Redruth v Launceston

Saturday 2nd January. Kick-off 2pm.
Entry

So that’s Christmas out the way again and with a big belly

So that’s Christmas out the way again and with a big belly, well bigger than usual I suppose, I now look forward to 2010 and a more prosperous year for the club. Saturday’s game against Launceston is the first step down that road and I hope we get a bumper crowd to set things going.

 

Boxing Day’s game was not the best game I have ever seen but winning, against our oldest of rivals, is always pleasing. Camborne have had a very good season under the guidance of Steve Larkins, and have made great progress. They have some very useful players in their side and it is pleasing to see the young players being given the chance. There are a number of boys there who I have seen over a number of years and they have improved progressively, a few play with my son at Truro College so I also get to see them there. I believe players like Sam Matavesi and Tom Notman will do well if they buckle down and do the hard work, there is also the young lad Goldsworthy (I think his first name is James) who looks tidy. I do wish them the very best of luck this coming weekend in their cup game against Kingsbridge and for the rest of the season and hopefully they will find their way into the league above either by winning the league or via the play off’s.

 

I was certainly disappointed with the number of people who made it back to the club after the game, there was about 8 people there and I left at 6:30pm and went home …… worst Boxing Day I can remember!

 

Onto Christmas presents now and my family obviously think I have a lot of time on my hand with books galore being given as presents! I am not ungrateful honestly, and I will look forward to reading Simon Shaw’s autobiography, Ian McGeechans story, Lawrence Dallaglio’s tales, Stewart McKinneys tales from the back seat of the bus (now here maybe a chance for me to write my tales from the back seat … I have a few!!!!!) and Peter Kay’s book! I have also been give tickets to see Peter Kay Live in Cardiff in 2010 … something that I have always wanted to do! In addition to all of this there was the usual hankies and knickers and I must say I am getting this feeling that I am a smelly git as I have received numerous bars of soap (no not on a rope!) anti perspirant, shaving foam and after shave PLUS indigestion tablets and hangover tablets …. now that is what I call necessities! So there you have it an insight into my Christmas.

 

I mentioned a couple of weeks back about things being ticked off my list … seeing U2 etc etc … well another one is being ticked off in March! I was trawling, or is it surfing, through the internet the other day and stumbled on dates, in 2010, for a Chris Rea concert in Plymouth. I went straight to Ticketmaster and have treated myself, still say Driving Home For Christmas is one of the best songs for this time of year.  A question for you. What Is My Favourite Christmas song of all time? The above is up there but there is one that stands out???????? … Any idea?

 

I watched the rugby between Northampton Saints and Worcester Warriors on Saturday … please tell me why Ben Foden is continually being overlooked by England?  He is the spark, I believe, that England need to ignite their ambitions. It seems to me that we are far too comfortable to play boring rugby to achieve a result … mind you we haven’t had many of them either recently ….. I would hope to see the following players included in Martin Johnson’s EPS squad that he names in early January …. Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Courtney Lawes, Anthony Allen, Ryan Lamb … these are the future and are having outstanding seasons for their clubs …. for god

Last night a busy clubhouse saw the final of the Red Factor talent competition.  Events were well controlled by compere Bert Viner ably assisted by his soundman Chris Allen.

7 acts had made the final they were: Singers, Suzanne Barber, Beth Penrose, Zoe Tout, Martina Trethowan and duo Ty and Jack, saxophonist Richard Abbey and novelty act Melissa Rogers.

In the end the judging panel of four, which included Jethro, chose two winners.  These were singer Martina Trethowan of Illogan who gave two faultless performances and hoola-hoop act Melissa Rogers of Redruth whose skills had to be seen to be believed, despite having her performance hampered by a low ceiling and Christmas decorations!

The club would like to thank Jethro and his fellow judges for giving up their time to adjudicate and to Bert Viner and the supporters club for arranging the competition.

Alan Nettle – assistant lighting technician!

Don’t forget that the cream of Cornwall’s talent are lined up to battle it out for a place as the supporting act at Jethro’s forthcoming sold-out concert at the Regal Cinema in Redruth. Not only that, but Jethro himself will be the head judge at tonight’s showdown at the Redruth Rugby Clubhouse, meaning that it’s your last chance to see him if you weren’t fast enough to get tickets for the main event!

There’s one event that you can still get tickets for… and bring as many people as you can…The Moment of Truth in Redruth!

The traditional Boxing Day derby lived up to its usual lively billing, with a young Redruth reserve side pushed right to the very end by a Camborne side determined to make light of the four leagues between themselves and their opponents.

The opening quarter saw most of the action between the ten-metre lines as both sides tried to settle into the tempo of the occasion. Despite a few flourishes of individual skill the scoreboard remained unchanged until late in the first half, when some concerted pressure from the Redruth pack resulted in rising star Tom Duncan driving over for the game’s opening score. Adam Hosking slotted the conversion home for a 7-0 lead which the visitors happily took into the break.

The game turned in Camborne’s favour in the second half, with Reds’ mistakes under good pressure giving Camborne plenty of territory to play with. After a while an unstoppable maul saw Sam Matavesi bundle over the line to bring the scoreline back to within two points.

However, hopes of an upset seemed dashed once Nick Simmons went over the Camborne try line after a period of concerted Reds pressure in the home side’s 22 following a pitch-long counter-attack from Chris Morris. With the last play of the game Camborne stole the ball and kicked long into undefended space, but Morris scampered back just in time to avoid an embarrassing breakaway try and the ball was soon kicked into touch for the final whistle.

With the first of the festive holiday Duchy Derbies now played, attention now turns to the home game against Launceston on January 2nd, KO 2pm. The bulk of the Cornish County team will be on display, fighting it out for points and pride in front of the biggest crowd in the league this year. Everyone else will be there: will you?

A Very Merry Christmas To You All!

From everybody here at Redruth Rugby: may all your Christmas wishes come true!

Seasons greetings to all who make top Cornish Rugby at the Recreation Ground a reality: to the players, the coaches, the committees, the volunteers, the staff, the sponsors, the supporters and to everyone who has invested any time, effort, money or love into the club this year.

Enjoy your Christmas lunch, but before you get to the After Eights, you might need to see these two 8′s first… and be sure to see them go head to head on the 2nd January 2010 at the Moment of Truth in Redruth: Redruth v Launceston in the biggest game in National Rugby! Tell your friends, your neighbours, even random people in the street (and wish them a merry Christmas too!)

Following our recently postponed fixture at Sedgley Park I can confirm that this game will now be played on Saturday 6th February 2010 and, as you will notice, we are then due to return to Manchester the following week to take on Manchester.
 
Everyone knows mine and Nigel’s feelings on the postponed game last weekend and the thought of having to fork out a similar amount of money in February, in an already cash strapped season, could have disastrous effects. Away trips cost a lot of money and the drain on our financial resources last weekend, in addition to the time the players spent away from their families, was in excess of

The first course…

Redruth Junior Development Team v Camborne 2.
Kick-off 11am (Redruth)
(Camborne Colts v Redruth Colts CANCELLED)

The main dish… with specially prepared local Cornish rugby ingredients…

Camborne v Redruth

Kick-off 2.30pm. (Camborne)
 
You’ll have to wait until the 2nd January for the just desserts…

As the weekend hangover wears off