A summary of the 2006-2007 league season
This page summarizes all the league games involving Cornish clubs in National League 1, National League 2, SW1, and SW2 (W) that took place in season 2006-2007.
A serious injury to Dan Seal overshadowed what proved to be a rousing start to the new National One season for the Cornish Pirates at their new Camborne home.
The 26-year-old tighthead prop was stretchered off after just 30 minutes of yesterday's league encounter with Otley, the early diagnosis indicating damage to his knee.
Seal's injury took the shine off what was a pretty polished display from Jim McKay's Pirates, whose 39-0 success over the visiting Yorkshiremen ensured them of top spot in the standings.
Former Harlequins centre Henry Barratt crowned his league debut in Pirates' colours by claiming two of the home side's five tries, Vili Ma'asi, Rhodri McAtee and a penalty try ensuring it was a five-point maximum for the Cornish club. Fellow newcomer Alberto Di Bernardo was equally impressive at fly-half, firing over two penalties and four conversions on his way to scooping the Worthington man-of-the-match award.
It was certainly the kind of seasonal start McKay would have wished for, but the experienced Australian knows all too well there will be much tougher challenges to come in the weeks and months ahead.
Despite adding a number of new faces to their squad over the summer, Otley looked a pale shadow of former National One campaigns. In every department the Pirates held the edge, their full-time status coming to the fore from almost the very first blast of referee Nick Williams whistle.
Whereas last season the visitors drew with Bedford on the opening day, then threatened to sting eventual champions Harlequins a week later, this season they were dispatched with a workmanlike efficiency by McKay's men.
Two early penalties from Di Bernardo gave the home side a 6-0 lead inside as many minutes, but moments later the Pirates were reduced to 14 men when flanker Sam Betty was yellow carded for a professional foul.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Pirates continued to rule the roost and they gained their first try of the season on 15 minutes when Tongan hooker Ma'asi was aided over the line by his fellow forwards.
Although Di Bernardo failed with the tough touchline conversion, he atoned on 24 minutes when he added the extras to McAtee's try. The Welshman applying the finish to a sublime move from the home side, which saw the forwards and backs link in unison with a string of passes.
Down 18-0, things did not get any better for Otley, who themselves were briefly reduced to 14 men following Ben Steele's yellow card for a late hit on Di Bernardo. And with half-time fast approaching, a scrum just yards from the Otley line was worked left along the home backline to Barratt, who barged his way past two defenders to score by the posts, Di Bernardo again obliging with the extras for a 25-0 lead.
More of the same was envisaged after the break, but it took until the 64th minute for the home side to finally make the breakthrough. Having blown several decent scoring opportunities, it took an indiscretion from Otley's Ian Shuttleworth to reward the Pirates with their all-important fourth try.
The visiting skipper's blatant knockdown of Duncan Roke's intended pass to Jon Hylton not only brought about a penalty try, but also earnt the full-back a ten-minute spell on the sidelines.
As before, Di Bernardo slotted the conversion, before following suit five minutes from time when he plundered over the additional two points to Barratt's second of the afternoon.
Afterwards, McKay remarked: "I'm pretty happy with that as you're never quite sure what's going to happen in the first game. We've had nine weeks of pre-season and worked hard on a few areas. Otley are a pretty dogged and tough side, who've had to travel a long way. Overall, though, we're very happy with the result, but performance-wise there are still things to build on."
The Aussie added: "I'm very happy with the debutants, especially Scott Hobson and Owen Hambly; they are only 18 years old, as is Sam Betty, and they are all Cornish, which is good. Sam Heard coming on and making his debut was also good, but there are lots of new guys out there and it will take a while to build this team up.
"I was pleased with our defence today and also the occasion. It was our first game at Camborne and it was important for us to do well. I thought we showed glimpses of what we are capable of, but we are still a little way off things."
Cornish Pirates: 39pts Tries - Ma'asi, Barratt 2, McAtee, Penalty Try; Conversions - Di Bernardo 4; Penalties - Di Bernardo 2.
Otley: 0pts
Cornish Pirates: D Roke; R McAtee (J Moore 72), H Barratt, D Bell , J Hylton; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); A Paver (G Anderson 63), V Ma'asi (O Hambly 72), D Seal (S Heard 30); H Senekal, J Beardshaw (S Hobson 72); S McKeen , S Betty (I Motusaga 63), M Evans.
Replacement (not used): L Vinnicombe.
Yellow Cards: Betty, Evans.
Otley: I Shuttleworth (capt); S Parsons, R Whatmuff (P Mooney 63), K Dench, D Smith (X Andre 63); S Binns , A Brown; A Livesey, B Steele (D Sayers 55), B Fear (A Walker 70); D Whitehead (B Back 49), P Williams; P Stockdale (J Tiffany 55), N Bland (D Sayers 32-42, L O'Neill 79), M Maifea.
Yellow Cards: Steele, Shuttleworth.
Referee: N. Williams (RFU)
The Cornish All Blacks got their National League 2 campaign off to the best possible start by claiming all five points on offer with a comprehensive win over the Henley Hawks at the Polson Ground on Saturday.
Despite going behind to an early penalty from Hawks' full-back Adam Slade, the Cornish All Blacks took hold of the game when recent signing Sam Youngs took a fine pass from fellow half-back Richard John to score an opening try on 16 minutes. Both sides were reduced to fourteen men shortly after as Cornish All Blacks' No. 8 Nick Burnett and Hawks' flanker Stean Williams were shown the yellow card after a dust up between the forwards.
The Cornish All Blacks carried on their impressive pre-season form with some fine rugby in the backs carrying a big threat to the Hawks, who defended well. Just before the break the Cornish All Blacks scored a second try through hooker Dave Risdon, which Youngs converted. However, another major altercation between the players saw a second Cornish All Blacks' player sent to the bin, this time flanker Josh Lord.
Slade kicked two more penalties either side of half time to level the scores. With a full complement of players and some fresh legs the Cornish All Blacks reverted to type, using their forward power to drive Henley back. One such drive saw the Hawks' flanker Jon Tenconi yellow carded for pulling down. From the resulting penalty to touch, Burnett powered over to claim a third try for the home side, Youngs obliging once more with the extras. The fourth try was claimed via referee Mr O'Hara's award of a penalty try after the Hawks deliberately collapsed a scrum near their own line. A fourth penalty from Slade completed the scoring. However, the home crowd went home happy with a fine start to the League campaign.
Cornish All Blacks: S. Perry, N. Simpson, M.Sweeney, R. Westren (K. Francis 59), A. Matchett, S. Young, R. John; J. Bolt, D. Risdon capt, S. Roberts 80), W. Reed, S. Pape (T. Parker 53), B. Luxton, J. Lord (D. Kimberley 65), W. Sprangle, N. Burnett. Y/C Burnett & Lord
Redruth made a disappointing start to their league campaign at Stourton Park on Saturday with this defeat. They will look to bounce back on Saturday in front of their own fans when they entertain Esher. Unusually all the scoring took place during the first half. Stourbridge had first use of the elements. Redruth, having weathered the early storm, were caught by a counter from the home side's winger Ally Bressington chasing up his kick ahead to score out wide. He then converted his own score.
New signing for the Reds fly half Mike Hook kicked a very fine penalty on 17 minutes from 35 meters to cut the deficit. However, the Reds will be disappointed in the manner they conceded a second try: a quick tap by Nick Baxter in front of the Reds' posts saw the Reds totally unorganised and Baxter slipped in. Bressington added the conversion.
The Reds' forwards played their hearts out to try and get their side back into the game. Jacques, Harrison, Williams, Carroll and Mann all had a big influence on the game. Hook and Bressington swapped penalties before half time.
The weather deteriorated noticeably after the break, making handling a lottery for both sides and Redruth were unable to score again despite some close calls.
Redruth: J. Caruana, T. McBride, C. Bonds (capt), P. Gidlow, N. Pedley, M. Hook, M. Richards (M. Churcher 70); D. Jacques, S. Harrison (J. Tann 80), C. Williams (P. Joyce 66), D. Cook, R. Carroll, N. Pascoe, C. Fuca, J. Mann (A. Lawton 64)
The Cornish Pirates were left licking their wounds and somewhat frustrated after seeing underdogs Waterloo snatch a dramatic win at Blundellsands six minutes from time with a Steve Nutt penalty. Australian coach Jim McKay - like his team - was left somewhat shell-shocked and disappointed, but prepared to admit that it had not been his side's day.
"Waterloo deserved the win." he remarked afterwards. "We didn't play to our potential, but the credit for that was to the home side because they destroyed our possession and slowed the ball down.
"They made the important tackles and kicked the goals when the opportunities came. Waterloo simply wanted to win the game more than we did, although we expected to win.
"We came up here on Thursday and prepared well enough, but the initiative was taken away from us by the opposition." No one did better than Waterloo's South African-born scrum-half Chad Erskine, who was making his debut before jetting off to face Uruguay next week in a Rugby World Cup qualifying game.
Erskine injected new life into the home side and on this showing it comes as no surprise that, having qualified residentially, he could well feature in the USA 's bid to reach the finals next autumn in France .
However, having opened up their National One season with a convincing 39-0 success over Otley last Sunday, the Pirates were expected to dominate much of the set-pieces and possession.
Conditions were nigh-on perfect except for a a slight wind that the Cornish visitors had the benefit of in the first period, which was evenly contested with both packs endeavouring to get the upper hand.
Waterloo fly-half Steve Nutt hit the woodwork early on, but just on the half-hour mark the Pirates edged ahead when scrum-half Gavin Cattle touched down, Di Bernardo adding the extras.
Minutes later the Italian A international increased the Pirates lead with a penalty, before Nutt cancelled it out with one himself. Then a second Nutt penalty just before the break reduced the margin further.
After 49 minutes Nutt was again in action with his boot punishing the visitors for another indiscretion. However, the significant move came after 51 minutes when South African winger Jan DeVenter pulled off a devastating tackle before appearing on his opposite wing to force his way over the line to snatch the lead for the first time. Nutt added the conversion superbly.
The Pirates certainly did not lie down and a couple of penalties from Di Bernardo soon brought the scores level. The final seven minutes were pulsating as the visitors launched a series of attacks. Indeed, they looked as if they were going to break the deadlock with a three-man overlap. But a timely interception foiled their plot and a further indiscretion enabled Nutt to put over the vital kick.
Waterloo 19pts: Try - Van DeVenter; Conversion - Nutt; Penalties - Nutt 4
Cornish Pirates 16pts: Try - Cattle; Conversion - Di Bernardo; Penalties - Di Bernardo 3
Waterloo: P Murchie; N Kerfoot, F Payne (capt), S Brady, J Van
DeVenter; S Nutt, C Erskine; M O'Keefe (S Taylor 49-62), P Ince (J Ormesher
58-66), S Rowers; R McKay, J Nugent; J Brandling-Harris, D Palmer (D Moon 67),
D Smith (N Tchakoute 61).
Replacements (not used): A Roberts, T Handley, J
Bronson. Yellow Card: Nugent
Cornish Pirates: D Roke (A Winnan 70); L Vinnicombe (J Hylton
57), H Barratt, S Winn (D Bell 49), J Moore; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); G
Anderson (A Paver 47), V Ma'asi, S Heard; H Senekal, J Beardshaw; S McKeen, I
Motusaga (S Betty 65), M Evans.
Replacements (not used): S Hobson , O
Hambly. Referee: A Small (RFU) Attendance: 425.
The Cornish All Blacks re-affirmed their aspirations with another bonus point win, this time up in the Yorkshire Dales. The Launceston pack laid the foundations for this fine win by getting the upper hand on their Yorkshire opponents.
Steve Perry got the scoreboard ticking over with an opening try after just 2 minutes. Sam Young then added a couple of penalties to stretch the Cornishmen's lead. Wharfedale were even more up against it when they lost second row David Lister to the sin bin. From the kick to the corner the Cornish All Blacks won the line out and released winger Andy Matchett, who squeezed in at the corner for their second try.
Young kicked a third penalty early in the second half to establish a 19-0 lead. Wharfedale tried to get back in the game and scored a fine try through winger's Simon Horsfall strong run. Andy Baggett converted this score and kicked a penalty soon after.
Old warhorse David Kimberly came on for Burnett and scored the third try for Launceston, with Young adding the extras. Despite Baggett kicking a third penalty the Cornish All Blacks wrapped up the bonus point when Nigel Simpson scored the fourth try following some fine team play from Richard John and Ryan Westren. Young once more kicked the conversion.
Wharfedale's never-say-die attitude was rewarded when James Doherty scored a second try for the home side, which Baggett converted to complete the scoring.
This weekend saw the first round of matches in many of the regional leagues. In South West 1, Mount's Bay, for many promotion favourites once again, received a sharp wake up call when they were held at the Mennaye by Oxford Harlequins 34-34. Yet Bay were in a commanding position when leading 19-0 early on. Try scorers for the Bay were Ben Hilton, Lee Jarvis, Thom Berry, Jamie Semmens and Danny Clackworthy. Jarvis only kicked two conversions from six.
St. Ives marked their return to South West 1 with a fine win over Cleve by 18 - 5 at Alexandra Road. Andy Skinner and Adam Hart scored the Hakes' tries with Grant Thirlby adding two penalties and a conversion.
In South West 2 West Penryn, having slipped down from the higher division last season, earned a 29-all draw at Newton Abbot, with recent signing Ed Lawrence grabbing two of the tries.
Camborne went close up at Brixham, only losing 17-13. Joe Parma scored the Cherry and Whites' try with Mike Provis kicking the conversion and two penalties.
In Western Counties West, Hayle got off to a good start with 23-3 win over Tiverton. Bude were well beaten by North Devon neighbours Barnstaple 25-0, whilst many observers fears about Truro were realised as they suffered an opening day defeat at St. Clements to promoted Devonport Services by 40-3.
It was not a good day for the Cornish sides in the Cornwall & Devon league as all four lost. Falmouth lost at Cullompton 12-5, promoted Perranporth found Tavistock too hot to handle losing 48-14, Wadebridge Camels got no joy at Paignton going down 35-10 and finally St. Austell lost at South Molton 18-7.
The Tamar League is now up and running and this week saw the opening matches in this new competition with the Westcountry Warriors defeating a Launceston Development XV 24 - 0 at Polson and the Exeter Chiefs Reserves beating Redruth Development XV 36 - 13 at the Recreation Ground.
Redruth went down to a second league defeat in this season's campaign against a strong Esher side that are likely to be in the shout for promotion at the end of the season. Esher rolled into Redruth with three England Counties Internationals amongst their ranks, namely captain Duncan Cormack at prop, full back Neil Hallett and replacement hooker Simon Elkinson. If this was not enough, their back row boasted Ladislav Vondrasek the captain of the Czech Republic, who next weekend will be leading his country in a Rugby World Cup qualification match against Spain in Prague. Some big guns and a fine pedigree to grace the Recreation Ground this early in the season.
Esher kicked off playing up the slope. With a fresh wind blowing from behind, Esher looked to use the elements to pin the Reds back in their 22 to set up a platform. On a rare foray up field Reds' winger Tim McBride made a fine break into the Esher 22 and with quick ball No 8 James Mann, who had a fine game and who fully justified his Reds' Man of the Match award, was on hand to score the Reds' opening try after 9 minutes. Mike Hook kicked the conversion for a 7- 0 lead. This score took Esher back somewhat and they redoubled their efforts, using the wind to good effect to pin the Reds down in the Strawberry Lane corner. Using their big forwards they looked to drive the Reds back. Redruth tenaciously defended well and disrupted the Esher pack on numerous occasions. However, Redruth eventually infringed, allowing Neil Hallett to cut the deficit with a well-struck penalty after 16 minutes.
The strong wind was making life difficult for both sides, causing numerous mistakes in handling. More pressure from Esher down in the Strawberry Lane corner led to their opening try, scored by the impressive Vondrasek in the corner on 28 minutes, Hallett's worthy conversion attempt striking the upright.
To their credit Redruth replied in the best possible way when winger Nathan Pedley made a beautiful run along the Eastern Bank with a trademark sidestep to score in the Piggy Lane corner from the restart. Hook couldn't add the extras. Reds joy was not to endure as 4 minutes later Esher reclaimed the lead with a second try, again following a catch-and-drive down in the Strawberry Lane corner with skipper Duncan Cormack claiming the score. A third try was scored just before half-time when No 8 Lee Stirling cut a great line through the Reds' defence to score in the same corner. Hallett's conversion gave the visitors an eight point lead, which they held until the break as Redruth missed a fine chance down near Hell Fire corner right at the end of the half.
Redruth set out to control the game down in the Strawberry Lane corner during the second half, much as Esher had done during the first period, but they were unable to control the game as the Esher forwards had done in the first period despite long periods of possession. An early penalty (49 minutes) from Hook brought the Reds back to 15-20.
Any chances of a Redruth revival were dashed when a loose kick out of defence was run back by Hallett to the Redruth 22. At the ensuing ruck Redruth infringed and from the catch-and-drive prop Jeff Smith was driven over in Hell Fire corner. Hallett kicked the conversion to put Esher in a commanding 27-15 lead after 52 minutes. With the bonus point secured Esher continued to control the game and any ball that Redruth had was extremely slow in coming, nullifying any advantage Redruth might have had in attack. Deep into injury time Hallett kicked a second penalty to wrap up Esher's second win of the campaign and leave the Reds still looking for their first points of this season.
Next stop Polson Bridge for the first leg of the Cornish derby!
Redruth 15 pts: Tries Mann, Pedley; Con, Pen Hook
Esher 30 pts: Tries Vondrasek, Cormack, Starling, Smith; Con (2), Pens (2) Hallett
Redruth: M. Churcher, T. McBride (S. Peters 49), C. Bonds (capt), PJ Gidlow, N. Pedley, M. Hook, M. Richards; D. Jacques (P. Joyce 58), S. Harrison (D. Dawiduik 58), C. Williams (D. Jacques 64), D. Cook, R. Carroll (C. Fuca 80), N. Pascoe, C. Fuca (A. Lawton 75), J. Mann.
Esher: N. Hallett, K. Dixon, R. Briggs, A. Taylor (M. Marsh 77), B. Armitage, M. Leek, G. Barr; D. Cormack (capt), T. Doran (S. Elkinson 70), J. Smith (M. Anderson 56), M. Butterworth, P. Barker, M. Blakeburn (E. Amapakabo 70), L. Vondrasek, L. Starling.
Referee Mr. N. Higginson (RFU)
Cornish Pirates' coach Jim McKay praised his side's character after they returned to winning ways with a stylish display over visiting Moseley at Camborne.
Having surprisingly come unstuck in battle at Waterloo the week previous, McKay was seeking an immediate response from his troops. They didn't disappoint.
Fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo led the way with a superb 32-point haul, while team-mates Adryan Winnan, Lewis Vinnicombe and Stan McKeen all claimed their first-ever tries in Pirates colours, the other going to Welshman Rhodri McAtee. It was vintage stuff from the Cornish club, who next week set sail for Headingley to face former Guinness Premiership outfit Leeds Tykes.
Understandably, McKay was happy with his side's showing, the Australian saying afterwards: "I'm very proud of the boys. After the result last week, which was very disappointing, we put ourselves under a bit of pressure to perform in this game. We needed to respond, which I think we did.
"I felt we fronted up very well and in the second half we played some very, very good rugby. Today we showed real glimpses of what we are capable of, but we're not going to get carried away.
"I still feel there is a lot more to come from us, but today was about getting ourselves back on track. The only real disappointment was the try we let in at the end, that was a real soft one."
That aside, McKay and his team can feel more than content with their display against a Moseley side who had headed west on the back of a notable victory over Bedford the week previous.
In a tight opening to the game, it was Moseley who broke the game's deadlock on seven minutes courtesy of an Ollie Thomas penalty.
That lead, however, was to prove short-lived as the Pirates hit back within two minutes. A good break from Henry Barratt saw him link-up with McAtee, who despite seeing his own path to the line blocked, was able to chip the ball back inside to the onrushing Di Bernardo to score.
As the half progressed, Thomas (two) and Di Bernardo traded penalties to make it 11-9, but it was the Pirates who stretched their lead in stoppage time when a ruck on the right was worked along the backs to Winnan, who turned on the after-burners to scorch to the line, Di Bernardo adding the extras.
If that was sweet, things were to get decidedly sweeter for the home side as first McAtee latched on to Duncan Bell's looped pass for try number three, then Canadian international McKeen made the most of Mark Evans' sin-binning to add the all-important fourth try, both of which were converted.
Things did not get any better for Moseley as they then had lock Paul Arnold yellow-carded for a deliberate knockdown. Di Bernardo punished his indiscretion with another penalty, before slotting the extras to Vinnicombe's effort, which came courtesy of an inch-perfect crossfield kick from the Italian.
Now seemingly in cruise control, the Pirates briefly let their foot off the pedal enough to allow Moseley No.8 James Rodwell to barge his way through the home defence for a converted consolation try.
However, that effort merely acted to kick-start the Pirates back into life. The inspirational Di Bernardo wrapping proceedings up with a 78th minute penalty, a second try - following a sniping break from skipper Gavin Cattle - and a conversion.
Cornish Pirates 52pts: Tries - Di Bernardo 2, Winnan, McAtee, McKeen, Vinnicombe. Conversions - Di Bernardo 5; Penalties - Di Bernardo 4
Moseley 16pts: Try - Rodwell; Conversion - Thomas; Penalties - Thomas 3
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; R McAtee (J Hylton 71), H Barratt, D
Bell, L Vinnicombe; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt), A Paver, V Ma'asi, S Heard
(G Anderson 75); H Senekal, J Beardshaw (S Hobson 43-58); S McKeen , S Betty (I
Motusaga 64), M Evans.
Replacements (not used): J Moore, S Winn , O Hambly.
Moseley: O Thomas; N Bressington, A Binns (capt), P Cox, C Colvin; G MacDonald, P Knight (D Hunter 75), B Buxton (P Coles 62), A Caves (C Hall 62), N Bayliss (R Sigley 75), P Arnold (A Hadley 74), R Stott; M Evans (N Mason 66), T Warren, J Rodwell (Mason 27-37). Yellow Cards: Evans, Arnold
Referee: B Robertson (RFU) .
The Cornish All Blacks have soared to the top of the National Division Two table, just behind Esher on points difference, after this hectic derby with Redruth brought them their third consecutive five-pointer. The Blacks never really looked like losing this match at a packed Polson Bridge, although the Reds never bowed the knee and gave them a fright for 15 minutes after the re-start, narrowing the gap from 18-3 to 18-14 with a heroic, if relatively shortlived fightback.
The Launceston half-backs, fly-half Richard John and Sam Young, controlled the game for long periods with Young and full-back Ryan Westren putting in some superb territorial kicks.
This and the power and fitness of their pack saw the All Blacks home with something to spare.
Inevitably with a derby, play was intense and at times heated, and the All Blacks were perhaps unlucky to have both lock Brett Luxton (early on for a bit of a dust-up with Reds' scrum-half Mark Richards) and No.8 Nick Burnett (for a transgression which nobody understood) yellow-carded.
The Reds started well with pacy No.8 James Mann breaking clear only to be stopped by Young, who chased and caught him in the nick of time. Young and his opposite number Michael Hook both landed early penalties, Hook first and then Young a couple of minutes later.
Redruth were running opportunistically and well out of defence, but the All Blacks were soon in gear and on the attack. Indeed, if their line-out was in trouble throughout the first half, they were motoring smoothly in every other department. They posted two key scores just before the interval, wing Andy Matchett pouncing on a loose ball in his own half and shooting clear with Wayne Sprangle on his shoulder, and the flanker, who has a startling turn of pace for a big man, raced 30 yards to cross, shrugging off a late tackle.
Young's conversion was wide but further injury-time pressure brought the All Blacks to the line again. Their well-orchestrated, very fit pack went for the pushover, but then released it to John who sent Young storming in. He converted his own try.
After the break the All Blacks should have pressed home their advantage and sealed the game, but the Reds, to their credit, would not lie down and surged back into contention.
Within minutes they had scored, rucking and running to send left wing Nathan Pedley away down the touchline, before he linked with captain and centre Craig Bonds, who crossed in the corner.
Hook's conversion faded agonisingly just past the left upright but four minutes later Redruth came again, Hook landing two penalties (the second awarded for Burnett's sin-binning) to bring his side to within four pointsat 18-14. However, the All Blacks reimposed their authority and gradually and inexorably drew away to victory.
A quick tap was spun right to wing Nigel Simpson who was halted just short of the line and from two ensuing rucks, it was tighthead prop Wayne Reed who touched down infield. Young converted before then adding his third penalty of the afternoon.
After a flurry of home replacements the All Blacks then produced a copybook try. They drove into the Redruth 22, whipped it slickly right down the line and replacement full-back Kieron Lewitt raced over clear at the corner.
Young's conversion attempt from the touchline rebounded from an upright but his side were now home and dry, leading 33-14. Redruth, though, got a deserved consolation score deep into injury time,working their way determinedly, if frantically, towards the home line with replacement scrum-half Sam Brown crossing from a quickly taken tap penalty.
Cornish All Blacks 33pts: Tries - Sprangle, Young, Reed, Lewitt; Conversions - Young 2; Penalties - Young 3
Redruth 19pts: Tries - Bonds, Brown; Penalties - Hook 3.
Cornish All Blacks: R Westren (K Lewitt 69); N Simpson, M
Sweeney, S Perry,A Matchett; S Young, R John; J Bolt, D Risdon (capt), W Reed;
S Pape T Parker 70), B Luxton; J Lord, W Sprangle, N Burnett (D Kimberley 72).
Replacement (not used): I Langbridge.
Yellow Cards: Luxton; Burnett.
Redruth: J Caruana; M Lea, C Bonds (capt), PJ Gidlow, N Pedley; M
Hook, M Richards (S Brown 75); D Jacques, S Harrison (D Dawiduik 62), P Joyce
(S Lutey 65); D Cook, R Carroll;N Pascoe, A Lawton, J Mann.
Replacement
(not used): C Fuca.
Referee: E Turnill (RFU).
In South West 1, normal service was resumed at Mount's Bay who travelled to Berkshire to face Reading Abbey. Bay "welcomed back" Steve Evans for this first away trip in the league. Bay hit the Abbey with three tries in the first half through Tom Edyvean, Darren Semmens and Lee Jarvis.
Jarvis opened Bay's account in the second half with his second and further scores came via Steve Evans, Ricky Pellow, Ben Hilton, and Mia Mua. Jarvis kicked seven conversions from eight. Final score 54-13 to the Bay.
St. Ives lost a close encounter at Maidenhead by 28-23. The Hakes scored four tries through Stuart Turnbull, Andy Skinner, Werner Gaigagar, and Mike Tulua, with Grant Thirlby adding the sole penalty success.
In South West 2West, Penryn maintained their unbeaten run with a 34-14 success over Spartans at the Memorial Ground. Borough got off to great start, scoring three tries during the first period through Dave Pascoe (2) and Paul Bannister. Pascoe's boot added a further nine points with three conversions and a penalty. Despite a mini-revival during the second half from the visitors, Ian Morgan scored a fourth try for the Borough, which was converted. Pascoe kicked a final penalty to complete the scoring.
Camborne found no solace up in Coney Hill, where the home side had a comprehensive win by 42-0.
In Western Counties West, Hayle recorded a welcome win at Withycombe by 19-5 to make it two wins from two played. James Jago, Neil Turner and Kevin Mankee scored the tries for Hayle, with Paul Lello kicking two from thee conversions.
Bude beat Devonport Services at Devonport 17-8. Danny Frost, Paul Williams and Mark Ninnis scoring the tries for the North Cornwall side.
Truro came close to a win at Ivybridge but went down in the end 10-7, Paddy Patterson converting his own try for Truro's points.
A truncated program in the Cornwall & Devon League, due to EDF Senior Vase Preliminary games, saw a win for Wadebridge Camels over South Molton 36-3 and St. Austell slip up at home against Tavistock 20-10.
In the EDF Senior Vase Preliminary round Perranporth bowed out 20-12 to Okehampton, whilst in the Junior version, Callington beat Plymouth Argrum 24-0, and Roseland defeated St. Columbia & Torpoint 31-7. Veor went out to Old Technicians 22-8.
Hollywood scriptwriters could not have envisaged a more dramatic ending to this blockbuster as the Cornish Pirates were mugged of victory by Leeds Tykes at Headingley.
Jonny Hepworth's injury-time try, importantly converted by Leigh Hinton, not only allowed the Yorkshiremen to snatch a somewhat undeserved victory, but also claim their first home win of the campaign.
It was certainly rough justice on the Pirates, who could not have given any more in terms of effort and commitment, but who were ultimately punished for not making the most of their many chances.
The hysterical celebrations from the Tykes at the final whistle showed how much this victory meant to them. However, the home club - players and supporters alike - know they had got out of jail by the skin of their teeth.
Understandably, Pirates coach Jim McKay emerged from the visiting changing rooms a dejected man at the final whistle. The Australian remarked: "We are extremely disappointed with the result. I cannot fault the guys as their attitude and commitment was excellent and we played exactly to the script we had for the game.
"Little things didn't go our way tonight, which is disappointing, and we were quite often on the wrong end of a few 50-50 calls. As a team we are still very much coming together and you could say tonight was a kind of growing pain in our development. It's going to take time for everything to work, but gee everyone is so down because we gave so much to that game."
Certainly the Pirates came out of the traps firing as the opening exchanges offered them two early chances. Fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo just failed with a second minute penalty, while prop Sam Heard crucially knocked on just yards from the line as the Pirates looked to make the most of Jon Dunbar's early yellow card.
Eventually the Pirates pressure told when a bone-crunching tackle from Canadian international Stan McKeen on Leeds wing Tom Biggs saw him isolated inside his own 22, Di Bernardo this time atoning for his earlier miss when he slotted the resultant penalty after Biggs had been penalised for holding on.
The home response, however, was immediate and from the restart it was the Tykes who reclaimed the ball, before working it down the right channel to Hepworth, who brushed off at least three Pirates to score the game's opening try on 18 minutes. Two minutes later and it was the Pirates who were again back in front, a solid break in midfield from Henry Barratt created a ruck from which Gavin Cattle, Matt Evans and Joe Beardshaw combined to release winger Rhodri McAtee to dart over in the left-hand corner.
It was frenetic stuff from both sides, but just as before the Pirates immediately gift-wrapped an opportunity for the Tykes to level on 22 minutes. This time it was Sam Betty who was the culprit, the young flanker penalised by referee Tim Wigglesworth for holding on.
Hinton fired over that penalty, plus another on 34 minutes after Pirates prop Alan Paver had been yellow-carded for a professional foul. However, a second Di Bernardo penalty just before the interval ensured the two teams turned round with honours even at 11-all.
Again the Pirates started the second half as they had begun the first, their early pressure bringing more reward when Di Bernardo stroked over a sublime drop-goal from just inside the Leeds half.
The Argentinian - who did well to shut out the constant barracking from the home faithful all evening - then extended the Pirates lead yet further when he slotted a 62nd minute penalty, only for Hinton to replicate the feat at the other end five minutes later.
Still the Pirates were cruising and when Di Bernardo added yet another penalty with eight minutes remaining to make it 20-14, their appeared only one victor at that stage. Leeds, though, had other ideas and forced to try anything they looked for one final throw of the dice.
The move paid off three minutes into injury time when Hepworth collected a pass just in from the right touchline before somehow picking his way through the Cornish rearguard to score. Hinton added the extras to restore the Tykes lead once more.
Even then both sides had chances, Di Bernardo failing with a speculative drop-goal effort, as did opposite number Hepworth, whose kick was well charged down by Chris Cracknell. But it was the Tykes who ultimately held their nerve to win.
Leeds Tykes 21pts: Tries - Hepworth 2; Conversion - Hinton; Penalties - Hinton 3
Cornish Pirates 20pts: Try - McAtee; Penalties - Di Bernardo 3; Drop-Goal - Di Bernardo
Leeds: L Hinton; T Rock (R Welding 55), A Rock, C Jones, T Biggs;
J Hepworth, D Edwards (J Rauluni 70); T McGee, R Rawlinson, M Cusack (D Paul
79); P Bouza, K Myall (P Nilsen 77); J Dunbar (S Stitcher 58), M Lock (capt), R
Oakley. Replacements (not used): J Isaacson, R Vasey.
Yellow Card: Dunbar
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; J Hylton, H Barratt, D Bell (S Winn
4-15), R McAtee; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi, S Heard; H
Senekal, J Beardshaw; S McKeen, S Betty (G Anderson 38-44, C Cracknell 64), M
Evans. Replacements (not used): D Roke, J Moore, S Hobson, O Hambly.
Yellow
Card: Paver
Referee: T Wigglesworth (RFU) Attendance: 2,039
Redruth delighted their home crowd with this first league win of the season, indeed their first league success since their win at the Recreation Ground against Halifax back in February.
The success was built around a fine display from the forwards, who dominated the Harrogate pack throughout this encounter. Three of the Reds' tries came from the forwards whilst the fourth from a brilliant solo run by young winger Mark Lea, making his home league debut.
Harrogate kicked off playing up the slope with the breeze at their backs and the Redruth forwards were soon bossing their opponents in the tight and the loose.
The first try arrived after less than 5 minutes, when the Reds' forwards mauled their way to the line from 25 meters out, hooker Darren Daviduik securing the try. Fly-half Mike Hook was unable to add the conversion. Hook was kicking well and securing field position against the stiff breeze. James Mann was having another storming game, frequently out in the backline and breaking the gainline with purpose. It was not long before Redruth began to build on their lead as Harrogate made errors. Following a penalty at a lineout Hook kicked a penalty from 30 meters in front of the posts after 15 minutes. Five minutes later he kicked another penalty, as Harrogate lost flanker Nick Beaumont to the sin bin, from almost the same spot to put Redruth 11-0 up.
Redruth maintained their momentum as Harrogate were unable to make any headway and any possession they had was knocked on or turned over. They were rewarded with further penalties from Hook after 27 minutes and 35 minutes.
Harrogate did at last have some possession and field position as the game neared half-time and looked threatening. Yet it was to be Redruth who finished the half on a high when a kick out of defence bounced wickedly on the half-way line, Craig Bonds and Mark Lea got the ball to Marek Churcher who raced down towards Hell Fire corner. He unselfishly passed back inside to the onrushing Nathan Pascoe up in support, as a good backrow forward should be, to score under the posts. Hook's conversion sent Redruth in at half-time with a healthy 24-0 lead.
Harrogate made a couple of changes just after half-time which led to a major re-shuffle of their backline. Harrogate began to play with more confidence than they had shown during the first half. Nick Wainwright, having moved from centre to fly-half, was wide with a penalty attempt from wide out after 51 minutes.
However, it was Redruth who where the first to score with a breath-taking try from young Mark Lea, who beat both his opposite winger, Duthie, and the full back, Smithies, on the outside with fine turn of speed to skate in via the scoreboard corner to score under the posts. Hook's conversion took Redruth to 31-0 and the crowd sensed a fourth bonus point try was for the taking. Harrogate put on their last two replacements in an attempt to salvage some pride. Despite Spanish international prop Alejandro Onega lasting barely 10 minutes before getting a yellow card, Harrogate did score a fine try after 75 minutes. Following a catch-and-drive down in Hell Fire corner, the ball was spun out and Smithies cut a fine run to the posts. Wainwright kicked the conversion.
Redruth were still looking for the elusive fourth try and with all their replacements now on and Harrogate tiring, a period of pressure up in the scoreboard corner led to a penalty. From the catch-and-drive, replacement hooker Sam Harrison was driven over to the joy of the Redruth faithful. Hook's conversion capped a fine display for his Reds' Man of the Match award.
Redruth 36pts :Tries Daviduik, Pascoe, Lea, Harrison Cons (2) Hook Pens (4) Hook
Redruth: M. Churcher (S. Peters 70), M. Lea, C. Bonds (capt), J. Caruana, N. Pedley, M. Hook, M. Richards; D. Jacques, D. Daviduik (S. Harrison 64), C. Williams (S. Lutey 64), D. Cook, R. Carroll, N. Pascoe, J. Mann (J. Navin 70), A. Lawton. Harrogate 7pts Try Smithies Con Wainwright Yellow Cards; Beaumont, Onega
Harrogate: E. Smithies, D. Hart, J. Baker, N. Wainwright, H. Duthie, L. Bramble (B. Hough 43), R. Davies; S. Baker (A. Onega 55), M. Erven (E. Spackman 60), M. Leach, R. Johnson (R. Brown 40), A. Jones, A. Enston (capt), N. Beaumont (S. Baker 64-74), S. Powell.
Referee Mr A. Hartwell (RFU)
In South West 1, Mount's Bay propelled themselves to the top of the table with an impressive win over fellow promotion candidates Weston-super-Mare at the Mennaye on Saturday. The 37-10 win was sweet revenge for the Intermediate Cup exit suffered against the same side last season. Steve Evans scored the first try, with Thom Berry grabbing the second of the first half. Lee Jarvis converted both scores as well as a couple of penalties to give the Bay a healthy 20-3 half time lead.
Evans completed his brace in the second half and Ben Hilton scored Bay's fourth try, Jarvis again converting both scores and kicking a third penalty to complete Bay's tally.
St. Ives had a rude awakening at home as Oxford Harlequins upset the home side to win 31-18. Grant Thirlby scored a first half try for the Hakes, which he converted as well as two penalties. Luke Trescothick scored a try for St. Ives during the second half, which also saw St. Ives skipper Ian Boase sin-binned.
In South West 2 West, Camborne recorded their first league win of the season in dramatic style as fly half Mike Provis kicked a monster penalty from half way to secure a precious 23-22 win over Hornets. Despite trailing 10-0 early on, Camborne fought back with a try from veteran flanker Kevin Penrose, converted by Provis, who had already kicked an earlier penalty. Dave Roberts scored a second try for Town in the second half but Hornets battled back to level the scores. Hornets scored a third try, which was converted, only for Camborne to narrow the gap with a try from replacement hooker Andrew Smith. Provis then had the final say to clinch the win.
Penryn put up a battling performance at Taunton before going down by 37-26.
In Western Counties West, Hayle made it three wins from three played with a fine win at home against Crediton by 29-12. The Lions scored four tries through Neil Turner, Simon Pollard, Ben Eddy and Rikki Brandham.
Bude scored eleven tries in demolishing Ivybridge at Bencoolen Meadow 67-7. Paul Williams and Julian Morris each scored three tries with the other tries shared between Chris Sobey, Mark Dennis, Dan Frost (2) and Steve Yates.
Still no joy for Truro after a third consecutive loss, this time at home to Minehead Barbarians 17-0.
In the Cornwall & Devon league, Wadebridge Camels ran the early pace setters Tavistock close, losing only 17-15.
Falmouth had a good win at the Recreation Ground over Perranporth by 36-10, but St. Austell had no joy from their trip to Wellington, losing by 36-12.
In the Tamar League match played on Sunday afternoon at the Recreation Ground Redruth, the Redruth Development XV drew 21-21 with Westcountry Warriors.
It wasn't pretty, in fact it was down right ugly at times, but the Cornish Pirates put aside the disappointment of their narrow defeat at Leeds to return to winning ways over visiting Newbury Blues yesterday.
First half tries from Gavin Cattle, Viliami Ma'asi and a penalty try set the Pirates on their way to a third successive home victory, before Rhodri McAtee and Stan McKeen wrapped things up with touchdowns after the interval.
Yesterday's success certainly served as the ideal recipe for the Pirates following the misery of their Headingley defeat. However, this latest success was a far cry from the toil and endeavour they showed in the Yorkshire Dales seven days earlier. "It was an ugly win," said Pirates' coach Jim McKay at the final whistle. "Of course we'll take it and the five points, but we know we didn't play anywhere near our potential today and we still have lots to work on."
Certainly the tricky south westerly wind which howled across the Recreation Ground did little to help proceedings, nor did Newbury's insistence on looking to slow the home side's ball at every opportunity.
Indeed, when the Pirates were finally able to lay claim on some quick ball, the visiting Blues struggled to cope with the threat the home side offered.
"I thought we adapted quite well to the conditions, which were pretty tough," added McKay. "But our performance today didn't reach any great heights.
"I was very pleased with the way the forwards went, they really offered us a good platform to work from, so full credit to them and to Robin Cowling for the work he's done with them in the scrums. We really caused them problems in that department." In a lively opening from the Pirates, it took less than a minute for them to open the scoring, fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo landing a penalty after Newbury had been penalised for holding on in the tackle.
However, the Blues were soon back on level terms when Australian fly-half Tim Walsh plundered a fine drop-goal on 17 minutes. The score merely acted to reignite the Pirates, who two minutes later restored their lead when skipper Cattle sniped off the back of a ruck to ghost in from 20 metres, side-stepping Cornishman Mal Roberts along the way.
Di Bernardo converted that score, before adding the extras to a Ma'asi try on 27 minutes - the hooker powered over by his fellow forwards from a line-out on the right-hand side to make it 17-3.
It was no more than the Cornishmen deserved, but they were far from finished as they added a third try four minutes before the break.
With Newbury temporarily down to 14 men following the sin-binning of lock Gregor Hayer for a professional foul, the Pirates pack pressed home their authority with a scrum five metres out. As it closed in on the line, the visitors crumbled under the pressure and referee Alan Biggs had no hesitation in going under the posts, Di Bernardo slotting the easy conversion. Walsh had a chance to cut the deficit just before the break with a penalty, but his effort sailed wide of the posts.
While at the other end, a bullocking run from prop Sam Heard created space for Cattle and McAtee to release former Blue Duncan Bell down the left, but as he tried to collect the latter's pass, he knocked on just yards from the line and the chance was gone.
A Walsh penalty on 47 minutes brought about Newbury's first points of the half, but with the Pirates finally getting to grips with the wind, a fourth try was never far in coming.
Indeed, it duly arrived just past the hour mark when No.8 Matt Evans broke off a scrum only to be held just short of the line. However,** quick hands from replacement James Moore and Di Bernardo allowed McAtee to dart over in the right corner to make it 29-6.
Newbury - to their credit - continued to solider on and their efforts were rewarded when centre Mark Ireland picked a lovely line through the home midfield to score by the posts, Walsh obliging with the additional two points. However, it was all a little too late for the Blues, who were undone again in injury time when Canadian powerhouse McKeen made the most of some excellent approach play from Di Bernardo and Chris Cracknell to score his second try of the season.
A trip to Doncaster beckons for the Pirates this weekend, a game they know they can ill afford to falter in.
Cornish Pirates 34pts: Tries - Cattle, Ma'asi, Penalty Try, McAtee, McKeen; Conversions - Di Bernardo 3; Penalty - Di Bernardo
Newbury Blues 13pts: Try - Ireland; Conversion - Walsh; Penalty - Walsh; Drop-Goal - Walsh
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; R McAtee, H Barratt (D Roke 54), D
Bell, J Hylton; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt, J Moore h/t); A Paver (G
Anderson 68), V Ma'asi, S Heard; H Senekal, J Beardshaw; S McKeen , I Motusaga
(C Cracknell 59), M Evans.
Replacements (not used): O Hambly, S Hobson, S
Winn
Newbury: M Roberts; D Rees (K Bingham 74), A James, M Ireland , L
Gibson; T Walsh, D Smaje (M Simpson-Daniel 74); R Bruce, A Dalgleish (G Cooper
58), S Carter; G Hayter, T Radbourne (A Harris 50); M Styles, C Morgan, T Brown
(G Holmes 64).
Replacements (not used): N Defty, B Wood. Yellow Card:
Hayter.
Referee: A Biggs (RFU) Attendance: 1,746.
In National League 2, the Cornish All Blacks maintained their fine unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 22-14 win over Manchester at Polson Bridge. Sam Young kicked an opening penalty for the Cornish All Blacks; however, Manchester hit back and scored a fine try through winger Gaz Wynne, who converted his own try.
The score remained at 7-3 to the visitors until shortly before half-time, when Manchester, reduced to 14 men, conceded a try scored by Josh Lord, which Young converted to give the Cornish All Blacks a 10-7 lead.
Manchester were first to score after the break, when fly-half Rich Wainwright went in under the posts, Wynne obliging with the extras for a 14-10 lead to the visitors. The home side regained the lead when full back Ryan Westren scored their second try, which went unconverted. The impressive Young scored the Cornish All Black's third and final try, which he converted to seal Launceston's hardest win of the season so far.
Redruth will have returned home from their trip to the Rectory Field at Blackheath disappointed at their heavy defeat by 55-16. Redruth conceded eight tries to their opponents. Fly-half Mike Hook kicked three penalties for the Reds and converted Adam Keverne's late try.
In South West 1, Mount's Bay found Chippenham a tough nut to crack, winning by a point T 18-17. Lee Jarvis kicked a couple of penalties and a conversion. Paulo Nonu and Jamie Semmens scored the Bay's tries.
St. Ives scored a fine away win at Reading Abbey 33-9. Lee Taylor, Sheldon Waetford, Arron Baigent and Andrew Skinner scored the Hakes' tries, with Grant Thirlby and Karl Martin kicking the other points.
In South West 2 West, the eagerly-awaited derby match between Penryn and Camborne at the Memorial Ground went the way of Camborne by 32-3. Joe Parma scored four tries for the "Town", Kelvin Smitham scoring the fifth Camborne try. Mike Provis kicking the points. Ian Morgan kicked the Borough's solitary score.
In Western Counties West, Hayle lost the top of the table clash with Barnstaple 21-0, the North Devon side looking already at this stage odds on to return to South West 1.
Bude enjoyed a fine win at Minehead Barbarians, winning 29-10. Rob Uglow and Simeon Lewry scored two tries apiece, with Steve Yates scoring the fifth and final try. Paul Williams kicked the other points.
Truro slumped to a fourth defeat at Ivybridge 24-6 and are now propping up the table.
In the Cornwall & Devon league, Falmouth won 10-8 at St. Austell thanks to a couple of Tim Gay tries. Perranporth lost at home to Okehampton 22-10, whilst Wadebridge Camels defeated Wellington 32-22.
In the latest Tamar League match, played under floodlights at Exeter's impressive new Sandy Park stadium, Launceston Development XV drew 22-22 with Exeter United.
Captain Gavin Cattle believes that the Cornish Pirates are capable of winning National One after helping his side end their away hoodoo at Doncaster Knights on Saturday.
The Pirates' title chances had been written off after losses at lowly Waterloo and at Leeds Tykes, which followed five defeats on the road last season.
However, the commitment and defensive organisation they demonstrated in overcoming fellow Championship contenders Doncaster shows that they can be a force outside Cornwall as well as on their own turf.
"People think we are rubbish away from home," said scrum-half Cattle, who had set the visitors on the road to victory with a try after just 46 seconds. "There is a bit of a myth about our away form. It is hard to travel as far as we have to every second week - ten hours on the bus is a long time.
"But it's just a mindset and I hope that with the new boys in the side, we won't have that mindset. "I've been in National One for eight years and this is the most open division I've seen. Most of the full-time sides have got to be looking at winning it, us included. If we keep performing, we will be up there.
"That was not pretty but we showed a lot of character in the second half."
Doncaster, as Cattle acknowledged, have made huge strides since last season, when the Pirates twice took maximum points off them. Under new director of rugby Clive Griffiths, who won a Grand Slam as Wales's defensive coach in 2005, the Knights have developed into one of the more obdurate sides in the division. Only Plymouth had beaten them previously. Not many sides will win in South Yorkshire, so this was a victory worth savouring for the Pirates.
After Cattle had slipped through from a ruck for a converted try, following a feeble attempt by the hosts to deal with the kick-off, the visitors had to absorb plenty of pressure against the wind.
They did reasonably well to restrict their opponents to three penalties and a converted try, scored by veteran flanker Jason Forster - his ninth of a productive campaign - while flanker Iva Motusaga was in the sin-bin for entering a ruck from the wrong side.
Alberto di Bernardo, whose general contribution attracted the praise of his captain, kept his side in touch with two penalties, on his way to a personal haul of 19 points.
It was 16-13 at the break and the Argentinean levelled the scores in the 48th minute before putting them ahead four minutes later.
Doncaster had stifled the Pirates' attacking ambition by dominating possession and defending resolutely, but a clean line-out on halfway gave the Cornishmen the space they needed. They launched a raid down the far side of the field, keeping the ball alive, and when they came left again, centre Duncan Roke's side-step and strength took him away from Dave Scully for a try by the posts.
Di Bernardo converted and added a penalty to put his side 13 points ahead with 15 minutes remaining. The Knights had had chances but were struggling for fluency, particularly behind the scrum, and the Pirates' tenacity kept them at bay.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, though, No.8 Glen Wilson finished off a counter-attack from deep and Mark Woodrow converted. With the deficit down to six points, there were worrying echoes of the stoppage-time defeat at Leeds a fortnight earlier, but this time, the resistance was not broken.
"Inexperience cost us at Leeds," said Cattle, who saw team-mate Jonny Hylton carried off with concussion early on. "But we are learning and maturing."
With Plymouth Albion losing at Exeter Chiefs, the Pirates are very much in the race for the league title.
Doncaster Knights 23: Tries - Forster, Wilson; Conversions - Woodrow 2; Penalties - Woodrow 3
Cornish Pirates 29: Tries - Cattle, Roke; Conversions - Di Bernardo 2; Penalties - Di Bernardo 5.
Doncaster Knights: J Boden (O Cook 60); B Hunt (D van Vuuren 40), P Bailey, S Davey, W Davies; M Woodrow, D Scully (B Jones 60); S Bunting (R List 64), S Boden (B Phillips 57), N Tau (T Davies 64); G Kenworthy, L Gross (D Cook 64); R Earnshaw, J Forster (capt), G Wilson.
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke (H Barratt 66), D
Bell, J Hylton (J Moore 10); A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi,
S Heard; H Senekal, J Beardshaw; S McKeen, I Motusaga (C Cracknell 60), M
Evans.
Replacements (not used): O Hambly, G Anderson, S Hobson, S Winn
Yellow Card: Motusaga
Referee: R Kitt (RFU)
Redruth gave the best possible reply to doubters following their heavy defeat last Saturday at Blackheath's Rectory Field with a convincing win over a very useful Cambridge side at the Recreation Ground.
New signing from New Zealand side Tasman Makos, Mark Bright, gave a very promising debut at No 8 and despite having been in the UK for only 48 hours has already built a fine rapport with his new teammates.
Playing down the slope in the first half, Redruth conceded an early penalty which Cambridge fly-half Daf Lewis kicked after only 4 minutes. Cambridge looked threatening early on and were not afraid to put width on the ball with some crisp passing along the back line. But Redruth drew level after only 7 minutes when Bright caught a Cambridge player in his own 22, leading to a penalty which Reds' fly half Mike Hook kicked from in front of the posts. Hook was to go on to have a fine day, scoring 22 of his side's points from the boot, with no misses at goal.
Bright was soon in the thick of it again when he broke powerfully from a scrum on the Cambridge 22, almost reaching the line before the ball was nudged forward. Slowly but surely the Redruth pack began to gain the upper hand on the Cambridge eight, with scrum half Mark Richards bossing proceedings with breaks around the fringes mixed with some clever tactical kicking.
It wasn't until the 30 minute mark that Redruth extended their lead with a second Hook penalty after the Reds' forwards disrupted the Cambridge scrum. From the re-start Cambridge won a penalty and Lewis tied the scores once more. Hook soon regained the lead for the Reds with his third successful kick.
Moments later Cambridge shocked the home crowd with a well-worked try scored by scrum-half Tom Orton, who somehow managed to slip the Reds' cover to score near the posts. Lewis had no problem with the conversion. With half-time fast approaching Redruth launched an attack with a fine break involving Richards and winger Mark Lea, which took play into the visitors' 22. Cambridge conceded a penalty at the breakdown. Hook kicked into Hell Fire corner and from the catch-and-drive hooker Darren Dawiduik was driven over by the Reds' pack. Hooks conversion sent the Reds into half-time 16-13 up.
Once again Cambridge levelled the scores early in the second half when James Mann illegally disrupted a powerful surge by the Cambridge pack near his own line, Lewis kicking the penalty with Mann going to the sin-bin. Redruth seemed to gain strength from this set back, especially as from the restart they gained a penalty which Hook kicked to regain the lead. Redruth held out for the remainder of Mann's sin-binning, with Hook's fifth penalty after 60 minutes extending their lead to 22-16. As the final quarter ticked by Redruth exerted even greater control on the match.
As the game entered time added on, Hook kicked a sixth penalty, extending his side's lead to 25-16. The icing on the cake came with a second Redruth try, Bright claiming the lineout ball and a powerful drive from the Reds' forwards saw Dawiduik, awarded man of the match, claim his second try of the game, Hook's conversion being the final kick of the match. This result will be a massive boost to the Reds' morale as they prepare for their next match at Henley Hawks.
Redruth 32 pts: Tries Daviduik (2), 6 pens, 2 cons Hook Yellow Card Mann 48 mins
Cambridge 16 pts: Try Orton, 3 pens, con Lewis
Redruth: M. Churcher, M. Lea, C. Bonds (capt), PJ Gidlow, P. Teixeira, M. Hook (S. Peters 80), M. Richards; D. Jacques, D. Dawiduik (D. Job 80), C. Williams (S. Lutey 70), D. Cook, R. Carroll, J. Mann (J. Navin 80), M. Bright.
Cambridge: D. Jones, T. Kwilimbe, I. McInroy, C. Lombaard, P.
Reed, D. Lewis (T. Dann 70), T. Orton; J. Ross, K. Ronaki (S. Hoad 78), J.
Armitage, M. Pienaar (R. Candlin 60), J. Harlock, G. Remnant (capt), J. Leigh,
H. Whitford.
Rep not used, D. Askew
Referee: Mr. N. Higginson (RFU)
It was a very busy weekend with league and EDF Energy Senior and Junior Vase 1st Round matches. Mount's Bay consolidated their top spot in South West 1 with an emphatic 90-10 win over Clevedon at the Mennaye Field. Steve Evans led the way in the try stakes, claiming four; there was a brace for Palepoi Nonu and Steve Larkins, with James Slater, Ricky Pellow, Lee Jarvis, Steve Dyer, Mika Mua and Olly Faulkner each claiming a try. Jarvis kicked ten conversions.
At Alexandra Road, St. Ives entertained Weston-super-Mare. This was a spirited affair with five yellow cards, four to the visitors! Weston raced into a 21point lead with three converted tries, before the Hakes fought back. Andy Skinner scored a try which was converted by Karl Martin, who also kicked a penalty to make it 10-21. After the break, Martin kicked a second penalty. However, Weston scored a fourth converted try to make it 13-28. Michael Brooke scored the second St. Ives try on 62 minutes, which saw both sets of players involved in a dust up. Martin's long-range penalty and conversion of Aaron Baigent's try tied the scores.
In South West 2 West, Camborne defeated St. Mary's Old Boys by 15-12 at the Recreation Ground, with Camborne's points coming from the boot of Trelawny's Army U.20 Player of the Year, Mike Provis.
Penryn are going through a rough patch: following their defeat at home to Camborne last week-end they had little joy at leaders Coney Hill, losing 79-6. Ian Morgan kicked a couple of penalties for the Borough.
In Western Counties West, Hayle defeated Kingsbridge at High House 18-17. James Jago and Kevin Jenkin scored tries for the Lions, with Jimmy Tresize kicking two penalties and a conversion.
Bude defeated Tiverton 26-5 at Bencoolen Meadow. A strong first half performance saw the North Cornwall side turn around 19-0 up with tries from Paul Williams, Simeon Lawry and Steve Yates, Williams also adding two conversions. Williams then completed his brace in the second half, again adding the extras.
Truro recorded their first league win of the season with a welcome 21-13 success over Withycombe at St. Clements. Ian Rowe scored two tries for the City side. Mike Patterson kicked three penalties and Ross Martin a conversion.
In the EDF-Energy Senior Vase 1st Round ties, Wadebridge Camels defeated Cullompton 46-7.
London Cornish had a fine win away at Hove 51-19 (see coach Dickon Moon's report on the forums).
Falmouth lost at home to Paignton 12-10 and St. Austell also bowed out at home 15-20 to Tavistock.
In the Junior version of the Vase, Roseland defeated Ilfracombe 14-6, and Redruth Albany won at Old Technicians 20-15. However, the three other Cornish sides all lost, St. Day at Salcombe 41-17, St. Agnes at Totnes 28-6, and Callington at home to Plympton Victoria 41-5.
Seven points up within two minutes of the start saw the Cornish Pirates firmly nail their colours to the mast. A further eight tries and four conversions saw them claim a second successive away win "up north" to keep them in touch with the leaders Rotherham and the chasing pack.
The fact that before this double they had lost on their two previous trips to north Manchester had played no part in the build-up to the game.
"It's what you do on the day that counts," said coach Jim McKay. "Past results were not the motivating factors, we didn't really talk about them during the week.
"We know Sedgley are a very spirited side and that we would have to be at our best to get a result, because these kinds of games can be very tricky. It was a real team effort and I was particularly pleased with not conceding a try and with our set-pieces, although we were not at our best in other aspects."
Catching the initial kick-off, the Pirates' rolling maul drove the ball 30 metres before it was unleashed out to the backs, with winger Lewis Vinnicombe going over in the left-hand corner and Alberto Di Bernardo adding the extras to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead and a perfect start.
Sedgley fly-half Phil Jones hit back with a penalty goal, but fears of a home fightback were allayed when the Pirates made the most of the man advantage after lock Jaco Swart was sin-binned.
Line-out ball was channeled into the middle, where Duncan Bell and Viliami Ma'asi unleashed Rhodri McAtee, who ghosted through the ineffective home defence and Di Bernardo's boot doubled the Pirates' score.
The Italian, together with half-back partner Gavin Cattle, ran the show all afternoon and the pair set up try number three, finished off by Namibian lock Heino Senekal.
The home side simply could not contain the Pirates' forward power, half-back poise and the back division's probing, and the bonus point was wrapped up three minutes into time added on at the end of the first half when Di Bernardo and Bell combined to set-up South African powerhouse Matt Evans, who showed the Sedgley cover a clean pair of heels to go over for try number four, with the Pirates taking a 31-3 lead into the half-time break.
Within two minutes of the restart McAtee's confident catch and run took the ball deep into Sedgley territory where it was recycled to Senekal, who again used his power to barrel over from ten metres. Cattle's run then paved the way for Iva Motusaga to claim try number six before the Pirates' skipper claimed a try of his own on 66 minutes - tapping and running a five-metre penalty.
Moments later McAtee claimed his second, pouncing on a delightfully weighted inside pass from Di Bernardo - with Duncan Roke completing the rout in the 77th minute.
Victory helped move the Pirates up one place to fifth after Leeds lost at Bedford and with two home games against Bedford and the eagerly awaited Westcountry derby with Exeter coming up, victory in both could see them climb even higher.
Sedgley Park 3 pts:Penalty - Jones
Cornish Pirates 55 pts: Tries - Vinnicombe, McAtee (2), Senekal (2), Evans, Motusaga, Cattle, Roke; Conversions - Di Bernardo (5)
Sedgley Park: A De Jager; C Hall, A Craig, J Duffy (I Voortman 44), C Briers; P Jones, J Albinson (C Leck 54); G Evans (P Du Plessis 60), J Roddam (M Jones 45), M Halsall (P Gazzola 60), J Swart, E Norris (A Bennett 40), A Newton , J Ponton (L Jope 54), J Skurr. Yellow Cards: Swart, Newton.
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke, D Bell (S Winn 54), L Vinnicombe; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt, J Moore 70); A Paver, V Ma'asi (O Hambly 72), S Heard (G Anderson 52); H Senekal, J Beardshaw (S Hobson 65); S McKeen (T Cowley 65), I Motusaga (S Betty 58), M Evans.
Referee: N Williams (RFU) Attendance: 609
It was an excellent day for both Cornish clubs in National League 2. Redruth recorded arguably the performance of the day with a fine win at Dry Leas against the high-flying Henley Hawks, whilst the Cornish All Blacks put behind them their disappointment of the previous Saturday when they surrendered their unbeaten record with a fine win over Halifax at Polson Bridge.
There were not many people who fancied the Reds' chances up in Oxfordshire against Henley Hawks on Saturday. The Hawks, having lost only one league encounter, on the opening day at Polson Bridge, had subsequently won their next five matches, whilst the Reds had up to now an indifferent start to their campaign. To cap it all Redruth this week learned that their influential lock Richard Carroll had received an eight-week ban due to the upgrading of a yellow card to a red at Halifax last season by a RFU Disciplinary Panel.
Redruth made their statement of intent after only nine minutes when they scored their opening try of the afternoon. Luke Collins, in for the suspended Carroll, secured a lineout that set up a great forward drive to the Hawks' line for flanker James Mann to score, Mike Hook kicking the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Hawks' fly-half Mitch Burton trimmed the Reds' lead with a penalty almost immediately.
The big Henley forwards began to dominate as the game went into the second quarter and they took the lead on 21 minutes following the awarding of a penalty try, when Burton kicked through towards the line and was illegally blocked by Reds' centre PJ Gidlow. Gidlow was shown the yellow card, whilst Burton converted the score.
Redruth were not about to be overawed and both sides found themselves with 14 men as Hawks' prop Andy Le Chevalier was sent for his 10 minute stretch on 26 minutes. Hook kicked the penalty from this incident to level matters.
Burton kicked two further penalties before half time for the Hawks, while Redruth scored their second try through scrum half Mark Richards just before the break to leave the Reds trailing by a solitary point at 16-15.
The Reds regained the lead early in the second half with a second Hook penalty. They went further ahead after 57 minutes when flanker Nathan Pascoe scored their third try following some fine play from No 8 Mark Bright, Mann, and Richards to send Pascoe in. Although Burton kicked a fourth penalty for the Hawks and the home side threw everything at the Reds in search of a winning score, the Reds defence held out for a memorable win.
Leading 18 - 11 at half-time, the Cornish All Blacks scored 20 points without reply in the second period to get back to winning ways at Polson Bridge.
Early penalties for each side, Sam Young for Launceston and Jervis Manupenu for Halifax, tied the scores at 3-3. The Cornish All Blacks then took the lead with a try from hooker Dave Risdon following a tremendous surge by lock Steve Pape, which set up the maul from which Risdon scored. Young's conversion gave the home side a 10-3 lead.
Young soon extended the lead to 13-3 with a second penalty success.
Halifax scored an opportunist try as scrum-half Craig Aikman exploited the blind side to run in unopposed.
Halifax soon found themselves down to 14 men as their lock Martin Smith was sent to the bin for persistent offside. Smith would later see red. Exploiting their advantage to the full, the Cornish All Blacks powered their way to the line for No 8 Nick Burnett to score their second try.
Manupenu's second penalty left the visitors trailing by only seven at the break.
In the second half the Cornish All Blacks took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck, adding three further tries on their way to securing the all-important bonus point. Winger Andy Matchett scored the opening try of the half, following some fine play from Steve Perry and Ryan Westren. As the game entered the final quarter and the usual changes the Cornish All Blacks found themselves minus Josh Lord and Brett Luxton, both yellow-carded. Nevertheless the home side continued to attack. Young kicked another penalty to extend Launceston's lead before late tries from prop Wayne Reed (converted by Young) and from replacement Kevin Francis put the icing on the cake for the Polson faithful.
In South West 1, Mount's Bay overcame potentially tricky opponents in former National League side Basingstoke at the Mennaye by 39-0. Danny Clackworthy scored the first Bay try after some fine team play secured the opening for the prop. Flanker Tom Outram scored two tries with Palepoi Nonu, Jamie Semmens and Lee Jarvis the others. Jarvis' boot added the other points.
St. Ives travelled to Chippenham and returned home with a fine 22-14 win. Luke Trescothick (try) and Grant Thirlby (penalty) gave the Hakes a slim 8-7 advantage at half-time. St. Ives then found themselves trailing 14-8 before tries from Lee Taylor and Sheldon Waetford, both converted by Thirlby, secured the vital points for St. Ives.
In South West 2 West, it wasn't a good day for our two Cornish sides. Camborne lost 13-0 at Torquay Athletic, who now top the table, whilst Penryn suffered a humiliating 50-17 defeat at the Memorial Ground to Hornets, to leave them struggling at the wrong end of the table. Peter Webster, Josh Chambers and Ian Morgan scored tries for the Borough, with Morgan converting his own score.
It was better news in Western Counties West, with Hayle and Bude recording fine wins. Hayle defeated Sidmouth 32-8. Kevin Jenkin, Jodie Marr, James Jago and James Tresize scored the Lions' tries, with Paul Lello's boot adding the other points.
Bude won at Withycombe 19-7 in a game delayed due an injury to Bude's fly-half Andy Yates. Simeon Lewry (2) and Rob Uglow scored the North Cornwall side's tries, with Paul Williams adding a couple of conversions.
After the euphoria of a first win last Saturday, Truro travelled to winless Crediton and were thumped 36-5.
In the Cornwall & Devon League, Wadebridge Camels beat Okehampton 30-10 to go fourth in the table. St. Austell got their first win of the league campaign with a 29-3 win over fellow strugglers Perranporth. Falmouth, so close to a play-off spot last season, are disappointing this time around with a second loss from four games, this time at Wessex 22-7.
In London 4 South West, London Cornish maintained their unbeaten start with a hard-fought 16-3 win over Old Caterhamians (see coach Dickon Moon's report in the forums).
On Monday the latest Tamar League match took place at Polson Bridge between Launceston and Redruth's Development XV's, resulting in a 17-10 win for the visitors. Redruth scored two tries through Paul Texeira and Ashley Lawton, with former Launceston player Scott Martin converting both tries and a second half penalty. For Launceston, Kevin Francis scored a try, with former Redruth player Mark Scrivener adding the conversion and a penalty.
The Cornish Pirates have set their sights on the summit of National League One after they blew aside the challenge of Bedford at the Recreation Ground on Sunday.
A storming second-half show from Jim McKay's side helped lift the Pirates to second in National League One, just four points behind League leaders Rotherham, whom they face in a fortnight's time.
Yesterday's five-point maximum was just reward for a Pirates' side, who having weathered an early storm from the Blues, then set about dismantling their visitors with a ruthless display of forward momentum.
The home pack ravaged their Bedford counterparts for large parts of the game, while behind the Pirates' back division were allowed to slice open the Blues rearguard with some ever-so fancy footwork.
Not that it was so easy during the opening 40 minutes of yesterday's tussle at Camborne. Bedford - who had arrived in the Duchy with just one defeat to their name - certainly started brightly enough, stunning the home faithful when winger Mike Staten fly-hacked his way to a 16th-minute try to break the game's deadlock.
However, that score merely acted as the trigger the Pirates needed to fire themselves into contention. Indeed, by the half-hour mark McKay's men had found their gear, particularly at scrum-time, where the home eight shunted the Blues left, then right, then decisively on their backsides.
The pressure was clearly mounting and on 32 minutes it finally told when Gareth Copsey lost patience with Bedford's blatant attempts to collapse a series of close-in scrum, the referee having little hesitation in running under the posts for a penalty try, which fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo duly converted for a 7-5 lead.
Two minutes later and Di Bernardo was adding to his tally, punishing Staten's off-the-ball shoulder charge with a penalty that the Bedford wing was then able to admire from the comforts of the touchline sin-bin.
A second Di Bernardo penalty just after the restart extended the home side's lead to 13-5, before the Pirates cut loose with a devastating spell of running rugby.
A rampaging break in centre field from winger Lewis Vinnicombe created a gap in the Bedford defence - and when the ball was recycled through forwards Alan Paver and Iva Motusaga, there was No.8 Matt Evans to gallop over for a second try, again converted by Di Bernardo.
Four minutes later and the home support were on their feet once more, this time Welshman Rhodri McAtee the beneficiary as he ghosted his way over following some slick handling from the hosts.
Di Bernardo bagged the extras to that score, then plundered another two when referee Copsey awarded a second penalty try on 68 minutes, again given after the Bedford scrum creaked under the pressure of the Pirates' pack. Although that completed the scoring for the game, the Pirates still threatened in the latter stages, Adryan Winnan and Stan McKeen linking up to almost send Duncan Roke over in the right-hand corner.
Despite securing their fourth maximum points-haul at home this season, coach McKay had a somewhat mixed view of his side's display at the final whistle.
"I was pretty annoyed with our first-half display, we started very slowly and we didn't do anything of the things that we set out to do," said the Australian. "It was only our scrummage and our defence which kept us in the game. But we spoke about it at half-time, changed a few things round and we were much better in the second half. "We adapted much better to the conditions after the break and it meant we had much more control of the ball. When we had the ball, like we did, we caused them lots of problems."
McKay admitted the result was the ideal boost ahead of this weekend's Westcountry derby with Exeter Chiefs, but added: "The scoreline today was nice, but we are very much performance orientated. In other games we may not be so lucky with the result if we only really play for 30, 40 minutes. For now we'll enjoy this win, but tomorrow we'll start focusing on Exeter, which will be another tough game for us."
Meanwhile, Pirates' supporters were yesterday given their first glimpse of the club's two new signings - James Inglis and Fijian international Ravuama Samo.
Cornish Pirates 34: Tries - Penalty Tries (2), Evans, McAtee; Conversions - Di Bernardo (4); Penalties - Di Bernardo (2)
Bedford Blues 5 :Try - Staten
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; R McAtee (H Barratt 58), D Roke, D Bell (S Winn 69), L Vinnicombe; A Di Bernardo (J Moore 80), G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi (O Hambly 77), S Heard (G Anderson 69); H Senekal, J Beardshaw (S Hobson 77); S McKeen, I Motusaga (T Cowley 69), M Evans.
Bedford Blues: B Patston (C Moir 61); M Staten, O Dodge, M Allen (capt), J Pritchard; R Broadfoot, D Malone (K Dickson 31, Moir 57-61); M Volland (B Alexander 64), C Johnson (C Whitehead 57), J Graham (D Cole 33); J Phillips (M Comb 69), A Brenton; N Strauss, S Harding, B Pienaar (A Kettle 64).
Yellow Card: Staten
Referee: G Copsey (RFU).
The Reds recorded a third successive win in this season's league campaign, exhibiting the team's new-found confidence. Playing up the slope first half, the Reds were soon on the attack, although it was Wharfedale who had the first opportunity to put points on the board when their fly-half Andy Baggett pulled a kick wide of the Redruth uprights. Despite plenty of endeavour it was not until the 17th minute that the deadlock on the scoreboard was broken. Following a lineout, hooker Darren Dawiduik broke off and sped in for the opening try. Fly-half Mike Hook kicked a very good conversion to make it 7-0 to the Reds.
Hook kicked a penalty after 27 minutes to stretch the Reds' advantage to 10 points before Baggett got Wharfedale on the scoreboard with a penalty from in front of the Reds' posts.
Redruth increased their advantage just before half-time after a kick through by scrum half Mark Richards was taken on by winger Mark Lea. From the breakdown, quick ball saw Mark Bright and Craig Bonds set up winger Nathan Pedley, who squeezed in at the corner. It was no more than the Reds deserved as they should have nailed more chances during the opening half.
Redruth resumed where they left off after the break, with Bright making a strong early break into Wharfedale's territory. The Dalesmen's cause was not helped when they lost their loose head prop Elton Fynn to the bin after 49 minutes. Whilst he was off, Redruth through their forwards claimed a third try through flanker James Mann after a big drive from the forwards to the line, with Bright once again playing a big role in the move. Hook's conversion made it 22-3.
With the game moving into the final quarter, Redruth sought that all-important bonus point try. Richards, who got better and better as the game progressed, was instrumental in launching attacks. Lea once again went very close down in Hell Fire corner. The fourth try arrived after 71 minutes, following a catch-and-drive up in the Piggy Lane corner, and once again it was Darren Dawiduik who claimed the score. Hook kicked another good conversion to cap a fine all-round display, deservedly getting the Reds' man-of-the-match award. To their credit, Wharfedale tried to salvage some pride in the final moments, but Redruth's defence was in no mood to give an inch.
Redruth can now look forward with confidence to successive away trips to Nuneaton and Barking.
Redruth 29 pts: Tries: Dawiduik (2), Pedley Mann Cons (3), Pen Hook
Wharfedale 3 pts: Pen A. Baggett
Redruth: M. Churcher, M. Lea, C. Bonds (Capt), P J Gidlow (S. Peters 64), N. Pedley, M. Hook, M. Richards; D. Jacques (D. Job 70), D. Dawidiuk, C. Williams (S. Lutey 53), D. Cook, L. Collins, N. Pascoe, J. Mann (J. Navin 60), Mark Bright.
Wharfedale: A. Whaites, J. Hutchinson, M. Bedworth, N. Baggett, S. Horsfall, A. Baggett (Capt, S. Moon 59), J.Doherty, E. Fynn, G. Hindle, N. Dickinson (A. Mason 59), D. Lister, A. Capstick, O. Renton (A. Mason 48-58), H. Verity (T. Ball 65), R. Baldwin. Replacement not used: F. Lovatt .
Yellow Card E. Fynn
Referee Mr. M. Vernon (RFU)
In South West 1, Mount's Bay were made to work hard in their top-of-the-table clash against Reading. Trailing 21-12 just after half time, they managed to turn matters around and finished up winners by 31-26. Lee Jarvis showed all his experience at a critical time, kicking three penalties in a ten-minute period to bring Bay level. Jarvis then scored the first of two tries to seal the win. John Morrison (2), and Palepoi Nonu scored the other Bay tries, with Jarvis adding a conversion.
St. Ives travelled to bottom side Clevedon and recorded a handsome 65 - 3 win. The Hakes ran in eleven tries, with 3 apiece for Verner Gaiger and Aaron Baigent, a brace for Graham Corin, and one apiece for James Earp, Sheldon Waetford and Ian Boase.
In South West 2 (West), a good result for Camborne as they defeated Cheltenham North by 30-6 at the Recreation Ground. Tries for Camborne came via Andrew Smith, David Roberts, Josh Stevens, and Joe Parma. David Mankee kicking the other points.
Penryn's dismal run continues as they lost heavily at Brixham by 62-16. Dan Kirk scored the only Borough try of the game, which Ian Morgan converted, Morgan also kicking 3 penalty goals.
In Western Counties West, Hayle won the Cornish derby at Truro by 35-3. Richard Spear, Kevin Jenkin (2), James Jago and Simon Pollard all scored for the Lions, with James Tresize adding all five conversions. Michael Patterson kicked Truro's only points with a penalty.
There was a surprise in North Cornwall where Bude lost at home to Crediton 17-8. Steve Yates scored Bude's try and Justin Uglow a penalty.
In the Cornwall & Devon League, Wadebridge Camels defeated Perranporth 77-5, whilst Cullompton defeated St. Austell 73-12.
Falmouth defeated Honiton 19-12 at the Recreation Ground.
In London 4 SW, London Cornish kept up their fine run with another win against Warlingham, 22-7.
Exeter's hopes of robbing the Cornish Pirates of their unbeaten home record for a second successive season ended in disappointment as the Chiefs headed home with scant reward from their trip to Camborne yesterday. Just like it was in January, Exeter 's Jason Luff scampered over for another injury-time try. However, this time the wing wizard's touchdown was merely a consolation, unlike his memorable match-winning effort at Kenwyn. Indeed, Luff's late score merely helped add a bit of respectability to the scoreline for the Chiefs, who for large parts of this game had to play second fiddle to their Cornish hosts.
As has been the norm at the Rec this season, the Pirates pack flourished, while behind the back division - again ably marshalled by fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo - offered a cutting edge, which the Chiefs struggled to hold. With both sides making changes from their previous outings - the Pirates brought in loan signing James Inglis for Heino Senekal at lock while the Chiefs added experienced quintet Sam Blythe, Ollie Hodge, Alan Miller, Kevin Barrett and Mark Fatialofa to their line-up - neither side were willing to give an inch early on. However, it was the Chiefs who drew first blood, fly-half Tony Yapp firing them ahead on eight minutes when home winger Lewis Vinnicombe had been penalised for holding on in the tackle.
That lead was to prove shortlived as within five minutes Di Bernardo drew the hosts level with the first offerings of his 17-point haul. Then the Argentinian-born back added the extras to Duncan Roke's opening try, the experienced Pirates centre picking off a somewhat telegraphed pass from former Worcester team-mate Yapp to race half the field and score under the posts.
It was to get no better for Yapp, who then failed with a penalty chance on 18 minutes. His misery was further compounded when opposite number Di Bernardo showed him just how it should be done, punishing winger Tom Bedford's decision to run, rather than kick, the ball out of defence.
Roared on by their biggest home gate of the season, the Pirates continued to dominate proceedings, adding a second try on 26 minutes when Canadian international Stan McKeen was allowed to power his way over from 15 metres out. Di Bernardo converted again for a 20-3 advantage.
It appeared one-way traffic for the Pirates. However, Adryan Winnan's hesitancy following a chip kick through by Luff gifted the visitors a lifeline back into the game. As Luff looked to chase his fly-hack towards the corner, the diminutive speedster was blatantly held back by Winnan, the result of which was a subsequent trip to the sin-bin for the home full-back.
With the man advantage, the Chiefs looked to press on. Two line-out moves on the right failed to reap any joy, but when the ball was worked back inside, there was former Pirate Mark Fatialofa to collect and crash his way over, Yapp converting. The score clearly lifted the Chiefs, who until that stage had failed to replicate the same pride and passion they had displayed when defeating arch rivals Plymouth Albion earlier this month.
Clearly growing in confidence, an Exeter revival was now high on the agenda. And whilst things did improve for the visitors as the half drew to a close, watching a re-run of the video this week the Chiefs coaching team will know it could have been decidedly more profitable had a sparkling move instigated by skipper Richard Baxter ended in Pete Fisher crossing in the corner.
In the grand scheme of things, this was a big chance, but one which was ultimately blown. Indeed, as Exeter coach Pete Drewett would later reflect: "In games like this, you have to maximise your chances". Although that opportunity was spurned, the Chiefs did claim the final points of the half, Yapp firing over a second penalty to make it 20-13 at the interval.
With both sides having gained their half-time breather, it was the Pirates who were first to show on the resumption. A cute Di Bernardo kick over the top caused problems in the Exeter defence, then Duncan Bell's bullocking through the centre brought him within yards of the line.
The third score, however, was not far in coming. Just as they did to Bedford the week previous, the home pack turned the screw in the scrum, allowing No.8 Matt Evans to burrow over for his third try of the season. Di Bernardo obliged with the easy conversion, then repeated the feat when Roke was the beneficiary of some comical passing from the Chiefs inside their own 22 four minutes later.
Replacements aplenty flowed from both dug-outs as the game petered out into a more processional pace. Di Bernardo added to his tally with a third penalty on 67 minutes, before Luff's late intervention rounded things off. Afterwards, Pirates coach Jim McKay said: "Obviously I'm pleased with the result, but I was a little disappointed with some of our completion sets. We showed what we could do in patches, but then we eased off a bit. "Fair play to them, they kept coming at us and they were always a threat. Our focus is very much about performance and at times our play was a little sloppy and it allowed them back into the game. We must make sure we sort that out, but we'll take the five points as Exeter are a very good side."
With tough trips to Nottingham and Rotherham next up for McKay and his men, this latest result is the ideal tonic ahead of what promises to be a tough fortnight for the Cornish club.
In the opposite camp, Drewett admitted his side had been left "disappointed" by the final outcome. He said: "We knew this was going to be a very strong Pirates side. The lads are very disappointed. But for three or four crucial errors it could have been a very competitive match.
"I think for all the lads - both sides - it was a positive, competitive derby match. That's what we want in Devon and Cornwall, this is the sort of stuff we want to see. From our point of view we'd very much like to have eradicated some of those errors, then it would have been more exciting for everyone."
Drewett admitted the Pirates had showed their ruthless streak by punishing the Chiefs at every opportunity. He added: "At this level you get your opportunity and you have to maximise it. Fair play to the Pirates, they did exactly that. "Now we have to work hard as a squad to make sure we do the same. All the top sides in this division are competitive, but I still believe we can beat anyone on a given day. We just have to put those little bits and pieces together."
Next up for the Chiefs is Saturday's home clash with Moseley.
Cornish Pirates 37pts: Tries - Roke 2, McKeen, Evans; Conversions - Di Bernardo 4; Penalties - Di Bernardo 3.
Exeter Chiefs 20pts: Tries - M Fatialofa, Luff; Conversions - Yapp, Staniforth; Penalties - Yapp 2
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke (H Barratt 56), D Bell (S Winn 73), L Vinnicombe; A Di Bernardo (J Moore 80), G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi (O Hambly 76), S Heard (G Anderson 68); J Inglis, J Beardshaw (S Hobson 77); S McKeen , I Motusaga (T Cowley 56), M Evans. Yellow Card: Winnan.
Exeter Chiefs: B Breeze; J Luff, J Fatialofa, M Fatialofa, T Bedford (P Fisher 22-38, 68); T Yapp (A Staniforth 66), K Barrett (R Bolt 68); S Bennett (S Jenkins 66), S Blythe (R Liddington 71), J Horn-Smith (Blythe 75); O Hodge (J Hanks 50), I Brown, T Walker, A Miller (M Rickner 71), R Baxter (capt).
Referee: D Newitt (RFU)
No question this was the match of the day in National League 2 with second playing top at Polson. In the end Esher prevailed with a strong second half performance, outscoring their hosts by 24-3 in front of Polson's biggest crowd of the season.
Kicking honours were even during the first period with Cornish All Blacks' Sam Young and Esher's Ian Hallett kicking three penalties apiece. The difference on the scoreboard proved to be an injury time try scored by lock Steve Pape, who smashed through the Esher defence, Young's conversion gave the home crowd hope for a good second half performance to seal the win, especially as Esher were down to 14 men as flanker Mike Blackburn was in the bin for the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
It was not to be. Esher's winger Bevan Armitage found his way through some weak defence to score a fine try after only two minutes of the second half, Hallet's conversion levelling the scores. Back to full strength, Esher scored another try after 60 minutes when the division's leading try scorer, Matt Moore, scored in the corner, evading the attention of full back Ryan Westren. Hallett kicked a second conversion and a further penalty 7 minutes later to put his side in a commanding 26-16 lead.
Young reduced the deficit with a fourth penalty of his own. However, the points were well and truly sealed when Armitage latched on to a Steve Perry pass as the Cornish All Blacks attempted to launch an attack from deep. The Esher winger had a simple run in, Hallett another conversion.
This result, coupled with Blackheath's win over Halifax, sees the Cornish All Blacks slip to third in the table, with Henley and Stourbridge breathing down their necks only a point adrift. There is a dogfight for that second promotion spot. Iit may prove to be the challenge that they need to kick on again. We shall see.
The Reds have turned the form book on its head in recent weeks and this fourth successive win has silenced the doom merchants good and proper.
It wasn't the prettiest of games but 4 points on the road is always welcome and, as in any league, a bonus.
The Reds were forced into a couple of changes, with hooker Darren Dawiduik recalled by the Cornish Pirates and scrum half Mark Richards unable to travel. Marek Churcher took over the No 9 shirt and, with young Paul Teixeira slotting in at full back, Sam Harrison took on the hooking duties.
A wayward pass from the Reds allowed Nuns' winger Lee Parry to score the opening try on 12 minutes, which Gareth Cull converted. Reds' own Welsh points machine, Mike Hook, kicked a penalty to open the Reds' account a few minutes later.
Cull kicked a penalty to extend the home side's advantage to 10-7 after 30 mins. Reds' winger Nathan Pedley had to leave the field temporarily with a cut, Sam Brown deputising as the Reds re-jigged their backs, Churcher moving to the wing, with Brown at scrum-half.
Hook kicked a couple of penalties to bring the Reds back to within a point, before taking the lead almost on half time from a try by No 8 Mark Bright scored out wide.
Cull kicked an early penalty in the second half for Nuns as they took the game to the Reds, whose defence held firm. A monster penalty from Cull gave the home side a two point advantage as the game entered the final quarter.
Redruth made three changes, with Brown returning at scrum-half and young Dan Job at hooker and Peter Joyce at prop gave the visitors fresh impetus.
Hook kicked a fourth penalty to regain the lead for Redruth on 67 minutes. Hook's long kicks pinned the home side deep in their own half, forcing them to attack from deep. From such a position Hook charged down a clearance kick, which centre PJ Gidlow gathered to score Redruth's second and, which proved to be, match-winning try.
Redruth can now travel to old foes Barking next Saturday in good heart with a strong belief in their ability to return home with another good result.
Outside of the National League games involving Cornish clubs, it was a weekend dominated by the various EDF Energy cups. There was, however, one Cornwall and Devon League match played, with Perranporth losing at home to Wellington by 29-3. The Brewers remain anchored at the foot of the league without a point.
In the Trophy, St. Ives entertained fellow SW1 side Basingstoke and booked a second round berth with an 18-3 win. The Hakes, trailing 3-0 at half-time, scored 18 unanswered points during the second half, with three tries from Nick Wolfgramm, Grant Thirlby and Richard Tucker, Thirlby also kicking a penalty goal.
In the Intermediate Cup, there was a win and loss for the Cornish clubs involved in the opening round. Camborne progressed at home against Cheltenham Tigers by 24-18. Skipper Dave Roberts got the opening Town try, with further touchdowns coming from Aisea Fisilau and Rob Ley, David Mankee kicking the other points.
Penryn exited the competition at the first hurdle, losing at the Memorial Ground to Frome 16-7. The sole Penryn try was scored by Dave Pascoe, with Ian Morgan kicking the conversion.
In the Senior Vase 2nd Round ties, Wadebridge Camels had a very good win at Okehampton by 25-7. Hayle joined the Camels in Round 3 with a fine win at Wessex by 20-8. There were defeats however, for Truro at home to Tavistock by 27-3 and Bude, surprisingly, at Paignton 29-8.
In the London section of the draw, London Cornish had a very fine win over higher league opposition, defeating Old Reigatian by 34-10, making it nine wins on the trot for the exiles.
The Junior Vase 2nd Round produced wins for Stithians, who defeated Redruth Albany at Trewirgie 13-0 in the only All Cornish tie, Roseland, who beat Plympton Victoria 36-9, Saltash, who got the better of Prince Rock/Woodland Fort 40-23, Helston, former finalists in the Junior Vase, 17-14 victors over OPM's, and Liskeard & Looe, who had a walkover against Tamar Saracens.
The other Cornish sides bowing out were Newquay Hornets, defeated at the Sports Centre by Old Public Oaks 14-3, and Illogan Park, beaten at Plymouth Civil Service 13-9.
After two defeats the Cornish All Blacks got their promotion bid back on track with a six-try win over Nuneaton at the Polson Ground last Saturday. This result, coupled with Blackheath's large defeat at Stourbridge, saw the Cornish outfit back up to second place in the league.
Former T.A.S.C. Cornwall U.20 player of the year, full back Ryan Westren, came into the line and broke the cover to score an early try in the corner after only two minutes. Nonetheless, it was to be the visitors who scored next when Nuneaton winger Jody Peacock won the race to a charged-down ball to score; his try was converted by full back Jon Lowdon.
Sam Young made amends for his charged-down kick with a penalty success to re-gain the lead for the East Cornwall side, a lead they were not to lose. Winger Kieron Lewitt then scored the first of his two tries of the afternoon to stretch his side's lead.
The visitors then enjoyed a period of territorial advantage, which saw them gain a second penalty through Peacock. The Cornish All Blacks struck again before the half's end, with Lewitt scoring his second try of the game following some strong running from Westren. Young's conversion saw the Cornish All Blacks lead at half time 20-10.
Nuneaton lost a player to the sin-bin early in the second half. Flanker Wayne Sprangle was on hand to finish off a fine move and earn the try-scoring bonus point.
Launceston lost their influential fly half Young when he injured himself making a tackle, Mark Scrivener replacing him and kicking a fine penalty to stretch the lead once more to 28-10.
The visitors enjoyed another score when flanker Alex Shaw scored their second try, again converted by Lowdon, reward for their hard work. However, it was the Cornish All Blacks who had the final say, with two more tries scored by No8 Stuart Williams and replacement hooker Jason Bolt, with Scrivener kicking a conversion.
Redruth recorded their fifth straight win and a first success ever at Barking's Goresbrook ground to maintain their recent fine run. Yet early on it appeared that Redruth's run might come to an abrupt halt. Trailing by 15 points after 22 minutes and with influential scrum half Mark Richards sitting out a spell in the sin-bin, the Reds were very much up against it. An early penalty by Harry Bryan was followed by a try from scrum half Andy Eaton, converted by Bryan, then a second Barking try from flanker, Sevanaia Rokobara.
Richards, back on the field after his misdemeanour, took a hold on the game and began to pull the strings as Redruth began to work their way back into the match. But Redruth had further problems as second row Luke Collins was yellow carded.
Richards set up winger Nathan Pedley for a try on the half hour mark, which was disallowed for an infringement by another Reds' player. A Redruth try was not long in coming and No 8 Mark Bright was at the centre of affairs as his break set up centre PJ Gidlow, who scored. Fly half Mike Hook added the conversion. (It was a good day for the Hook family as brother James was busy pulling Wales back into the game in Cardiff against Australia.) Hook then kicked a penalty on the stroke of half time to leave the Reds trailing 15-10 at the turnaround.
Redruth got off to a great start early in the second half when winger Mark Lea latched on to a Barking pass. Making ground, he set up his skipper Craig Bonds for a fine try under the posts; Hook's conversion put the Reds into the lead.
Redruth's young full back Paul Teixeira almost scored a try on 46 minutes. However, the referee felt he had lost control of the ball in the act of scoring. The youngster was in the thick of it once more as he was high-tackled by Barking's winger Felise Ah-Ling, who earned a yellow card, thus enabling Hook to kick another penalty goal.
The industrious Bright was on hand to score the Reds' third try after some good work from Hook on 64 minutes, Hook once again adding the extras.
Redruth looked for the bonus point and it was not long in coming with Teixeira scoring the try on 76 minutes. The final try went to Pedley, with Hook converting both for a personal tally of 16 points.
Redruth are back at the Recreation Ground to take on Manchester on Armistice Day in front of what should be a large and very vocal crowd.
In South West 1, it was Cornish derby Act 1 as St. Ives visited table-topping Mount's Bay in a mouth-watering and eagerly-anticipated match. The home side emerged triumphant 20-10 in front of some 1,500 spectators at the Mennaye to maintain their top spot in the league. Bay were made to work hard as St. Ives led 10-3. Grant Thirlby kicked a penalty and converted Luke Trescothick's try. Lee Jarvis kicked a couple of penalties for the Bay and converted both tries scored by Tom Outram and Johnny Morrison.
In South West 2 West, Camborne had a fine win at Exmouth, winning by 17-12. Town scored three tries through Andy Smith, Brett Wafker and Rob Lee.
Penryn are looking like relegation certainties at this early stage of the season following another heavy defeat, this time at St. Mary's Old Boys by 67-11. Josh Chambers scored the Borough's only try and Dave Pascoe kicked a couple of penalties.
In Western Counties West, Hayle entertained Bude in their own Cornish derby, with Hayle cementing their second spot in the league with a 22-15 over their North Cornwall rivals. Bude led 15-14 with ten minutes to go. Mark Dennis and Paul Williams had scored Bude's tries, with Andy Yates kicking the points. Hayle got ahead thanks to a Ben Eddy try. Paull Lello kicked four penalties and Kevin Jenkin scored the other Lion's try.
Truro remain anchored to the foot of the table following their 57-7 defeat at Kingsbridge.
In the Cornwall & Devon League, Wadebridge Camels are the leaders following their 39-7 win over St. Austell. Perranporth remain pointless and bottom after a seventh defeat against Wessex by 42-3. A very much depleted Falmouth side travelled to Paignton and were trounced 61-3!
In the latest Tamar League match, played on Monday night at Sandy Park, a Launceston Development XV beat Exeter United by 25-7. Try scorers for Launceston were Barry Chapman, Ben Collins, Gareth Lovell and Nick Holt. Mark Scrivener kicked a penalty and Kieron Lewitt a conversion.
A sixth successive league victory ensured the Cornish Pirates will head into this Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with the Earth Titans as the form side in National League One.
Jim McKay's Pirates were never at their best against hosts Nottingham on Sunday, but the Cornish club still had enough in the tank to seal a win, which helped lift them back into second spot in the standings, just a point behind their Yorkshire hosts.
Having trailed to an early penalty from former Pirate Tom Barlow, the visitors hit back well to lead 18-3 in almost as many minutes. However, instead of building on their opening half advantage, which was 21-10 by the turn, the Duchy's finest were guilty of far too many handling mistakes after the break and with it the chance of a bonus point was spurned.
Although frustrated not to have claimed all five points, Pirates' coach Jim McKay was more than satisfied to secure another victory. He said: "It was an important win for us and it's something we can happily take into next week. It helps keep the momentum going, which is important.
"We're happy with the win, a lot of good effort went into it, but gee we only showed what we are truly capable of in patches. At times we looked very good and we had them on the rack, but at other times we didn't and we allowed little errors to creep into our game."
Had the Pirates made the most of their opportunities, particularly second half, then another maximum haul would have been safely accrued. Sadly they didn't.
For McKay, though, this victory in the heartland of Robin Hood was just the tonic the Aussie and his team needed ahead of Saturday's 'Clash with the Titans'.
The Pirates' chief took the opportunity of running his eye over Andre Bester's side during their 14-11 loss at Plymouth Albion on Saturday. Not surprisingly, McKay was impressed by what he saw from his former club.
"Saturday is going to be a very big test for us, but it's a game we're very much looking forward to," said McKay. "We know what's at stake and it's a good opportunity for us. We'll work hard this week in preparation for that game and hopefully that will stand us in good stead."
Part of that build-up will include the Cornish outfit setting up base in the Midlands in a bid to cut out yet another long trek up the motorways.
"It's a bit different to normal, but it won't change the way we prepare for the game itself. We will be fully focussed on the task ahead," stressed McKay.
Having trailed to Barlow's penalty after just 46 seconds, the in-form Pirates wasted little time in pulling their hosts back into line. Di Bernardo slotted a ninth-minute penalty, before doubling his tally just seven minutes later to make it 6-3.
The Italian's strike-rate certainly helped ease the Pirates' early nerves - and once they kicked into their normal game - so flooded in the points. Sustained pressure from the visitors brought about a try for skipper Gavin Cattle in the left corner, then the visitors made the most of Peter Cook's sin-binning to add a second score through flanker Iva Motusaga, this time converted by Di Bernardo.
Further opportunities followed for McKay's men, but they were unable to add to their tally. In fact it was the home side who cut the deficit when former Exeter back Ben Thompson applied the finish to a slick home move, Barlow converting.
With the half all but up, Di Bernardo fired over a third penalty, before adding a fourth just three minutes after the restart to put the Pirates firmly in control at 24-10 up.
This cushion should have provided the Pirates with the impetus to kick-on, but far too often they were found guilty of over-playing and some sloppy handling. The mistakes allowed Nottingham to grow in confidence and gave them a belief they could gain something from their toils.
Although they pressed hard, it was not until five minutes from time that Nottingham dented the scoreline, Barlow notching a second penalty to make it 24-13.
With the bonus point within reach, the home side pushed hard as the clocked ticked by; their efforts were finally rewarded when referee Chris Sharp awarded them a penalty try, converted by Barlow, eight minutes into injury time.
Barlow's kick, however, was the last of the action and it was the Pirates who headed into Sherwood Forest another four points richer.
Nottingham 20pts: Tries - Thompson, Penalty Try; Conversions - Barlow 2; Penalties - Barlow 2
Cornish Pirates 24pts: Tries - Cattle, Motusaga; Conversion - Di Bernardo; Penalties - Di Bernardo 4
Nottingham: R Nirmalendrah; B Thompson, J Wilson, T Molenaar (W Coles h/t), D Jackson (S Meek 62); T Barlow, R Springall; P Cook (M Parr 62), J Duffey (N Corin 72), R Hopkins (N Hall 58); N Rouse, L Morley (capt, S Raven 58), T Stannard, A Loney, T George (C Hammond h/t). Yellow Card: Cook
Cornish Pirates: A Winnan; J Hylton (D Bell 68), H Barrett, S
Winn (D Roke 68), L Vinnicombe (J Moore 80); A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); A
Paver, V Ma'asi, S Heard (G Anderson 62, N Makin 80); J Inglis, J Beardshaw; S
McKeen, I Motusaga, M Evans (C Cracknell 80).
Replacement (not used): S
Hobson. Yellow Card: Vinnicombe
Referee: C Sharp (RFU)
Attendance: 1,709
Cornish Pirates' outstanding second-half recovery in National One's match of the day took them to the top of the League and their ninth win in 11 games gained revenge for their heavy defeat at Clifton Lane last season. On this occasion, the Pirates were far too strong after the interval, and their ability to fight back from being 18-0 down against the overnight leaders says much about the character and the quality of the squad. With a powerful gale behind their backs, Rotherham's Earth Titans 18-0 lead at the break appeared to have given them a measure of control, particularly with home advantage.
The Pirates, who had conceded tries on 19 and 40 minutes to centre Bernard Hennessey and fly-half Gareth Steenson, did not seem too concerned, and as their forwards had won a decent amount of ball and had launched several attacks, hints of a probable turnaround were clearly evident.
In the first half the home side's tackling and defence had been sharp and effective, but as the second unfolded, the Titans struggled to cope with the ferocity of the Pirates' pack, which ensured that the Yorkshiremen visited their opponents' 22 only twice.
Skipper and scrum-half, Gavin Cattle, launched the fightback with the second half only 30 seconds old. The Titans lost control of the ball from the restart and in a flash, Cattle pounced to steal it and score. With fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo adding the first of his three conversions, the recovery was well under way, and just four minutes later, the Yorkshire club's lead was slashed further following a penalty from the division's leading point-scorer. The Pirates now trailed by just 18-10 with the wind now in their favour and, vitally, with more than 30 minutes remaining. The forwards dominated possession and repeatedly controlle