Bill Hooper’s Cornish Roundup

NO DOUBT about the story of the weekend, Mount’s Bay’s superb win at Polson by 8-6 to notch up their first ever win in National League 2. Nobody would have given the Bay a cat in hell’s chance of gaining much in this match, but they dogged it out got to half-time at 3-3 and thought we can get something here. Adam Staniforth kicked an opening penalty for the Cornish All Blacks before Dan Hawkes replied in kind for the visitors. Bay found themselves down to fourteen men once again with prop Bruce Pow and former Lanson favourite Nick Burnett forced to sit it out either side of half-time. The winning try came after 52 minutes with lock Ben Hilton being driven over. Despite a second Staniforth penalty there was no further scoring. It was a day of shocks in National League 2 as much fancied Cambridge came a cropper at Waterloo 18-13.

News for this and other scores filtered through to the Southend were leaders Redruth maintained their fine run with an eighth succesive win 32-7 at Sumpter’s Way. Paul Thirlby deputised at 10 for the still unavailable Mark Scrivener kicking two penalties and the conversion of brother Rob’s try for a 13-0 half-time lead. Thirlby grabbed a second try at the start of the second half after skipper PJ Gidlow picked off a wayward pass from the home side to release his full back who flew up the pitch to score, Paul Thirlby kicked a fine touchline conversion. Southend hit back with a converted try of their own before the Reds’ third try came from a simple pop up pass with James Mann being the grateful recipient going in under the posts with Thirlby making it three conversions out of three. The bonus point was wrapped up when Lewis Vinnicombe scored the fourth try on 57 minutes. Next up Cinderford on Saturday.

On Sunday it was another nail bitter at Camborne as the Cornish Pirates secured the win with the last play of the match thanks to a Brian Tuohy try for a 19-15 win. You can read my match report here.

In the Tribute leagues, South West 2 West, St. Ives lost for the second time this season when Avonmouth Old Boys won 10-6 at Alexandra Road, Karl Martin kicking two penalties for the Hakes.

In Western Counties West, a Cornish derby at Camborne as Town hosted Wadebridge Camels and it was the Cornwall Cup holders from North Cornwall who came out on top 12-3 in a scrappy game. Dave Mankee with a first-half drop goal scored Camborne’s only points. For the Camels two tries scored by centre Dan Briskham and winger Alisdair MacLennan with Lee Charles converting the first score.

Newquay Hornets didn’t get much out of their trip to Kingsbridge going down 36-9, Sam Cullen kicking three penalties. Bude are still on 0 points following a sixth succesive defeat as they slumped at leaders Cullompton 24-11. Ollie Denford got Bude’s try with Matt Trewin kicking a couple of penalties.

Up in London 3 SW, London Cornish defeated Leatherhead & Effingham 19-0, Dickon Moon’s report is in the link.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn maintained their un-beaten start with 20-0 win up in Plymouth at OPM’s, George Jones, Darren Pellow and Josh Chambers scored the Borough’s three tries with Taron Peacock kicking a penalty and conversion. Truro defeated old rivals Falmouth 36-3 in the “Carrick” derby, Tim Gay, against his former club, Luke Trescothick, Ben Chynoweth, and Chris Gilbert scored Truro’s tries whilst Scott Martin kicked 2 conversions and 4 penalties. James Instance scored Falmouth’s sole penalty.

Hayle drew at home with Wellington 13-13,despite leading 13-0 at half-time. Richard Grose scored the Lions try with Mike Crump kicking the other points. Saltash put up a brave effort at home to Crediton before losing 19-13, Richard Skinnard scored a brace for the Ashes with Ollie Rayner kicking a penalty.

The CRFU and DRFU have released the date for the 2009 Tamar Cup it’s Sunday March 29th to be played at Okehampton RFC with a 3pm kick-off.

The big talking point this week has been the row , which has erupted over the Launceston club’s efforts to get their brand name “The Cornish All Blacks” registered. It appears that representatives acting for the New Zealand RFU have loged an objection. I am sure that if the Launceston club and the NZRFU actually talked to each other a speedy resolution to this problem could be overcome. Let’s all hope that commonsense prevails.

A reminder that the Barbarians take on Combined Services just across the border at the Brickfields, Plymouth on Tuesday 4th November with a 7pm kick-off. All proceeds to the “Poppy Appeal”. Ticket information available on 0870 350 0402.

Apologies for no entry last week, after the Pirates match against Rotherham it took the dust a few days to settle, not just with me, with many others too it would seem judging by the week’s press and the forum chatter.

Still I think on Saturday we had an answer with a battling performance from the Pirates up in Yorkshire to maintain their un-beaten record at Castle Park. It ended 24 all against Doncaster Knights thanks to a brace of tries from Rhodri McAtee and a try from Iva Motusaga. Rhys Jones converted all three tries as well as a penalty, he was un-lucky to have a last gasp drop-goal attempt charged down. At the beginning of the week with all the doom and gloom surronding the club not many gave the boys much chance of getting anything from this game, to their credit and also coach Mark Hewitt they stuck at it and got some reward, let’s all hope that with our support they can build once more next Sunday against Moseley at Camborne. A reminder that kick-off for this match will be 2-30pm.

I watched Redruth on Saturday maintain their fine start to the season with their seventh win to remain top dog in National League 2. It wasn’t a perfect perfromance despite the 44-10 scoreline, coach Nigel Hambly admitted as much afterwards, plenty to work on before the trip to Southend this Saturday. When they do get it right they are an awesome side with pace aplenty. Great to see Mark Bright back on Saturday after his exploits with the Tasman Makos in this year’s Air New Zealand Cup. For the recored the Reds’ scored six tries through James Mann, Luke Collins (2), Richard Carroll Craig Bonds and Mark Richards. You can read my report in the link,.

Match of the day in National League 2 had to be the Cornish All Blacks’ trip to Birmingham & Solihull. In the end it was the Midlanders who got the win 23-19. Scott Hobson, on loan from Bath, got the CAB’s try with Adam Staniforth kicking the conversion and three penalties, Jon Fabian also kicked a penalty. The result leaves the CAB’s in 3rd place seven points adrift of the Reds. Saturday see’s the next Cornish derby as the Cornish All Blacks entertain Mount’s Bay, they will wany all five points from that match.

Mount’s Bay looked on course for their first win in National League 2 leading visitors Wharfedale 14-0 having scored tries through winger Mika Mua and centre Steve Johns, both converted by Dan Hawkes. In the second half it all went pear shaped as Wharfedale scored three tries through David Hall and Peter Hall (2), with Mark Bedworth kicking a penalty to end up losing 18-14!

No regional leagues this week, it was Cup and Vase action. Well done to Wadebridge Camels who defeated London 2 South side Old Colfeians, who were a National League 3 South side not too long ago, 10-5 in the EDF-Energy National Trophy 1st Rd. Alisdair Maclennan got the try which Leigh Charles converted as well as a penalty.

In the Intermediate Cup, Cornwall’s only representatives in this season’s competition are St. Ives who followed up last week’s home league win over Yatton with a win on their pitch 31-23, with Grant Thirlby scoring 21 points. Tom Outram and Ryan Bishop scored the other two tries.

In the senior Vase, there were notable wins for, Bude who defeated Hayle 10-3, Newquay Hornets at Tiverton 26-12, Camborne had a good win at Crediton 17-10, Truro had a home walkover against Withycombe, up in the London section of the draw, London Cornish beat Twickenham 42-3. Dickon’s match report can be found here

In the Junior Vase of the eight cross Tamar ties Cornwall only lost one as Roseland lost at South Molton 64-6. Bodmin beat Tamar Saracens 15-7, Stithians demolished Dartmouth 78-3, Helston won at Devonport HSOB’s 29-12, Liskeard & Looe whitewashed Salcombe 56-0, Redruth Albany had some cheer after a bad week defeating Totnes 31-21, St. Austell beat Buckfastleigh 43-5, finally Perranporth won up in North Devon beating Torrington 22-17.

Having read the article in Friday’s Rugby Times , what a shame Phil Vickery hasn’t been asked to play for the Barbarians against Australia on December 3rd at Wembley Stadium. This is the game to celebrate the 1908 Olympic rugby tournament, which as you all know featured Cornwall as reigning County Champions. Phil was very keen to play in this match and represent us (the Cornish). I understand that the Barbarians club will be playing the match wearing Cornish socks. You can read the full story here from the Western Morning News

No where else to start this week than Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club AGM held at the St. Austell Brewery Visitor Centre last Wednesday evening. It was a good evening, the highlight as ever the awarding our our Cornwall Player and Cornwall U.20 awards. We were delighted to have the Sunday Independent columnist Nigel Walrond as our guest also to present the “Bill Osborne Memorial Shield” to Cornwall Player of the Year SAM HOCKING from the Cornish All Blacks. A richly deserved accolade to Sam for his fantastic performances for Cornwall in last season’s County Shield campaign. Club President John Treglown of St. Austell Brewery, a former Redruth and County prop forward as well as a champion Cornish Wrestler in his youth, presented the “Tony Mead Memorial Shield” for the Cornwall U.20 player of the year to a fine young front row prospect PAUL ANDREW of the Cornish Pirates currently on loan to Mount’s Bay, not only did Paul play for the U.20’s but also for the senior side culminating in that County Shield final at Twickenham. WELL DONE TO BOTH OUR AWARD WINNERS.

One other piece of news from our AGM, the election as a life member of TASC, the man whose brainwave it was to form the county team’s supporters club, Dave Saunby of Falmouth. If it wasn’t for Dave then all of what we do in the Army would not be possible today.

No question about the BIG MATCH of the day in the Duchy, the National 2 top of the table clash at Redruth against the Cornish All Blacks. Despite the weather it was a cracking match played in a good atmosphere infront of a large crowd of over 2,000. You can read my report on the Reds win by 19-13 in the link. . Mark Stevens in his report in this morning’s Western Morning News makes an interesting observation about whether derby day traditions will stand the test of time in the modern rugby era. You can read Mark’s usual excellent report in the link.

In the other game involving a Cornish side in National 2, poor old Mount’s Bay had another tough assignment at Cambridge coming away with a 76-3 defeat from Grantchester Road. The league table will make depressing reading for Bay followers as they see their side propping up the table with Waterloo on 1pt. Bay once more fell foul of the referee as they had three players yellow-carded during the match, one being player coach Adrian Bick only on the field for 30 seconds and coping a yellow for his side’s repeated infringements!!!

Radio Cornwall’s live match commentary on Saturday came from Manchester’s Grove Park where the Cornish Pirates were the visitors, whether Radio Cornwall got the call right to go with this game as their live game as opposed to the Cornish derby at Redruth is open to debate. In another fitful performance the Cornish Pirates squeezed home 12-6 against the bottom side in the league thanks to tries from Nicky Griffiths and Marika Vakacegu, Rhys Jones kicking a conversion. Let’s hope next Sunday against Rotherham the Pirates can finally give the home support a performance to rekindle the fans faith in the squad.

In the regional Tribute league, St. Ives in South West 2 West, will have to play it again as their match at Brixham was abandoned after 55 minutes after referee Paul Roberts twisted an ankle and was forced to retire, Brixham led 12-6 at that point.

In Western Counties West, Newquay Hornets lie third after a fine win by 36-16 at Withycombe. Romey Vassell (2), Simon Horton, Jason Caruana and Luke Mansfield scored the Hornets’ tries with Horton kicking the other points. Wadebridge Camels won at Tiverton 9-3 with all their points coming from the boot of Leigh Charles. Camborne will be disappointed to have lost at home to Cullompton 8-6, with just a couple of Dave Mankee penalties for their efforts. Bude remain pointless after another defeat at Kingsbridge 30-5, Paul Williams saving their blushes with a last minute try.

Up in London 3 SW, London Cornish defeated previously un-beaten Chichester 10-8 at the Richardson-Evans Memorial Ground to go second in the league, Dickon Moon’s match report can be found here.

In the Cornwall & Devon League, Penryn won the other Cornish derby with a 24-9 win up at Moorlands Lane Saltash. Tries for the Borough were scored by Richard Tresidder, Robert Trevaskis, Josh Chambers and Justin Doney with Darren Peacock adding a couple of conversions. For Saltash Will Virgo kicked three penalties. Truro won at home against Wellington 28-3 with tries from Chris Gilbert, Scott Martin and Joe Williamson, Martin kicked all the other points. Hayloe lost at home 11-3 to Okehampton with Mike Crump kicking their points. Poor old Falmouth didn’t score again losing this time 35-0 at Plymstock, it’s already looking likely that Cornwall 1 awaits Falmouth at the end of the season.