The Colts have been drawn at home to Weston Super Mare in the first round of the National U-19s Cup. The game is due to be played on Sunday 28th September.

Starting XV: Mark Britton, Tom Job, Paul Thirlby, PJ Gidlow, Mike Georgiou, Brett Rule, Alan Rule, Dave Roberts, Chris Fuca, Ben Fox, John Martin, Will Penney, Chris Hale, Richard Brown, Nathan Curnow.

Reps: Nick Simmons, Matt Bowden, Steve Kenward, Simon Peters, Lee Curnow, Jason Pengilly, Jamie Tresidder, Luke Varney, Josh Morgan, Matt Gidlow, Ryan Spargo.

Helston 0

The Club is looking for a part-time cleaner with an immediate start. Up to 16 hours a week are available at a very reasonable hourly rate.

Please call the Club on 01209 215520 and ask for Chris Allen. Alternatively, Chris’s mobile number is 07788 563083.

The big news this week is surrounding the report in the Sunday Independent where reporter Nigel Walrond, has stated, that following a meeting of FDR (First Division Rugby) the reduction of the number of teams in National 1 will reduce from 16 to 12 teams with effect from next season (2009/2010). To cope with this, the bottom 4 sides in National 1 will be relegated at the end of the season that is just about to start and their will be no promotion from National 2 at the end of the 2008/2009 season! Club who finish in the promotion places will be compensated for not moving up! This is a massive development and will be the nightmare that clubs such as Cambridge, Birmingham and Solihull Bees and Cornish All Blacks do not want! They have invested heavily in their playing squads and no matter what compensation is offered/given is does not replace the prestige of promotion to National 1.

I wonder how they are going to work out the compensation? Will it be based solely on the difference in the current funding, remember the funding at our level is currently under scrutiny with a view to massive reductions at the season’s end, will they base it on lost sponsorship opportunities, what parameters will they use to calculate this or will they merely provide a “parachute” payment of a fixed amount based on the workings they have done on the back of a fag packet?

This really is serious stuff and could have a huge effect on the viability of clubs operating at this level, plus it points more and more to the fact that the top 2 leagues will be “ring fenced” and clubs in National 2 and below will fight out their own competition with 2 elite leagues above! I understand that the proposal has gone to the RFU for rubber stamping prior to the start of the current campaign which, for National 1 sides, starts on Saturday. An RFU statement is due this week.

Another useful run out, this time at Bath last Saturday … although the score line may not suggest it, we took a lot from the encounter. Bath fielded a strong side that included a number of first XV players. Our decision was to give some of our younger players a start and they all did well. Nick Simmons started at 9, Ben Fox was in the back row, Mike Georgiou made his debut at centre and there was also a first appearance for Will Penney at lock who came off the bench in the 2nd half. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Frank Butler for looking after us in the way he did, it was great, we were made to feel very welcome and nothing was too much trouble. It also gave all of our players the opportunity to play at the famous Rec and sample a lush playing surface. We stayed over on Saturday night and had a good time …. although the YMCA is not really my idea of accommodation these days!!

A mistake last week in my notes that has kindly been pointed out to me!! – when referring to Dan Carter’s indifferent kicking display last weekend in the South Africa v New Zealand game I stated when was the last time Carter had a nil from 4 return in a Test Match …. what I should have said is that at one stage in the game and at half time Carter had a nil from 4 return, his overall stats were 2 from 7 and of course he scored a vital try! My thanks go to my good friend and former Reds skipper Bede Brown for pointing that out …. cheers mate!

The Player’s Reunion is on Friday night at the club and it would be great to see as many old players there as possible. On Saturday, our Development side are at Helston. The plan is that the whole of the squad will make the trip to support the boys. Also, the wives/partners are invited along with a maximum of 20 supporters. There is a list on the notice board in the top bar. There is no cost and the plan is to watch the game, stay afterwards for a couple of hours and then make our way back to Redruth for a BBQ.

So the real business starts in just over a week now, replica shirts are on the way plus a whole host of other goodies. Hopefully a full range will be available if not at the Birmingham game, the Blaydon game. Whilst talking about Blaydon I would like to confirm kick off time as 3:00pm. Back to the kit for a moment and I have received a lot of comments about our away kit. If the demand is enough we will endeavor to get a quantity made. Please let me have your feedback at

Our Colts have been preparing themselves for a challenging season ahead when Simon and the boys are hoping to compete in the National competitions at both Under 17 and Under 19 levels. Training has been very well attended and the boys are extremely fit. Their season got underway on Friday evening with a couple of games against Truro College. No doubt Jim Trinder will keep you abreast of developments within this group as they develop.

That’s it for this week …. back next week

Cheers

David Penberthy

Director of Rugby – Redruth RFC

A strong Bath side including 7 players with premiership experience gave Redruth a tough final work out ahead of the start of the national two season which begins on Sept 6 when Pertemps Bees visit the Recreation ground.

Former Newcastle Falcons Wing Mike Stephenson used his pace, perception and opportunism to touch down four of the hosts six tries. Former Bradford Bulls Rugby league star Shontayne Hape made his Rugby Union debut in Bath

A Bath Rugby United team which included a number of first team players defeated Redruth 38-12 at the Rec on Saturday afternoon.

With Shontayne Hape making his debut in a Bath Rugby shirt, the former New Zealand rugby league international nearly set up an early try scoring opportunity but Bath were unable to convert as the Redruth defence held strong. Minutes later though, Bath pressure resulted in a try for wing Michael Stephenson. New signing Robbie Kydd missed the conversion.

More Bath pressure then saw fullback Jack Cuthbert score. This time Kydd got the conversion. Michael Stephenson was then on hand to claim his second try in the 22nd minute after a nice little inside pass from young Academy centre Paul Roberts put him away underneath the posts.

Just before the break Stephenson claimed his hatrick with a try in the left hand corner. Bath led 24-0 at half-time.

Redruth got their second-half off to a bad start when United winger Rhys Crane intercepted the ball after a fumble from the visitors and ran two thirds of the pitch to score. Kydd hit the conversion.

After the bad start, Redruth came back into the game and scored two tries, both by winger Vinnicombe to claw the score back to 31-12. However star of the match Stephenson was not finished yet and he scored his fourth try of the evening in the 58th minute. Kydd claimed his third conversion and United claimed a 38-12 win.

Bath: 15 Cuthbert (Audis 40), 14 Crane, 13 Hape (Ward 77), 12 Roberts, 11 Stephenson, 10 Kydd (Barrett 69), 9 Bemand (Baxter 60); 1 L Ovens (Catt 40), 2 Lilley, 3 Jarvis, 4 Griffith, 5 Hobson, 6 J Ovens, 7 Bentall, 8 Jackson.

Redruth front row Darren Jacques will be sponsored by Perimiters UK this season, a local, reliable and popular firm that will accommodate most of your perimiter fencing requirements.

Managing Director Mr Treve Dunstan commented:

“I have been a supporter of Redruth all my life and I am pleased and proud to be able to sponsor a player of Darren’s ability. With the possibility of the Premiership and National One being ringfenced in the near future, I thought it only fair I did the same for Redruth.”

The Club appreciates the sponsorship, and is grateful to Treve, pictured below with Darren.

Supporters coaches have been booked for Mounts Bay on Saturday 13th September, cost only

There are a number of player position sponsor slots available for the new season.

Your name and contact details will appear in the middle pages under whichever player is selected in your chosen position for each week’s home game. Remember the programme is part of admission next season so EVERYONE is entitled to a programme and will see your name and contact details.

Cost

Former and current players, and all supporters past, present and future , are welcome at the Club next Friday, 29th August.

From 7.30pm with free buffet – all are very welcome.