Bill Hooper’s Cornish Roundup

It was always going to be a tall order and so it proved at Tynedale Park on Saturday as Redruth’s promotion prospects were dealt a mortal blow by a spirited Tynedale side who rallied from 24-16 down to score three late tries to topple the Reds from top of National League 2 to triumph finally 35-24.

Redruth will be disappointed to have conceeded those three late scores, also not to have killed the game when they had the opportunity. Despite going 10-0 down early on Redruth fought back with a penalty try converted by Scrivener before the fly-half added the extras to an Emyr Lewis try for 14-13 lead at the break. Both sides swapped penalties early in the second half, before Redruth scored a third try through Luke Collins with Scrivener again adding the extras for an eight point lead. Redruth were held up over the line, before the impressive home finale broke Reds’ hearts.

Fellow promotion chasers Cambridge had all the points swen up by half-time at Polson Bridge as the Cornish All Blacks found themselves 24-0 down. No further scoring during the second half allowed the visitors to coast home and maintain their challenge.

So Saturday’s visit of Redruth to Cambridge will still be very interesting, Redruth have some unfinished buisness with Cambridge following their one-point win at the Recreation Ground back in December.

Mount’s Bay’s lack of front row players enforced the postponment of their game at Southend along with a 2 point deduction, which virtually confirms the inevitable relegation that has stalked them all season long.

In National League 1 on Sunday the Cornish Pirates put up a very strong performance against Leeds Carnegie before being overrun by in the final few minutes giving the homeside a 33-9 win, which flattered the league leaders somewhat. Rhys Jones kicked a couple of penalties and dropped a goal for the Pirates who will hope to get back to winning ways at Sedgley Park next Saturday, their final away game of the season.

In the Tribute regional leagues it was a pretty mixed bag of results. In South West 2 West St. Ives travelled to Newton Abbot only to lose 28-0.

In Western Counties West, a good win for Wadebridge Camels as they won 33-21 at Cross-in-Hand defeating Ivybridge. Dan Briskam (2), Josh Taylor, Matt Ballard and Tom O’Donnell scored tries for the Camels. Their play-off prospects remain intact with just two games to play.

Devonport Services beat Bude at the Rectory 36-0. Withycombe defeated Camborne 22-13, to get only their second win of the season. Shane Woods scored Town’s try, with Dave Mankee converting and adding a penalty, Joe Parma slotted a penalty as well.

Newquay Hornets lost 13-10 at Minehead, Stuart Williams scored a try with Rob Ley adding the conversion and a penalty.

In London 3 SW, London Cornish’s play-off prospects were severly dented following a shock 30-21 home defeat to KCS Old Boys.

In the Cornwall and Devon League, Penryn retuned to winning ways after a couple of rocky performances with an emphatic 66-13 win at Plymstock, to maintain their two-point lead at the top with two games to play. They entertain old foes Falmouth next saturday at the Memorial Ground, Falmouth who lost at home to Wellington 30-13. In the Cornwall derby at Hayle, Saltash surprised the homeside winning 8-7, with Rich Skinnard scoring Ashes’ try. Finally Truro scored 15 tries in defeating OPM’s 95-7 at St. Clements.

The Tamar Cup was relinquished by Cornwall on Sunday as they lost to Devon at Okehampton 13-11. Plymouth Albion’s Jack Yeandle scored a first half try for the homeside, before Camborne’s Dave Mankee replied with a penalty. Mount’s Bay’s Dan Hawkes then put Devon further ahead with a penalty before Mankee struck again before half-time with a second penalty. Hawkes scored a second Devon try before Cornwall scored a late try through replacement Dan Job.

Finally good luck to the students of Truro College in the Daily Mail RBS U.18 Cup Final against St. Peters Gloucester at Twickenham on Wednesday afternoon.

REDRUTH did everything that was expected of them on Saturday against bottom side Waterloo, a big win 96-5, scoring fourteen tries with full back Emyr Lewis leading the try-scoring with five touchdowns. With just four league games left, Redruth know that they can’t afford any slip ups. The run-in is daunting starting with the long,long trip to Tynedale on Saturday. Congratulations to Darren Jacques and his selection for the Barbarians in the annual Mobbs Memorial match at Bedford against the Bedford Blues. After his two recent England Counties caps this is another deserved honnour for Darren who on Saturday established a new record for consecutive apperances for Redruth. You can read my match report here also an interview with Darren Jacques and Luke Collins following the Waterloo match.

Not such good news for our other two Cornish clubs in National League 2, with the Cornish All Blacks going down 26-24 at Wharfedale. CAB’s scored tries through Jon Fabian and the Rawlings brothers Tom and Mike, with Adam Staniforth kicking all three conversions and a penalty. To cap it all joint head coach Chris Brown announced that he is to step down due to family reasons, with Keith Brooking taking over as forwards coach. He will be sorely missed having given so much to Launceston these past few seasons.

Mount’s Bay lost at the Mennaye 40-14 to fellow relegation candidates Westcombe Park with former player Tyron Child scoring a hat-trick of tries to pour further misery on Bay. Richard Bright got Bay’s try with Dan Hawkes kicking three penalties. It’s a big struggle for Bay at the moment with all the off field buisness going on and scratching around for players to make up a team. As I write there are concerns as to whether Bay can fulfill next Saturday’s fixture at Southend!

In the EDF-Energy Junior Vase semi-final played at Lux Park, Liskeard & Looe booked their place in the Twickenham final with a 26-19 over Lowestoft & Yarmouth win thanks to an injury time try scored by centre Andy Sheer. Coach Chris Hocking was a happy man “It’s a really good feeling to be taking a team to Twickenham.” The final will take place on Saturday May 9th when they will play Brighton with a 1 pm kick-off. Well done Lions you’ll do Cornwall proud.

Up in London 3 SW, London Cornish caught up on their fixtures when they drew with London South Africa 36-36 to maintain their play-off chances. You can read Dickon Moon’s match report here.

The Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup finalists are now known, this year’s final to be played on Easter Monday at St. Austell RFC will be between Camborne and St. Ives. Camborne booked their place in the final for the first time in 17 years with a 37-25 over last season’s losing finalists Bude. St. Ives had a closer tussle against Truro at St. Clements winning 19-16.

In the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Clubs Cup the final will be between Bodmin who beat Helston and Stithians who overcame a still celebrating Liskeard & Looe on Sunday.

Also on Sunday Cornwall’s U.20’s completed their County Championship campaign with another defeat this time to Somerset at Camborne by 38-20 to end up with the wooden spoon in the group. Congratulations to Gloucestershire, reigning champions, who topped the group once again.

Belated congratulations to Truro College on their fine performance on reaching the final of the Daily Mail U.18 Cup Final at Twickenham on the 1st April where they will meet St. Peter’s Catholic High School from Gloucester after a 19-19 draw at the end of the game the result was decided by a kicking contest with Redruth’s Aaron Penberthy dropping the winning kick against John Fisher School.

I am always fascinated when I wonder around Twickenham or any other major rugby ground as to whom you might bump into or see. Last Sunday was no exception at the England v France game, there are always plenty of charcters to have a chat to whether from this side of the Channel or the other. Plenty of former Internationals to wandering around or some working as was Austin Healey for his new show, he was interviewing Ben Kay. Not far away a posse of former French Internationals, Fabien Galthie and Vincent Moscato, himself a radio show host these days on Radio Monte-Carlo. I wonder if he bumped into his old foe Brian Moore during his visit!!! The commanding presence of former French captain Abdelatif Benazzi always happy to chat and shake a hand or two. Jeff Tordo and Philippe Benetton sat just in front of me during the game sat impassivly during the first half as France shipped 29 points, they had seen it all before and at the end of it as they shook English hands were told “Good game!” It’s a phrase that has stuck in French throats. So it is now a tradition that whenever a French side beats an English one “Good game” is the parting French comment, pay back time.

I suspect our Cornish lads Darren Jacques, Luke Collins and Josh Lord were on the receiving end of “Good Game” as France Federale beat England Counties 27-19 at Twickenham on Sunday evening. It was a good game between two evenly matched sides, however the French had in winger Bertrand Artero a goal kicker who punished English indiscretions with a 14-point haul from the boot. The Cornish trio competed well throughout and Luke Collins took his second half try really well after James Kellard’s initial break.

It was also good to see Phil Vickery pop out during the game and chat to some of the players. There was a moment during the main game on Sunday when England were pressing in the French 22, full back Bevon Armitage was caught up in the ruck and guess who was covering full back with no other English player within 50 yards….. Phil Vickery!!! It was a very good game.

What a fantastic program of events laid on by the Cornish Pirates on Sunday with their first St Piran’s festival. There was something for everyone to enjoy and the club are to be congratulated on a marvellous PR job. The only thing missing was the result but in typical Cornish style, the weather played it’s part a real mad March blow spoilt the game as a spectacle.

If the players suffered in the conditions then you had to feel for the lovely ladies from Redruth Amateur Operatic Society, who gave a half-time dance performance in front of the grandstand, they must have felt frozen! So to the minis from Redruth and Truro U. 8’s who battled bravely against the elements.

Having lost a close encounter 6-5 to Bedford Blues who thus gained revenge for the Pirates win at Goldington Road earlier in the season, players and coach were clearly upset. Adryan Winnan looked very downcast after the game the disappointment clearly etched on his face. Brett Davey said that the result “hurt”, you sensed a berevement in the family, hopefully that will spur the boys on next Sunday when they entertain Esher. If John Inverdale looks in discomfort on the TV, then the news from Camborne could be the reason rather than another England flop!!!!

You can read my match report from Camborne here

Redruth survived the “bananna skin” at Cinderford winning 25-20 to keep their noses ahead in National League 2. Tries from lock Luke Collins, winger Lewis Vinnicombe and full-back Emyr Lewis set the Red’s on their way but crucially they couldn’t get that vital fourth try, so their lead at the top has been trimmed by another point and the Bees and Cambridge both got maximum points.

The Cornish All Blacks had a narrow win against a Blaydon side missing winger Andrew Fenby who turned out and scored for Newcastle Falcons on Sunday, (which should make the England Counties selection interesting this week ), 23-19, thanks to a couple of tries from Ryan Westren and Jon Fabian, Adam Staniforth’s boot added the other points.

Mount’s Bay survival took a telling blow at Blackheath as they crashed to the home side 55-21. Bay managed three tries from Dan Hawkes, Craig Goodfellow and Ben Hilton with Hawkes kicking all three conversions.

In the Tribute regional leagues a good win once more for the Hakes in South West 2 West as St. Ives won 23-7 at Yatton thanks to tries from Tom Outram and Louis Stevens and 13 points from the trusty boot of Karl Martin.

In Western Counties West, no doubt that the result of the day and one that made one or two eyebrows raise Camborne 55 - 0 Kingsbridge. Town scored eight tries through Rob Floyd (3), Sam Matavesi (2), Joe Parma, Dave Mankee and Laurie Manna, with Mankee kicking three conversions and three penalties.

Wadebridge Camels were held at Weston Hornets 11-11, a disappointing result for the Camels. Luke Davidson scored the Camels try with Josh Taylor kicking a couple of penalties.

Tiverton beat Newquay Hornets 18-13, early tries from Rob McIntyre and Rob Ley gave the hornets a flying start but Tivy came back to take the spoils.

Bude lost at Ivybridge 20-10 Ollie Rayner kicked a penalty and converted Olly Denford’s try.

in London 3 SW, London Cornish put in a storming second half performance to defeat visitors Bognor 34-14. Dickon Moon’s report is here.

Match of the day in the Cornwall and Devon League was atSt. Clements as Truro entertained leaders Penryn with the city club winning 23-7. Truro scored three tries through Ross Martin, Garth Dodson and Joe Williamson with Scott Martin kicking a conversion and penalty and brother Ross another penalty to complete the scoring. For the Borough Matt Biggins converted a penalty try.

Hayle had a good win over OPM’s 22-0 with tries from Cullam Osborne, Adam Redgrave and Leon Phoe, Paul Lello adding two conversions and a penalty.

Falmouth lost at the Rec to visiting Bideford 23-13. Steve Rowe got Falmouth’s try converted by Tom Spiller who also added a penalty, James Instance dropped a goal.

Steve Down kicked Saltash’s only points as they lost at Moorlands 48-3 to Okehampton.

Wishing “One & All” a very happy St. Piran’s Day, flying of St. Piran’s flag, wearing of Cornwall rugby shirts, consumption of Cornish ale, partaking of Cornish Pasties, digestion of “thunder and lightening” and some heavee cake all obligatory!! PROPER JOB!

It was always going to be a “David & Goliath” encounter, Mount’s Bay having already this season seen the pace and power of a National League 1 side in Esher, knew they were in for a tough afternoon down at the Mennaye. The final score of 7-66 will come as no surprise to those who have witnessed Nottingham this season at first hand. For the record Ben Hilton got Bay’s only try with Dan Hawkes kicking the conversion. Nottingham now face Leeds Carnegie in the semi-final of the EDF-Energy National Trophy. Well done Bay for getting this far the extra revenue will have been a godsend.

Congratulations to Liskeard & Looe for reaching the semi-finals of the EDF-Energy Junior Vase, they are now just one game away from a Twickenham appearence. The Lions 29-10 win over fellow Cornish side St. Austell sets up a home semi-final against Lowestoft & Yarmouth. Four tries for the homeside thanks to Phil Bennett, Ryan Morris, Andy Sheer and Baz Hocking, who also added three penalties. For St. Austell a late consolation score by Milo Bright converted by Paul Newnham who earlier kicked a penalty was scant comfort.

On Friday evening three Cornishmen were in the England Counties team that earned a 13-13 draw with AIB Irish Clubs at Leinster’s Donnybrook ground in Dublin. Redruth’s Darren Jacques and Luke Collins teamed up with last season’s Cornwall captain Josh Lord of the Cornish All Blacks. All three Cornishmen were in the starting XV. Well done lads you did Cornwall proud.

I felt sorry for poor old Phil Vickery on Saturday as that yellow card he received and the vilification in certain quarters of the press look likely to have scuppered his chances of leading the British & Irish Lions in South Africa this summer. He didn’t deserve that not for all he has done for the English in the past! Come on home to Cornwall m’ andsome you’re always welcome down ‘eere.

A few catch up league matches this wekend with the Cornish Pirates travelling up to Monk’s Lane to play the Newbury Blues, and another five points in the bag with a 39-10 win in National League 1. The Pirates scored five tries thanks to Bertrand “Allez France” Bedes, Jimmy Moore with a brace, Nicky Griffiths and Darren Dawiduik, Rhys Jones kicked four conversions and a couple of penalties.

In Tribute South West 2 West, St. Ives continued their fine form with a 35-15 win at Walcot to go level on points with 3rd placed Avonmouth. Tries for the Hakes by Rob Rowe, Tom Outram, Craig Williams and Ben Taylor with Karl Martin kicking three conversions and three penalties.

No joy for Camborne in their Western Counties West game at Ivybridge as they lost 25-0.

In London, our exiles club London Cornish beat Guernsey 31-10 in London 3 SW. Coach Dickon Moon’s report can be found in the link.

In the Cornwall & Devon league, Saltash lost 27-11 at Plymstock. Rob Wooldridge with a try and Nigel Owen two penalties scored the Ashes’ points.

In the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Cup, last season’s beaten finalists Bude made the last four again this season with a comfortable 55-10 win over Falmouth at the Recreation Ground.

On Sunday, Camborne after their league whitewash the previous day had more to smile about as they defeated Hayle 21-6 to also reach the last four of this season’s Cornwall Cup. Camborne will now face Bude in the semi-finals, whilst Truro will host St. Ives in the other. Ties will probably be played over the weekend of 21st March.

In the Skinners Brewery Cornwall Clubs Cup semi-final 1st leg played also on Sunday, Liskeard & Looe after their heroics of the previous day lost by a point at Lux Park 13-12 to Stithians.

Cornwall U.20’s got their County Championship campaign off to a losing start when they lost to Devon up at Barnstaple 26-10. Chris Morris (Cornish All Blacks) scored Cornwall’s try with with clubmate Josh Coles adding the conversion and a penalty. Cornwall next play in two weeks time when they take on reigning County Champions Gloucestershire up at Lydney. More details in the link.