalty for not releasing to open up the lead to four precious points.
A period of fast and furious play up and down the field followed for some ten minutes. Both sides had scoring chances but made nothing of them as the forward pass count in that ten minutes was Launceston 3, Esher 2! What a waste of such hard work! Nevertheless, the Launceston pressure was beginning to tell. The front five were forcing Esher into errors and after a string of three penalties had made progess up the field Alred went for goal with the third to put the Cornish All Blacks seven vital points ahead, but with fifteen minutes still to go!
Alred missed a penalty in the 74th minute. In their desperation to hold onto the lead Launceston started making errors as Esher were awarded a string of three penalties, all kicked to touch. The third came back quickly from the line out and winger Karrelle Dixon was sent down the blind side by scrum half Graham Barr. As he touched down over the line the touch judge put his flag up for a foot in touch and, simultaneously (guess what) the referee signalled a forward pass!
So ended a very exciting game; an important win for the Cornish All Blacks as they consolidate their fourth place in the league and for Esher probably the end of their promotion hopes this season. Those who say the league system produces 'comfort zone' rugby at this stage of the season would surely eat their words if they watched a game like this.
Esher: try, Moore; con, Hallett, pens, Hallett (2)
Launceston: try, Risdon, pens Alred (5)
Esher: Neil Hallett, Matt Moore, Piers Gregory, Chris Yates, Karrelle Dixon, Matt Leek, Graham Barr (JP O'Reilly 74), Duncan Cormack (capt), Tom Doran, Jeff Smith, Mark Butterworth, Paul Barker, Ladislav Vondrasek, Lee Starling, Chris Wilkins (Mike Blakeburn 68); reps no used Simon Elkinson, Hugh Innes
Launceston: Andy Birkett, Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Jason Bolt, Dave Risdon (capt), Wayne Reed, Dave Kimberley, Dave Sims, Nick Burnett (Josh Lord 60), Wayne Sprangle, Stuart Williams (Julian Wilce 68); reps not used, Ian Langbridge, Marc Dibble
Referee: Mr Alan Biggs (RFU).
The Reds chiselled out a workman like win over their Yorkshire visitors at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.
Redruth were awarded an early penalty after only 2 minutes, but fly half Mark Scrivener saw his effort sail wide of the uprights. Shortly after, Halifax's No.10 Tom Eaton missed with a penalty attempt, setting the scene for an indifferent afternoon in the goal kicking stakes.
The opening score was not long in coming as Redruth launched an attack through the industrious Mark Richards, who threw out a long pass to the ever-willing PJ Gidlow, who in turn found his winger Craig Bonds. Bonds put in a chip-and-chase and was only narrowly beaten to the touchdown by the Halifax cover. Redruth won the 5 metre scrum before moving the ball left and then right, with prop forward Darren Jacques crashing over for a 10th minute try. Scrivener had more success with the conversion.
Halifax then took the game to Redruth. Following a scrum near the Reds' line, a loose pass back by Richards was pounced on by Eaton to claim a simple try after 14 minutes, though he was unable to convert his own score.
Although the Reds had a good deal of possession, much of their ball was very slow, cutting down the options, and Halifax were well prepared for the pick and drive. They did manage to manufacture a second try on 20 minutes, when flanker Dan Goodwin was driven over for a try, which Scrivener again converted to make it 14-5. And that was how the score stayed until half time, despite opportunities for either side, and another penalty miss from Scrivener.
Indeed it was the visitors who rocked the home side straight after the break, when flanker Craig Wilson powered through the Reds' defence before finding second row Richard Hill, who scored a simple try. Eaton again failed with the conversion.
Redruth then had a series of attacks down in the Strawberry Lane corner of the ground, but once more Halifax coped with the pick and drive and it all came to nought. Goodwin made a tremendous break up the blind side and linked with Gidlow to take play menacingly into Halifax's 22. Redruth were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, which Scrivener unfortunately pushed wide. However, he did make amends a short while later, kicking a more difficult one to put the Reds seven points up at 17-10.
Halifax, with time running out, threw everything at Redruth and it was heroic defence that kept the visitors out, notably by centre Paul Gadsdon and full back Marek Churcher. Halifax's frustration at getting no reward for their efforts showed, as Eaton was yellow carded near the end.
Redruth: 15. M. Churcher, 14. C. Bonds, 13. P. Gadsdon, 12. PJ Gidlow, 11. N. Pedley, 10. M. Scrivener, 9. M. Richards (capt); 1. D. Jacques, 2. M. Harrison (M. Harper 54), 3. S. Heard, 4. D. Cook, 5. N. Pryor (A. Lawton 70), 6. C. Fuca, 7. J. Mann, 8. D. Goodwin. Reps not used: T. McBride, P. Joyce
Halifax: 15. A. Canning (S. Thomas 74), 14. W. Greenwood, 13. C. Emmerson, 12. R. Hughes, 11. O. Marns, 10. T. Eaton, 9. J. Bartlett; 1. C. Keane, 2. C. Mortimer (capt), 3. A. Blades, 4. R. Hill (D. Jessiman 56), 5. M. Smith, 6. C. Wilson, 7. D. Solomi, 8. R. Afoa-Peterson. Reps not used: D. Thorp, G. Lewis
Referee, Mr. R. Parker-Sedgemore (RFU) .
Following the euphoria of their superb win at Kenwyn last Sunday against the Bedford Blues the Cornish Pirates came back to earth with a bump following this defeat at Ireland Avenue. It all appeared to start so well during the first half, as Cornish Pirates' winger Richard Welding added a brace to his already impressive total of tries for the season, after 13 and 32 minutes. Crucially, Lee Jarvis was unable to convert either try. A third try went begging as a forward pass was adjudged.
Nottingham hit back after the break with a try from flanker Mark Easter, which Neil Stenhouse converted, and then moments later came a second Nottingham try, this time scored by winger Josh Kay. Tom Barlow came off the bench to replace Jarvis and kicked two penalties on the hour mark to restore the Cornish Pirates' advantage. Stenhouse then kicked a penalty on 77 minutes to reduce the deficit to a point. He then went on to spurn a chance to put his side in the lead before atoning with a second chance in time added on. Barlow saw a late drop attempt miss in his bid to turn the result in the Pirates' favour.
In South West 1, the spectre of the relegation trapdoor opened a little wider following Penryn's latest defeat against Maidenhead at the Memorial Ground, as the visitors ran out comfortable winners by 58-6. All Penryn had to show for their efforts were a couple of Dave Pascoe penalties.
In South West 2 West, another strong performance from Mount's Bay in defeating Berry Hill 79-10 brings them a step closer to South West 1 rugby next season. Scrum-half Ryan Westren scored three tries and kicked seven conversions for a personal tally of 29 points. Steve Larkins (2), Ollie Faulkner (2), Mikaele Mua (2), Palepoi Nonu, Adam Redgrave, Adrian Bick, and Ben Hilton were the other Bay try scorers.
St. Ives maintained their push for a play-off spot with a 22-11 win at Gloucester Old Boys, despite being short of seven regular players. The Hakes' tries came from Graham Corin (2) and Ian Veal. Grant Thirlby's boot added the other points.
Camborne slipped up at Exmouth, losing 18-5. Chris Hewitt scored Town's try, a result that leaves Camborne still perilously close to the drop zone.
Truro are another side facing the increasing prospect of relegation this season, a 31-15 defeat at St. Mary's Old Boys leaves the City side second from bottom of the league. Richard Tucker and Ian Hambly scored Truro's tries with Scott Martin adding a conversion and penalty.
In Western Counties West, Bude's match at Paignton was postponed, whilst Hayle lost at home to Sidmouth 1 despite scoring first through winger Dave Seager's try converted by Paul Lello.
In National League 1, the Cornish Pirates entertained the Pertemps Bees at Kenwyn on St. Piran's day and ran out winners by 21-13 to maintain third place in the league. With a strong breeze blowing down the pitch, it was the Midlanders who had the advantage during the first half.
The Bees took the lead on 11 minutes with a penalty from scrum-half Ben Harvey, whose family has strong connections with the Pirates. A few minutes later and the advantage was up to 10 points as winger Tom Beim rounded off an attack under the posts, Harvey converting the score. Despite missing with another penalty attempt, Harvey atoned with a second penalty success shortly after to leave the Bees 13-0 up.
The Cornish Pirates managed to reduce the deficit before the break when the league's top try scorer Richard Welding scored his 15th try of the league campaign following a counter from deep from fullback Wez Davies, involving Joe Bearman, Tom Barlow, Davies again, and Tim Cowley, who found Welding for the score.
With the elements in their favour, the Pirates set about erasing the Bees advantage on the scoreboard. Tom Barlow kicked a penalty and a drop goal to cut the deficit to just two points, before kicking a second penalty to nudge the Pirates into the lead with nine minutes remaining. With time running out and the Bees throwing the ball about from deep in a bid to create an attack, Pirate lock Heino Senekal gleefully latched on to a loose pass near the Bees line to score a simple try, which Barlow converted to seal the win.
At the beginning of April last season Harrogate trounced the Cornish All Blacks at home to begin a string of victories that saved them from relegation. This time they have started earlier and the mauling was not quite so bad. The Yorkshiremen wanted this victory more than the Cornish; and it showed as Launceston let them run in five pretty soft tries to one as the home defence faltered badly in the second half. Take no credit away from Harrogate, they all played out of their skins, with scrum half Mark Chester and number eight Maifea Maifea being particularly influential; writes Tony Randel.
It started so well for the Cornish All Blacks when they turned over the ball in a Harrogate attack for Bonzo John to make the break before feeding Nigel Simpson to streak down his wing to score in the second minute. Stuart Alred landed his first goal of the day on which he had a 100% success rate in a capricious wind; a tremendous performance by even his own high standards. Launceston had all the play and forced a penalty in 12th minute to go 10-0 ahead. Harrogate replied with a penalty for not releasing. An interesting, but largely inconclusive, kicking duel between the respective full backs, Birkett and Smithies, developed at one stage as they each tested the other's back three with the strong low sun being just as much a factor as the wind.
Marc Dibble next scored after Josh Lord had made the break before passing to Dave Kimberley to find the winger. Once Stuart Alred had added the extras Launceston were 17-3 ahead after 20 minutes. This looked like the country stroll many had predicted. But it was not to be. Whether the Cornish All Blacks got complacent or whether Harrogate suddenly saw Division Three rugby beckoning we shall never know but the remaining 60 minutes was almost completely dominated by the visitors.
The first Harrogate try came on the half-hour, when hefty, strong, but fast and nimble number 8 Maifea Maifea many one of his many breaks from the back of the scrum. It always took at least two defenders to stop his forays. This time, having dragged his would-be tacklers some ten yards, he off-loaded to Scott Powell to score in the centre of the field. Mark Chester converted. Just into first half added time Launceston set up a good rolling maul and were rewarded with a penalty when it was deliberately pulled down short of the line. Launceston had played with the sun and the wind in the first half to turn round only 20-10 ahead. It certainly did not feel as though it was enough of a lead; particularly with the way Harrogate were playing real 'in your face' rugby.
It only took three minutes of the second half for Harrogate to narrow the gap with a Mark Chester penalty for not releasing well inside the Launceston 22. Harrogate were on the attack straight from the kick-off after influential scrum-half Chester sent speedy winger James Tapster (recently brought out of retirement to strengthen Harrogate's squad) on his way before he passed outside for Richard Davies to touch down. With the gap down to two points Stuart Alred boldly went for goal after a penalty on the 40m line and into the wind. As it sailed between the uprights it looked as though luck might just be returning to Launceston. Harrogate had other ideas! They went into a two point lead when the home team were penalised for not releasing only five metres from their own line. The quick tap sent centre Jamie Barker over the line between the posts to set up a simple Chester conversion. With fifteen minutes to go they lengthened their lead to seven points when Mark Challinor touched down after a good rolling maul.
Yet another beautifully struck Alred penalty into the wind narrowed the gap to four points with twelve minutes to go. Although the scores were close Harrogate were showing more imagination and flare than a rather pedestrian looking Launceston side. This showed when Chester gathered from the scrum and cut through up a distinctly wooden legged defence before passing to fly-half Nick Wainwright to score way out in the corner. At 26-35 on seventy minutes it looked as if even the one consolation point for the home side was in danger.
Launceston then came back to show some of their usual tenacity and sparkle as they camped in the Harrogate 22 for seven or eight minutes. Despite some really determined play by the Launceston pack and equally dogged Harrogate defence it was not until just on the 80 minutes that Richard John jinked over the line after taking his own tap penalty. The Alred conversion brought the scores back to 33-35 as added time ticked away. In 83rd minute the Launceston defence was again caught napping as Jamie Barker broke through to go 60m on his own to complete his brace for the day. Luckily for Launceston Mark Chester missed the conversion thus saving the one point.
Despite the home team losing it was an exciting and, at times, exhilarating game of rugby. Harrogate thoroughly deserved their win which, hopefully, might have set them on the road to recovery so that we renew friendships and rivalries next season.
Launceston: tries; Simpson, Dibble, John; cons, Alred (3), pens,
Alred (4)
Harrogate: tries; Powell, Davies, Barker (2), Challinor,
Wainwright; cons, Chester (2); pens, Chester (2)
Launceston: Andy Birkett, Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry (Nick Holt 72), Marc Dibble, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Jason Bolt (Ian Langbridge 60), Dave Risdon (capt), Wayne Reed, Dave Kimberley (Julian Wilce 82), Dave Sims, Josh Lord (Steve Dyer 57), Wayne Sprangle, Nick Burnett. Yellow card: Nick Burnett .
Harrogate: Ed Smithies, Steve Parsons, Jamie Parker, Richard Davies, James Tapster, Nick Wainwright, Mark Chester (Mike Aspinall 82), Scott Wilson, Ed Spackman (Mark Erven 82), Rob Wilson, Brendan Back (capt), Matt Challinor, Sctoo Powell, Richard Brown, Maifea Maifea; reps not used, Garh Dodgson, Paul Clayton. Yellow card; Richard Brown .
Referee: Mr Terry Hall (RFU)
Redruth gave a very good account of themselves in going down 27-13 at Billesley Common. Moseley eventually fielded all five of their players selected for England Counties next weekend in Beaune.
Nathan Pedley was denied an early try in the right hand corner as play was brought back for a forward pass. However, Mark Scrivener opened the scoring with a penalty after 11 minutes, much to the joy of the Reds' travelling supporters.
Ollie Thomas soon squared matters with a 40 metre effort. Following a scrum near their line, the Reds conceded a try following a break by Moseley's impressive No8 James Rodwell ,who found his winger Nathan Bressington for the score on 27 minutes. Following another scrum near the Reds' line, Rodwell this time took the scoring chance himself, with Thomas converting to put the home side 15-3 up after 45 minutes.
Moseley scored a third try on 53 minutes from a catch-and-drive through hooker Dean Bick. Redruth fought back well with winger Lewis Vinnicombe setting up a counter-attack which saw Marek Churcher, Sam Heard, and Craig Bonds all involved, before Bonds found Paul Gadsdon who scored a fine try. Mark Evans scored a push over try for Moseley to secure their bonus point.
The Reds kept playing and were rewarded with a second try scored by Lewis Vinnicombe, who staked his claim to a starting berth for next Saturday's International against France Amateurs.
Whilst Launceston will have a couple of weeks to reflect upon their performance against Harrogate, Redruth will travel to play Orrell next Saturday in a re-arranged league match, which will hopefully be perfect preparation for the Cornish derby at the Recreation Ground on March 18th.
In South West 1, Penryn enjoyed only their fourth win of the season by winning at Spartans 66-20, with centre Seddon Forrest scoring three tries, as did wing Mike Slater. Other try scores where Darren Pellow (2), Chris Mann, and Jason Peseta.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay strengthened their hand for the automatic promotion spot to South West 1 with a 52-13 win at home against Exmouth. Bay put in a storming first half performance, leading 40-3 at the turn. Palepoi Nonu scored two tries, with other scores coming from Rongo Atkins, Stuart Evans, Ben Hilton, Steve Larkins, Everard Reid, and Darren Semmens. Ryan Westren kicked five conversions and Steve Larkins one.
St. Ives kept their play-off hopes alive with a 6-5 win at Berry Hill, Daniel Hooper kicking the vital scores.
Camborne defeated Taunton 24-12 at the Recreation Ground. They led 10-7 at the break thanks to a couple of tries from Dave Roberts and Mark Rogers. Kelvin Smitham scored a third try after half-time which Dave Mankee converted, as he did Andy Yates' try on the hour mark.
Truro enjoyed a fine win at St. Clements over second-placed Hornets by 27-13. Truro scored four tries through Paddy Patterson, a penalty try, Ian Hambly, and Brett Whitmill. Scott Martin kicked two conversions and a penalty.
In Western Counties West, Bude lost at home to Torquay Athletic 11-7, who look odds on to return to South West 2 West next season. Paul Cholwill scored Bude's try, which Paul Williams converted. That result and Newton Abbot's resounding win at home against Hayle by 76-3 have put a dent in Bude's play-off prospects.
In National League 1, the Cornish Pirates suffered another defeat on the road, going down at basement side Sedgley Park 31 - 21. The Pirates found themselves trailing 17-0 before the end of the first quarter, following an early penalty from Park's fly-half Phil Jones and converted tries from lock John Skurr and No8 Sam Anania. The Cornish Pirates replied with a fine try from winger Matt Jess after 24 minutes which fly half Tom Barlow converted, before hobbling off with a pulled muscle to be replaced by Lee Jarvis. Sedgley Park increased their advantage after 30 minutes with a third try scored by Jones, which the fly-half again converted. The home side then secured the try-scoring bonus point before half-time, as flanker Richard Senior crossed for his side's fourth try, Jones making it four conversions from four.
It left the Cornish Pirates with a mountain to climb in the second half to get anything from the game. Two tries from centre Kevin James, both converted by Jarvis, cut the deficit to ten points but that was as close as the Cornish Pirates were to get as they were denied by some stout defending by a side fighting to stave off relegation.
In National League 2, Redruth travelled to Orrell and were well beaten by the side currently propping up the division. After a bright start for the Reds, with flanker Dan Goodwin scoring a try after 12 minutes which Mark Scrivener converted, it all went horribly wrong for the Reds as they conceded 32 points. With the visit of Launceston to the Recreation Ground next Saturday, the Reds will have much to focus on this week.
Penryn made it two wins on the trot with a 51-17 win at home to Reading Abbey to offer them a fighting chance of staving off relegation this season. Darren Pellow (2), Peter Webster, Kevin Hughes, Chris Mann, Darryl Foster, Jason Peseta, and Nick Brown all scored tries for the Borough, with youngster Lewis Webb kicking the other points.
The champagne is on ice as Mount's Bay are one win away from securing a spot in South West 1 next season, following their 53-15 win at Taunton. Palepoi Nonu led the way with a hat-trick of tries, with hooker Pete Bush collecting a brace. Steve Evans and Ryan Westren also scored tries. The other points came from the boot of Westren.
St. Ives kept their play-off hopes very much alive when they defeated Brixham 41-0 at Alexandra Road, effectively ending any hopes the Devon side had. Sheldon Waetford scored two tries, with other touchdowns coming from Paul Nixon, Sam Snee, and Ben Trevorrow.
Truro achieved a vital win in their bid to escape the drop from South West 2 West with a last gasp 23-20 win at Gloucester Old Boys. With the scores tied at 20-20, it was Scott Martin whose penalty with the final kick of the match secured the points. Despite taking an early lead through an Ian Hambly try which Martin converted, Truro found themselves trailing 20-7 before fighting back. Tries from Joe Williamson and Luke Trescothick set up the grande finale for Martin.
Camborne suffered a heavy defeat at St. Mary's Old Boys by 64-12. Camborne scored two tries through Mark Rogers and Kevin Penrose, with David Mankee kicking a conversion.
In Western Counties West, Hayle were beaten at home by Barnstaple 40-8. Adrian Downing scoring the Lions' try and Dave Guffick kicking a penalty.
Bude's defeat at Ivybridge 12-8 has virtually extinguished their play-off hopes.
Cornwall Under 20's hopes of progressing in the U.20's County Championship were extinguished at St. Ives' Alexandra Road ground on Sunday as Devon completed their group matches with a 100% record, winning 24-3.
In France, Launceston's Wayne Reed scored England Counties first try on 34 minutes in a 29 - 16 win over France Amateurs in front of a crowd of 4,000 at the stade Jean-Guiral in Beaune on Saturday. The English side scored three further tries in their win, which saw Redruth's Lewis Vinnicombe come off the bench after 65 mins. This victory means that England Counties retain the Jean-Claude Bacqué Shield.
A full-bloodied Cornish derby ended in stalemate on Saturday as Redruth’s Lewis Vinnicombe scored a second late try for the Reds to earn a share of the points in this passionate league encounter.
For a full match report from the Western Morning News, see here.
Redruth advanced to the final with an emphatic win over Western Counties' side Hayle at the Recreation Ground on Sunday by 60-0. In the final they will once again meet Launceston, who had a much tighter affair at Alexandra Road when they defeated South West 2 West side St. Ives 12-10. The final will be played at Camborne RFC on Wednesday 12th April, with a 6pm kick-off.
St. Ives and Hayle will play-off for the last remaining berth in next season’s National Trophy on a date and at a venue still to be decided by the CRFU.
In the only regional league encounter, Bude won a re-arranged match at Paignton by 12-11.
Harlequins rolled into Cornwall to face the teeth of a Cornish gale both on and off the pitch. The Cornish weather threw it's best sou'wester for many a long month at the Londoners in an attempt to provide a level playing field at Kenwyn for the Cornish side. But to no avail as the Harlequins gave a masterful display, especially during the second half , on how to play the conditions to win comfortably and earn a try-scoring bonus point as the icing on the cake.
It was tremendous to see Kenwyn full (6,000) and the crowd where in fine voice. The Falmouth Marine Band did their best to stoke up the pre-match atmosphere with their parade around the ground. Without doubt there was exciting anticipation to this eagerly awaited match, with the prospect of seeing the likes of World Cup winner Will Greenwood (many in the ground will have memories of his dad, Dick, captaining Lancashire to that 11-9 win at Redruth in the County Championship final in 1969), All Black legend Andrew Mehrtens, and Springbok Andre Vos, as well as the rich abundance of talent that coach Dean Richards has at his disposal.
The game began promisingly with the Cornish Pirates dominating the early exchanges. Fly-half Lee Jarvis had an early penalty chance but saw his effort pushed wide by the tricky wind. Soon after there was further pressure on the Quins line but the ball ran over the dead ball line. Then, in their first meaningful attack of the afternoon, Quins scored an excellent try. Following a line out, the ball was moved at pace along the line, with fullback Tom Williams exploiting a large hole to run powerfully into the 22. Credit to Pirates' fullback Duncan Roke for making the tackle. However, Quins' winger Ugo Moyne was on hand to take the pass from Williams and romp over near the posts in the Kenwyn Hill corner after 8 minutes. Adrain Jarvis kicked the conversion.
The Pirates missed an opportunity to get right back when Quins were penalised for pulling down. But following the kick to the corner the lineout was lost! Instead Adrian Jarvis increased the visitors' lead with a penalty from 30 meters after 19 minutes. Still the Pirates continued to create chances. A crossfield kick from Lee Jarvis almost found Kevin James but Ugo Moyne put in some great defensive work to deny the Pirates' winger. But the breakthrough for the Pirates was not long in coming, as skipper and scrum-half Gavin Cattle dived over the line following a powerful burst from Namibian lock Heino Senekal.
The home crowd went mad. Despite missing the conversion, Lee Jarvis made amends with a penalty kick shortly after to bring the Pirates back to within 2 points. That was as close as the Pirates were to get on the day. A great break by Simon Keogh saw Williams on hand to finish off the move and score under the posts. Adrian Jarvis made no mistake with the conversion. Lee Jarvis missed with a penalty attempt for the Pirates before half-time, so it remained 17-8 to the visitors.
The second half proved to be a difficult one for the Pirates as Harlequins made use of the conditions and kept the Pirates pinned in their 22 for long periods. To their credit the Pirates defended manfully. With the tricky wind making it nigh impossible to clear their lines with the boot, they attempted to play their way out of defence. The pressure the Quins exerted forced errors. From one such Cattle was caught near his 22 and Simon Keogh was able to run in a third try on 51 minutes which Adrian Jarvis again converted to make it 24-8 to the Quins.
Both sides brought on fresh legs with a big cheer being reserved for Rhodri McAtee after his exploits at the Commonwealth Games 7s for Wales. Indeed, with almost his first touch his spark of genius caused alarm bells in the erstwhile organised Quins' defence. Half backs Steve So'oialo, Adrian Jarvis and, when he came on, Andrew Mehrtens, dictated affairs throughout the second period. The bonus point try arrived courtesy of Will Greenwood lurking out on the wing, as he dived over in the Short-lanes-end corner of the ground to wrap up the 5 point win.
Thanks for the visit Quins, good luck on your return to the Guinness Premiership. We hope to entertain you again one day soon. It was great to see so many of your fans down in Truro and I am sure that the commercial and economic results of your weekend trip will "open the eyes" of the possibilities that having a top flight rugby team in the Duchy can afford!
Cornish Pirates: Duncan Roke; Richard Welding,. Wez Davies
(Rhodri McAtee 67), Wade Kelly, Kevin James; Lee Jarvis, Gavin Cattle (capt);
Alan Paver, Nick Makin (Vili Ma'asi 67), Dan Parkes (Dan Seal 67); Heino
Senekal, Joe Beardshaw (S. Hockings 80); Joe Bearman, Sam Betty, Tim Cowley (M.
Evans 67).
Replacements not used: Neil Chivers, Matt Jess.
NEC Harlequins: Tom Williams, Simon Keogh,Will Greenwood (Mel
Deane 77),Gavin Duffy,Ugo Monye, Adrian Jarvis (Andrew Mehrtens 61), Steve
So'oialo; Ceri Jones, Jimmy Richards, Lorne Ward, Jim Evans, Simon Miall (Pablo
Bouza), Tom Guest, Andre Vos (Capt.Luke Sherriff 77), Nick Easter
Replacements not used: Tani Fuga,Ricky Nebbett, Mike Brown .
Referee: Mr.Roy Maybank (RFU) .
If you have ever tried to pick up a bar of soap whilst bending over in a slippery shower tray you can just begin to picture the conditions at Polson Bridge on Saturday. The rain of the last 36 hours had made the top inch or so of the playing surface more like an ice rink than a rugby field; the wet field and the light drizzle made the ball behave more like a demented eel than even a bar of soap. It is to the credit of both teams, neither of which is in the promotion or relegation zones, that even in such conditions they both tried to play open rugby to entertain the Polson faithful and a good number of Henley supporters who had made the journey from Oxfordshire; writes Tony Randel.
A game without tries is always disappointing but even one decided on penalties can be nail-biting when the two kickers hold first and third positions in the league on strike-rate. The message from that being 'don't give away penalties'. This game proved just that; Launceston only conceded three and Henley only six. At the end of the day that was the deciding factor. Stuart Alred had three attempts at goal and slotted two (no-one but Stuart would even have attempted the third - 46m against the wind). Mitch Burton only had one real chance at goal and succeeded with it.
The game was fascinating as each side tried to find the other's weaknesses in the somewhat hostile conditions. An artillery battle developed in the first few minutes with shots being fired over the back of the defence. This kicking battle went on all day. Both 'back threes' used it to great effect; whether it was kicking for touch, over the heads of the defending back three or many a 'Garryowen' from James Gaunt and Mitch Burton (do Henley have an Irish coach?) of which even Ronan O'Gara would have been proud. The Launceston kicking was just as successful; Stuart Alred's kicking from hand cannot be faulted. He frequently found touch way over the heads of the Henley back three. So did Peter Murchie; his positioning in defence so that he never lost a long and high ball fired down his throat was superb. Clever over-head kicks from Richard John and chips ahead by Steve Perry also kept Henley on the back foot.
The first half was 75% Launceston possession but they could not take advantage of it due to the conditions and a strong Henley defence. As an indication of the conditions the Henley press secretary said at half time 'I have seen more knock-ons in this game than I have seen all season'.
Nevertheless, thanks to a 42nd-minute penalty for offside in their own 22 (Stuart Alred was never going to miss that) Henley trailed the home team by 3-0 at half time.
It only took three minutes of the second half for Henley to level the score after Launceston stupidly conceded a penalty between the posts only 20m out. A gift for Mitch Burton! Henley then applied real pressure and camped in the Launceston 22 for a good ten minutes. They would have got a try against a less determined defence. Whenever a Henley player made a move towards the try line he was ferociously tackled by a gang of men in black, but muddied, shirts. Eventually Henley were penalised for not releasing and the Launceston line was cleared.
The game then became rather 'scrappy' with neither team able to make any really penetrating moves. Launceston were winning the forward battle thanks to tremendous line-out work by Julian Wilce and John Griffiths (Launceston Man-of-the-Match) and great scrummaging by Wayne Reed and Adam Flide. But the Henley backs always looked dangerous on the break. The battle of the back rows was crucial. Henley number eight Dave Archer (Henley man-of-the-match) was their vital link between the pack and the backs; he had a brilliant game. His efforts were largely thwarted however by the Launceston back row of Josh Lord, Wayne Sprangle and Dave Kimberley with Nick Burnett and Stuart Williams making a real impression when they came on. Three from five of those, and add Steve Dyer, is probably the best back row in Division 2.
As the game to-and-fro'ed in the centre of the pitch in a rather indeterminate manner the Cornish All Blacks suddenly got a new lease of life. They forced Henley into conceding two penalties on the trot. The first for off-side, which made the ground and the second for obstruction. 41m from the try-line and only 10m in from the touch line was not going to be easy. A lesser kicker than Stuart Alred would not even have attempted it. Needless to say the ball sailed between the uprights with all the grace of a Cornish Chough.
The final ten minutes were played out as the rest of the game; gritty and determined; but no try really looked likely. This was no 'comfort-zone' rugby as the season nears its close; it was two teams of players 100% determined to win on the day and to entertain the spectators. Only one team can win , but both can entertain; thank you Henley Hawks for doing just that .
Launceston scores: pens, Alred 2
Henley scores: pen. Burton
Launceston: Peter Murchie (Marc Dibble 66), Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Adam Flide (Ian Langbridge 66), Dave Risdon (capt) ( Ian Langbridge 29-39), Wayne Reed, John Griffiths, Julian Wilce, Josh Lord, Wayne Sprangle (Stuart Williams 50), Dave Kimberley (Nick Burnett 50). Yellow card: Dave Risdon .
Henley: Adam Slade, Chaska Loubers , Luke Burns, Dave Tibbott (Paul Dunckley 70), Chris Simmons, Mitch Burton, James Gaunt, Rowan Fuller, Chris Hall (Steve Wood 40), James Hadfield (Steve Robinson 80), James Winterbottom (capt), Matt Payne, Jon Tenconi(Steve Robinson 29-39), Mark Douglas, Dave Archer; rep not used, Steve Drake. Yellow card: James Hadfield .
Referee: Mr Steve Harling (RFU)
Redruth slipped up once again on the road, allowing Manchester to complete a league double over them by 13-7. All the scoring came during the first half as Manchester built up a 13 point cushion before Craig Bonds scored a fine try which Marek Churcher converted. Reds still remain above their victors on points difference.
In South West 1, Penryn are still fighting to avoid the drop, securing a third win on the bounce, this time at Cheltenham by 22-21, thanks to a last gasp try by Peter Webster. Nick Brown and James Geraty scored the other Borough tries, both of which Brown converted, as well as a drop goal. Their next game at Oxford Harlequins will be crucial.
In South West 2 West, Mount's Bay secured promotion to South West 1 next season with a 32-0 win over St. Mary's Old Boys. It was a great way to round off the week in which veteran flanker Adrian Bick was forced to announce his retirement following a serious shoulder injury. Bay's try scorers were Callum Osborne, Everard Reid, Steve Larkins, Ryan Westren, Steve Evans, and Adam Redgrave.
St. Ives maintained their push for the play-off place with a 25-6 win over Truro at St. Clements Hill. St. Ives led 10-6 at half-time, thanks to a couple of tries from Neil Corin and Paul Dixon. Two Scott Martin penalties kept Truro in touch. St. Ives moved further ahead thanks to tries from Tony Stevens and Sheldon Waetford, with Dan Hooper kicking a conversion and penalty.
Camborne did St. Ives a big favour and their own chances no harm in defeating Hornets 21-20 at the Recreation Ground. Brian Andrew scored an early try for the Cherry and Whites, with Nathan March scoring a second during the second half. David Mankee's boot added the other points.
In Western Counties West, Torquay Athletic secured the title by default as Crediton forfeited the match. Bude lost to near North Devon neighbours Barnstaple 18-3, whilst Hayle lost at home to Withycombe 15-12.
On league standings this was a game the Cornish All Blacks should have won easily. Indeed, but for a knock-on as the ball was touched down early on they might have done. As it was Orrell defended ferociously, and forced Launceston into a number of errors which were punished by the boot of the reliable Simon Mason to ensure that the home team held the lead for a large part of the game. Nevertheless, Launceston triumphed in the end to spare the large contingent of travelling supporters what could have been a very long drive home, writes Tony Randel.
Launceston started powerfully and pinned Orrell back in their own half for the first five minutes and an early score looked on the cards. It was not to be; Orrell were awarded the first penalty of the day for Launceston not releasing and the ever reliable Simon Mason put the home team into the lead in 8th minute.
Launceston upped their game. Two good moves by the backs came close to scoring but the first was thwarted by Andy Matchett just putting a foot into touch and the second by strong Orrell tackling. So strong that they refused to let the man with the ball get up and were penalised. Nick Burnett took the quick tap and drove forward; as he was stopped on the line Launceston were awarded a further penalty. They elected for the scrum in lieu and pushed over the line only for one of the back row to knock on as he attempted to touch down! This was probably the determining moment of the game. Seven points to the visitors at that stage would have given them a strong psychological advantage.
As it was the Orrell defence took heart; their young backs looked increasingly dangerous and the Launceston attacks became scrappy and uncoordinated. It took some 15 minutes for Launceston to overcome this malaise; although the pack still maintained most of the possession. Eventually Stuart Alred levelled the score in 33rd with a penalty after Orrell had dived over in a ruck. Orrell hit back with two further penalties before half time after forcing Launceston into making mistakes in their own 22. Tuning round at 3-9 down was not what the faithful band of Launceston supporters were expecting. They had come to see an execution; but it looked as though it might be a wake!
Perhaps with the substantial wind on their backs the Cornish all Blacks might do better in the second half. It started badly as Orrell attempted to tighten the screw and mounted some determined attacks with Chris Glynn, Warren Spragg, and Sion Williams featuring most strongly. There work was rewarded by a further penalty, for not releasing, after five minutes of the second half to increase the home side's lead to nine points. It did not last long. When Orrell number 5, John Robson, was yellow-carded for going into a ruck feet first Stuart Alred narrowed the gap to six points. Launceston took advantage of their numerical advantage to force Orrell onto the back foot. A string of three penalties to the visitors ended with a line-out only 8m short of the Orrell line. A classic catch and drive resulted in Richard John coming up with the ball (he was accused by one spectator of nicking the ball off one of the forwards but Bonzo would never do that). Stuart Alred landed a long touch-line conversion to put the Cornish All Blacks into the lead for the first time.
That lead did not last long. Orrell slipped into a slender two point lead on the 60 minute mark after Launceston were penalised, yet again, for not releasing. Every referee has a 'pet hate' and this offence is obviously Terry Hall's. Why can't players pick this up on the field and make more of an effort not to offend? Launceston had a good period of play in the Orrell 22 but could not get over the line. It wasn't until the 71st minute that they took the lead once more with an Alred penalty, awarded for off-side, some 28m out. 15-16 to the visitors with ten minutes to; it was still all to play for.
It looked all over in the 78th minute when Stuart Alred intercepted an Orrell pass, immediately passed to Marc Sweeney to make the initial break through the Orrell defence. He passed to Nigel Simpson, who could probably have crossed the line himself but as he drew in the defenders he off-loaded to Stuart Alred to score his first try for the Cornish All Blacks. He missed with the difficult touch-line conversion. Seeing their visitors only holding a six point advantage and with injury time to go Orrell redoubled their efforts to find the try that had eluded them all afternoon. Despite some really spirited efforts they were stopped in their tracks by the Launceston defence.
This was a spirited game even if not a brilliant Launceston performance; a win is a win and an away win is always sweet. Again well done 'You Blacks' for fighting back so well. As for the young Orrell team; we may be seeing them disappear into Nat Three (North) next season but I, for one, would not be a bit surprised if they are back in National Two the season after.
Orrell scores: pens, Mason (5)
Launceston scores: tries, John, Alred; con, Alred; pens, Alred (3)
Orrell: Chris Glynn, Adam Ross, Pat Leach, Chris Briers, Warren Spragg (capt), Simon Mason, Phil Caslake, Derek Salisbury, Paul Millea, Matt Collie (Mark Chivers 4-8), Richard Bradshaw, John Robson, Sion Woodward, Dan Hall, Matt Henwood; reps not used; Craig Ross, Steve Robinson, Sam Reay. Yellow Car; John Robson
Launceston: Peter Murchie (Andy Birkett 65), Nigel Simpson (Andy Birkett 10-14), Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Jason Bolt Adam Flide 57), Dave Risdon (capt), Ian Langbridge, John Griffiths, Julian Wilce (Dave Sims 68), Nick Burnett, Wayne Sprangle (Josh Lord 42), Stuart Williams
Referee: Mr Terry Hall (RFU) .
The Reds gave a below par performance in going down at home to Stourbridge. If defeat was not bad enough, the visitors rubbed salt into the Redruth wound by scoring four tries to take all 5 points on offer and ensure their own survival in National League Two for next season.
From the opening minutes the visitors had set the stall out with the industrious winger Freeman bundled into touch by Lewis Vinnicombe. The visitors maintained the pressure and were rewarded when the ball was spun along the line for Freeman to make amends and score in the Strawberry Lane corner after 7 minutes. Ally Bressington was unable to add the extras.
Redruth got a penalty from the restart and Gavin Donald kicked into the Piggy Lane corner. Dan Goodwin took the lineout and the Reds drove up to the line. Redruth were awarded a second penalty, which Donald again kicked to the corner. Redruth maintained the pressure. Stourbridge were reduced to 14 men as prop Virgil Hartland was shown the yellow card. Despite a numerical advantage, Redruth were unable to make any headway and Stourbridge were able to clear their lines as the Reds infringed. Worse was soon to follow as a high kick from skipper Mark Richards was gathered by Jon Hall, who merrily skipped through some weak Redruth tackling to pass to Iyran Clunis, who happily scored on 21 minutes the visitor's second try, Bressington's conversion making it 12-0.
A few minutes later and Redruth almost conceded a third try but thankfully Mr. Phillips brought back play. Donald saw a penalty attempt for the Reds sail well wide. Stourbridge lost another player to the bin just before half time as Scott Witcomb, their No 8, lashed out at Vinnicombe.
The second half saw Redruth nibble away at Stourbridge's lead thanks to the boot of Donald, who kicked penalties on 46, 55, 62, and 75 minutes to pull the Reds level on the scoreboard. But Stourbridge had other ideas and it was Freeman who claimed his second try of the afternoon in the Piggy Lane corner to put his side 17-12 up and break the Reds' hearts. With time almost up, it was prop forward James Tidswell who roared in from almost his own half to score the bonus-point try which Bressington converted to make it 24-12.
Redruth: Gavin Donald, Lewis Vinnicombe, Craig Bonds, PJ Gidlow, Marek Churcher (Henry Blandford 68), Mark Richards (capt); Darren Jacques (Ashley Morcom 60), Sam Harrison (Mark Harper 60), Sam Heard, Damien Cook, Richard Carroll, Nathan Pascoe, John Navin (Ashley Lawton 68), Dan Goodwin .
Stourbridge: Jon Hall, Martin Freeman (Adam Gittins 80), Toby
Wilson, Mark Eastwood, Ally Bressington, Sam Robinson, Soane Havea (Toby
Handley 69); Virgil Hartland, Alan Keylock (Adam Sturdy 79), James Tidswell,
Simon Homer, Ally Muldowney, Thomas Jordan, Stean Williams (capt, I. Clunis
12-23), Scott Witcomb
Yellow Cards: Hartland, Witcomb .
Referee: Mr. Richard Phillips (RFU) .
After the disappointment of their defeat at home to Harlequins last Sunday, the Cornish Pirates faced another tricky match up in Yorkshire at Otley. They were pleased to return to Cornwall with a first-ever win at Cross Green.
Lock Joe Beardshaw scored the opening try for the Pirates on 15 minutes when driven over by the pack.
Tempers were frayed at times, with Pirates' prop Alan Paver sin-binned and Otley's flanker Scott Connor getting a straight red from referee Mr Lander. The Pirates made use of their advantage when No 8 Tim Cowley scored the Pirates' second try on 45 minutes. However, Cowley also found his way to the sin-bin 10 minutes later.
During the period of Cowley's absence Otley scored their only points of the afternoon when Waisale Sovatabua scored a try, which was converted by Robin Kitching. Lee Jarvis wrapped up the win for the Pirates with a 63rd minute penalty.
This sets up everything now for the visit of Plymouth Albion to Kenwyn on Easter Monday.
Halifax thoroughly deserved to take their one point back to Yorkshire after this fast and highly entertaining game. Despite Halifax dominating the first quarter they were only able to get one score. The slightly rearranged Launceston team then settled down. A brilliant Stuart Alred drop goal opened the account; they then ran in three tries in quick succession to turn round with a healthy 22-5 advantage. Halifax used the wind to their advantage in the second period to close the gap; writes Tony Randel .
The flight down from Yorkshire obviously suited the visitors as they came out looking really up for the game. Apart from an early run down the Launceston left wing by Nigel Simpson the first 15 minutes was all Halifax. They pinned the home side down in their own 22 and forced them into conceding a series of penalties. When Stuart Alred did get a chance to clear the line Halifax took a quick throw-in and were right back where they started - camped in the Launceston 22. After a further penalty against the Cornish All Blacks for pulling down the maul Halifax took the 5m scrum and were justly rewarded with a try by flanker Dan Solomi.
Launceston retaliated with some good tactical kicking by Steve Perry and Andy Birkett; this forced Halifax onto the back foot. When a clearance kick went straight to Stuart Alred on the half way line he coolly took his time and landed an exquisite drop goal; a real champagne moment by anyone's reckoning. Next score was also to Stuart. After a quick ball back from a line-out to Richard John he served a good pass for Stuart to take on the run; he cut through the Halifax defence to go some 30m before touching down between the posts. He added the extras to put the Cornish All Blacks into a lead they never relinquished. Five minutes later the ever bustling Nick Burnett gathered from the base of a scrum and made the hard yards before passing to Barry Chapman, who made 30m to the line at a pace that would credit many a back and not often seen from a lock. Again Stuart Alred landed the conversion. The third Launceston try, on 41 minutes, came from a classic move by the back line. Andy Matchett made the break, passed to Nigel Simpson, whose size and speed make him a formidable outside centre. After making most of the ground he passed outside to Marc Dibble to score right in the corner. Alred landed a long and difficult touch-line conversion. With the Launceston machine in top gear after the early stutter and a 22-5 lead a big score looked on the cards.
However Halifax, now with the strong wind on their backs, had different ideas! A good Launceston move from deep in their own 22 involving Andy Matchett, Nigel Simpson, Dave Sims and Richard John was stopped in the visitors 22. When Launceston were penalised for not releasing all the good work was for nought!. With 12 minutes of the second half gone the Halifax danger man Rob Afoa-Peterson gathered from the base of a scrum a scythed through a rather flat footed Launceston defence. Although Tom Eaton missed that conversion he made no mistake with a penalty three minutes later to bring the score back to 22-13. Just entering the fourth quarter Launceston were exerting pressure in the Halifax 22. A good chip ahead by Steve Perry was well gathered by Marc Sweeney who jinked outside the Halifax defence to score; again the reliable Alred boot added the extras. But Halifax were not done for yet. A good break from open play gave Dan Solomi a chance to score his second try of the day, concerted by Tom Eaton the bring the score to 29-20 with twelve minutes to go. With both sides 'trying too hard' both gave away penalties but Halifax came out winners of the penalty battle when Tom Eaton kicked a difficult one from 40m on the stroke of time. Despite one dangerous move down the left wing by William Greenwood Halifax had no more in the tank; but they had pulled the score back to 29-23 so took home the bonus point.
It was a cracking game played in a good spirit. Seven tries and a drop goal is no end of season 'comfort zone' affair!
Launceston: tries, Alred, Chapman, Dibble, Sweeney; cons, Alred (3); drop goal, Alred
Halifax: tries, Solomi(2), Afoa-Peterson; con, Eaton, pens, Eaton (3)
Launceston: Andy Birkett, Marc Dibble (Marc Sweeney 58), Nigel Simpson, Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Adam Flide, Gareth Davies, Ian Langbridge, Julian Wilce, Dave Sims (capt) (Dave Kimberley 58), Barry Chapman, Steve Dyer, Nick Burnett (Dave Risdon 52-58): rep not used, Peter Murchie.
Halifax: Ben Mitchel (Adam Canning 34), William Greenwood, Craig Emerson, Richard Hughes, Oliver Marns, Tom Eaton, Joe Bartlett, Gareth Richardson, Carl Mortimer (capt), Andrew Gravil, Richard Hill, Craig Wilson, Davis Jessiman (Gareth Lewis 76), Dan Solomi, Rob Afoa-Peterson: reps not used David Thorp. Stuart Hill
Referee: Richard Parker-Sedgemoor (RFU).
A late flourish from the visitors was not enough to win the day at the Rectory Field, though a much improved performance will have given the Redruth supporters cause for optimism for Wednesday evening's Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup Final at Camborne against league rivals Launceston.
After an exchange of penalties, it was the Reds who had a scoring chance close to the Blackheath line, which they spurned. Instead it was to be the home side that scored two tries just before half-time through winger Burger Sandenburg and full back Frankie Neale, with Neale converting the first score. Redruth also lost skipper Mark Richards before half-time, which meant a re-jig to the side with Marek Churcher filling in at 9.
Nevertheless, it was Redruth who made a fine start to the second half when they were awarded a penalty try after flanker Dan Goodwin was held back illegally. Unfortunately Redruth then found themselves down to 14 men as prop Sam Heard was yellow carded upon the recommendation of the linesman. Blackheath took full advantage as winger Roman Piotrowski scored Club's third try, which Neale converted.
Reds' top try scorer Lewis Vinnicombe was bundled into touch just short of the try-line. Gavin Donald kicked a penalty for the Reds on 55 minutes, before Piotrowski scored his second and Blackheath's fourth try, which Neale again converted to open up a 16 point lead. Still the Reds were not done and showed some of their fighting spirit when Sam Heard crashed over out wide for a fine try. Then, moments later, some neat work from centre PJ Gidlow made an opening for Craig Bonds to run in under the posts for Donald to add the extras. The Reds though couldn't claim a winning score in the time remaining. They will give the men from Launceston a run for their money on Wednesday night at Camborne.
In South West 1, Penryn will need a big win in their final match, and results elsewhere to go their way, to stave off a return to SW 2 West next season. The Borough lost at Oxford Harlequins 34-15 in a must-win match for both sides. Penryn scored three tries through Kevin Hughes, Chris Mann, and Ben Short.
In South West 2 West, champions Mount's Bay won at Hornets 41-34 and in the process handed St. Ives a play-off place and a chance of a return to South West 1, against Swanage & Wareham. It was a close call, with Mount's Bay only confirming their win in the last few moments of the game. Bay had built up a good lead 27-10 with tries from Adam Redgrave (2), Owen Hambly, and Ryan Westren (who also kicked a couple of conversions and a penalty), only to find themselves trailing 34-27! Everard Reid and Owen Hambly scored the tries, with Westren adding the conversions to complete the win.
Meanwhile, at Alexandra Road St. Ives did their bit in defeating Berry Hill 36-5. Neil Corin grabbed two tries, with other tries coming from Louis Stevens, Sam Snee, and Lee Taylor. Dan Hooper's boot added the other points.
Camborne ensured that they will be playing in this division next season as they defeated Gloucester Old Boys 34-29. The Cherry and Whites built up a healthy 22 - 0 lead after 30 minutes, with tries from Jimmy Richards, Andy Yates, player/coach Brian Andrew, and Scott Macdonald, with Dave Mankee adding a solitary conversion. However, already-relegated Old Boys fought back to 19-22. Nathan March and Joe Parma scored further tries for Camborne to ensure their survival.
Truro are very much in trouble at the wrong end of the table, following their 37-26 loss at Brixham. Luke Trescothick, Joe Williamson, and Sam Parsons scored their tries, with Scott Martin kicking the other points.
In Western Counties West, Bude won 41-0 over basement side Ival Barbarians, whilst Hayle lost 46-20 to Kingsbridge.
A TRY seven minutes into injury time from Kevin James ensured the Cornish Pirates bid adieu to their Kenwyn base in dramatic style with victory over local rivals Plymouth Albion.
With the Pirates set to play their final National League One game of the season against London Welsh back at the Mennaye Field on April 29, the future remains unclear as to whether they will grace the Truro venue next season.
However, if this was to prove the conclusion to their short, but somewhat sweet stay 'Up on the Hill', then the Pirates served up the perfect parting gift to their army of supporters - the numbers of which have swelled steadily during the season following their short sojourn up the A30.
Trailing 28-22 four minutes into injury time, it seemed the points were heading East with Graham Dawe's powerful Albion Armada, who overcame a formidable opening half-hour from the Pirates to claw themselves to within inches of a famous victory. With honours even between the two sides this season - Albion triumphed 36-20 in the Powergen Trophy back in November, before the Pirates gained their revenge with a 26-23 victory in the league in December - things were always going to be tight between the cross-Tamar rivals.
In Round Three, however, it was the Pirates who flew out of the blocks. In a rousing opening, Heino Senekal, Duncan Roke and skipper Gavin Cattle all went close, before South African No.8 Matt Evans broke the deadlock on 11 minutes when, aided by his fellow forwards, he was powered over the line from a line-out, Lee Jarvis converting. Minutes later and they were adding to their tally, flanker Joe Bearman intercepting a telegraphed pass from Albion fly-half Ed Barnes to race in from 60 metres to score. Jarvis missed with the conversion, but he atoned on 28 minutes when he fired over a penalty to put the hosts 15-0 up.
Albion were clearly reeling and in need of a pick-me-up of some sorts. So, in troubled times, they resorted to the good old tried-and-trusted, prop Martin Rice burrowing over from a catch-and-drive move, which Barnes converted. Barnes could have reduced the arrears yet further, but he failed with penalty kicks either side of the break. However, when Pirates prop Alan Paver was sin-binned for not rolling away at the tackle area, Albion used the man advantage to great effect. Using quick ball over a ruck just inside the Pirates' half, Barnes latched onto a pass from Nigel Cane, before dropping his shoulder and brushing off the attentions of at least four home tacklers to score and convert.
However, better was to follow for the Devonians, who claimed converted try number three on the hour mark, Alfie Tooala, Keni Fisilau, Luke Arscott and Ed Lewsey combining to set-up Regardt Van Eyk to touchdown. Renewed impetus - in the shape of Vili Ma'asi and Nick Adams - was sent on in a bid to add some fresh muscle up front for the home side - and the move clearly paid off as Ma'asi was the initial instigator of Rhodri McAtee's try six minutes from time.
With Cattle having been dragged to the bottom of a ruck, Ma'asi took control at the base lobbing a pass right to Matt Jess, who in turn fed Wade Kelly, he linked with Richard Welding, whose electric burst through the middle created the opening for the 'Welsh Whippet' to glide his way in from 15 metres out, Jarvis obliging with the tough conversion to make it 22-21. The drama, however, was far from over and when full-back Arscott picked his way through the home defence with 84 minutes on the clock, Barnes converting, Albion sensed this could well be their day.
The Pirates, though, had other ideas and using their pack to edge ever closer to the visitors' line with a series of pick-and-go moves, it was James who emerged from a mass of bodies with the match-ball in hand. Jarvis converted with the final kick of the game to seal a memorable win.
Cornish Pirates Scores (29): Tries - Evans, Bearman, McAtee, K James; Conversions - Jarvis 3; Penalty - Jarvis
Plymouth Albion Scores(28): Tries - Rice, Barnes, Van Eyk, L Arscott; Conversions - Barnes 4
Pirates: R McAtee; R Welding, D Roke (M Jess 40), W Kelly, K James; L Jarvis, G Cattle (capt), A Paver (D Parkes 61), N Makin (V Ma'asi 67), D Seal (N Adams 67); H Senekal, J Beardshaw (S Hockings 70), T Cowley (Parkes 52-61), M Evans.
Replacements (not used): N Chivers, T Barlow. Yellow Card: Paver.
Albion: L Arscott; E Lewsey, R Van Eyk, K Fisilau, N Sestaret; E Barnes, N Cane; M Rice, S Friswell, R Hopkins; N Rouse (M Lewis 33-40), B Luxton; M Schusterman, D Thomas (capt, C Lowrie 80), A Tooala.
Replacements (not used): N Saumi, J Fabian, M Albina, A Livesey, G Dawe. Referee: T Wigglesworth (RFU)
Attendance: 3,850.
CORNISH Pirates' coach Jim McKay returned to the Westcountry well satisfied with both his team's performance and the five points, which ensured their best-ever finish in the National Leagues after their 28-21 victory at Coventry. While many Cornish followers may have been concerned about the toll taken by Easter Monday's spectacular late win over Plymouth Albion, the Pirates showed their mettle by producing a high-quality, four-try display at a traditionally poor hunting ground to delight their Australian coach.
McKay said: "Our endeavour was very good. It's not an easy place to come - we've lost our last two games here - but I thought both teams really threw the ball around a lot. That's the second week in a row that we've been involved with a really good spectacle. I was really pleased with the whole squad, it was a real good team effort."
The Pirates made a determined start, and were unperturbed by the loss of fly-half Lee Jarvis to a groin injury during the warm up, scoring a try and conversion within six minutes as Tom Barlow stepped in capably at number ten.
The Cornishmen went straight on the attack and kept possession through more than ten phases of play in front of a stretched Coventry defence. However, the Midlanders' resistance finally broke when Barlow's long pass found Wade Kelly on the right before he off-loaded to Rhodri McAtee, who burst between two men to touchdown in the corner. Barlow then set the tone for his afternoon by placing the tricky conversion straight through the posts to give the Pirates an early lead.
To Coventry's credit, this opening salvo did spur them into action with crowd-favourite Kurt Johnson leading the fightback with his positive running from the right wing. Apoua Stewart also had a chance to pull back some points for the home side, but his handling let him down at the crucial time.
The Pirates, though, were still looking dangerous on the counter attack, and it was no surprise when their second try of the half came after a well-worked breakaway. McAtee led the charge, carrying the ball 40 yards before being caught. But, controversially, referee Tim Beddow failed to spot a knock-on by the visitors, who subsequently added a second try through Tim Cowley, converted by Barlow, with 24 minutes played on the clock.
Coventry's injury-ravaged side continued to work tirelessly and managed to get the scores level by half-time after an impressive ten-minute spell before the break.
Johnson scored both tries, with the second proving to be the try of the game. Receiving a pass from Stewart, he cut inside at pace on the scissors, before displaying his pace and power to run to the posts. Pirates-bound James Moore succeeded with both conversions to leave it 14-14 at the turn.
The Pirates were again bright on the restart, scoring a third converted try after only a minute. A series of pick-and-go moves appeared to be going nowhere, until the diminutive McAtee took charge and stretched his way to the line. Coventry, however, refused to go quietly and restored parity on 65 minutes after Tom Johnson set replacement Dave Tiueti free to run the ball clean through from 30 yards out. Jon Higgins stepped up to convert after Moore had left the field with a leg injury.
The Cornish side were far from finished and it was skipper Gavin Cattle who scored the decisive try after charging down an attempted Coventry clearance. His quick-thinking and sound handling left him with the straight-forward task of running the ball the final 35 yards to the try line unobstructed. Barlow completed a fine afternoon's kicking by converting to complete the scoring.
Although McKay was pleased with his team's effort, ever the perfectionist, he still would have liked his team to have taken more from the game. He said: "In the end both teams will think that maybe they could have taken more chances - we certainly think that - and I think Coventry will as well."
Coventry scores (21): Tries - K Johnson 2, Tiueti; Conversions - Moore 2, Higgins
Cornish Pirates scores (28): Tries - McAtee 2, Cowley, Cattle; Conversions - Barlow 4.
Coventry: A Stewart; K Johnson (D Millard 55), D Sanders, K Geraghty, J Moore (D Tiueti 58); J Higgins, M Walls (C McGrath 50); N Treston (K Pulu 62), R Protherough (capt), P Bucknall (R Brits 71); D Campton, P Clapham; H Venter, B McNamee, T Johnson. Replacements (not used): R Chrystie, N Witkowski.
Cornish Pirates: R McAtee (M Jess 57); R Welding, D Roke, W Kelly, K James; T Barlow, G Cattle (capt); D Parkes (A Paver 45), N Makin (V Ma'asi 64), D Seal (N Adams 57); H Senekal, S Hockings; J Bearman, T Cowley, M Evans. Replacements (not used): N Chivers, J Beardshaw, S Peters.
Referee: T Beddow (RFU). Attendance: 1,250.
Moseley may have surrounded themselves with an aura of invincibility but despite the score line it looked pretty fragile at Billesley Common on Saturday. Launceston were completely outplayed fifteen minutes either side of half time, giving away five tries in that time, but held their own for the rest of the game. It was a game the Cornish All Blacks should have won; whether the loss was due to end-of-season blues and tiredness or whether it was due to team selection is no doubt a matter that will be discussed at length over a beer or so during the coming week; writes Tony Randel.
Launceston started well enough, playing into a substantial wind, with a good Marc Sweeney run; but he held onto the ball just too long when he had a man unmarked outside him. They then won an early line-out against the throw whilst Moseley were gaining their composure. It only took about ten minutes for Moseley to look the better drilled team; their set pieces and obviously rehearsed moves were beginning to put the Cornish All Blacks on the back foot. Twice the home side set up rolling mauls to which the visitors had no answer. Nevertheless the Midlanders could not beat the determined Cornish defence; all the back row, plus Steve Perry and Stuart Alred put in some massive tackles.
On the 15 minute mark Steve Perry made a break after a scrum. He got through the first line of Moseley defence before passing outside to Marc Sweeney, who was tackled as he got the ball. Launcestion were back in the Moseley 22 but could not stay there. When they were penalised for not releasing, Moseley were right back. From the line out the ball passed very fast down the Moseley back line for Nathan Bressington to score way out by the touch-line; Greg MacDonald added the extras. Straight from the kick off Steve Dyer made a break; he drove through three Moseley tackles before passing to Stuart Alred to make more ground. Stuart sent a lovely long looping pass right out to the wing to send Marc Dibble over the line right in the corner. Stuart missed the very difficult conversion.
At 7-5 after 26 minutes it was still anybody's game. Then it all started going wrong for Launceston. They were penalised for not releasing and then twice for crossing. At all three line outs they never really competed and the inevitable break came after the third when flanker Mark Evans passed direct to winger Carl Colvin, who had come in to the centre to make the break; as he drew in the Launceston defence he offloaded to Bressington for his second try. MacDonald converted. Launceston then lost three line-outs of their own on the trot! Moseley scored after the third with a very similar move to the one five minutes earlier, with again Nathan Bressington scoring and MacDonald converting. Then came a couple of minutes of Launceston playing like they can; good moves as the backs and the back row linked, but it was not enough. Once forced back into their own 22, the Cornish All Blacks appeared to capitulate again as Moseley pushed over for a try by James Rodwell from a 5m scrum. Greg MacDonald's conversion made it 28-5 at half time.
Two good forays by Steve Dyer and Stuart Williams, who both played blinders all day, Nigel Simpson and Marc Sweeney showed that there was some spirit in the Launceston team. Launceston gained two penalties within three minutes of the restart but lost the line-out on each occasion - a complete waste of all the effort. Moseley got back on the score board in the 49th minute when Launceston were penalised for pulling down the maul. From the ensuing line out the ball was spun along the Moseley back line for Carl Colvin to sail over the line. Two minutes later they added a further 5 points when Evans gathered from a scrum, fed full back Andy Binns who had joined the line to pass to Bressington for his fourth try!
The experienced Launceston quartet sitting on the bench were now brought on and the whole game changed complexion. Line-outs were won, the front five started making an impact and the backs were getting the ball with a bit of space to do something. One real chance was squandered when a Marc Sweeney pass went straight into touch as Nigel Simpson was not quite up to it but things were looking much more positive. The backs now had the confidence to run the ball out of defence; the pack set up two good rolling mauls; the tactical kicking got Moseley going backwards and a Launceston score looked inevitable. It took time in coming as it was not until 74th minute that Stuart Alred gathered a loose ball on his own 10m line and set off for the goal line at a scorching pace, leaving three very fleet of foot Moseley defenders in his wake to score between the posts. He added the extras. There is much more to Stuart than just his kicking; in the last month or so he has become a really complete number ten. However, Moseley had the last say as again Mark Evans picked up from a scrum to pass to centre Daren O'Leary. He passed outside to Bressington, and switched to the wing himself to take the return pass to score in the corner. Two more Launceston attacks in the dying minutes were stopped by skilful Moseley defence.
A very disappointing result. Whilst the up and coming players must be given a chance to prove themselves at this level, or not as the case may be, is it not more prudent to establish a dominant position using the tried and tested and then introduce the less experienced one by one - even in the first half? Such a strategy might well have produced a very different result - but hindsight is a marvellous gift possessed by few!
Barking next week at home is a 'must win' to finish a long, hard and successful season on a high.
Moseley scores: tries; Bressington (4), Rodwell, Colvin, O'Leary; cons. MacDonald (4)
Launceston scores: tries, Dibble, Alred; con, Alred
Moseley: Andy Binns (Ollie Thomas 66), Nathan Bressington, Daren O'Leary, Andy Reay, Carl Colvin, Greg MacDonald, Gareth Taylor (capt), Paul Coles (Ben Buxton 69), Adam Caves (Tom McIntosh 69), Neil Bayliss, Alex Hadley (Dean Bick 69), Richard Stott, Mark Evans, Neil Mason, James Rodwell
Launceston: Peter Murchie (Andy Birkett 55), Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney, Steve Perry, Marc Dibble, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Adam Flide, Gareth Davies (Dave Risdon 51), Ian Langbridge, John Griffiths (capt), Dave Kimberley (Dave Simms 51), Josh Lord (Nick Burnett 57), Steve Dyer, Stuart Williams
Referee: Mr Steve Lander (RFU) .
Despite going down once again in this final home league encounter of the season, the Reds gave a good account of themselves against a side that will be playing National 1 rugby next season. Though once again the spectre of indiscipline raised its ugly head, with a 3-1 penalty count going against the Reds. This must be addressed before next season as it has cost the Reds dear and this league is unforgiving.
In a nice gesture Sam Heard and Lewis Vinnicombe, playing their final home match for the Reds before moving on to the Cornish Pirates next season, led the home side out. James Mann was presented with the "Supporters Player of the Year Shield" in recognition of his outstanding play this season. A minute's silence was observed impeccably in memory of Redruth stalwart Ralph Blewett.
Redruth kicked off towards the Piggy Lane corner against a strong wind and almost immediately earned a penalty, which Gavin Donald pushed wide. There then followed a period of aerial ping-pong as both sides tried to force an error and set up a platform to mount an attack. It was to be the Drummers who made the initial opening when wing Jan Van Deventer cut in from the wing and sliced through the Reds' cover to pass to his captain Freeman Payne, who scored a soft try on 11 minutes. Full back Steve Nutt missed with the conversion. Due to an oversight of no kicking tee being available from his bench he had to attempt a drop kick!
Redruth had a chance to reduce the arrears almost immediately from the re-start as Marek Churcher was impeded chasing his kick ahead, but sadly Donald missed with his goal attempt. However, the Redruth reply was not long in coming as scrum half Mark Richards created space with a good dummy and found winger Nathan Pedley, who ran strongly to the visitors 22. His inside pass was taken by centre PJ Gidlow, who ran in under the posts. Donald kicked the conversion to put the Reds in the lead 7-5 after 15 mins.
Play until half time became very scrappy with numerous stoppages. Vinnicombe was forced to retire with a shoulder injury, Henry Blandford coming on. Gidlow had an ankle injury, which took time to sort out.
Waterloo pressed hard on the Reds' line as half time approached, with firm Redruth defence keeping the visitors out down in the Strawberry Lane corner. Nutt did manage to kick a penalty to give his side the lead at the break, by which time both sides were down to 14 men as Richard Carroll and Waterloo No8 Njike Tchakoute were sin-binned for fighting!
Despite a bright start to the second half Redruth conceded a second try on 50 minutes as a sweeping move by Waterloo saw Neil Kerfoot hauled down short of the line in Hell Fire corner, only for the alert Deventer to be on hand to dive over for the score. The try remained un converted.
Redruth were now under the cosh as Mr. Parker-Sedgemore penalised them time and time again. On 57 minutes Waterloo scored a third try, a second for Payne. Again the tackling by the Reds was questionable.
Redruth showed plenty of willing but all too often found themselves penalised when in good attacking positions. Julian Hosking, on for Nathan Pascoe, combined well with Mann in a good attack for the Reds.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes Redruth got some reward for their endeavours. Another Richards' break saw him feed No 8 Dan Goodwin, who in turn passed to Reds' Man of the Match Marek Churcher, who scored in the scoreboard corner. Donald couldn't kick the touchline conversion, but there was a ray of light that, maybe, just maybe the Reds could pull this one out of the hat. It was not to be as even the losing bonus point went west as Nutt punished another Redruth indiscretion with a 79 minute penalty from the 22 in front of the posts.
Waterloo lost another player to the sin-bin as prop Martin O'Keefe, whose mobility, or lack of it, seemed to cause umpteen delays the whole match, fell foul of the referee.
Despite a final flourish Redruth couldn't score again.
Redruth: Churcher, Vinnicombe (Blandford 26), Bonds(capt), Gidlow, Pedley, Donald, Richards; Jacques, Harrison (A. Lawton 68) , Heard (Joyce 75), Carroll, Cook, Pascoe (Hosking 58), Mann, Goodwin.
Waterloo Drummers: Nutt, Kerfoot, Payne (capt), Duffy, Van Deventer, Handley (Aikman 70), Broxson; O'Donnell (Bone 23), Tyms (Ormisher 80), O'Keefe, White, Nugent, Smith, Palmer (Marshall 80), Tchakoute.
Ref: Mr. R. Parker-Sedgemore .
In South West 1, despite a win over Clifton by 23-22, Penryn were relegated back to South West 2 West next season. The scores were tied at 8-8 at half time, thanks to a Dave Pascoe penalty and a try from youngster Lewis Webb. Pascoe scored and converted his own try soon after half time and then Cornish Pirate-bound Webb, together with hooker Wells, helped set up a third try for Mike Slater. Despite a fight back from Clifton, Pascoe's second penalty sealed the win.
In South West 2 West, champions Mount's Bay rounded off their season by demolishing Gloucester Old Boy's 86-14 and in the process passing the 1,000 point mark for the season. Congratulations to the Bay from all at TASC on achieving South West 1 status next season.
St. Ives, as runners-up, have an important date next Saturday at Wareham, when they face South West 2 East runners-up Swanage & Wareham for a place in South West 1 next season. As a warm up there was a nice little run out against Camborne at the Recreation Ground. The game ended 21 all. St. Ives led 13-3 at the break, thanks to a Scott Rowe try and a conversion and two penalties from Dan Hooper. Dave Mankee kicked the solitary points for the Cherry and Whites. Hooper and Mankee swapped penalties early during the second half, before Mankee gathered his own chip ahead and scored a fine try. St. Ives stretched their lead with a second try from Rowe. Camborne staged a spirited fight back which augers well for next season with a try from centre Dave Roberts, converted by Mankee, who then kicked a match-tying penalty.
Despite a 20-15 win at home against Berry Hill, it's back to Western Counties West next season for Truro. Joe Williamson scored Truro's only try of the first half, before further tries from Paddy Patterson and Graham Lutey and the kicks of Ross Martin sealed the win.
In Western Counties West, Bude ran out winners at Crediton by 33-3, the North Cornwall side's tries coming from Rob and Dave Uglow, Steve Yates, Simeon Lewry, and Steve Johns. Paul Williams added the other points with the boot. Bude finished 5th.
Hayle rounded off their season with a 26-0 win at home over Paignton. Simon Pollard, Blaine Keary, Ashley Westren and Adrian Downing scored the Lions' tries. Hayle finished 7th.
CORNISH Pirates' coach Jim McKay was happy to end a successful season with a win but, ever the perfectionist, still wanted more from his team despite a convincing 36-13 victory over London Welsh at the Mennaye Field.
"Result-wise it was good. It wasn't the greatest performance, but both teams looked to play attacking rugby. We saw some good tries and it was played in pretty good spirit as well," he said. "We're happy with the five points again. We've finished the season on an equal number of wins with Bedford. "It was a fitting end to the season, a nice day down here, nice to be down at the Mennaye and there were some patches of good play."
The Pirates made an impressive start, just as they did at Coventry the week before, by scoring a try within the first two minutes of the game. Joe Bearman celebrated his farewell appearance for the Cornish side by running in over the line after breaking through the Welsh defence. Tom Barlow, playing at number ten for the second consecutive week, stepped up to add the extras.
Welsh, however, made a determined effort to get back into the game and were rewarded when Jonny Marsters scored a try with the Welsh pack's assistance on six minutes. Matt Cannon failed to make the conversion and the impetus was with the Pirates once more when Barlow's well-measured pass found Duncan Roke, who committed several Welsh players with a mazy run before playing the ball wide to Rhodri McAtee, who accelerated down the left wing to score the try.
Welsh responded again and cut the Pirates' lead to just two points when John Swords completed a fine team move after he received the ball from Gareth Swales on the left wing. Cannon, however, was unable to make the conversion that would have brought the teams level.
The Cornishmen regrouped and spent the majority of the remaining minutes before the interval in the Welsh half. Their persistence won them another try in the 33rd minute when Dan Parkes finished a forward drive. Barlow sent his conversion through the posts, only for the points cushion to be reduced by Cannon in stoppage time as he made his only successful kick of the day to score a penalty just in front of the posts.
A less eventful second half saw the Cornish Pirates score two converted tries and a penalty without reply as they showed the more workmanlike aspects of their game to dominate Welsh.
A drive-try from Matt Evans on 47 minutes was converted by Barlow, who himself scored with a penalty 12 minutes later. Lee Jarvis, who injured a groin muscle in the warm-up against Coventry the previous week, replaced Barlow with 19 minutes remaining, and it was his intelligent play that led to the Pirates' final try. Jarvis ran at the Welsh defence and just at the crucial moment passed wide to Kevin James, who displayed impressive athleticism to run the ball from the half-way line to just under the posts without being caught, flamboyantly making the touchdown to the delight of the home supporters.
McKay was pleased that his side managed to break free of Welsh in the second half and that he managed use all of his replacements. He said: "They're a very good side, they kept coming back at us and I was very pleased that we could use the 22 players today, so it's a whole group thing. "We were determined to send the boys who are leaving on their way with a good memory. It caps off a pretty successful season."
McKay's men finished the season in the club's highest-ever league position, but the Australian believes they could have gone higher than third place if they had maintained consistency over the whole season. "We're pleased, but I'm ever the extreme perfectionist. Shall we say, there's a couple of games we let slip," he added. "Having said that, I think Harlequins were the dominant side in the division, but with a bit more consistency on a couple of games we maybe could have finished second. "I think we have moved on and improved on and off the field, we're moving in the right direction."
Cornish Pirates scores (36): tries McAtee, K James, Parkes, Bearman, Evans; conversions Barlow 3, Jarvis; penalty Barlow.
London Welsh scores (13): tries Swords, Marsters; penalty Cannon.
Cornish Pirates: R McAtee, R Welding (M Jess 66), D Roke (J Beardshaw 80), W Kelly (M Jess 15-25), K James; T Barlow (L Jarvis 61), G Cattle (capt, N Chivers 61); D Parkes (A Paver 40, Parkes 73-80), V Ma'asi (O Hambly 61), D Seal (N Adams 50), H Senekal, S Hockings, J Bearman, S Betty, M Evans.
London Welsh: G Swales; J Swords, M Cannon, D Hayward (A Hopkins 63, L Cousins 67), T Holgate; M Meenan, A Chilten (capt, R Shaw 67); S Millard (S Croall 21), A Tauialo (R Griffith 63), J Marsters; H Quigley (M Barker 63), J Brownrigg; R Woods (C Waring 63), S Etheredge, P Cox.
Referee: N Williams (RFU).
Attendance: 1,724
There was a slightly festive feeling about Polson Bridge on this last day of the season. The sun was shining, there was a good crowd and a feeling that this might be an exciting game; neither side had anything to play for except pride, but that is a powerful motivator; as both sides were determined to put on an entertaining display. They did; eight tries and some really cracking rugby was a fitting end to the long and glorious career for clubs and country of stalwart Dave Sims as he hangs up his boots and a fitting farewell to faithful servant Andy Birkett, who is travelling the world (with his boots) for the next twelve months; writes Tony Randel.
The Cornish All Blacks looked really fired right from the kick-off. Wayne Sprangle hared off down the centre into the Barking 22 before he was stopped by a wall of 'Cardinal and Grey'. Stuart Alred and Nigel Simpson made near breaks and it was not until the restart after an Alred penalty on 15 minutes that Barking got into the Launceston half. Then they struck, a quick ball tapped back from the line out to scrum half Andrew Eaton gave him the chance to skip round the back of the line to score between the posts; the deadly boot of ex-Italy international Corrado Pilat added the extras. 7-3 to Barking after 17 minutes was right against the run of play but rugby rarely goes according to the script!
The Launceston pack were at their formidable best, winning nearly all the set pieces and setting up some unstoppable rolling mauls. It was therefore not surprising that a catch and drive of fully 15m was rewarded with a Wayne Sprangle try, duly converted by Stuart Alred in the 24th minute to nudge the home side into the lead. They should have had another a couple of minutes later when Nigel Simpson sent Marc Sweeney away, as Steve Perry moved to his outside he tripped-up the runner in spectacular fashion! They still remain friends!
A classic display of running rugby brought the Cornish All Black's second try on the half hour when Richard John gathered from a scrum to send a long pass to Marc Sweeney. He quickly off-loaded to Andy Birkett, who made the try before he passed to Wayne Sprangle moving at speed on the wing. Stuart Alred landed the difficult touch-line conversion.
Five minutes later Barking closed the gap; fast and powerful winger Mounga Kafatolu gathered a loose ball on his own 10m line and raced away; he was too fast for the Launceston defence and touched down between the posts for Pilat to slot the conversion.
Another Launceston catch and drive just into first half stoppage time saw Wayne Reed come up with the ball; the Alred conversion opened up the gap again to ten points. But again Barking hit back! This time it was scrum half Eaton who picked up a loose ball and passed to Pilat to streak away; he converted his own try. It had certainly been a fast and furious first half with Lasunceston having 70% or so of both territory and possession but Barking making the most of every possible opportunity.
The visitors took the lead almost from the restart when winger Felise Ah-Ling got a turn-over ball on his own 10m line and raced away. Like his opposite winger Kafatolu he was just too fast for any Launceston player to get near. Pilat added the extras. The Cornish All Blacks saw the constant danger posed by the Barking back three and kept the ball tight in the forwards. This frustrated Barking, who gave away a series of penalties to allow the Cornish All Blacks to work their way up to the Barking try line. The two Launceston Barbarians then combined to put the home team ahead once more. Nick Burnett made a break from one line out but as he was stopped just short of the line he offloaded to Wayne Reed on his shoulder for Reeder to score - props don't often get two in a game! Alred added the extras.
The pattern of this game was that Barking would hit right back. They tried but to no avail. When their hooker, Wilhelm Nel, was sin-binned for yapping at the referee Alred fired the penalty to open up the gap to six points. Barking could do nothing but hold on in the last ten minutes but they went home with two well deserved bonus points after playing a great part in a very entertaining afternoon's rugby.
So ends another season and what a season. Highest ever position in the league; Champions of Cornwall - again; two Barbarians and one England Counties cap - not bad for 'an ancient market town of 7000 souls'. Well done All You Blacks; God speed and many thanks to Dave Sims and Andy Birkett.
Launceston scores: tries, Sprangle(2), Reed(2); cons, Alred (4); pens, Alred (2).
Barking scores: tries, Eaton, Kafatolu, Pilat, Ah-Ling; cons, Pilat(4).
Launceston: Andy Birkett, Nigel Simpson, Marc Sweeney (Marc Dibble 55), Steve Perry, Andy Matchett, Stuart Alred, Richard John, Jason Bolt, Dave Risdon (capt), Wayne Reed, John Griffiths (Barry Chapman 50), Dave Sims, Josh Lord (Steve Dyer 48, Ian Langbridge 78), Wayne Sprangle, Nick Burnett.
Barking: Corrado Pilat, Mounga Kafatolu, Peter Mahoney, Anthony Skurr, Felise Ah-Ling (Mike Couser 64), Dave Gilmour, Andrew Eaton (capt), Leonard Liebenberg, Wilhelm Nel, Edward Ambrose (Metan Brosh 38), Macer Twydall (D Toweel 78), Ben Heydenrych, Rob Batho, Steve Hadley (Robert Connell 51), Sevanaia Rokobaro.
Referee: Mr Steve Harland (RFU).