Stats for the season (league only)
The Cherry & Whites have used 32 players in 25 league matches this season which have yeilded no fewer than 95 tries, these have been scored by 21 different players covering all areas of the team. For instance the back row have contributed 28 tries with David Roberts chipping in with 10 of them. The backs have amassed 52 touchdowns between them with 19 coming from Joe Parma & Tom Notman and the overall leading points scorer not surprisingly is David Mankee. Even though Mango has missed 5 matches through injury and suspension he has still notched up 196 points which include 7 tries and some superb kicking.
Points Table
Player. Sponsor Tries. Con's. Pen's. D/G. Total Points.
David Mankee (D.B. Law) 7 43 24 1 196
Joe Parma (Beaver Blinds) 11 1 58
Shane Woods (Chevara) 2 8 9 62
David Roberts (Whirlewind spts) 10 50
Ryan Spargo (Chevarya) 9 45
Tom Notman (Harding Electrical) 8 40
Sam Matavesi (Phoenix Prom) 8 40
Cameron Bone (Chevara) 5 25
Sam Bartle (Pam Nelson Ent) 5 25
Adam Notman (Harding Electrical) 5 25
Rob Floyd (Harding Elecrical) 4 1 22
Laurie Manna (Creative Signs) 4 20
James Rapson (David Rogers) 4 20
James Goldsworthy (Cross St News) 3 15
Jon Griffiths (Cornish Venning Sol) 2 10
Tom Hinds (Trevenson Moor Gar) 2 10
Scott Macdonald (The Fireplace) 2 10
Dean Pascoe (David Rogers) 1 1 7
Nathan Curnow (Canvas Tattoos) 1 5
Martin Woolcock (Phoenix Prom) 1 5
Nigel Endean (Canvas Tatoos) 1 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Truscott’s Chairman’s Chat No 10 ~ 20th April 2010
Our sponsors are highly valued at the club and these special groups of people, individuals and businesses were invited to a pre match ‘thank you’ buffet prior to our last home match of the season against local rivals Truro. Earlier in the season we were fortunate to share the spoils at Truro and I well remember the appalling conditions at St Clements Hill back in early December. As it panned out this was another close encounter; a pulsating local derby in front of a healthy 450 + crowd. Both teams played their part and entertained the large crowd; with a 30 points to 27 victory our sponsors and advertisers were delighted! Joe Parma was outstanding scoring one try and creating 2 others matched by Grant Thirlby’s fine kicking display for Truro. More importantly this left us with one more win required from our two remaining games to secure the Western Counties West Championship.
As mentioned earlier I estimated the crowd for the Truro match to be in excess of 450, which for a Western Counties (level 7) game was very pleasing and shows the interest in ‘local’ derbies for both sets of supporters. Reading a copy of ‘The Rugby Paper’ on the Sunday it was interesting to compare our ‘gate’ with attendances at some other matches in, for example, national league 1 (level 3) and national league 2 (level 4)!
e.g. Nuneaton v Launceston (attendance 200)
Sedgley Pk v Wharfdale (397)
Manchester v Blackheath (320)
Henley v Richmond (330)
Clifton v Canterbury (220)
Southend v Ealing (125)
Westcombe Pk v Dings Crusaders (140) etc, etc.
Makes you wonder how these clubs manage to sustain semi professional rugby at these levels.
I also noted Easter Saturday’s result in the Intermediate Cup: Swindon 5 Old Reds 36! Made me think of what might have been, as they are now only one game from Twickenham. Good luck to them and I hope they go all the way and win it.
Now I’ve mentioned Easter; I’ve never known a quieter time at the club with no senior rugby at all over the weekend. I know it’s no good to reminisce and look back at Easters in the past but we do need, as a club, to try and organise visiting touring teams over this period even it’s at 2nd / 3rd team level. Not only will it give players and spectators enjoyment it’ll keep our treasurer happy as well. Obtaining fixtures for Easter next year, I can assure you, is on the agenda.
To those of you who supported the 1st team at Wadebridge a big thank you from me personally, Steve and the players. You all saw the reason why we are Western Counties league champions! I know we have won all our league matches at home this season but the revelation has been our away performances. The players’ attitude, commitment, pride, ‘never say die’ attitude was clearly there for all to see at Wadebridge and I don’t think I have been prouder of a Camborne performance for many years. Our defensive organisation and discipline was fantastic and I’m sure the 2nd half, lasting 56 minutes, will long be remembered by those who where there. Apparently, when Joe kicked the winning drop goal, my leap in the air would have qualified me for the high jump in the Olympics in 2012!
Training was kept low key during the week before the last league match at Devonport Services. With ‘nothing to play for’ the performance at Devonport was very much ‘under par’. The intensity and commitment that we all admired at Wadebridge was missing against a much improved, fit and determined Devonport Services team. Devonport Services fully deserved their victory and showed that, if they perform like that regularly next season, there is the potential to push for a high league position. The final score 27 points to 10 in favour of Devonport, although not the ideal finale to the season, must not detract from the whole season which has been one of the most successful and enjoyable on and off the field for our club in recent years.
I will be scripting a résumé of the season later when my sincere thanks to a lot of people within the club will be expressed.
Alan Truscott
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Truscott’s Chairman’s Chat No 9 - March 22nd
League success continues but we go out of the National Intermediate Cup, losing to Old Redcliffians from Bristol by 19 points to 13. Disappointment is an understatement; I felt this was a golden opportunity to progress in a National Competition but it was not to be. Old Redcliffians, containing a few ex Bristol players who have performed at a higher level, were well organised, played some good rugby and deserved their win. But did we perform as I know we can? The answer to that question is no. Without doubt they were better than us ‘on the day’ but if we had managed to produce the rugby I know we are capable of, winning the match was in our grasp. A typical biased chairman’s view is what you’re probably thinking!! I’ve a sneaky feeling that Old Redcliffians could go all the way to Twickenham - watch this space.
So it was back to focussing all our efforts on our, often stated, main priority this season the league. Players were reminded before the Penryn match of what is required: 6 league matches remaining, 12 training sessions to concentrate on and to focus on what we are good at. An away victory at Penryn by 16 points to 6 resulted. Another away victory, our 8th win on the road this season, made even better with news that North Petherton had comfortably beaten Kingsbridge! There have been some strange results during recent weeks Kingsbridge 27 Devonport Services 6, then Devonport Services 35 North Petherton 6 followed by North Petherton 31 Kingsbridge 6!! Make sense of that if you can!
Next up Tavistock at home and a 36 points to nil victory. Some fine tries were scored in a very dominant performance. The potential was there to score more but disappointingly too much possession was unnecessarily kicked away particularly in the 2nd half when ball in hand would have kept up the momentum and been more profitable. The match was marred towards the end with a general fracas resulting in David Mankee being red carded. Disciplinary action after the match resulted in the club banning David from playing for 3 weeks. A key player in a key position will mean him missing vital league matches in our quest for promotion. David has apologised for his indiscretion and his remorse is very genuine. Kingsbridge lose again, this time at home to Okehampton. Now it is definitely a ‘2 horse’ race!
Tiverton away the next hurdle to surmount. Shane Woods, timely returning from injury, replaced David at fly half. The well used expression ‘never got off the bus!’ was certainly true for our 1st half performance at Tivvy. No energy, no pace, poor decision making etc. left us 17 – 9 in arrears at half time. Taking nothing away from our hosts we gifted them the 1st try and then they took full advantage for an indiscretion and proceeded to score 10 further points whilst we were down to 14 men. Whatever Larks and Robbo said at half time had an immediate effect. Joe Parma and Adam Notman scored 2 excellent early tries, a late score in the corner by Adam again and 14 points from the steady boot of Shane Woods gave us a hard earned away victory by 29 points to 22. I think I wrote in one of my earlier ‘chats’ that character was one quality that would be vital in being successful this season – that is certainly ringing true!
Again our away support was fantastic – on the team bus and by car. This was mentioned to me by several players after the game and I have been asked to especially mention this in this report on their behalf.
Our 2nd and 3rd teams continue to impress with some excellent victories over recent weeks. The current positions of our 2nd and 3rd teams in their respective merit tables are unclear as I write but, with the results that they have been achieving, it would be difficult to imagine them not pushing for the top spots this season. Not many clubs in Cornwall can regularly field 3 senior teams virtually every Saturday with, on some weekends, players to spare. Well done and thanks to all concerned, players and management.
What about our under 12’s! County Champions!! What a team, coached by Barrie Bawden they became county champions at the competition held recently at Launceston RFC. You can read Barry’s full report on our web site but I would like to add my congratulations to all concerned. Well done lads – Camborne R.F.C. are very proud of you.
Alan Truscott
-----------------------------------------
Alan Truscott’s Chairman’s Chat No 8 – 22nd February 2010
I personally cannot recall a season with so many injuries to 1st XV team squad members, particularly amongst the backs. The adage of having ‘strength in depth’ has never been truer and every player used in the 1st XV this season has stepped up to the mark and played a valuable part in our success so far.
January ended with a fine 49 points to nil win over Newquay Hornets (7 tries and 7 immaculate conversions from every angle). Newquay, in 2 games this year, have found it very difficult to cope with our pace and power. In 2 league matches against them we have amassed 101 points!
It was helpful that the 1st team were without a game on 6th February, thus giving some of our injured backs an extra week to recover. However, news that Okehampton defeated Kingsbridge was well received and gave us an ideal reality check that ‘on the road’ we would have some difficult games to focus on in the coming weeks.
Next up a ‘double header’ on 13th / 14th February with an away league match at North Petherton on the Saturday and a home Cornwall Cup tie against Wadebridge on the Sunday. Having worked hard to put ourselves in a good position winning the league now has our priority and this showed in our selection policy over this weekend. We also have a considerable interest in the National Intermediate Cup having reached the last 16, with a home match against Old Redcliffians from Bristol imminent.
North Petherton was a new venue for the club so we travelled into the unknown and found a very hospitable club and good playing surface waiting for us. Injury woes manifested itself again with exciting young wing Tom Notman pulling a calf muscle in the pre-match warm up! Positional changes ensued and after a titanic effort we managed to secure a hard won 13 points to 8 victory. A 3 hour coach journey home followed and was not the best of preparation in order to face Wadebridge the next day. With injuries, unavailability and some key players needing to recover from slight knocks our selection for the cup match reflected this. In the end a committed, stronger Wadebridge team ran out very worthy winners by 40 points to 16. Congratulations to them and I wish them good luck for the rest of this competition.
Reminding ourselves of Kingsbridge’s ‘banana skin’ at Okehampton and also noting Okehampton’s ‘whitewashing’ of Bude by 38 points to nil kept Steve and his squad focussed during the following week for our next league match at their Oaklands ground. Physios Mark and Mandy worked overtime literally to get some of our injured players off the treatment table and out of the treatment room which was becoming far too crowded and far as I was concerned! Extra physio sessions resulted in Joe Parma, Tom Notman and Tom Hinds declaring themselves fit and available for selection. Snow overnight thawed to leave very heavy conditions. We started positively and with 2 tries by Sam Matavesi and Dean Pascoe took an early 12 points lead, but unnecessary penalties gave ex Redruth fly half Mark Scrivener the opportunity to claw Okes back into the game. As conditions under foot deteriorated the game became ‘attritional’ with both packs concentrating on a close quarter ‘pick and drive’ game. A late penalty by Dave Mankee and the match resulted in another determined away performance and a satisfying 15 points to 9 victory. Next up and a break from league rugby and our last 16 National Intermediate Cup match home against Old Redcliffians, who, like us head their Western Counties division.
Our 2nd and 3rd teams need recognition for their excellent form in their respective Cornwall Merit tables. Currently both top their merit tables and I congratulate them on their success. In all club sport your 1st XV is only as strong as your 2nd and 3rd teams and currently all 3 senior teams are enjoying their rugby and eager to maintain their current positions. The challenge now is see it through to the end of the season!
Please don’t forget the Vice Presidents lunch on 13th March – next home league match v Tavistock. Space still available so please ‘sign up’ on the notice board in the lounge bar, then watch the game and afterwards join us in the main bar and watch Scotland v England on the big screen.
Finally our support at home and particularly away has been terrific this season. The players and coaches recognise this and it is greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.
Alan Truscott.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Truscott’s Chairman’s chat No 7 - 26th January 2010
The last time I put pen to paper was pre Boxing Day which has, for as long as I can remember, always dominated my thoughts over the Christmas period. Our 12 points to 5 defeat to a young Redruth team, strengthened by a sprinkling of players with regular national 2 experience, was a little disappointing having created 2 excellent scoring opportunities but failing to take either one. However, a crowd of approximately 1500 created the usual great atmosphere during the match which continued in the packed clubhouse afterwards. Long may these derby matches continue to play an important part in each club’s rugby calendar.
Next up was our away encounter to Kingsbridge in the RFU Intermediate Cup. Having lost to them narrowly at High House in the league earlier in the year we were determined to put the record straight, not only in order to progress to the next round of the national cup but to set our stall out for the return league fixture later in January. The match went ahead with the agreement of both captains despite the ground being very hard particularly in the shaded areas of the pitch. The first scrum set the tone when we destroyed their eight and this set piece domination continued setting a very solid platform for the majority of the match. A fine individual effort by fullback Tom Notman and 2 excellent tries by Laurie Manna and Adam Notman with 2 conversions by Shane Woods gave us a fine 19 – 0 win. An ideal confidence booster for Kingsbridge at home in the league on 16th January. Meanwhile our 2nd XV were defeating Truro 61 points to nil in the Cornwall Merit table. Some fine performances were reported and apparently a young promising flanker called Kevin Penrose showed considerable potential!!
Harsh winter weather conditions wiped out virtually all fixtures the following weekend thus preventing our away league match at Devonport from being played. Our thoughts immediately turned to preparing for the much awaited return match with Kingsbridge. This encounter was eagerly anticipated with their coach expressing confidence in the local Devon press that his team had the game plan and ability to take the spoils! Our preparation for the match was limited however, due to the weather (I must make a note to arrange indoor facilities for next Jan / Feb) but with 2 good sessions under our belt, quite a bit of media interest and Radio Cornwall in attendance all was set for this important game. Joe Parma pulling up with hamstring trouble in the warm up meant slight team reorganisation, however, a fine performance, in wet conditions, gave us a deserved 13 points to 5 win. It was good old fashioned ‘blood and guts’ rugby, no quarter asked or given with both sides giving everything. Despite the poor weather it was great to see such good support; I saw several ‘Camborne’ people at the match who have rarely visited the Recreation ground in recent years. I certainly hope they enjoyed the atmosphere and performance of the team and will want to come again on a regular basis. It was a particular pleasure to see ex captain and Camborne legend Chris Durant at the game and pre-match sponsors function. ‘CJ’ would have been in his element playing in such a physical contest and I’m pretty certain he would have had ‘a word or two of advice’ for their hooker at some stage during the match!!
Minehead hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us in recent seasons. Heavy midweek rain curtailed training sessions again, and numerous injuries to our three quarter line meant a very much changed team, particularly outside the scrum took to the field at the Barbarians ground. But forward domination was the key and with 2 tries apiece for Dave Roberts and Sam Bartle a fine victory by 20 points to 5 ensued. With so many changes to the team and some playing out of position Steve was particularly proud of this performance away from home. It shows the depth we have at present with 4 players making their first appearance for the 1st XV this season. Whilst this fine win was happening I went with the 2nd XV to St Ives for a Merit Table match. Disappointingly depleted due to 1st team call ups they lost 36 points to 12 against a very strong St Ives team containing many stalwart 1st team regulars several of whom played in the cup final last year. But, with 4 colts helping us out and some 3rd teamers stepping up to the table, the team, led passionately by captain Lee Pengilly, showed considerable character and pride. 31 points to nil in arrears at half time we ‘won’ the 2nd half 12 points to 5! It’s terrific to report that there is considerable character, pride and passion being shown by all our senior teams at present. We will need all of that, and more, in the next few months!
I have been contacted by Robbie Thompson, who is head of editorial of a relatively new rugby magazine. Having furnished him with considerable and specific information that was requested by his editorial staff I am pleased to report that a future edition of the new RUGBY CLUB magazine will carry a photographic and editorial review on Camborne RFC paying tribute to our ‘outstanding contribution to rugby’. The latest edition of the magazine can be found at http:/ www.rugbyclub.sportip.biz
Should be quite a spread, can’t wait to read it!
Alan Truscott
Cherry & Whites Physio Mark Eager "World Champion"
Camborne RFC are proud to announce that in a week which saw Town move to the top of the league and Josh Matavesi represent Fiji, Physio Mark Eager won the Gold medal in the World Powerlifting Championships in Las Vegas. Mark became World Champion in the 300kg Deadlift catagory beating off some strong opposition from around the globe, in addition to this magnificent acheivement Mark also picked up another award as Great Britian collected the Team Silver Medal. If you want to say well done and give him the pat on the back he deserves Mark will once again be returning to his Physio duties this weekend when Camborne face Tiverton at the Rec.
Proud Mark at the medal ceramony.
----------------------------------------------------------
Alan Truscott’s Chairman’s chat No 6 – 20th December 2009
With Stithians RFC deciding to withdraw from the Cornwall Cup it gave the 1st XV squad a Saturday off and a break from league rugby, enabling a welcome recharging of batteries. Refocusing the following week was the order of the day and resulted in a fine 36pts to nil home win over Tiverton. The game was played in atrocious conditions, driving wind and incessant rain; at one stage many felt that the game would not be completed but 80 minutes was managed and, in the conditions, some cracking tries were scored. During half time a collection for the Cumbria Flood Disaster Fund was taken and at one stage I thought that we might require the proceeds ourselves1 A downside was the injury incurred by Joe Parma ( a ruptured hamstring) which looks like putting him out of the game for 5 / 6 weeks. With Robert Floyd still on the injury list we will be without these excellent attacking players until the New Year.
However this year we have good strength in depth and this will give other squad members an opportunity to prove their ability and cement a place in the 1st XV. The appalling weather continued, limiting the use of Crane Park for training as the players and Steve Larkins prepared for a visit to St Clement’s Hill to play Truro. Again played in horrendous conditions our performance was disappointing; we were fortunate to salvage a draw 11 – 11 with a very late, quality, penalty kicked by Dave Mankee. Despite the weather our support at Truro was tremendous with a very large proportion of the crowd seemingly from Camborne. Thank you everyone for making the effort to get to Truro to support the team in such bad weather.
Next up Bude at home; a team never to be underestimated with some wise old heads up front. A game played in perfect weather conditions without doubt suited our style and, probably playing at times some of our best rugby this year, resulted in a fine 43 pts to 10 win. Man of the match Tom Notman scored 4 excellent tries after some patient and constructive team play. All credit to Bude, as you would expect from the quality players in their team, they never gave up and in fact always tried to play rugby which allowed for a very enjoyable game of rugby to participate in and to watch.
Next up away to Withycombe; lost there last season, so no complacency from the squad, who noted their very narrow away defeat recently to Okehampton by 8 pts to nil. Okehampton looked a very capable team when they visited us earlier in the season. Withycombe confirmed that the game could go ahead at 10am on Saturday but a coach journey through snow in the Launceston / Okehampton area certainly gave a cause for doubt. However, the weather on the South Devon coast cleared to allow the match to proceed. Another convincing away performance resulted in a 37 – 7 victory. As this was the only league game to beat the weather it means that, going into 2010, we sit proudly at the top of Western Counties West. Kingsbridge however, now have 2 games to catch up and already with their National Cup and Devon Cup commitments, will have a congested rest of season in an already crowded fixture list.
It was great to watch the 2nd XV play their Merit Table match home against Pirates Amateurs. A good team performance resulted in a 41 – 0 victory. Adam Notman scored a hat trick of tries in an attempt to outscore younger brother Tom who scored 4 for the 1st team the previous week. These two talented wingers certainly know where the try line is!
The current league table indicates that we should be in the top three at the end of the season and many feel that we could be promotion candidates, although the word promotion has not been discussed by players or coaches – there’s a long way to go! But what if? How do you balance the natural instinct in a competitive sport, (and I think you will agree that our current squad have shown how competitive and determined they can be this year), to want to win every game and as a result progress to SW1 and temper this natural ambition with the reality in some peoples eyes that our current league, Western Counties, is challenging enough for an amateur club like us to be in at present?
I talk to a lot of people about the club and some will comment ‘Do we really want to win the league’? ‘Do the players really want to do the extra travelling that it will involve’? ‘Can the club afford to go up’? ‘Are we ready to go up’? and so on. The answer to all those questions is simply YES. We have to strive to be successful and if as a result promotion ensues then we have to be prepared on, and just as importantly off the field. When opportunities present themselves in life then they have to be taken. If this season is the opportunity to gain promotion from Western Counties then it has to be taken – we may never get the chance again!
2nd XV rugby is a major concern for me. Lack of regular fixtures and games cancelled by opposition has meant that our 2nd XV have not been getting regular rugby, and subsequently keeping their interest and focus is not easy. They’ve only played 10 games and have had 6 games cancelled. It’s a situation that I think the county need to address and clubs need to take more responsibility to ensure fixtures are honoured. To confirm on a Thursday evening and then cry off on Friday or even Saturday lunchtime, as has happened, is not acceptable.
The thought crossed my mind of a 2nd team midweek West Cornwall floodlit league involving say Hayle, St.Ives, Pirates Amateurs and us. This would, on a home and away basis, provide 6 more competitive games for the 2nd XV. I intend contacting those clubs to see if it has any mileage. I’ve sent details of this proposal to Cornwall Competition Committee.
Against that the 3rd XV have regular rugby and have played 14 games to date but also have had 3 / 4 games cancelled.
During the last 12 months there has been a massive turnaround in club fortunes on and off the field. I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved in creating what is currently a very positive attitude. Players, coaches, officers, committee members, supporters etc. have all contributed to bringing the club “back to life”. Let’s move on now and “raise the bar” again and make 2010 even more successful.
January brings 2 fixtures with Kingsbridge. First up January 2nd at Kingsbridge in the National Cup, and then the return vital league fixture at home on January 16th. Your support for both these challenging encounters will be greatly appreciated and valued by the team and coaches.
Boxing Day’s traditional match against Redruth is at home this year and will attract without doubt our biggest gate of the season. Despite the gap in league status of our respective clubs at the moment this annual fixture is still widely anticipated and must not, on any account, be devalued. It is, and hopefully will continue to be, a rugby tradition that both clubs value, support and benefit from financially and socially. Besides what else is there to do on Boxing Day!
Finally I would like to congratulate the young members of our senior squad, James Rapson, James Goldsworthy, Shane Woods, Sam Matavesi and Tom Notman for being included in the Cornwall U20’s training squad. There could well be a strong Camborne influence this year. Well done lads – keep the “Cherry and White flag flying”!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Truscott ‘Chairman’s Chat No. 5’ November 21st
Since my last ‘chat’ the 1st XV have continued with their successful campaign this season by defeating Okehampton and Penryn at home and Tavistock away.
Despite defeating Okehampton, who gave a very gritty and determined performance, by 30 pts to 14, it was generally felt that our performance was not up to par with too many first up tackles missed, some final 2 on 1 passes mistimed and misdirected.
A good weeks training, with players realising a much improved performance would be necessary to defeat local rivals Penryn, resulted in one of our best displays of the season.
Over the years Penryn and Camborne have enjoyed great rivalry and it was good to play them again in the league and to meet up with their coach Paul Trevaskis who was a very popular and much respected past player at Camborne. We won the match convincingly 27 pts to 3, were well led from the front by captain Dave Roberts with a very solid platform set by the front five. The midfield of Tom Hinds and Laurie Manna worked well in attack and defence with clinical finishing by full back Joe Parma and young wings Shane Woods and Tom Notman. Meanwhile our 2nd XV defeated their counterparts at Penryn in the Merit Table by a similar decisive score 25 pts to 6. Flanker Akiva Eaton scored a hat trick of tries in this game, the second time this season he has achieved this. We’re still waiting for him to buy a round though!
As we all know the weather conditions since the beginning of November have deteriorated. In fact the Penryn game was the first ‘wet and windy’ game of the season. With Tavistock away next up, training conditions during the build up week could not have been worse. But numbers attending were good and, despite the absence of captain Dave Roberts (holiday) and several injuries to L. Manna (groin), Ryan Smith (hip), Scott MacDonald (calf) and Sam Matevesi in Scotland supporting brother Josh who was making his debut for Fiji the team led for the first time by John Griffiths, travelled to windy and wet Tavistock in confident mood.
Tavistock proved very dogged and determined opponents with a good ‘pick and drive’ game. Dave Mankee kicked 3 vital goals in difficult, windy conditions and Tom Notman finished good work by the forwards and Dean Pascoe to score his try late in the game. Our performance wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination but the character and determination to get a result was clearly palpable. An away win in Devon by 13 pts to 8 will always be accepted!
Meanwhile, because of the weather the 2nd team and 3rd team Merit Table matches against St.Ives and Hayle were unfortunately postponed.
Because Kingsbridge’s match at Okehampton had to be postponed due to the weather we currently, as I write, sit proudly at the top of Western Counties West. Of the 11 matches played 7 have been at home however, and this fact needs to be considered when analysing the season to date. There are a considerable number of away venues to visit yet where the character, determination, doggedness and will to win shown by this current squad , will be a vital ingredient for success.
However, success of a rugby club does not depend solely on the efforts of the players and coaches on Saturdays and training nights. There has to be a solid club structure in place actively managed by a strong dedicated committee. We are fortunate in having a few such people who put a considerable amount of time in working, voluntarily, in every section of Camborne Rugby Club from the mini and juniors, through the colts to the seniors. They all know how much their efforts are appreciated but they are small in number, and quite simply we need more people involved in helping to take the club forward. In the recent Penrryn programme there was a message from our sponsorship and community team. I quote “The club is moving forward both on and off the playing field and there is a real chance that with help real progress could be made and the club could have sustainable success. Now is the time to stop looking back at the past but to look forward to the future; INTERESTED?” If you are, and there are numerous ways that you can get involved, and assist with the progress of your community rugby club, please contact me at the club. I look forward to hearing from you.
Diary Dates:
- Saturday 28th November – Camborne v Tiverton. Pre-match Vice Presidents lunch. We have had a good response but there is still room available if you would like to attend. Please contact Colin Stevenson, Peter Floyd or myself at the club – cost is £5 per head.
- All senior players plus wives, partners and girlfriends, note that the community team has organised, due to popular demand, a players Christmas disco / karaoke evening on Saturday 12th December. All 3 teams are playing locally and ‘festivities’ will start at 6pm. Please support this event.
- Saturday 19th December 8pm onwards Carol Singing in town. All proceeds for our chosen charity Cornwall Hospice Care. See club captain Martin Woolcock for details and arrangements.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Truscott’s ‘Chairman’s Chat’ 26th October 2009
1st XV Played 8: W7: L1: Points for 257: Points against 68
2nd XV Played 2 Merit Table matches and won both
3rd XV Played 7 Merit Table matches and won all 7
I’m sure everyone connected with the club; coaches, players and supporters are delighted with this set of results achieved by our 3 senior teams so far this season.
As far as the 1st team is concerned the only blip was the result against undefeated league leaders Kingsbridge. Kingsbridge is a difficult venue, an awkward sloping pitch which needs to get used to and which they use to good advantage. But, having said that, we underperformed, showing the opposition far too much respect and apart from a typical individual effort from Joe Parma, who was hauled just short of the try line after a mazy run, we didn’t manage to create any significant scoring opportunities. Despite this set pack numbers at training continued to be good and a 34 – 0 home win against Minehead Barbarians got the ball rolling again. Squad members Nathan Curnow, James Goldsworthy and James Rapson made starts in this match emphasising the importance in keeping everyone involved and motivated. 5 tries were scored but it was felt that with more patience and control there should have been more. However, it was pleasing to ‘nil’ a team emphasising the good defensive work done by Steve in training. Meanwhile the 2nd XV were enjoying a fine win away to the Pirate Amateurs and the 3rd XV were defeating sporting and plucky Bodmin 2nd team by 77 pts to 5 at Crane Park.
The result against Minehead, a team who defeated us at home last season, gave the 1st team considerable confidence going to Newquay, a venue that Camborne teams in the past have always struggled at. Despite a fine 52- 20 win the game at Newquay proved expensive as far as injuries were concerned. At one stage we had only 12 fit players on the field and injuries to Rob Floyd (knee) and Dave Mankee (ankle) were of particular concern. It could be a while before Robert plays again this season but we all hope he recovers as quickly as possible as he has worked hard in training this year and already scored some excellent tries. Dave Mankee’s ankle injury thankfully is not as bad as at first feared and he should be back training again this week.
Disappointingly the 2nd team were left high and dry an hour before kick off with Newquay unable to raise a team to fulfil the fixture. Another frustrating weekend for the 2nd team, who continue to train regularly, but who need and deserve regular rugby. This was their 3rd home cancelled game this season (Launceston 3rd, Dev. Services 2nd and now Newquay) and its only mid October!
North Petherton were next up for the 1st XV and resulted in a 34 pts to 9 win. 29 points up at half time should have resulted in a bigger winning margin but full marks to North Petherton for their dogged 2nd half display. They made it difficult for us to maintain momentum and we were guilty of conceding far too many unnecessary penalties. With several players unavailable for this match for a variety of reasons, mainly injuries, it was very encouraging to see other squad members Shane Woods, Adam Notman and Ben Cook for example stepping up to the mark and taking their deserved opportunity. We have a good senior squad this year with depth in most positions, vital in a long season if we are to be successful.
Kingsbridge are setting the pace at the moment with ourselves, Truro and Wadebridge Camels hot on their heels waiting for a slip up. At this relatively early stage of the season these 4 teams appear to be edging away from the pack and will probably provide the top 2 in the league come next April.
As mentioned in my last ‘chat’ our chosen charity this year is Cornwall Hospice Care.
Carey Thomas of our ‘Community Team’ has organised a sponsored parachute jump on July 3rd next year at Perranporth airfield. Carey herself has bravely volunteered to be the first to jump and already has persuaded 10 club members to follow in her ‘flight path’! When the arrangements are finalised and sponsorship forms circulated please support this very worthy charity. If interested in taking part please contact Carey at the rugby club!
Vice Presidents don’t forget the V.P.s match day and meal on the 28th November before the home game v Tiverton RFC. Please support your club and add your name to the list on the notice board in the lounge bar.
Tickets for the end of season grand draw will be on sale at the club house as announced at the last home game. The 1st prize is holiday accomodation for 4 people in an apartment in Austria. Details of its location and pictures of the area are on display in the clubhouse, so please take a look and support your club. This is for club members only at £5 per ticket.
Alan Truscott
Chairman / DoR.
Alan Truscott Chairman’s Chat” September 28th 2009
What a month! Great weather and the 1st XV winning four out of four and top of the Western Counties league. Our 2nd XV have played one merit table match and won that and the 3rd ‘s have played 4 and won them all. A start to be extremely pleased with from all 3 senior teams.
After our opening win against Wadebridge, Bude away was always going to be a tricky one; never an easy venue to get a result so to win 12 – 8 was very satisfying. Having said that our scrum, particularly, and lineout were dominant which gave us a solid platform. Bude, to their credit, defended stubbornly but finally succumbed to relentless pressure. Withycombe at home followed with a 40 points to 3 win. 5 good tries were scored, some from deep well taken counter attacking opportunities. Players are beginning to play with confidence and showing good vision. Dave Mankee contributed 30 points in this match. This exceptional tally comprised 3 tries, 3 penalties and 3 conversions. Perhaps someone can tell me when someone scored this many points for Camborne 1st XV in a league match?
Player confidence and vision manifested itself again against Devonport Services at home. After a slow start we were 10 points in arrears midway through the 1st half we were treated to some exceptional play and scored 53 unanswered points, 8 tries were scored, some of which were amongst the best scored by a Camborne team on the recreation Ground for a long time. Importantly also our current defensive record is excellent with only 26 points conceded in four matches. Steve has worked hard on this aspect in all training sessions and it is certainly paying dividends. Winning, exciting, high tempo rugby has also galvanised our support during September with gates noticeably increasing. A big ‘Thank You ‘ to all our supporters for getting behind the 1st XV so far this year, your continued support will be vital in the more challenging months that lie ahead. October’s fixtures present such a challenge. Five league matches starting with an away match against joint league leaders and ambitious Kingsbridge this Saturday. With Newquay away in the middle of the month we certainly will be tested and subsequently have a more realistic idea of our standing in the league as far as this seasons campaign is concerned by the end of the month.
During September we announced that our chosen charity this season is Cornwall Hospice Care. We look forward, as a club to supporting this very worthy cause in a variety of ways during the year. Watch this space.
So far so good then but we all need to keep our feet on the ground, stay focussed and as Steve wrote in his programme notes last Saturday “to keep moving forward we need all players to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that all teams are playing to the same game plans and understand what is expected of them”. Numbers attending training so far have been excellent, long may it continue.
My thanks to everyone at the club for making September a successful month on and off the field. Keep up the good work, you know how much your efforts are appreciated.
Alan Truscott.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan Truscott’s ‘Chairman’s Chat’ 18th August 09
It has been a busy, interesting and very positive summer at Camborne Rugby Club. A new coaching team, new faces amongst the players, excellent numbers at pre-season training and a considerable amount of hard work by club members around the club. The clubhouse changing rooms have been upgraded (thanks to C & R Plastics for providing materials), clubhouse toilet facilities improved, kitchen ‘spring cleaned’, physio room decorated, new kitchen in the ‘cubby hole (thanks to One Stop Kitchens’) plus lots of other important maintenance tasks undertaken.
As a club we owe considerable thanks to the following members for their efforts on our behalf during the summer months Phil Woods, Henry Vinnicombe, Ian Arthur, Brian James, Paul Green, Scott MacDonald, Ryan Smith, Raymond Bone, Angela Bradshaw, Brenda Woods, Colin Stevenson, Michael Symons and Martin Trestrail. Thank you, members like you are invaluable to the smooth running of our rugby club. This work included cleaning windows, painting, grouting & tiling, putting up shelves, plumbing, electrical and carpentry work. If you possess any of these skills and are able / willing to help please contact Phil Woods who would be very pleased to enrol you onto ‘the maintenance team’.
As mentioned earlier numbers at training so far have been excellent. Sessions, under Steve Larkins working with player coaches Dave Roberts and John Griffiths, have been challenging, ball orientated and enjoyable with numbers attending averaging the mid 30’s. Sunday’s friendly match against London Cornish gave the opportunity for coaches / selection advisors to run the eye over almost 40 players who were given the opportunity for a first run out of the season; the match for the Arthur Hunt Memorial trophy being won by Camborne 24-17. Difficult decisions lie ahead when this squad will need to be pruned to around 25 for the next pre season match against St. Ives on Thursday 27th August K.O. 6:30pm at Camborne. St Ives, who have recruited heavily during the summer, will provide a stern challenge but one which the players are already relishing. The players not included in the squad for the St. Ives game will have further opportunities to impress with fixtures against. Redruth Albany and Illogan Park to follow before the season kicks off with Wadebridge Camels being the visitors for the first league match on September 5th
It goes without saying that it is vital all players maintain focus and continue to train regularly with commitment in order to compete for the 1st team shirt. There is a healthy competition for 1st team places at present which should bring out the best in every player. Whatever 1st team is selected it looks certain that the 2nd and 3rd teams will be very strong with their targets being successful in their respective merit tables.
Looking forward to reporting some more positives in a months time during September.
Alan Truscott
Chairman / Dir.of Senior Rugby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Camborne RFC said thank you to One Stop Kitchens of Camborne before the game on Saturday.
RFU.com 
Search
