Three matches into this season’s RFU Championship and the good news is that the Cornish Pirates are still unbeaten. As they are favourites with some to actually win the Championship this season – on the face of it unspectacluar news! Well for the fans it’s been a roller-coaster ride already with the Pirates seeming to put in a big first 40 minutes and then going awol during the second half. It happened at Moseley it happaned at the Mennaye against Doncaster Knights and for a time it looked likely against London Scottish yesterday at the Athletic Ground. “Good teams win ugly and I think that this was one of those games” was how backs coach Harvey Biljoen summed up his sides’ performance before adding “You have to look at the charcter the players showed to ground out the victory and I have to be impressed with that.”
Tries in the first quarter from the back row duo of Blair Cowan and Charlie Walker-Blair was added before the break with a third from flyer Dave Doherty, Rob Cook chipping in a conversion. Scottish had three penalties from Devonian Dan Mugford keeping them in the hunt.
Former Cornish All Black Steve Pape came on after half-time for Scottish and that appeared to spur on the home forwards for whom former Red Mark Bright was making his home debut at No.8.
The Pirates suffered a first yellow card as lock Ian Nimmo fell-foul of referee Mr Taylorson. Pape scored a try and Mugford’s conversion pegged the Pirates back to 17-16. Replacement hooker Dave Ward was on the field for just a few minutes when he copped his third yellow card in as many games this season! Pape grabbed a second try with Mugford once more adding the extras. Here we go again now trailing 23-17! Cook cut the deficit with a penalty.
With time fast running out Cook opted to kick to the touchline from a penalty, the ensuing lineout saw the Pirates drive over for a winning score and try-scoring bonus point with Cowan getting his second of the match.
To all supporters the message must be “Keep taking the blood pressure tablets!” The Western Morning News report can be found in the link
Wednesday evening at 5pm sees the Pirates open their British & Irish Cup campaign with a home fixture at the Mennaye against Bristol.
In National League 2 South, Redruth followed up their “ugly win” last week over the Cornish All Blacks with a solid performance at Ding’s Crusaders winning 35-13. With skipper Craig Bonds and flanker Owen Hambly both unavailable for this fixture, prop Peter Joyce took over the captaincy. A tight first half saw the sides tide a 6-6 with Brett Rule kicking a couple of penalties.
Dings came under pressure in the second half and for Redruth No.8 Tom Duncan scored two excellent tries to keep his record of having scored in each of the Reds’ four league matches thus far. Young Dean Bonds and Tom Notman got the other tries to ensure Redruth travelled home with all five points. Rule added three conversions and a further penalty. You can read Ed Bawden’s match report here
This weekend coming Redruth entertain high-flying Henley Hawks at the Rec in what promises to be an exciting game.
The Cornish All Blacks followed up their improved showing last week in defeat at Redruth with a first league win of the season at Polson defeating Westcombe Park 48-7 scoring six tries. No.8 Mike Rawlings, back from injury grabbed two, as did centre Lewis Paterson with lock Will Carrick-Smith and scrum-half Richard Friend getting the others. Kieron Lewitt added all six conversions as well as acouple of penalties. Western Morning News report can be found in the link
The All Blacks will look to maintain this form next week when they travel to Shelford.
In Tribute South West 1 West, Camborne won the derby against Penryn 14-10 at the Rec. Hooker Ben Priddey scored both the Cherry & Whites’ tries with Dave Mankee adding the conversions. For the Borough player-coach Adryan Winnan kicked an early penalty and then added the conversion to a late penalty-try. It was Penryn’s first league point of the season and lifts them off the bottom, Cambone with a second win lie in mid-table.
Wadebridge Camels got a good win on the road at Berry Hill winning 20-19. That’s the Camels first win in the league this season.
In Tribute Western Counties West, promoted St. Austell’s fine start was halted as they slipped to their first defeat at Okehampton 27-26, despite scoring four tries through Rob Jeffs, Alex Welland, Paul Winterbottom and Ben Chenoweth. Tom Miles adding three conversions. Truro got a losing bonus point at Wellington going down 17-13 with Justin Irons getting both Truro’s tries and Mark Richards MR kicking a penalty. St. Ives tasted success with a win at Kingsbridge 16-15 with Neil Corin scoring their and Jamie Prisk kicking the goals.
Bude defeated Devonport Services 12-9 with tries from Richie Herzog and Dan Pearce.
In London 2 SW, London Cornish lost their second game with 23-0 defeat at home to Wimbeldon, the loss was compounded with a mounting injury list at our exiles which will give DoR Dickon Moon food for thought this week!
In Tribute Cornwall & Devon league, Hayle continue their fine start with a 36-5 win over Crediton. Talan Daniels (2), Mark Britton, Sam Newman, Adam Cope and Mike Laity scored the Lions’ tries, with Ashley Hosking kicking the conversions.
Pirate Amateurs are just behind Hayle in the league following a 37-15 win against Teignmouth with Sam Heath (2), Steve Kent, Ben Eddy and Trevelyan Dugdale all crossing and Murray Westren kicking the goals.
Newquay Hornets defeated Torrington 42-0 at the Sportscentre whilst Falmouth Eagles defeated Withycombe 20-18 at the Rec.
There were however losses for Veor at Honiton 34-3, and Liskeard Looe who lost at Lux Park to Totnes 23-17.
