Bill Hooper’s Cornish Roundup

Like a man sinking in quicksand whose hand is gripped at the last moment the Cornish All Blacks lived to fight another day with a thrilling 27-5 victory over the Newbury Blues at Polson on Saturday. The five-point haul lifted the Cornish side off the foot of the table five points away from Sedgley Park and safety.

It was one of the Cornish All Blacks’ recent loan signings from Worcester Warriors No8 Gavin Quinnell who was driven over for the opening try after only five minutes. Full-back Jon Fabian made up for his earlier conversion miss to stroke over a penalty after 15 mins. He was on target again on 32 mins as he converted centre Peter Fisher’s try after 32 mins , which left the home side 15-0 up at the break.

Just two minutes after the resumption it was the club’s top try-scorer this season winger Matt Jess who raced in for his side’s third try. Fabian was once more on target with the extras. Newbury briefly rallied scoring a try through winger Tom Tombleson. The bonus point try came courtesy of Jess who scored his 13th league try of the season to no-doubt rekindle the interest other sides are showing in the Heamor-Flyer.

After the brilliance of their win over Doncaster at Camborne last Sunday the Cornish Pirates found Rotherham Titans less to their taste as they surprisingly slumped to a 20-10 loss at Clifton Lane. All the Pirates points came from their Exeter Chiefs bound duo fly-half Gareth Steenson and flanker Chris Cracknell. Doncaster leap-frogged the Pirates once more into fourth place following their 11-3 win over Bedford.

In National League 2, Redruth gave the leaders Otley a mighty tussle only ceding in the 10th minute of time added on to an Otley penalty, which gave the Yorkshire side a 20-18 win. The losing bonus point earned together with Nuneaton’s win at Dry Leas over Henley Hawks ensures Redruth will once again be playing at this level next season. All action flanker Steve Wood scored a fine first half try, which fly-half Gareth Griffiths converted to add to an earlier penalty to leave the visitors 10-7 up at half-time. Griffiths kicked a second penalty and winger Rob Thirlby a try to put the Reds 18-17 up with time running out, Robin Kitching’s late late strike snatched the win away from the Cornishmen.

Mount’s Bay made the long journey to North Walsham’s Scottow ground a real pleasure as they recorded a 20-5 win, which now leaves them within touching distance of winning National League 3 South and promotion next season. Saturday week’s encounter at the Mennaye against Cinderford will in all likeliness be the decider and will no doubt draw a large crowd to see the Penzance based side make that final push. John Marlin, Darren Semmens and Tyron Child scored the tries with Lee Jarvis kicking a penalty and conversion. Belated congratulations to the Bay for their fine win on Easter Monday over a Cornish All Blacks XV in the final of the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Super Cup, the first leg of another double.

In Tribute South West 1, St. Ives long season at the foot of the table will soon be at an end as they lost for 18th time 28-10 at Coney Hill. Chinnor look to be heading back to National 3 South after their 39-17 win over 2nd place Bracknell who will play-off with the runner-up from London 1 for the remaining spot.

Tribute South West 2 West saw Camborne slip to another defeat 41-0 at Torquay Athletic, Western Counties West beckons for the “Town” next season, as they will look to re-build. Exmouth wrapped up the league title with Barnstaple in the play-off berth.
Tribute Western Counties West has seen some cracking performances from our North Cornwall clubs this season with two games to play Wadebridge and Bude lie in 3rd and 4th places a real credit to rugby in that part of the Duchy. However the big question in recent weeks has been Hayle’s fight against relegation. Twelve months ago the “Lions” were contemplating facing Barton Hill in the play-off for a spot in South West 2 West. Well Hayle played the side above them Withycombe last Saturday in a game they had to win, they did, 7-3. Adam Redgrave was the Hayle hero scoring and converting his try to give his side a lifeline.

Wadebridge Camels warmed up for their Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup final next Saturday with a 29-12 win over Ivybridge. Despite going 12-0 down the Camels gave their Devon opponents the hump scoring tries through Alasdair MacLennan, Gary Gynn, Ollie Hawkey, Jake McCarroll and Sam Stone.

Opponents next Saturday Bude warmed up with a good 26-3 win over Devonport Services. Dave Risdon, Ollie Denford and Rob Uglow (2) scored the tries with Paul Williams kicking a couple of conversions.

Penryn travelled to table toppers Paignton and found the South Devon side to hot to handle as they lost 72-3. Paignton remain top one point ahead of local rivals Sidmouth.

In London 3 SW, London Cornish slumped to a 20-10 defeat at home to Tottonians in what Director of Rugby Dickon Moon described as “a very poor performance”. Dickon’s report is available in the link.

The champagne corks can’t pop just yet but Newquay Hornets are also in touch of a second successive promotion, only Tavistock who have a game in-hand can spoil the party but they will have to take maximum points and the Hornets none to upset the promotion party. Newquay ran up a big score at bottom of the league Teignmouth in the Tribute Cornwall & Devon league encounter winning 64-5. Cullompton who are one point ahead of Newquay are defiantly up.

Truro enjoyed a good win at Honiton winning 24-5 with tries from Owen Hambly, Luke Trescothick, Ross Martin and Scott Martin. Falmouth got no joy from their longest trip of the season to Wellington losing 10-3.

This Saturday as has already been mentioned see’s the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup Final when two former winners of the Junior Cup meet for the first time in the senior final Wadebridge Camels taking on Bude at St. Austell RFC with a 5pm kick-off. In the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Clubs Cup that precedes it Saltash play Newquay Hornets, kick-off 2pm.

This coming Friday, March 28th marks the centenary of arguably the greatest Cornish sporting achievement, the winning of the County Championship in 1908 at a packed (17,000) Recreation Ground in Redruth.

It was all the more remarkable as it was the only national competition held in that era. It was the pathway to the England team so the very best players competed.

It was the first time that Cornwall had topped the competative South West group having beaten Somerset in their opening fixture 25-6, Cornwall lost to joint reigning champions Devon 17-8 before defeating Gloucestershire 34-10. As per the rules of the period teams level on points had to play-off, so Cornwall faced Devon again this time at Redruth defeating them 21-3. They then travelled to Gloucester to face the mighty Gloucestershire side winning 15-3. That win put them in the semi-final where they faced Middlesex at Redruth beating the London side 19-3.

So to the final against the other co-holders of the title Durham. Victory was hard fought but earned against the northerners by 17-3, with Redruth’s Bert Solomon scoring two tries, “Maffer” Davey, Barrie Bennetts and Nick Tregurtha also crossing the opponents try line.

The final whistle brought great excitement as the crowd acclaimed their heros.

One Hundred Years on Cornwall salutes it’s heros from that famous day in grateful remembrance;

Cornwall: E. J. Jackett (capt, Leicester), B. Bennetts (Devon Albion), B. Solomon (Redruth), F. Dean (Devon Albion), J. Jose (Devon Albion), T.G. Wedge (St. Ives), J. Davey (Redruth); J. G. Milton (Camborne School of Mines), A. J. Milton (Camborne School of Mines), F. Jackson (Leicester), R. Jackett (Falmouth), A.J. Thomas (Devon Albion), R. Davey (Redruth), T. Lawry (Redruth), N. R. Tregurtha (St. Ives).

Redruth’s fine win on Saturday against an already relegated Halifax side puts them 17 points clear of Henley Hawks the nearest side in the relegation zone with a maximum 20 points to play for. Following the disappointment of their trip to Westcombe Park the Reds owed it to themselves and their supporters to put in a strong performance. Six tries scores in a 38-3 win sent the crowd homeward bound in a happy mood. Tries came through the Thirlby brothers Rob and Paul scoring one a-piece with No 8 Mark Bright claiming a brace, PJ Gidlow and a penalty try award. Returning fly-half Gareth Griffiths kicked four conversions to complete the scoring.

Head coach Nigel Hambly gave starts to some of his squad players, with Ben Fox and Steve Wood starting in the backrow and Simon Peters in the centre. Wood had a stand out game playing his heart out. The only cloud was the injury to lock Damien Cook who went off with a knee injury after 16 mins.

Down the road at the Mennaye, Mount’s Bay played what is likely to be their penultimate home game of the season (assuming of course that they gain automatic promotion and are not involved in the play-off), scoring ten tries in a 64 - 12 win over Luton. The tries flowed like champagne with Ben Hilton (2), Tyron Child (2), Adam Nicholls (2), Jon Marlin, Tim Mosey (2) and Andrew Cheung-Fook all scoring. Lee Jarvis kicked seven conversions. With just three games left to play Bay are now 8 points clear of Cinderford who they play at the Mennaye on April 12th.

The only other league game concerning a Cornish club was Camborne who at the third time of asking completed their fixture at St. Mary’s Old Boys. Camborne were unable to build on their success from last week going down 15-8, Rob Floyd scored the try and Josh Matavesi dropped the goal.

On Sunday at Launceston, Cornwall reclaimed the Tamar Cup in a tight match by 10-7 over old rivals Devon. Cornwall’s try was scored by Cornish All Blacks’ Sam Hocking with Camborne’s David Mankee kicking the conversion and a penalty.

According to the Australian RFU website it appears that the Wallabies match against the Barbarians due to be played at Wembley Stadium to commerate their winning the 1908 Rugby gold medal at the London Olympics of that year against Cornwall will take place on Wednesday 3rd December, with an evening kick-off. It’s going to be very difficult for a large Cornish present to be there but I hope that as many as possible can go along to the game, to remember the achievement of that Cornish side 100 years ago. It is very much a part of our local rugby folklore.

Saturday’s fine win at Lydney by 30-6, and let’s face it any win at Regentsholme is an achievement, sees Mount’s Bay five points clear of second place Cinderford in National League 3 South with just four more matches to play Bay scored two tries in each half to secure the all-important bonus point. Lee Jarvis scored Bay’s opening try after 25 mins before hooker Jamie Semmens grabbed the second just before half-time to leave the visitors 10-6 up at the turn. After the break Tyrone Child claimed a third try following a charge down before lock Richard Carroll, on a try-scoring burst at the moment scored the fourth try 7 mins from time. Jarvis converted both second half tires as well as a couple of second half penalties.

Sunday afternoon saw the Cornish Pirates secure a six-try win over struggling Sedgley Park by 36-10 a result, which also helps the Cornish All Blacks in their desperate fight to avoid the drop after just one season in National League 1. Despite trailing to an early Park penalty the Cornish Pirates upped the pace to score their opening try after 19 mins through winger Vunga Lilo. Four minutes later it was Cornishman Adryan Winnan who raced in for the Pirates second try of the afternoon. Centre Steve Winn scored the third try for the home side after 34 mins. Fly-half Olly Thomas had difficulty his kicking in the first half but no problems in the second as he converted flanker Chris Cracknell’s try as well as the final two tries. Replacement hooker Darren Dawiduik scored a fifth try shortly after coming on for Rob Elloway. The last Pirates’ try was scored by Jimmy Moore. Park battled away to the end and were rewarded with a converted try scored by Chris Biers.

On Saturday the Cornish All Blacks played their third match in seven days when they lost 62-0 at Exeter Chiefs. Launceston did well to contain the Chiefs to just 15-0 at half-time but in the second half Exeter ran riot scoring a further seven tries.

In Tribute South West 1, relegated St. Ives gave a good account losing 29-7 at home to Old Patesians. The Hakes led at half-time 7-5 thanks to a converted try by Matt Thomas, sadly they couldn’t build on the lead during the second half.

In Tribute South West 2 West, Camborne notched up their first win of the season with a home win over visitors Barton Hill. Camborne won by 20-3, hooker Sam Bartle and a second half penalty try award made up Town’s two tries. David Mankee converted both scores adding a penalty as well. Young Josh Matavesi dropped a goal to complete the scoring.

In Tribute Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels remain in third place despite their reversal at Minehead Barbarians 20-8. Gary Gynn scored the Camels’ try with Matt Bailey kicking a penalty.

In winning 8-7 at Hayle, Bude consolidated their mid-table position leaving their hosts in a precarious position second bottom in the league. It was a game of two halves as Bude scored all their points in the first half. Matt Trewin kicked a penalty before Ollie Denford scored Bude’s try after 20 mins. In the second half and despite tremendous pressure Hayle could only score one converted try through Adam Keverne with Ben Eddy adding the extras. Withycombe’s win over Kingsbridge 13-7 didn’t help Hayle’s cause either.
Already relegated Penryn put up a tremendous fight at home to promotion chasing Sidmouth before going down 10-6 to their visitors. Alex Suthridge kicked a penalty and dropped a goal for the Borough.

In London 3 SW, London Cornish battled out a 9-9 draw at Effingham & Leatherhead, DoR Dickon Moon has a comprehensive match report in the forums.
Outside of Mount’s Bay, Newquay Hornets look like Cornwall’s only other promotion bet this season in the leagues outside of Cornwall. Hornets who came up from Cornwall 1 last season cemented their top spot in the Cornwall & Devon league with a 21-0 home win over Wellington. Ashley Mann scored a couple of tries with Rob Johns scoring their third try as well as kicking all three conversions.

Falmouth beat Crediton 17-7 at the Recreation Ground with Darren Pellow scoring a brace of tries with Tim Gay grabbing a third, James Instance kicked a conversion.

Spoils were shared at St. Clements where Truro drew 10-10 with Okehampton. Truro scored two tries through Matt Trevail and Joe Williamson.

On Sunday after Cornwall U.20’s played their second match in this season U.20’s County Championship at North Petherton against Somerset U.20’s. Unfortunately Cornwall lost their second game in this season’s championship 20-11 a result, which ends Cornwall’s hopes for this season.

In the RBS 6 Nations tournament, Wales secured the Triple Crown with a fine 16-12 win at Croke Park over Ireland. Scotland surprised England with an easy win over the auld enemy 15-9 to reclaim the Calcutta Cup. On Sunday France playing in glimpses won against plucky Italy 25-13.

So to the final round of matches next weekend. Scotland will find it tough in Rome, though I think they can win 20-14. England will want to give their fans something to cheer about against Ireland, I think they will win 18 – 12 in a tense match. Finally I expect Wales to complete the Grand Slam against France, but I do think France will give them a fright on the way, 22 – 18!

News that the Barbarians are looking to play Australia in match at Wembley Stadium to celebrate the Olympic ruby final of 1908 on Saturday December 6th 2008 will be welcome news to all Cornish rugby fans. Those that know their rugby history will be aware that the side the Wallabies defeated to win the goal medal were the English County champions that season, Cornwall by 32-3 at the now long gone White City Stadium in London. Let’s all hope that this match comes about.

Speaking of Cornwall a Development XV took on Redruth Development XV at the Recreation Ground on Sunday afternoon with the Reds running out winners 38-12. The Reds scored five tries through Josh Morgan, Steve Wood, Brett Rule, Ben Fox and Nick Simmons with Grant Thirlby kicking all five conversions and a penalty. For Cornwall Ollie Faulkner (Mount’s Bay) and Dan Prout (Cornish All Blacks) scored tries with David Mankee (Camborne) kicking a conversion.

It wasn’t a happy weekend for our National League clubs as all four lost. On Sunday the Cornish Pirates played Nottingham who had defeated them earlier in the season at Camborne by one point. Despite their best endeavours the Pirates were unable to get revenge as they slipped to a 24-17 defeat at Meadow Lane. Ed Fairhurst and Brian Tuohy scored the Pirates’ tries with Gareth Steenson kicking both conversions and a penalty. Talking of the Pirates mention must be made to congratulate Robin Turner on his election as club President in succession to Dicky Evans last Monday evening along with the confirmation that Mark Hewitt had been given a 2-year contract as head coach.

The Cornish All Blacks suffered a 29-17 reversal at Polson Bridge against Coventry on Saturday. The defeat was compounded with the news that they have lost their fly-half Scott Ireland for the rest of the season as he suffered a broken tibia and fibia. Trailing 19-5 at half-time the All Blacks were always up against it. The home side scored three tries all through the forwards through Josh Lord, on-loan Gavin Quinnell and Neil Clark. Jon Fabian converted the final try.

Redruth had an away trip, which they will want to forget quickly losing 40-14 at Westcombe Park in National League 2, a performance that left coach Nigel Hambly fuming, looks like it’s going to be a tough couple of weeks for the Reds on the training park before their next league game at home to Halifax. The Reds shipped six tries and only managed to score one in reply through Mark Bright. Luke Cozens kicked three penalties.

Mount’s Bay lost at home for the first time in the league this season when Ealing Trailfinders won 15-13 at the Mennaye. Lee Jarvis, who announced this week that he will be leaving the club at the end of this season to take up a post with Cardiff RFC, missed with a conversion attempt, which would have tied the scores. Richard Carroll and Ben Hilton scored the tries for Bay with Jarvis kicking a penalty. Cinderford could only draw with Dings Crusaders so Bay are still top four points clear.

St. Ives suffered another heavy defeat in South West 1 this time at Reading by 79-5, Dean Rainey scoring the Hakes only try in the second half. The end of the season can’t come quick enough for them. We all hope they can regroup next season and come back.

South West 2 West basement side Camborne got no joy on their trip to Barnstaple losing 38-0 in North Devon

The picture is a little rosier thankfully in Western Counties West, Wadebridge Camels ran in nine tries against poor old doomed Penryn running out 56-0 winners. Dan Briskham (2), Gary Gynn (2), Ben May (2), Matt Angwin, Jamie Kneale and Shaun Hawkey scored the Camels’ tries with Jake McCarroll kicking the other points. The win lifts the Camels to third just outside the promotion/play-off spot.

Bude had a feisty old affair at Bencoolen Meadow against Ivybridge winning 7-3, Paul Williams scored and converted his own try for all of Bude’s points.

Hayle lost 26-0 at Kingsbridge to remain in the bottom two.

Up in London in London 3 SW, London Cornish enjoyed a fine 35-11 win over Winchester. Once again you can read Dickon Moon’s report in the forums.

In the Cornwall & Devon League Newquay Hornets maintain their one point lead at the top over Cullompton following their 25-9 win at Crediton. Ashley Mann (2), James Ingle and Luke Bazeley scored the Hornets’ tries, Ryan Johns kicked a penalty and conversion to complete the score for the Hornets. Truro had a good win at bottom side Teignmouth by 49-3 whilst Falmouth lost on the road up at Bideford by 23-15, Justin Doney and Andy Knight got the Chiefs’ tries with James Instance kicking the points.

As it was T.A.S.C.’s presentation day on Saturday at Cornwall 1 clubs, I took in the Stithians against Perranporth league game were the homeside ran out worthy winners by 50-19, Lewis Vague (3), Andrew Creeden (2), Ben Waters, and Ben Keay scored the tries for Stithians with Martin Strick kicking six conversions and a penalty. For Perranporth Paul Martin, Ben Parker and Chas Buscombe scored tries with Addy Matthews and Johnny Smeedon kicking conversions.

Round Four of the RBS 6 Nations takes place this weekend, on Saturday in the first match at Croke Park I expect Wales to complete the Triple Crown with a 25-20 win over Ireland. Up at Murrayfield in the Calcutta Cup match I think England will prove too strong for Scotland and I take them to win 27-12. Finally on Sunday in the all Latin encounter at Stade de France, France are likely to run Italy off their feet and I think they will win 49-7. We shall no doubt see!!