Fog On The Tyne but still Simply Red

Posted under Director's Commentary by admin on Tuesday 31 March 2009 at 12:00 am

A 1000 mile round trip, a sore bottom, a sore back, no hangover, a stomach still trying to get over an indulgence in KFC and nothing to show for our endeavors …. not the best weekend I have had for a while! I think everyone will agree we did deserve something from the game at Tynedale albeit a couple of bonus points. Tynedale are a very good side and have some quality PLAYERS, I am sure they will have a bearing on who ultimately gets the promotion spot.

The defeat pretty much puts to an end our challenge, although the defeat cannot be held totally responsible, that honour goes to the home performances against Cambridge and Wharfedale and the failure to collect bonus points from matches at Westcombe Park and Cinderford. All in all it has been a great season to date and one we will all remember, its not over yet and the boys are adamant that we finish the season as we started.

I think I have mentioned before, but please keep a watch on Rob Miller the young England Under 20′s player and Newcastle Falcon. He is on Dual Registration at Tynedale and turned out for them following a short appearance for the Falcons against Leicester Tigers on Friday night. He was simply outstanding and will be a player who I believe will play for the full England side in the future. With players like him coming through the ranks and with other young players of real quality coming through Newcastle will be a team to be reckoned with plus they have Jonny Wilkinson to come back!

Tynedale are in the fortunate position of having excellent links with the Falcons and I know if we were 10 miles or so away from such a club we would be doing our best to establish such relationships. A lot of people have mentioned the legality of players such as Rob Miller appearing for a Premiership club the night before appearing in a National 2 game. It is within the regulations as Dual Registered players are free to move between their 2 clubs without any registration criteria applying.

I would like to say sorry to Peter Simpson, the Team Manager at Tynedale, as I left without saying goodbye. Thanks for all your help on Saturday and I would be grateful if you would pass my thanks to those concerned for looking after us after the game …. I look forward to catching up with you next season. Also the spectators were really nice and it was a pleasure to make acquaintances with some particularly the man and wife who stood just beside our dug out …. look forward to meeting you again in the future.

Just a point of correctness, an article appeared in the Crosby Herald last week referring to the injury suffered by Waterloo’s Adam Anderson. It stated that Darren Jacques was the Redruth player who was first on the scene to help the player who had sustained a serious head injury. In fact it was Ashley Morcom. From my perspective, it was still very nice to see that the act was recognised and mentioned. That is not the first time that we have assisted injured players from the opposition, it was only a couple of weeks ago that we were also first on the scene when a Southend player sustained a nasty head injury.

Now I need to make an apology to Paul Thirlby! Last week I mentioned about records being broken and said that both Emyr Lewis and Mark Scrivener beat Steve Larkins record of 23 points scored in a game, well I was wrong! I completely overlooked Paul Thirlby’s haul of 24 points back in 2006 against Harrogate. I must ensure that my reference source is also updated!!

Sincere condolences are offered to Mark Richards and his family on the loss of his father in law last week. Mark did not make the trip to Tynedale as the situation did not look good at the beginning of the week. Our thoughts are with you all.

This weekend we travel to Cambridge for another challenge. Cambridge are 5 points behind us with 2 games in hand, so the game on Saturday is 10 pointer. It will be a real challenge but just the sort of game we need following this past weekend. The team will be bolstered by the fact that the Supporters Club are having their weekend away this weekend and will be out in force … looking forward to it.

Last week, as I mentioned, I popped along to the CIA in Cardiff to watch, who else, but Simply Red! The show was brilliant but the support entertainment was even better! Yes you know who you are and it was nice to be in the company of an “All Girl” group for a few hours … I tell you they are worse than a group of blokes when out!! Apart from their “act” they made me blush with tales about underwear, and many other things that I cannot mention …. all I can say Betty, Mary and the rest of you …. I hope the men didn’t find too much of a bashing on their credit cards!!

Elsewhere, feel very sorry for the Brumbies who are currently in South Africa playing Super 14 matches. They lost to the Sharks by 35 -14 and have now lost lock forward Shawn MacKay. He has been placed in a medically induced coma in a Durban hospital with severe spinal, head and leg injuries after being hit by an armed response vehicle in the early hours of Sunday morning following the loss to the Sharks. 26-year-old Mackay was struck as he and a group of team-mates were returning to their hotel after they went out following the match. Brumbies team manager Rob McQuade says Mackay has been placed in traction and will be in a coma for the next two days.

“They are very serious injuries as a result of the accident that occurred last night,” he said. “Having come out of surgery he’s in traction in a medically induced coma, which he will be kept in for the next 48 hours or so, as he undergoes further treatment on his injuries.” He says the long term health recovery of Mackay is uncertain. If that wasn’t enough, the touring Brumbies have suffered further bad news after it was revealed that some players’ belongings were stolen from their hotel rooms in Durban.

It has been confirmed that laptops and cell phones were taken from one of the Brumbies’ Elangeni hotel rooms, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Monday. “There was no forced entry into the players room,” explained Superintendent Jay Naicker. “Hotel management did not report the robbery and resolved to solve the matter internally.” … that’s very nice of them!

The British Lions tour gets ever closer and no doubt everybody has their views on what selection should be. Injury doubts now surround Mike Tindall and Gavin Henson who both picked up injuries at the weekend in the EDF Cup semi finals. The squad will be announced in about 3 weeks …. meanwhile Springbok legend Naas Botha Springbok legend Naas Botha has issued a warning to the British and Irish Lions that South Africa will enter the series as clear favourites this June.

The greatly-anticipated spectacle is the main rugby event of 2009 with such names as Jean de Villiers, Brian O’Driscoll, Victor Matfield and Paul O’Connell all going head to head. However, the former fly-half believes that the Springboks have too much in the tank to come away with anything but defeat against Ian McGeechan’s men. “I will be surprised if we don’t walk away as winners,” Botha said, speaking to BBC Wales. “Unfortunately for [the Lions] South Africa are in good shape at the moment.

“The outstanding players of the Super 14 have been our players and that is a good omen for us. “We are playing a faster game at the moment and the guys physically are in unbelievable condition” …. I can recall at the 2003 World Cup Rudi Strauli, the then Sprinbok coach, saying that the reason the South Africans got beaten by England and subsequently got knocked out of the competition was their lack of bulk and fitness …. what a lesson they learned …. a World Cup win, Super 14 domination and a potential Lions Test Series win coming up.

Lots going on in the club over Easter culminating in our appearance in the Super Cup Final against Cornish Pirates at St Austell on Easter Monday. Kick off for this game is 5:00pm I think …. for action at the club please have a look elsewhere on the site. Our annual encounter with Imperial Medics will take place on Good Friday when we hope to give a number of our Colts a run out.

Finally. the very best of luck to Truro College in their game against St Peter’s Gloucester in the Daily Mail Under 18′s Cup Final at Twickenham on Wednesday. I will be there watching and I am hoping it’s going to be a nice day as there are 4 finals there in all with the Truro game the last one kicking off at 3:30pm. The whole of Cornwall will be hoping you bring the trophy back …… I am sure it will be a tough game as all Cornwall v Gloucester encounters are.

That’s it for this week, hope to see you all at Cambridge on Saturday, they have a lot going up there.

Cheers for now

David Penberthy

Director of Rugby


Extra fixtures

Posted under Mini-Juniors News by admin on Monday 30 March 2009 at 12:00 am

Forthcoming extra fixtures:-

HOME—-

< Saturday 4th April - Wellington Under 13s/14s.---->

< Sunday 12th April - Richmond Under 14s.>
Ashford u16s

< Friday 17th April - Beddau Under 14s.---->

< Saturday 18th April - Stourbridge Under 13s.---->

< Sunday 19th April - Newport Under 12s/14s.---->

<----- Friday 24th april - Dorking u15sP------>

< Sunday 26th april - Brixham u15s >
AWAY—-

< Saturday 25th April - Birmingham Bees Under 14s.----.

< Sunday 26th April - Bath Festival Under7s/8s/9s/10s/11s/12s.>


Tynedale 35 Redruth 24

Posted under Match Reports by admin on Sunday 29 March 2009 at 12:00 am

In a rousing finish England Under 20 star Rob Miller created 2 tries as Tynedale overcame Redruth to inflict a defeat that probably ends their chances of promotion.

With 20 minutes to go the Reds led 16-24 and looked set for a memorable away win but they were outplayed in the final quarter by a side that have not lost at home since September 2006.

Making their first visit to Tynedale Park in Corbridge, a picturesque setting alongside the River Tyne, ten miles south of Hadrians Wall, Redruth were 10 points down after just 7 minutes on a cold day in the North East but showed the quality we have come to know this season to come back to lead by a point at the interval.

With Mark Richards unable to travel for personal reasons, Nick Simmons started for the first time in the Red number 9 shirt and he put in a very composed performance and looks to be a player with a good future.

After just two minutes Charlie Ingall made a lot of ground on the left leading to a try for Jack Smales which Miller converted from the touchline. Miller added a penalty from in front of the posts five minutes later as Redruth were penalised for killing the ball.

Redruth kept their composure and got back into the game with a penalty try in the 27th minite, awarded by Salvation Army man of the cloth Referee Andrew Vertigan, this after Tynedale collapsed a scrum five metres from the line twice in succession. Scrivener converted.

A penalty from Miller in front of the posts in the 37th minute increased the lead for the hosts but Redruth hit back with a cracking try at the restart.

Following a half break by skipper PJ Gidlow, Craig Bonds ran a good line to split the defence and full back Emyr Lewis ran the final 22 metres to touch down a great try that Scrivener converted from in front of the posts. It was Lewis


Under 14′s new kit

Posted under Under 14's by admin on Saturday 28 March 2009 at 12:00 am

The Under 14′s received new jackets on Sunday from Pete Oates of Avensis Land Management. Thanks to Pete from all the boys. The team are playing in the County Plate Final this Sunday at Penryn.

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Tesco vouchers

Posted under Mini-Juniors News by admin on Friday 27 March 2009 at 12:00 am

The mini/junior section are collecting Tesco vouchers again this year. Last year we got some equipment with the 5000 vouchers collected and would like to beat that this year.So please ask your family and friends to start collecting them as “every little helps”.

Please give your vouchers to any of the mini/junior coaches, alternatively there is a box for vouchers in the top bar of the club.

Many thanks
Nigel Eathorne


Red Miles Appeal Update

Posted under Commercial News by admin on Friday 27 March 2009 at 12:00 am

Congratulations to Brian Williams who won the March draw for a year’s free membership. The appeal has now reached


200 Club March Winners

Posted under Commercial News by admin on Thursday 26 March 2009 at 12:00 am

Congratulations to March Winners:


UNDER 12′s BAA BAA’s

Posted under Under 12's by admin on Tuesday 24 March 2009 at 12:00 am

On Sunday a core team of 10 players from Redruth(7), Newquay(1) and Penryn(2) played at the County Championship as the Cornish Baa Baa’s. The team had a very tough draw coming up against St Austell and Lankelly/Fowey. To make up the numbers extras were drafted in from Penryn for the first match against Lankelly, but the Baa Baa’s lost 5 tries to nil. Newquay lent us the extra players for the match against St Austell, but this time they lost 6 tries to nil which meant that the Saints topped the group.


Next up was Liskeard/Looe who like us only had 10 players, so thats what was played. However one of the Liskeard players was nearly 6ft and romped in for 4 of their 6 tries. The last game of the day for the team was against the All Black Lions who hadn’t scored a try either during the day, but this game could have gone either way with both teams going for it but it was the Lions who came out on top three tries to nil.


Even though the Baa Baa’s didn’t score all day the 10 boys still didn’t give up and their heads never dropped once, even wanting to play another game against any opposition. Thank you Morgan(Newquay), Ross and Matt(both Penryn) and all the Reds Players who played for the Baa Baa’s.


UNDER 12′s COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

Posted under Under 12's by admin on Tuesday 24 March 2009 at 12:00 am

Redruth U12


David Penberthy – Simply Red through and through

Posted under Director's Commentary by admin on Tuesday 24 March 2009 at 12:00 am

Some great news to start this week, Darren Jacques has been invited to play for the world famous Barbarians in their up and coming match against Bedford Blues in the Mobbs Memorial match at Bedford on April 7th. This is a great honour for both Darren and the club. He joins a list of illustrious Redruth players who have worn the famous black and white hooped jersey. I told Darren in the team huddle after the match on Saturday and his expression was absolutely priceless …. its a very deserved award for a player who now has the club record for most consecutive league appearances for Redruth. As Jacquesy said to me on Saturday night “the season just gets better as it goes on!” This latest honour comes on the back of his selection for England Counties where he played in both of the recent games against Ireland and France ….. well done mate!

Also many congratulation to Craig Bonds who, on Saturday, played his 200th league game for the club. Craig has been an outstanding player, captain and person and typifies what the club is about. He has represented the club with honour and his consistency and contributions to the game has been a lead factor in how we have progressed over the past few seasons.

Saturday’s game saw a number of club records broken. It was our biggest league win, biggest winning margin, Mark Scrivener became the club’s Top Points Scorer in a league game beating Emyr Lewis’s record of 25 points that stood for about 2 minutes!! Emyr beat the long standing record of Steve Larkins of 23 points that was establsihed back in 2000. Emyr also joins an illustious list in the National League records by scoring 5 tries in a game.

I thought the crowd was a bit disappointing this week as I thought the draw of the boys playing at home, coupled with the fact that we are still in pole position in the league may of enticed people to come and watch ….. maybe England’s win last week against the French kept a few in to watch their leatest exploits aganst Scotland ….the weather certainly favoured us and I am sure that those who did come thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Mind you, a number of attendances in our league and others were also extremely low with barely 100 at Mounts Bay.

Waterloo had a bit of a mare of a trip back getting caught up in traffic delays and arriving home at around 3:00am. Thankfully the young guy who got injured on Saturday and who was pretty poorly afterwards is well ….. thankfully Ashley Morcom reacted very quickly to the situation and helped to avoid a more serious outcome.

Another first this week, my son Aaron was invited by Peter Richmond to be guest summariser on the match commentary which went out live on Saturday afternoon on BBC Radio Cornwall. I have been listening to it online over the past couple of days and he didn’t do a bad job! One thing though that I must say is that he did slip a couple of “Bloody’s” into his comments! Whoops…. it was not meant but it was just one of those things …… it’s a bit daunting for a 16 year old but all in all he did a good job.

Back to this weekend and it sees us face our longest trip of the season when we make the long trip to Tynedale. Tynedale will present a massive challenge to us and boast an unbeaten home record that has remained intact for three seasons and over 37 league games …. I look forward to meeting up with our supporters who, no doubt, will find their way to the venue to support the team.

I was copied in on this next item…..it was sent by a newspaper reporter by the name of Geoff Lightfoot and reads “I was in London last weekend covering the England v France game for the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo and my wife and I were staying at the Holiday Express in Apsley along with your colts team.They were on the same floor as ourselves and we heard not a sound even though we had gone to bed early.”

“I would like through you to compliment them on their exemplary behaviour which was a credit both to them and to Redruth Rugby club. Best of luck for the rest of the season” As I said in my blog last week, our hosts were also very complimentary about the Colts and it goes a long way with upholding the tradition and reputation that Redruth has as a club ….. Simon and his team of coaches work so hard with these boys and its good to see that behavior when representing the club is of the highest order …. well done boys.

So, Ireland deservedly won their first Grand Slam since 1948 and what a last 5 minutes that was! The final score of 17 -15 was a little way off my prediction but I did forecast an Irish win.

My England forecast was pretty close as well and I did say to expect a backlash from the French! However, the day belonged very much to the Irish and a huge amount of credit must go to Declan Kidney the former Munster coach. When asked what the secret was he replied “Honesty. Trust. Hard work” a willingness to go that extra little bit. No-one was blaming anybody. There were no cliques. We just gave it all in the best way possible.” How very true that was.

O’Connell and O’Driscoll were immense throughout the tournament and the Lions captaincy should be awarded to one of them, Jamie Heaslip had a good tournament and will push Andy Powell for the starting spot at No 8 …. all in all I think the bulk of the Lions test team will come from Ireland and Wales. England finished their campaign on a high and clinched the Runners Up spot after an awful start. 2 players really stood out throughout the tournament and that was Delon Armitage and Ricky Flutey. Joe Worsley also proved that he is far from finished and Tom Croft really looks like one for the future.

Martin Johnson summed things up in typical fashion when he said that fitness levels were one of his major concerns and he simply believes that these are not good enough to match the likes of Tri-Nations giants New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. “We have won consecutive games. Nobody is getting carried away with it,” said Johnson. “There are lots of improvements we can make with players fitness-wise. We can improve there certainly if we want to compete with the best in the world. “The guys are fit – but there’s being fit to play in the Premiership and Six Nations and fit to try to beat the best teams in the world.

“That’s what we need to get to. Some guys are there and some guys aren’t because they didn’t know what it takes. They have only come into international rugby this year. “Now they do know what it’s all about. They need to be realistic and set their targets higher. “Yesterday we saw two very tired teams and it’s thinking on your feet in the last 15 minutes that’s going to win games. “We would all like to be in the deciding game of the championship every year – that is what the tournament is about but we have not been quite good enough this year. “To be successful we need a group that is in good shape so any player who wants to break into that squad needs to set high standards.

“You have got to be up there with the best in all areas of the game – skill, technique, tactics, fitness. If you want to get better you have to raise the bar.” …… so that’s it for another international season and England have started to climb back up the world rankings after plunging to their worst ever position of eighth but the summit remains a long way off…….now we have the Lions tour to look forward to.

In June the club, in association with Rick Stein, will be holding a gala dinner at the Royal Cornwall Showground. This promises to be a fantastic evening and tickets will be on sale soon. We are also planning to have a guest speaker and will be announcing who that is in the very near future. I hope that the advertising and tickets will be available for our next home match against Stourbridge on April 18th. If anyone wants any information at this stage please give me a call on 07966 532404.

The formation of next years leagues still seems to be up in the air and the rumour is that the final outcome is unlikely to be decided just yet. The whole thing has been thrown up in the air by the Premiership clubs wanting extra Guinness league games in preference to the Anglo Welsh competition.

This obviously throws up the structure of the Championship and what happens with any possible Anglo Welsh competition at that level….so we are 4 games away from the end of our season and we still do not know what the formation of our league will be next year irrespective of the level we will be playing in. An absolute shambles yet again!

Congratulations to Liskeard Looe on reaching the EDF Junior Vase final at Twickenham on May 9th and also congratulations to Cullompton on reaching the Senior Vase final on the same day. Cullompton are coached by former Reds winger Andy Knowles.

Thank you to the Players Patrons who came along to the Club last Thursday. Nigel and myself spoke about the seaon so far and the challenges that lie ahead. All your support is, I can promise each and every one of you, much appreciated and we are very grateful.

That’s about it this week, as I look forward to going to Cardiff on Thursday night to watch Simply Red in concert at the CIA. Then its back to Bristol on Friday to pick up the team coach and travel onto Newcastle.

I gather one or two of you are going up to tynedale – see you there!

Back next week when loads more water will have flowed under the bridge…

David Penberthy

Director of Rugby


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