Nigel Walrond with his award. Photo by Bill Hooper.
Page last updated 11th June 2013
Camborne RFC are holding their 3rd annual “Help for Heroes” Charity Rugby Match on Saturday 29th June at the Camborne 'Rec', KO 3:00 pm.
A Camborne Vets Select XV will play a Combined Services Vets Select XV.
Gates open at 1:30 pm, with a 3 pm kick off.
Admission is £5 pp, with under 16s free.
Why not go along a little earlier and watch the second British Lions Test on the big screen in the club house? Full Cornish breakfasts will be served between 10:30 and 11:30 am.
Yesterday saw the finale of this year’s County Championship and Lancashire emerge as worthy winners. It should not detract from the performance and the pride and passion demonstrated by our beloved Cornwall squad who took us to a Twickenham final once again. Ben and the Boys must be heartbroken; the look of the team as they walked down the steps at Twickenham says it all, the photo on the back page of this morning’s Western Morning News caused a tear to run down my face this morning. The disappointment in Ben’s face is there for all to see.
Lancashire may have won, but it’s a hollow victory when nobody cares if you won. Yesterday’s winners were Cornwall and the County Championship and I hope that Bill Beaumont and the RFU recognises it. The ‘Big game’ yesterday only packed in 60,000 supporters, the top tier of the Stadium being completely devoid of England support, and if Cornwall had not made the final there would have been pretty poor attendance for England v Baa Baas.
When the stewards emptied the middle tier Twickenham didn’t exactly empty out as they would have anticipated. Around 20,000 people remained behind to watch what has been, for years, a side show with an empty house. The pockets of Black and Gold now concentrated to nearly fill 3 of the lower tier stands. The remaining England neutral fans watched with fascination, as people from Cornwall carrying black and white flags and wearing black and gold took their seats and roared into life at the emergence of the Cornwall team, and sang and chanted for the next two hours. It wasn’t long before the England neutrals behind me were swept along with the euphoria of the occasion and singing in support as loudly as any Cornishman.
So we lost yesterday to a better squad, so what, it doesn’t end here. Before the legendary (no other superlative required) win of 1991 there was a loss in 1989, before the win in 1999 there was the loss in 1998. County Championships don’t come easy, Dean Shipton taught us that.
On Sunday 26th May the Cornwall Team and the massed ranks of Trelawny’s Army placed a down payment on our next final, because we shall return to Twickenham.
On Sunday 26th May, TASC Press Officer Bill Hooper presented Cornish sports' reporter Nigel Walrond with a special certificate, acknowledging his outstanding contribution in covering Cornish rugby in the local media.
The award was made in the press room at Twickenham, just prior to Cornwall's County Championship Cup Final against Lancashire.
Nigel Walrond with his award. Photo by Bill Hooper.
The culmination of a great day’s festival of rugby at St. Agnes’ Enys Parc saw the game between St. Agnes Barbarians and the Wasps Legends.
There were some great stars of yesteryear on show for both sides.
Craig Bonds scores for Aggie Baa Baas. Photo by Simon Bryant.
Josh Lewsey for Aggie BaaBaas. Photo by Simon Bryant.
Josh Lewsey for Wasps Legends. Photo by Simon Bryant.
Tony Cook lines up Serge Betsen. Photo by Simon Bryant.
Both sets of players Aggie BaaBaas v Wasps Legends. Photo by Simon Bryant.
Cornwall’s most capped player Tony Cook, along with former Redruth Director of Rugby David Penberthy, on his 57th Birthday and with brother-in-law Nigel Hambly, current Redruth player Craig Bonds, prop Neil Douch, hooker Brian Andrew and recently retired (again!) Ian Morgan were just some of the players to turn out for the Baa Baa’s.
For Wasps Legends, Josh Lewsey, Tom Rees, Cornish Pirates’ coach Harvey Biljon, Cornwall’s own Trevor Woodman and former French International Serge Betsen were just some of the stars who turned out for the Legends.
A great day with Kernow King doing the commentary and entertainment from Aberfal Oggy Men and Land of the Giants.
Photos from St.Agnes by Simon Bryant.
Following on from last week’s press call with the Cornish Pirates Acting CEO Josh Lewsey and his wish to strengthen links with educational establishments around the Duchy; the first tangible evidence of the Pirate’s renewed focus was shown this week at Truro College when it was announced that four gifted young Cornish rugby players are being given the opportunity to combine study and training as they look to develop their sporting careers.
Left to Right: Tom Hendrickson, Mike Roach, Max Bodilly, Matt Bolwell. Photo by Simon Bryant/Iktisphoto. Mobile: 07990592945.
The four lucky players to be picked for this new initiative are:
Matt Bolwell – A flanker from Wadebridge, Matt has played for England at under 18s level having recently helped England retain their FIRA-AER Justin Bridou Championship at that level with Bolwell scoring England’s first try in the final against France played in the Stade des Alps in Grenoble.
Tom Hendrickson – A product of the Pirates youth section, Tom is a New-Zealand born centre who has played for Cornwall under 20’s and for South West under 20s. Tom also attended the Divisional U.20 Festival at Welbeck College over Easter narrowly missing out on selection for the England Counties U.20 tour to Georgia later this month.
Mike Roach – Prop Mike comes from Penzance. His honours include representing Cornwall through the age groups up to under 20’s level. He has also played with the Cornish All Blacks.
Max Bodilly – Another product of the Pirates youth section, and a Newlyn lad, Max has also played for Cornwall under 20’s. He is a full-back and can also play at half-back as been playing for the St. Ives club this season under the guidance of Joff Rowe and former Pirate Ceiron Thomas.
Now post 18, Matt, Tom and Max will be progressing from their BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Performance and Excellence to continue their education by following the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching at Truro College.
Mike will be following a vocational course at Penwith College.
Having played rugby for Truro College in the Rugby Football Union's AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) League for two years, the four players will become Exeter Chiefs Academy members, where they have already had an association, and they will potentially be on a two year loan to the Cornish Pirates. It is envisaged that this will not only allow them to gain experience in the Championship, or locally at National league level, but will also, as mentioned, enable them to importantly combine their studies with training and playing.
As you can imagine the youngsters are thrilled with the opportunity to continue both their studies and rugby apprenticeship in Cornwall.
Mike Roach. “It’s a great opportunity for me it’s ideal studying down at Penwith College and linking my rugby with the Pirates. I’ve had a bit of experience with the Cornish All Blacks but I have really focused the majority of my rugby with Truro College and the Exeter Academy games this season.
Roach is looking forward to learning new skills and improving his technique from the Pirates coaching team. “Ian Davies is a fantastic coach and along with senior players such as Alan Paver I am hoping to really improve my game and learn from these guys.
Max Bodilly is looking forward to sampling life at a Championship Club. “I am looking forward to progressing and gaining experience from amongst others Harvey Biljon and Gavin Cattle. I have played at half back for a while but Exeter wanted me to move to full back and I feel that has benefited my game. It’s a big step up from playing at St. Ives, hopefully I can get some game time because that is key to development.
Head coach at the Cornish Pirates, Ian Davies, commented:
“We have had an excellent working relationship with the Exeter Chiefs over the last few seasons and this new venture is another part of that partnership. It is also fantastic that we can build a stronger foundation with Truro College which will be a key aspect for the Cornish Pirates moving forward.”
Robin Cowling, on behalf of Truro College, added:
“For the the last few years Exeter Chiefs and the Cornish Pirates have developed a close working partnership over dual-registered players, that are allowed under the rules of regional academies. It is a partnership that has created a win win situation for both the players and clubs.
“This new venture with the Cornish Pirates and Exeter Chiefs and Truro College will also be a win win situation for players and clubs and the player’s education at Truro College. One of our aims with academy players is to look after their development both on and off the field, and this is a great opportunity with the college tailoring their timetable to fit around their rugby training with the Cornish Pirates.”
I’m glad to report that Trelawny’s’ Army participated in another great day out at Trevithick Day at Camborne on the 28th April. We set up our trade stand at 7.00am in a downpour that nearly drenched us to the skin, but our gazebo came into its own and provided us with all the shelter we needed. By 9.30 the showers had blown away and it wasn’t long before the crowds had started to mass, the sun broke through and our busy sales day commenced. It never ceases to amaze me of the generosity of the people of Camborne and their willingness to purchase our items. Our children ware, Baileys Pewter and new range of car stickers proved highly popular, and our black and gold clothing fits well with the colour of the decorations used on the shops fronts.
Lady in Red miniature steam engine passes the TASC stand at Camborne's Trevithick Day.
We once again had an excellent pitch and the children’s dance in the morning passed right in front of the stand in Commercial Street and later in the day the adults dance and parade of scale-sized engines steamed past. Photos of which are included with this report. It was nice to see many members come forward and say hello, I certainly hope to see at least one “Grumpy Old Cornishman” T-Shirt on Saturday’s coach to Cinderford!!!
So pretty much a perfect day for Trelawny’s Army and a big thank-you from me and the sales team of Marina Trevarton and Viv and Dave Broadhurst and we look forward to Trevithick Day 2014.
Some time ago Ian Gordon, our secretary, suggested that as part of our 20th Anniversary we should organise a Mini Tag event. After discussion at Committee it was decided that we sponsor the CRFU Mini/Junior Under 7’s and 8’s at Penryn RFC.
Supporters at the ground. Photo by Phil Trevarton.
After being present all day at Penryn with the TASC Merchandise stand, with the TASC team of Marina Trevarton, John Rowe, Bill Hooper, and Dave and Viv Broadhurst, I can only enthuse on this excellent event and its importance to capture the hearts and minds of these young rugby players.
To see 400 youngsters playing for their teams from all ends of the County, supported by their families was a spectacle to behold. Teams from all over the County: Penryn, St. Ives, Cornish Pirates, St. Austell, Lankelly, Perranporth, Camborne, Hayle, Truro, Helston, Newquay, Saltash, Falmouth, Liskeard-Looe, Launceston and Redruth were represented.
The emphasis of the Festival was on the fun aspects of playing rugby and, with the agreement of the CRFU Mini-Junior Committee, the competition was run on a “friendly” basis, with no overall winner of the competition. All participants received a Certificate of Attendance and a TASC Medal to commemorate the day.
I must thank all the parents who came to the stand and thanked the Club for our sponsorship; and also those that purchased items of merchandise from the Club. And special thanks to Penryn RFC for hosting the event and making TASC most welcome during our stay.
On Wednesday 24th April at the Mennaye, Acting CEO of the Cornish Pirates, former England full back and World Cup winner, Josh Lewsey, shared with the assembled members of the local media his vision to plot the Cornish Pirates course towards the Aviva Premiership.
Cornish Pirates' Acting CEO, former England full back Josh Lewsey, speaking at the Mennaye on 25th April. Photo by Simon Bryant/Iktisphoto. Mobile: 07990592945. 22/04/13.
The first thing that strikes you as you, would expect, is Josh’s total commitment to the job in hand and a firm belief that with the right structures and people in place he can deliver and put in place the right framework for success.
Of course the key is the delivery of the Stadium, which will open the door to the Premiership when the time comes, but for now the emphasis is to put in place his vision to take the club forward both on and off the field. It’s a vision shared by the coaching staff of Ian Davies and Harvey Biljon.
Looking to reverse the decline in spectator numbers that started to set in when the club relocated back from Camborne, Lewsey said that feedback from the supporters had suggested that the match day experience at the Mennaye was not good enough.
“We have to look at what we are offering on match days, not just that but what we are doing around that at a commercial level, we need to speculate to accumulate and upgrading the facilities that we offer will assist in re-connecting with the community.
To that effect the bulldozers will soon be in with the demolishing of the main grandstand and the rebuilding of a new grandstand over the summer along with the installation of floodlights at the ground.
Lewsey feels very strongly that the club has to re-establish lines of communication with the rest of Cornwall and to get the club’s message across to people from further afield, to this purpose the appointments of a full-time commercial manager and a full-time community manager are key to this process.
He also feels strongly that there is a strong regional connection that people will buy into, the feeling of belong to and coming from Cornwall is a strong sense of identity is something the Cornish Pirates need to tap into. “All my friends and former players from Wasps and England who are coming down for the weekend at St. Agnes they see the potential down here and they are extremely envious.
He is also under no illusion as to the challenges he faces to win over hearts and minds of those who remain sceptical to the idea of the Cornish Pirates and what they stand for.
“If the people of Cornwall get behind this club then I really do believe that it can become the Munster of English rugby. If people don’t get behind it then it won’t and that would be a great opportunity lost and something that will be very regretful.
“Ultimately people want to see quality sport, you saw the effect of the Olympic Games in London last year what it means, what it can do to galvanise people and ways to breaking down barriers, if you produce enough of a quality product and people have ownership of that, then that’s the opportunity. It’s trying to get people to see the bigger picture.
“We want to create an environment which appeals to greater cross-section of people to attend games. We want to see families and younger people coming into the ground to enjoy the match day experience that’s vital to grow the match day attendance with the values we aim to put in place I feel that will appeal to a younger generation of supporter.
On the playing side Lewsey hopes to have the Cornish Pirates capable for the Premiership by 2015, but that it would not be done by throwing money for a short term fix, instead the club will be looking to identify young talented players to progress with the Cornish Pirates.
To that end connections are being put in place with local colleges and schools across the county
The team will be back into training on June 10th and with a fitness program put in place by Faye Downey the squad will be put through their paces.
Training will be moved around the county during pre-season to further build community ties across Cornwall
In another move to reconnect with the community a Cornish Pirates 7’s side will be entered into the Newquay 7’s with players picked from other Cornish clubs. There will also be an opportunity for this side to play at Twickenham against a British & Irish Lions 7’s side in mid August as part of a touch tournament
The Cornish Pirates will play a friendly against Saracens at the Honourable Artillery Company ground situated near the City on Thursday August 22nd, with a further game against a Cornwall Select XV, with every club in the county being involved in the team, to be played at a revamped Mennaye on Friday 30th August under the new lights.
All in all exciting times lie ahead.
CORNWALL comfortably if unspectacularly retained the Tamar Cup against old foes Devon on a damp misty evening in Plymouth.
Cornwall were forced into making some late changes for the game with prop forward Darren Jacques (Redruth) not recovered from an ankle injury and flanker Tom Rawlings (Launceston) also missing through injury.
Ben Hilton on the charge against Devon. Photo by Simon Bryant/Iktisphoto. Mobile: 07990592945. 22/04/13.
Martin Rice (Launceston) came into the front row and enjoyed a fine game capped by scoring Cornwall’s second try of the game during the second half. His performance on the night deservedly saw him named Trelawny’s Army man-of-the-match and pick up the award in memory of our late Chairman and much respected local rugby journalist Paul Bawden.
There was a good contingent up from St Austell RFC there to cheer on their boys in the Cornwall squad fly-half Matt Shepherd and replacement lock Adam Pearce. Saints have enjoyed a fine season and this was a fitting acknowledgement to the club.
Cornwall dominated opening period of the game but couldn’t turn possession into points.
Eventually Cornwall’s domination paid off as they were awarded a penalty from a scrum which saw Shepherd open Cornwall’ s account after 13 minutes.
Cornwall then began to string a few moves together with one such move involving centre Lewis Paterson forwards Chris Fuca, Damien Cook and Josh Lord just seeing the final pass go astray.
On the half-hour mark another flowing Cornish move saw full back Jo Parma heading for the corner only for Saltash’s Max Venables to save the day for Devon.
Pressure continued to mount on the Devon line with Paterson’s long pass reaching the onrushing Tom Notman on the wing, the Reds flyer finished in some style from 20 meters out in the marquee corner of the ground. Shepherd added the extras with a fine conversion from the touchline to put Cornwall 10-0 up.
Devon had a period of pressure prior to half-time, which resulted in Cornwall’s Richard Bright being yellow carded for a professional foul.
During the second half Cornwall despite numerous changes continued to dominate the game. It was good to see former Cornish Pirate and now of Plymouth Albion Rhodri McAtee come on his pace certainly injected some impetus into Cornwall’s play.
Cornwall got a lineout near the Devon line which Chris Fuca took to set up a driving maul which saw Rice power over for Cornwall’s second try. Shepherd maintained his fine kicking record with the conversion to make it 17-0 and the game was safe for the Black and Golds.
The biggest roar of the night came from the St Austell contingent as lock Adam Pearce made his county debut on 71 minutes.
Devon looked to salvage some pride with a score but Tom Goodman was denied by a great tap tackle by Jamie Salter, whilst Richard Friend was hauled down close to the line, Cornwall cleared the danger and saw out the rest of the game despite losing Paterson to a late yellow card for a professional foul.
Cornwall skipper Ben Hilton proudly held aloft the Tamar Cup having received the trophy from Devon RFU President Maureen Jackson.
Devon 0 pts
Cornwall 17 pts: tries Notman, Rice; penalty Shepherd; conversions Shepherd (2)
Cornwall: J Parma (Camborne), R Bright, L Paterson, N Webber (all Cornish All Blacks), T Notman (Redruth), S Perry (Barnstaple), M Shepherd (St Austell); M Rice (Cornish All Blacks), R Brown, C Williams, D Cook (both Redruth), B Hilton (Cornish All Blacks, capt), C Fuca (Redruth), J Goldsworthy (Camborne), J Lord (All Blacks)
Replacements (all used): L Vinnicombe (Redruth), B Drew (Redruth), J Salter (Plymouth Albion), M Hearn (Camborne), R McAtee (Plymouth Albion), A Pearce (St Austell), A Hosking (Redruth), L Duke, BJ Chapman, T Hurdwell (all Cornish All Blacks).
Referee: Mr D Parrett
Trelawny’s Army Paul Bawden Memorial Cornwall man-of-the-match: Martin Rice (Cornish All Blacks)
Crowd: 500
It is with great sadness that TASC has learned of the death of Roger Quittenton, who refereed Cornwall’s 1991 County Final against Yorkshire at Twickenham, at the age of 70.
One of the key moments in the game was when Mr Quittenton asked Yorkshire’s full back John Liley if he was going to kick at goal from the penalty his side had just been awarded on the Cornwall 22.
Liley’s response was to take a quick tap, with the ball being moved wide for scrum-half Dave Scully to score. Liley’s conversion stretched Yorkshire’s lead to 16-3.
That score so incensed the Cornish team that the rest, as they say, is history!
Mr Quittenton (as the late Jerry Clarke constantly referred to him in his radio commentary) described the Cornish performance that day in the book Tales of Twickenham, co-authored by Jerry Clarke and Terry Harry, with these words: “In thirteen years of refereeing international rugby all over the world, I cannot recall a performance of comparable stature to Cornwall’s on this day, and there will be many older rugby men with longer memories than I, who will echo this view. I was very proud to have been able to witness such a piece of rugby history at close quarters.”
TASC has introduced a new range of Cornish car stickers - see below.
The new range of Cornish car stickers.
To order, follow the instructions on the TASC Shop page.
Members of Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club were at Saltash’s Moorlands Lane Ground on Saturday 2nd February to present some match balls to the home club, prior to their Tribute Cornwall & Devon League derby with Liskeard & Looe, in recognition of their outstanding successes during last season.
Saltash were winners of the Tribute Cornwall League 1, Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup, Lockie Cup and the Alan Barbary Trophy presented by the Cornwall RFU for the Cornish club with the best league performance based on the ratio of games won against games played.
Left to Right: Phil Eastell (TASC), Ryan Rayner (Saltash club captain), Lee Maher (Saltash RFC Hon. Sec) and Paul Ferris (TASC).