Final league fixtures were completed this weekend and I think all the clubs can now breathe a huge sigh of relief that the leagues are over for another season.
There is still the matter of both CRFU Cup Finals to be played on Monday May 4th with Veor taking on Lanner in Clubs Cup at 1 pm and then Camborne playing St. Austell in the Knock-Out Cup at 3:15 pm. Both finals will be played at Truro RFC.
There is little rest for some players as tomorrow night Cornwall defend the Tamar Cup against Devon at Brickfields before embarking on their County Championship campaign with their opening game away to Gloucestershire at Cinderford on May 9th kick-off 3 pm.
The Cornish Pirates ended their campaign with defeat at Leeds Carnegie 27-5. The result sees the Pirates finish 8th in the table.
Given the squad I believe that it’s a fair return. It was a big gamble going with some inexperienced youngsters this season but they have learned quickly and will be the better for it next term.
Naturally there are players moving on, whilst others will be joining and who knows what gems Ian Davies and the backroom boys will uncover!
In National League 2 South Redruth defeated Southend 18-16 in a scrappy game. The Reds did just enough to win whilst the Saxons got the point they needed to stay up and condemn Lydney to the drop.
Redruth scrum-half Greg Goodfellow had a most eventful day, his 100th appearance for the club, voted the supporters player of the year and a red card from the ref!
The Cornish All Blacks slipped to defeat at play-off contenders Bishop’s Stortford 31-24. The Essex side now travel to Ampthill next Saturday to decide who goes up to National League 1 with Henley Hawks and Hull Ionians.
Coming down to National League 2 South will be Old Albanian, whilst Bury St Edmunds, Redingensians and play-off winners Barnes will step up to National 2 South. Bang goes the travel budget!
Play-off success saw Camborne’s nearest rivals Ivybridge promoted to National 3 SW next season. Cony Hill, Teignmouth and play-off winners Newent come into South West 1 West, with Chard and Weston-super-Mare dropping down. Again major travel concerns there.
In Western Counties West, a feast of local derbies next season with Truro, Wadebridge Camels, Penryn, St. Austell and Saltash all involved.
There is an unbalance so in all likelihood Wellington will be level-transferred to Western Counties North.
The Cornwall & Devon League will have Pirates Amateurs, Falmouth, Bude, Bodmin, Hayle, St. Ives and promoted Newquay Hornets after a season’s absence.
For their first season at this level Bodmin deserve great credit. Sadly Veor couldn’t join the party as they lost their play-off with Plymstock Albion Oaks.
Liskeard-Looe return to Cornwall 1 and will be joined by promoted clubs St. Agnes and Lanner, whilst Stithians and Roseland return to Cornwall 2.
Congratulations to Camborne Colts on winning the Colts Cup against Saltash 34-12 at Wadebridge on Friday night.
Also Truro College who Sunday departed for Japan to take part in the Sanix World Youth Championships. Their first game, of a two-week tournament, takes place this Thursday against Japanese side Josho Gakuen High. Hopefully Steve Larkins and Marek Churcher will keep us up-to-date with their progress.