THIRD LOSS ON THE TROT FOR PIRATES

The Cornish Pirates are going through a pretty tough time at the moment and on Saturday London Welsh heaped more misery on the Cornish side with a 34-10 win at Old Deer Park in the Championship.

It was the Pirates’ third straight loss with the Welsh exiles scoring six tries, to confirm their status as one of the pre-season favourites for promotion. Rhys Jones kicked a first half penalty with Wes Davies scoring a second half try, which Jimmy Moore converted.

The Pirates will hope to bounce back this Sunday when they entertain Birmingham & Solihull at Camborne with a 2pm kick-off.

In National League it was very much the case of the one that got away as the Cornish All Blacks let a 19-3 lead at Blackheath to lose 20-19 with the last kick of the match. Launceston’s head coach John Hill felt that his side had “committed suicide”

Launceston led at the break thanks to an un-converted try scored by centre Ryan Westren. A lead which they increased early in the second half with try from Ben Turner converted by Tony Yapp. Despite Blackheath getting on the scoreboard thanks to a penalty, Launceston’s Ed Lewsey scored his side’s third try with Yapp adding the extras.

Blackheath hit the All Blacks with two converted tries in the final ten minutes, before landing a long-range penalty with the last kick of the game to seal the win.

At Redruth, the Reds ran out predictable winners 91-5 against a hapless Manchester, who never-the-less deserve a huge amount of credit for never giving up and scoring a consolation try right at the end of the game. If Manchester keep on sticking at it as they did on Saturday then they will despite defeat make a lot of friends. I wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

In the Tribute regional league, in South West 1 West, St. Ives couldn’t prevent Sidmouth registering their first league win of this campaign as the Hakes lost 24-16. St. Ives who lost former Mount’s Bay scrum-half Mike Molloy this week to Maidstone saw all their points scored by Ashley Westren.

In the Western Counties West league, there were a couple of Cornish derbies with Camborne winning at the Sportscentre against Newquay Hornets 52-20. Town scored eight tries with touchdowns coming from Joe Parma (2), Rob Floyd (2), Dave Roberts, James Rapson, James Goldsworthy and Tom Hinds. Dave Mankee adding five conversions and Dean Pascoe one. For the Hornets, Rob McIntyre crossed for a brace of tries with Matt Cross getting a third. Sam Cullen kicked a conversion with Chevy Reed kicking a penalty.

At the Memorial Ground, Penryn and Truro drew 11-11 with Truro’s Scott Martin kicking a late penalty to earn a share of the spoils. Taron Peacock scored Penryn’s try with Rob Banks kicking a couple of penalties. Truro’s try was scored by Gareth Dodgson with Martin kicking two penalties.

Wadebridge Camels, despite being a little depleted on the player front won well at Okehampton 28-14. Sam Stone, Dan Briskham and Matt Grubb scored tries for the Camels with Josh Taylor kicking three penalties.

Bude found it hard going up at North Petherton where they lost 33-10. Paul Williams scored and converted his own try with Olly Denford kicking a penalty.

In London 2 SW, another defeat for our exiles as London Cornish lost 39-9 at Tottonians.

In the Cornwall & Devon league, a tremendous win for Stithians at St. Austell, whose season has gone off the rails in recent weeks. Stithians scored three tries in their 28-10 win with Steve Hall (2) and Andy Creedon scoring the tries. Martin Strick kicking the points and Mike Creedon a drop-goal. For St. Austell Tait Richardson scored a try, which Andy Ashwin converted as well as a penalty.

Falmouth lost heavily at leaders Wellington 36-0.

Hayle lost at home to Exeter Saracens 10-3, Kelvin James kicking Hayle’s only points.

Liskeard & Looe lost at home to Crediton 18-6, James Noel-Johnson kicking a couple of penalties.

Saltash defeated Torrington 22-19, thanks to a penalty-try and scores from Kieran Hurrell and Ben Devonport. Tod Crofts kicking the other points.

Wednesday night sees the delayed Annual General Meeting of Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club, when the winners of the “Bill Osborne” Memorial Shield for the Cornwall Player of the Year, and the “Tony Mead” Memorial Shield for the Cornwall U.20 Player of the Year will be formally announced.

Posted in Bill's Blog

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