It’s been awhile hasn’t it!!!!!! … to be honest there has not been too much to talk about over the past couple of months!! I suppose I could of done my usual and waffled on about the great showing of our football team in the World Cup, I could of gone on about England’s tour to Australia and I suppose I could of mentioned England beating Australia to win the T20 World Cup … but there was none of that …. I have spent the last 2 months mulling over what happened last year, what I am going to do without Nigel at the helm and what sort of squad I can put together that will be competitive in National 1 next year …

Coming off the back of last season and coming to terms with the many changes that will inevitably happen I have found May and June pretty stressful to say the least! From the outset it has been difficult to talk to players with little or no knowledge of what budget was available. This is not a dig at the club in any way it is just reflective of the way that all clubs are having to cope with the ever diminishing funding and cash injection that is needed to be able to match the aspirations of its supporters and players. I made my views very clear last year that a National set up at this level will be tough to maintain  last season and that view has not changed … I don’t want it to be that way but am faced with what I believe to be reality …

So to summaries what has happened …. firstly the Coaching set up and we have decided not to replace the role of Head Coach and go with a structure that see Craig Bonds take on the role of Attack Coach, Tony Cook will assume responsibilities for defence, Terry Pryor will be the front row and scrum coach and Mark Bright will be Forwards Coach concentrating on lineouts and moves. Simon Blake will afford some of his time with the kickers and Nigel Eslick will take on the Team Manager’s role in place of Adrian Edwards. Overall responsibility will rest on my shoulders as I become more involved with rugby on and off the pitch. I have been able to do this since the appointment of Gerry Reilly as General Manager as he is taken a lot of the responsibility I had within my role as Chairman of the Exec. I will continue in this role as well as Director of Rugby but with a smaller workload. From my perspective it is good to be totally involved with the rugby side … and I am looking forward to the challenge!

From the playing side we have signed Luke Collins from the Cornish Pirates, Sean Hawkey comes to us from UWIC/Wadebridge Camels (that was the wrong Sean Hawkey in the West Briton last week by the way!!). Sean represented Cornwall during the 2008/2009 campaign that saw them fall at the last hurdle before Twickenham. Ashley Morcom has rejoined from Newquay Hornets and Under 19 players Adam Lewarne and Peter Jenkins take their places in the senior squad. Sam Newman and Grant Thirlby join from Truro. Pretty much all of last year’s squad have signed and I am tying up the remaining loose ends as we speak …. Darren Jacques will captain the side with Mark Bright as his Vice Captain.

Pre season games have been organised as follows:-

• August 14th – St Ives (H)
• August 21st – Taunton (H)
• August 24th – St Ives (A)
• August 28th – Dings Crusaders (A)

Pre season started last night with 30 players present which is a good start, training will continue through July at Redruth School….I have also spoken with the Cornish Pirates and there will be some “live” sessions in August when they will come to the Recreation Ground for joint training sessions …

Jason Pengilly will take control of the Development structure and hopefully I will be able to announce another person who will be working with Jason in the near future. Our aim is to utilise the Under 19′s  team to compete in the CRFU 2nd XV Merit Table, there will obviously be a sprinkling of more seasoned/experienced players helping them out as well ….

I am also hoping that our relationship with Exeter Chiefs will continue and that we are able to secure the services of some Academy players. I have spoken with Robin Cowling and know that my lad, Aaron, will be available as will Malcolm Hearn and a couple of others. I will keep you updated on this front.

On the weekend of July 17th & 18th some of the player’s will be representing the Handstand Harlequins at the Newquay Surf 7′s competition. The Harlequins have a team entered in each of the competitions and I have had discussions with Launceston about entering joint teams in each of the competitions  …..

So as you can see there has been lots going on and there is still lots to do ….

Finally, there is the Players Reunion on Friday 27th August and I am really keen to get as many former and current players there as possible …. please make a note and come along for a few beers and a chat …

Cheers for now

David Penberthy

Director of Rugby