THE RED ARMY AWAITS

IT’S THE FINAL that everyone dreamed of, the CORNISH PIRATES up against the mighty men of MUNSTER, here in the Duchy at the Camborne Recreation Ground on Sunday 16th May with a 6pm kick-off. The very first British and Irish Cup final is going to be an ALL-CELTIC affair with plenty of passion, and no quarter given nor asked. On the terraces the “SINGING”, Trelawny will mingle with the Fields of Athenry. It promises to be cracking craic and the beer will flow well into the night win or lose.

Having disposed of the Ulster Ravans 27-3 on Saturday in the warm up to the Munster – Ospreys game at Thomond Park. It was left to the Pirates to book their place on Sunday and they did so thanks to a 43-5 drubbing of the Doncaster Knights.

Full-back Wes Davies got the opening try and further score came from Jonny Bentley, Chris Morgan, skipper Gavin Cattle, nick Jackson and Laurie McGlone, Bentley adding five conversions and a penalty. For the Kinights Bevan Armitage got a first half consolation score.

High Performance Coach Chris Stirling was pretty happy with his sides’ performance “It was an outstanding result. There were some parts of our game that weren’t great today but those outweighed by the good ones.”

Before the “invasion” of the Red Army from the emerald isle, the Pirates have a small matter of their final “Championship Play-Off” match against Bristol on Saturday. Whilst having to concede that they are now out of the reckoning, Pirates will be up against a Bristol side looking for a win to confirm a home semi-final.

In National League 1, the Cornish All Blacks completed their season with a 26-19 win over struggling Cinderford. The win sees the All Blacks finish in third place in the league, three points behind London Scottish, who will be everybody’s favourites for the league next season.

The All Blacks scored four tries thanks to Ben Turner, Bryn Jenkins, Ryan Westren and Sam Hocking with Tony Yapp adding three conversions.

After the match director of rugby Jon Hill was keeping his options open with regard to next season “I’ve got some thinking to do over the next week or so, I’ve been here for eight seasons but I have got to weigh up in my mind whether it would be a natural time to end it and let someone else take over. I have been asked to stay and will make my decision shortly.”

Redruth got the point that they needed to be totally safe from the relegation scrap as they lost 15-10 at Cambridge. It’s a game that the Reds will feel “got away”. Lewis Vinnicombe scored the Reds’ try with Adryan Winnan adding the conversion and a penalty. Redruth complete their program next Saturday when they travel to Esher to take on the National League 1 champions, Jon Inverdale et al!!

Congratulations to Wadebridge Camels who on Saturday defeated Western Counties North runners-up Thornbury 25-21 to clinch a spot in Tribute South West 1 West next season. Camels try scorers were Ben May, Sean Hawkey and Ian Boyling with Luke Davidson and Dan Prout landing a conversion each and Davidson also kicking two penalties.

In the Tribute Cornwall & Devon League, St. Austell completed their program with a 51-3 win at Plymstock, a result which sees them finish in third place. Relegated Saltash lost at home to Exeter Saracens 31-13.

Sunday also saw the Cornwall RFU U.18 Group Finals at Hayle RFC. Sponsored this year by Trelawny’s Army. A superb day’s rugby culminated in the Cup Final between Redruth and Truro with the Reds’ once again winning the Cup defeating Truro 12-6 in a tight, tense finale.

In the other finals played Penzance & Newlyn defeated Penryn in the Shield by 26-13. Wadebridge Camels won the Salver defeating Liskeard Looe 20-5. The Plate went to Bude who defeated Launceston 45-3, whilst the Bowl saw St. Austell defeat Saltash 13-10.

Congratulations to all the players who took part.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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