Bill Hooper’s Cornish Roundup

The majority of the Cornish clubs results this weekend were as dismal as the weather, the exception being Mount’s Bay who once again picked up a fine win on their travels at Midlands side Luton. Trailing only 6-3 at half-time thanks to a Lee Jarvis penalty Bay soon had the lead following a fine break by Tyron Child which saw John Marlin in at the corner, Jarvis adding the conversion. Following some fine work by the pack Bay increased their lead with a second converted try this time from Ben Hilton. The visitors superiority upfront was then rewarded by the awarding of a penalty try which, Jarvis converted for a 24-6 lead. To their credit Luton never gave up and were rewarded by two tries one of which was converted for a final score of 24-18 to the Bay who thus cemented their position at the top of National League 3 South.

Not a good day for either of our sides in National League 1, the Cornish Pirates lost the local derby with old rivals Plymouth Albion 9 - 6 at the Brickfields. Ross Laidlaw kicked three first half penalties for Albion, whilst Gareth Steenson replied with two for the Pirates. A record crowd of 6,381 saw the drama unfold.

It wasn’t any better at Polson Bridge where the Cornish All Blacks lost at home 0 - 20 to Esher the side who were promoted with them last season from National League 2. Coaches Chris Brown and Jon Hill will be very disappointed to have been nilled at home. Their run of matches up towards Christmas doesn’t get any easier with Bedford next up!

Redruth found it difficult against a well-organised Otley side who came down from National 1 last season losing at the Recreation Ground 13 - 7 (See my match report on the main site). Mark Richards scored the Reds’ try with Gareth Griffiths kicking the conversion. Redruth are still five points from getting out of the relegation zone in National League 2.

In the regional leagues some joy for St. Ives as they registered their first point since the opening day of the season with a 7 - 7 draw at home to Weston-super-Mare in South West 1. Stuart Turnbull scored the try for the Hakes, which was converted by Josh Stevens.

In South West 2 West bottom side Camborne hosted top dogs Exmouth, with the visitors only just prevailing 16 - 15 in a hard fought encounter. All the Cherry & Whites scores came through tries all scored by the forwards, hooker Andrew Smith, prop Ryan Worden and lock Nathan Curnow. Hopefully this close result will give the boys heart to have run the league leaders so close.

In Western Counties West it was Cornish derby day for all four of our sides. Bude hosted Wadebridge Camels in the North Cornwall derby with the boys from Bude running out winners by 12 - 7. Bude scored a couple of tries either side of half-time through prop Matt Williams which was converted by brother Paul and flanker Dave Uglow. Sean Hawkey scored and converted the Camels only try.

At the Memorial Ground Penryn took on Hayle in a match between two struggling sides this season. The Lions took the honours with a 13 - 6 win to leave the Borough rooted to the foot of the table. Penryn did lead at one point 6-3 thanks to two Taron Peacock penalties to one from Stuart Trathen before Richard Spear scored a try to leave the Lions 8 - 6 up at the break. James Jago then scored a second try for Hayle to clinch the win.

In the Cornwall & Devon league the top two Newquay Hornets and Truro both won to pull away slightly from the rest of the chasing pack. The Hornets saw off visitors Honiton 38 - 7. With the elements behind them first half Newquay wasted no time in building up a good advantage scoring five tries for a 33 - 0 advantage at the break, thanks to tries from Scott Martin, Andy Dixon (2) and Sam Cullen, with Ryan Johns kicking three penalties and a couple of conversions. Although Honiton scored a converted try in the second half, Hornets had the last word when Rob McIntyre scored their fifth try of the game.

Up in London 3 SW, London Cornish enjoyed another fine win at the Richardson Evans Memorial Ground defeating K.C.S. Old Boys by 54 - 13 (the usual excellent match report from Dickon Moon can be found on the London Cornish thread in the forums).

Truro beat Wessex in a fiesty match at St. Clements 18 - 7. Scott Martin kicked a couple of penalties for the home side before having to leave the field with a head injury which required a trip to Treliske. Justin Irons and Mitchell Ewins scored tries the first of which Ross Martin converted.

Falmouth entertained Okehampton at the Rec winning by a point 14 - 13. Falmouth’s try was scored by former Redruth and St. Ives player Ashley Lawton with James Instance kicking three penalties.

The CRFU have unveiled plans for a new shirt to mark the CRFU’s 125th Anniversary. The new shirt, which will be manufactured by Kooga, will appear next year and will be available through Whirlwind Sports outlets. A training shirt will also be available and that should be in the shops next month.

Lady luck isn’t shining much up at Polson at the moment as the Cornish side let slip a 20-5 advantage after 50 mins to lose at Monks Lane 24 - 23. Matt Jess scored Launceston’s first try which, was converted by Jon Fabian, Newbury hit back whilst the visitors were down to fourteen men after Neil Clark had been sent to the sin bin, with former Cornish Pirate Chris Morgan grabbing the try. Launceston added two Fabian penalties to stretch their lead to 13-5 at the break.

Just after the re-start, Scott Ireland made a strong break linking with Fabian who in-turn found Andy Birkett who galloped in for a score, Fabian’s conversion put the Cornish All Blacks in a strong position. It was not to be, ironically it is the driving maul, which Launceston have used to such great effect these past seasons which is now their undoing, they were also undone by the unpredictable England 7’s player Isoa Damudamu who set up Newbury’s second and third tries scored by Tim Walsh and Dave Rees. Hooker Paul Fincken scored the Blues fourth try from the a catch-and-drive which Walsh converted to nudge the home side ahead, despite a late rally Launceston couldn’t score again. With the Pertemps Bees winning, Launceston are back on the bottom of National League 1.

On Sunday at Camborne the Cornish Pirates made hard work of overcoming a limited Rotherham side by 28-18, however they did manage to claim all five points in scoring four tries. The Titans built up a 10 point lead early in the first half with Jamie Blackwood kicking a penalty and then converting a try by former Pirate Neil Chivers. At last the Pirates got on the scoreboard with a try from lock Joe Beardshaw converted by Gareth Steenson to leave the Pirates 3 points adrift at half-time 10-7.

It wasn’t long before the Pirates edged ahead when hooker Nathan Kemp barged over for Steenson to add the extras, 14-10. Blackwood pegged the Pirates back with a penalty after 47 mins. The Pirates brought on fresh legs to maintain their momentum, with one of the fresh players scrum-half Ed Fairhurst darting in for the third try which Steenson again bettered, 21-13. Following a stoppage for an injury to Titan player Neil Cochrane, the Pirates sealed the bonus point when Iva Motusaga scored the Pirates fourth try with Steenson adding his fourth conversion of the match. The Titans did have the final say when Jamie Sutton scored a late try for the visitors to complete the scoring.

In National League 2, Redruth gave their best display of the season to date with 27-9 win over high-flyers Stourbridge scoring four tries in the process. Flanker Nathan Pascoe scored the first Reds try after only 4 mins following good work from No8 Mark Bright. Four minutes later and it was hooker Glen Cooper scoring from a catch-and-drive. The Reds scored a third try after 24 mins through Mark Bright who combined well with PJ Gidlow, Griffiths’ second conversion saw the Reds leading 19-0. Stourbridge did get back into the game with their fly-half Rod Petty kicking three penalties to bring the Midlanders back to 19-9 early into the second half. Griffiths calmed any nerves with a neat drop goal on 75 mins before Lewis Vinnicombe skated in to the corner after the Reds pack took a heal against the head to seal the five points. Redruth will look forward to entertaining Stourbridge again on December 8th in the EDF-Energy National Trophy 3rd Round.

There was only one other league encounter involving a Cornish club this weekend Falmouth lost in a re-arranged Cornwall & Devon League encounter at Wessex 16-6.

Elsewhere and it was EDF-Energy Cup weekend. In the National Trophy 2nd Round, Mount’s Bay easily booked a third round tie at Southend when they defeated Hertford by an impressive 74-3. The Bay ran in eleven tries with Lee Jarvis and Jamie Semmens each grabbing three-a-piece. Tim Mosey scored a brace whilst their were also tries for debutant Tyron Child, Jon Marlin and prop Tony Stevens. Jarvis kicked a penalty and four conversions with Mosey kicking a further four conversions to wrap up the scoring.

No such joy for the other Cornish club playing in the 2nd Round, St. Ives found Ealing to hot to handle losing 40-3 with Josh Stevens kicking the Hakes only points.

In the Intermediate Cup, Cornish interest was ended when Camborne lost at home to Coney Hill 33-17, Andrew Smith, Dave Roberts and Joe Parma scored tries for the Cherry & Whites.

In the Senior Vase 3rd round, Wadebridge Camels won at Minehead Barbarians 30-16, Camels scored five tries with doubles for Alisdair MacLennan and Richard Trealeaven, with Neil Maneer also dotting down.

London Cornish are also through following a fine 47-10 win at Old Ashmoleians (see Dickon Moon’s fine report in the forms).

Bude bowed out beaten 24-0 at Cullompton.

In the Junior Vase there were 4th Round wins for Liskeard & Looe 35-28 over South Molton, Saltash winners at Totnes 34-3, Stithians who saw off Devonport HSOB’s 59-10 and St. Austell victors over Torrington 19-13. There was defeat for Perranporth who lost at home to OPM’s 26-3.

All four of our National League clubs can take pride in their performances over the weekend including the Cornish All Blacks who will feel unfortunate not to have taken something from their match against Nottingham.

Result of the day has to be the Cornish Pirates thrilling win at Castle Park over the Doncaster Knights by 16 - 12. Not too many would have given the Pirates much chance of obtaining a win up north following their un-convincing displays in recent weeks. Bolstered with new signing Tongan full back Vunga Lilo, the Pirates turned the form book upside down to come away with the points. Despite falling behind to an early Doncaster penalty, the Pirates took the lead after 17 mins with a try from scrum-half Ed Fairhurst, converted by Gareth Steenson. Woodrow kicked a second penalty for the home side to reduce the deficit to one point on 30mins. Steenson kicked a penalty for the Pirates having just failed to score a try moments earlier, 10-6 to the Pirates at half-time. Woodrow once more cut the deficit to one point shortly after the resumption of play, before giving his side the lead with his fourth penalty success. The Knights spurned their opportunities to put the game beyond the Pirates, instead it was Steenson who regained the visitors the lead with a second penalty success, before sealing the win in injury time with a third penalty to slay the Knights.

Nottingham’s pack proved decisive as they claimed four of their five tries in a 31 - 23 win at Polson Bridge over the Cornish All Blacks. John Prowse has a report on the main page of the TASC site. Matt Jess once again showed what a fine player he is scoring one of the CAB’s tries. Jon Fabian scored the other two tries with Scott Ireland kicking the other points.

Redruth faired much better on this trip north claiming all five points in their National League 2 encounter at Ovenden Park against bottom side Halifax by 41 - 17. The Reds ran in six tries through Lewis Vinnicombe (2), Darren Jacques, Nathan Pascoe, Dave Pascoe and Luke Collins. Gareth Griffiths kicked the other points. Redruth will have a sterner test this Saturday when in-form Stourbridge travel down to the Recreation Ground in a re-arranged fixture.

Mount’s Bay were given an almighty fright by Lydney in their National League 3 South encounter before emerging 18-13 winners thanks to the boot of Lee Jarvis who kicked all six penalty goals for the Bay. Bay didn’t get their noses in front until 64 mins. The win keeps them at the top of the pile. Mount’s Bay return to cup action next Saturday when they entertain Hertford in the National Trophy.

A depressingly familiar tale in South West 1 and South West 2 West as both our clubs lost heavily. St. Ives would have had high hopes as they entertained fellow strugglers Bournemouth at Alexandra Road however, it was the visitors who ran out winners by 37 - 3, Mike Crump kicking the Hakes only points.

Camborne lost at Weston Hornets by 40 - 24. Town managed to score four tries through Tom Hinds, Cameron Bone, Rob Ley and Dave Eustace with Dave Mankee kicking a couple of conversions.

It wasn’t much better in Western Counties West, with only Hayle getting a point after a 20 - 20 draw at home to Minehead Barbarians. Sam Heath scored a couple of tries for the Lions.

Wadebridge Camels lost at Sidmouth by 21 - 10, whilst Bude slipped up at Tiverton 37 - 24, Matt Trewin, Paul Williams, Rob Uglow and Barry Sobey scored tries for the North Cornwall side.

The only bright spark at Penryn in recent times has been the switching on of their new flood- lights last week, the Borough lost 26 - 0 at Withycombe in their bottom of the table clash to remain firmly bottom of the league and apparently heading down to the Cornwall & Devon league next season!

Another fine win for London Cornish in London 3 SW as they defeated Old Wimbledonians 33 - 13.

The Cornwall & Devon league Newquay Hornets remain in top spot following their 23 - 17 win over Cullompton. Truro remain in second spot following their 39 - 3 win over Bideford, whilst Falmouth enjoyed a 28 - 24 win over Honiton up in Devon.

Congratulations to both Matt Evans and Rhodri McAtee from the Cornish Pirates who have both been selected for the Barbarians to play the Combined Services at the Brickfields on Wednesday evening (kick-off 7 pm). Also in the squad are Andy Birkett and Tony Roques from the Cornish All Blacks. Redruth’s Dave Pascoe will captain the Services side.

Park Lane has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Pirates and with a few murmurings of discontent in a few quarters following last Sunday’s disappointing result at home to Nottingham another faux pas could have sown the seeds for a mutiny aboard the good ship. Thankfully a 20-13 win stifled for now any such outcrys, however there was still frustration in the manner of victory. The Pirates scored two tries through the ever improving Ollie Thomas and fly-half Gareth Steenson who also kicked the other points with two conversions and a couple of penalties.

Up at Polson Bridge the other local game in National League 1 saw the Cornish All Blacks entertain the Exeter Chiefs. The Launceston club would have been delighted that distractions of the EGM held on the Thursday preceeding this match had been resolved. Many pundits prior to kick-off would have had the Devon side down to claim all five points, though the Chiefs did take the win the margin was only 25-18 with a late try from hooker Neil Clark ensuring a losing bonus point for the CABs. The All Blacks other try was scored by full back Andy Birkett, with Scott Ireland kicking a penalty and a conversion. Jon Fabian droped a goal to complete the scoring.

Six penalty goals struck by the boot of fly-half Tim Mosey deputising for the injured Lee Jarvis saw Mount’s Bay home 18-16 at Ealing to maintain their un-beaten start to the season and keep them at the top-of-the table in National League 3 South.

In South West 1, poor old St. Ives endured a nightmare at Oxford Harlequins thumped 72-3, a result which leaves them at the foot of the table. Mike Crump kicked the Hakes solitary points with a penalty.

In South West 2 West a ray of light for Camborne as they secured their first league point of the season with a 7-7 draw at home to Brixham. Tom Hinds scored the try which was converted by David Mankee.

In Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels defeated Paignton at the Molesworth Field 53-14. Three tries in the first six minutes had the camels on their merry way, Richard Treleaven, Matt Ballard and Jamie Kneal securing the touchdowns with a Sean Hawkey conversion were the early point scorers. Andy Cameron scored a fourth for the Camels just before half-time which Hawkey again converted. Paignton rallied after the break but it was the camels who ran away with the game scoring another five tries through Gary Gynn, Kneal, Cameron, Tom O’Donnell and Alisdair MacLennan, Hawkey and Andy Hicks kicking a couple of conversions.

Bude defeated Sidmouth at Bencoolen Meadow 13-10. Rob Uglow and Barry Sobey scored the North Cornwall side’s tries with a penalty slotted by Matt Trewin.

Hayle slipped to another defeat this time at Ivybridge by 53-14, James Jago and David Guffick scored the Lions’ tries.

Penryn lost again at home this time to Tiverton by 20-3 to remain firmly anchored to the foot of the table.

Up in London another fine win for London Cornish by 33-3 in London 3 SW at home to Andover, see Dickon Moon’s excellent report in the forums.

The Cornwall & Devon League sees two Cornish clubs occupying the top two positions. Newquay Hornets remain top after a 39-6 win at home to Wessex which saw winger Rob McIntyre bag a brace of tries.

Truro are second after defeating Tavistock in Devon 34-27, thanks in part to 19 points from the boot of Scott Martin.

Falmouth drew at home with Cullompton 14-14, Ed Lawrence and Mike Slater scored Falmouth’s tries both of which James Instance converted.

Man of the match Gareth Griffiths scored all of Redruth’s points in this absorbing encounter at the Recreation Ground. In a closely fought encounter with the final result in doubt right up to the final whistle Redruth will be relived to have secured a win which once the ten point penalty is applied will still leave them at the foot of National League 2. The Reds have the ability and players to climb the table and get themselves out of the mire they currently find themselves in.
Redruth gave a debut to Rudolf Meredith at outside centre who has played with Mark Bright at Nelson Bay in New Zealand. Former Penryn player David Pascoe had a start in the number 9 jersey displacing Mark Richards.

Redruth kicked off playing down the slope, it wasn’t long before Griffiths had points on the board with an early penalty success for offside. The lead was short-lived as James Whittingham kicked a penalty for the visitors to level the scores.

The play was at times abrasive with some firm tackles going in from both sides. Both sets of forwards were getting through a tremendous amount of work. Westcombe Park enjoyed the lion’s share of territory and possession reflecting their fine start to the season. It was inevitable that tempers would come to a head with a flair up near the touchline following a late tackle on a Redruth player, Dave Pascoe (Redruth) and Will Thorpe (Westcombe Park) were duly dispatched to the sin bin by referee Mr. Phillips.

Redruth nudged ahead on the scoreboard with Griffiths’ second successful penalty after 28 mins following a big drive by the Reds pack into the visitors half forcing them to infringe. The home side looked to increase their lead as the interval approached with skipper Craig Bonds losing the ball close to the try line in Hell Fire corner, the visitors then cleared the ball up field carrying play deep into the Reds 22 thankfully the cover held firm.

Redruth played some of their best rugby of the game immediately after half-time. A fine passage of play saw Mark Bright almost score following some fine play with Meredith, Griffiths though was on hand to finish off the play with a try under the posts on 45 mins, Griffiths added the extras for a 13-3 lead. Griffiths missed a penalty attempt a short while later but made amends with a fine drop goal to stretch the Reds’ lead to 16-3.

If the Redruth faithful thought their favourites would go on to secure a handsome win then they were in a rude awakening. Whittingham kicked a second penalty to reduce the deficit, worse was soon to follow as scrum half Gideon Roux, who had been a handful all afternoon cleverly kicked deep into Hell Fire corner, the Reds cleared the immediate danger to touch following a lineout, however from their own throw in, Westcombe Park launched a fearsome onslaught into the Reds 22, various phases of play culminated in Roux sneaking in on the blind side from a ruck up in the Piggy Lane corner, Whittingham’s touchline conversion brought Park right back in it at 16-13 down with around 10 mins to play. The visitors sensed a result and put huge pressure on the Redruth line, That pressure resulted in a penalty slap bang in front of the posts on 77 mins which Whittingham kicked to level the scores.

Almost from the re-start Redruth were themselves awarded a long-range penalty, which Griffiths kicked right between the uprights as cool as you like to regain the lead at 19-16. The Reds then ran down the clock to earn a valuable and welcome four points.

Plenty of smiles in the Redruth camp after the game, a big game again next Saturday as the Reds will want to target their away game at fellow strugglers Halifax.

Redruth 19 pts – Try: G. Griffiths; Conversion: G. Griffiths; Penalties: G. Griffiths (3); Drop Goal: G. Griffiths.
Yellow card - Pascoe

Westcombe Park 16 pts – Try: G. Roux; Conversion: J. Whittingham; Penalties: J. Whittingham (3).
Yellow card - Thorpe

Redruth: R. Thirlby, L. Vinnicombe (P. Thirlby 38), R. Meredith, P.J. Gidlow, C. Bonds (Capt.), G. Griffiths, D. Pascoe, D. Jacques, G. Cooper, P. Joyce (A. Morcom 72), D. Cook, L. Collins, N. Pascoe (B. Fox 65), C. Fuca, M. Bright.
Replacement (not used): D. Job.

Westcombe Park: S. Naden, N. Davies (T. Latu 12), G. Purdy (C. De Klerk 62), P. Nacamavuto, A. Slade, J. Whittingham, G. Roux, D. Weston (B. McKinnell 60), D. Sole (J. Moyce 53), S. Croall, G. Frith, W. Thorpe, I. Hardcastle, T. Carruthers, T. Hayman (Capt.).

Referee: Mr Richard Phillips (RFU)