Bill Hooper’s Cornish Roundup

Eight wins from eight matches played and a healthy seven point cushion at the top of National League 3 South, the Mount’s Bay bandwaggon keeps on rolling following their latest success 20 - 5 win over London Scottish their nearest rivials at the Mennaye last Saturday.

Once again Lee Jarvis proved an inspiration to his team with his tactical nous and kicking game. Jarvis contributed ten points to the Bay’s haul with a couple of conversions a penalty and a drop goal. Bay’s tries came courtesey of Tom Edyvean and Andrew Cheung-Fook.

Bay’s win was almost the only ray of light on a disappointing week-end for Cornish clubs in the league.

In National League 1 both our sides lost. The Cornish All Blacks put up a tremendous fight at Butt’s Park Arena against Coventry finally losing 35 - 27. Recent signing Scott Ireland had a first start for Launceston and contributed 17 points with a try 3 conversions and a penalty goal. The CAB’s other points were scored by winger Matt Jess with a brace of tries. Ireland missed with a late penalty chance which could have snatched a losing bonus point. Launceston also handed a debut to another new signing Tinus Du Plesis a member of Namibia’s Rugby World Cup squad in France last month.

Next up for the Cornish All Blacks are the Exeter Chiefs at Polson on Saturday it’s going to be a cracking match.

Sunday brought disappointment to the Cornish Pirates’ fans as Nottingham with the final play of the game scored a converted try to win 22 - 21 at Camborne. It was always likely to be a tight game with both sides on 30 points prior to the match.

It all began so promisingly as full-back Ollie Thomas cut a great angle to score at the posts for Gareth Steenson to convert to put the Pirates 7 - 0 up after only 3 minutes.

This comfort zone proved to be short lived, as Nottingham won the ball from the re-start and moved the ball left, a burst of speed from Nottingham’s exciting full back Rohaan Nirmalendran created space for Alex Dodge to score in the club house corner, former Pirate Tom Barlow’s conversion failed. Thomas especially, was a constant thorn in the visitor’s side. Steenson and Barlow then swapped penalties, however when the Pirates did have possesion the backs looked static with the wrong options being taken all too often! The most glaring of all was a clear three man overlap which was completley ignored. Thomas was denied when he chased on a hack from James Moore having himself kicked the ball on over the tryline the deadball line saved the visitors. With the last play of the half Steenson kicked a penalty for the Pirates to leave them 13-8 up.

If the Pirates’ faithful thought that the second half would rubber stamp the win they were in for a big surprise. Steenson’s early attempt at a drop goal from distance went well wide,whilst before long Nottingham were beginning to get their powerful maul into gear. An initial surge was foiled illegally, sensing a score Nottingham kicked to the Town gate corner to set up another powerful surge from the lineout which took them over the line for tight-head prop Nigel Hall to score. Barlow added a fine conversion to nudge the visitors into a 2 point lead.

At last the Pirates stirred themselves into action, following numerous phases of play flanker Chris Cracknell was driven over towards the scoreboard corner, Steenson couldn’t convert but made amends later with a penalty kick to stretch the Pirates to 21-15 with 15 minutes to play.

Instead of controlling the rest of the game the Pirates threw the iniative to Nottingham, allowing them field position, twice the Pirates were warned by Mr Spreadbury about pulling down the maul in the end Nottingham forced their way over the line for Sam Raven to score the try to allow Tonks to seal the points.

In National League 2, Redruth had to endure their longest trip of the season away up to Blaydon only to suffer a 25-0 loss and see winger Nathan Pedley dismissed towards the end of the first half for a dangerous tackle. The Reds will hope to bounce back on Saturday at home against Westcombe Park. Redruth should also learn the fate of their appeal against the points deduction following the Cambridge game on Tuesday evening.

In the regional leagues it wasn’t a great day either unless you are a Newquay Hornets supporter. St. Ives lost at home 6-5 to Maidenhead to remain second from bottom in South West 1. Marc Britton scored the Hakes try.

Camborne lost their seventh straight game at Yatton by 58 - 18 to remain firmly fixed to the bottom of South West 2 West, Nathan Curnow and Rob Ley scored tries for the Cherry & Whites with Joe Parma kicking the other points.

In Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels earned a 10 - 10 draw at Kingsbridge, Tom O’Donnell and Adam Coleman scoring the Camels tries. Hayle defeated Devonport Services 17-11 thanks to a last gasp penalty try converted by Adam Keverne, James Jago and Sam Heath scored the Lions other tries. Penryn are also firmly rooted to the foot of their league following a seventh defeat this time at home to Bude who won 15-6 at the Memorial Ground.

Up in London the Cornish renewed with victory as London Cornish claimed a fine win over Old Reigatian’s by 33 - 5 in London 3 SW, (see Dickon Moon’s match report in the forum).

Newquay Hornets sit proudly ontop of the Cornwall & Devon League following their 17-11 win at Truro. Rob McIntyre scored the only try for the Hornets with Ryan Jones kicking four penalties. For Truro Scott Martin kicked a couple of penalties with Luke Trescothick scoring a try. Falmouth’s game at Wessex was postponed.

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2

REDRUTH 31 – 22 WHARFEDALE (HT 17-7)

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Redruth.

After all the trials and tribulations of the past few weeks it was good for the Reds to get back to winning ways with this hard fought win over worthy and welcome visitors from the Yorkshire Dales.

Whilst coach Nigel Hambly will be delighted with the result he will be concerned at the Reds high penalty count and another sin binning for their recent signing Fale Seve. It may well be that the lads were a little over eager to get the result, which they badly needed. Redruth also had difficulty in dealing with the powerful Wharfedale maul, which resulted in three tries for the visitors.

It didn’t take long for the Reds to open the scoring as from a penalty kicked towards the Piggy Lane corner by fly-half Gareth Griffiths, Luke Collins secured the line out allowing hooker Glen Cooper to drive to the line and claim the try after only 3 mins, Griffiths adding the extras. After 10 mins the Reds had doubled their score when No 8 Mark Bright ripped the ball out of the tackle inside his own half and ran the ball in under the posts, Griffiths once more obliged with the extras.

Wharfedale soon hit back following a penalty kicked towards the Strawberry Lane corner a well worked catch-and-drive saw the visitor’s pack trundle over the line for flanker Oliver Renton to score, Andy Baggett kicked a fine conversion. Wharfedale continued to press and were denied by a fine tackle by winger Nathan Pedley, from the resulting scrum Seve was yellow carded for a professional foul. Thankfully for the Reds they conceded no points during their flanker’s absence, indeed Redruth were the more dangerous with Thirlby brothers combining well in attack. Redruth stretched their lead just before half-time when Griffiths kicked a penalty from 30 meters.

Wharfedale came out in determined mood for the second half with their England Counties centre Chris Malherbe looking dangerous. Baggett kicked a second penalty to reduce the arrears before the visitors drew level with another well worked try following another penalty kicked to the corner (Piggy Lane) which saw flanker David Clements driven over after 58 mins. Baggett kicked a fine conversion to make it 17-17. The crowd grew anxious wary of what had happened in the Reds last home game against Blackheath.

Redruth took play to the visitors with Pedley just being denied in the corner following good work from Bright. PJ Gidlow was twice denied from promising attacks, the points duly arrived through the boot of Griffiths, first a penalty from in front of the posts and then a neatly taken drop goal.

With their noses back in front the Reds looked to score tries, a blistering attack by Rob Thirlby up the Eastern Bank touchline saw his brother Paul finish off the move with the Reds third try which Griffiths failed to convert.

Wharfedale sensing a least a losing bonus point had another kick to touch from a penalty to set up another maul which, saw Clements claim a second try, Baggett couldn’t add the extras.

Redruth went in search of the fourth try and were pressing the Wharfedale line when they were awarded a kickable penalty with the last play of the game, Griffiths kicked the goal to deny the visitors a point.

Plenty for the Reds to build on as they embark next weekend on their longest trip of the season away up to Blaydon in Northumbria, they should travel in good spirits and will look to get a good result on the road.

Redruth 31 pts

Tries – Cooper, Bright, Paul Thirlby, Drop-Goal - Griffiths, Penalties – Griffiths (3), Conversions - Griffiths (2)

Wharfedale 22 pts

Tries – Renton, Clements (2), Penalty – Baggett, Conversions – Baggett (2)

Redruth: Rob Thirlby, Nathan Pedley, Craig Bonds (capt), PJ Gidlow (Simon Peters 75), Paul Thirlby, Gareth Griffiths, Mark Richards; Darren Jacques, Glenn Cooper, Peter Joyce (Ashley Morcom 77), Damien Cook, Luke Collins, Fale Seve (James Mann 49), Chris Fuca (Ben Priddey 77), Mark Bright.

Yellow Card – Seve (20 – 30)

Wharfedale: Neil Baggett, Dan Hart, Chris Malherbe, Andy Baggett (capt), Simon Horsfall, Luke Gray, James Doherty; Neil Dickinson (Adam Mason 72), Gavin Hindle, Chris Steel (Philip Peel 60), David Lister, Anthony Capstick, Oliver Renton (Robert Ladnor 72), David Clements, Robert Baldwin.

Rep not used; Mark Simpson

Referee; Mr Nigel Higginson (RFU)

Who would have thought six weeks ago at the start of RWC 2007 that this England squad would have had a cat-in-hell’s chance of successfully defending their World Crown? Certainly not following their 36-0 defeat against the Springboks nor their uninspiring win over the USA in Lens. Yet hard fought wins over Samoa, Tonga and Australia showed that this group of players led by Cornishman Phil Vickery had the resolve and inner strength to battle on never more exemplified than by their dogged win in last Saturday’s semi-final against France in Saint Denis 14-9.

Semi-Finals are by and large tediously dull affairs yet at the same time gripping, this was to prove to be no exception with the outcome going right down to the wire with Jonny Wilkinson drop kicking England into the final next Saturday against South Africa.

It will not have gone unnoticed in the land of the silver fern that England in reaching their third World Cup Final have eclipsed New Zealand (two finals) in rugby’s premier event. Can they go on and create their own piece of history and become the first nation to successfully retain the Webb Ellis Cup? Who would bet against them now?

The Cornish Pirates made it six wins from seven starts with a 24-14 win at Esher in National League 1. The Pirates who have been suffering with a lengthy casualty list saw all their points scored by James Moore and Ollie Thomas and are now fourth in the league.

It was always going to be hard and the reality is settling in at Polson as the Cornish All Blacks lost their sixth league encounter of the current campaign to the Pertemps Bees 32-8. A win which lifts the Bees from the foot of the table vaccating the slot for the CAB’s. Owen Hambly with a try and Stuart Alred with a penalty were the points scores for Launceston. They will look to bounce back this Saturday when they entertain London Welsh at Polson. A few off the field rumblings at Polson which will not help the club as everyone needs to pull togeather to get the team away from the wrong end of the table.

Redruth are another side where it has been far from plain sailing this season. The close season opptimisim of a promotion push has all but evaporated with a ten point penalty hanging over the club following the unfortunate events at Cambridge which have been well documented elsewhere. Following last Saturday’s home reversal against Blackheath a daunting trip to Waterloo awaited. To Redruth’s credit they were in the game and only lost towards the end 25 - 19 to gain a losing bonus point. Redruth also had the satisfaction of scoring three tries through Lewis Vinnicombe, Fale Seve and Mark Bright, with Gareth Griffiths kicking a couple of penalties. A blow for the Reds was Griffiths leaving the field with a broken thumb.

Below the top two National Leagues it was Cup day elsewhere, Mount’s Bay led the way with another comprehensive win over Barking 55 - 19, Bay ran in eight tries with one from Jamie Semmens who was making a welcome return following his broken leg. Trelawny’s Army player of the Year, Lee Jarvis kicked six conversions and a penalty. St. Ives also made the 2nd round draw with a 26-15 win at Bristol Harlequins.

In the Senior Vase Bude defeated Penryn in a close encounter at Bencoolen Meadow 22-21 with Paul Williams kicking the winning penalty for the North Cornwall side. Wadebridge Camels completed a good day for North Cornwall over the Fal estuary with a 39-12 win over Falmouth. Up in the home counties, London Cornish enjoyed a fine win at Trojans 25-24.

The reason for my lack of activity on this blog for the past couple of weeks has been my absence whilst attending some of the matches in France.

It’s been a tremendously exciting three weeks having attended all four of the host nation’s pool matches in Paris, Toulouse and Marseille. The atmosphere in France has been remarkable helped along by the excellent cuisine, fine wines and good beer. Everywhere you go RWC 2007 hits you, whether at Rugby Town just opposite the Eiffel Tower or in a sleepy village down south the whole country has been gripped with rugby fever. On the playing front there is no question that the ability of some of the so-called lesser nations has been the big plus in this World Cup. The failure of Ireland and Wales to progress to the Quarter-Finals coupled with England and Scotland being pushed all the way to secure their berths has shaken the old order in the Northen Hemisphere, France’s failure to beat the Pumas in their opening match has now left them with the unenviable task of facing the tournament favourites New Zealand at the Quarter-Final stage in Cardiff on Saturday night. This has caused a great deal of re-organisation for many as hotel plans and flight/travel plans have now had to be altered to travel to Cardiff on Saturday, no rest after having travelled back from Marseille via Paris today!!! It’s a hard life but hey someone’s got to do it!!

Everywhere you go in France one figure dominates, Chabal, Sebastien Chabal, the Sale Sharks player has become an insitution in France, his presence sending the fans into gutteral chants of some neolythical caveman who roamed the caves of the Massif Centrale many thousands of years ago. Is this the man who can inspire the French to an improable victory against the All Blacks as his countrymen managed eight years ago in the un-forgettable Twickenham semi-final?

We shall see. Whatever happens this has been a great World Cup so far with capacity gates at all the stadiums.

Vive la France and Vive la coupe du monde de rugby!!!