Rugby League

League 1

Sunday 27th August 2023

Kick Off 13.00

Cornwall 18 Rochdale Hornets 12, attendance 465

@ Penryn R.U.F.C.

The Memorial Ground

Kernick Road

Penryn

TR10 8NT

£10 Admission (advance booking online)

No Programme.

This was my last opportunity this season to get a visit in to watch Cornwall R.L. as this was the final game of the season. Even better, rather than do it over the summer, making a special journey, I’ve managed to tie it in with a few football matches as well.

I couldn’t have picked a better game. It was an absolutely superb effort from them and apparently the first victory they’ve ever achieved against one of the ‘traditional heartland’ clubs of the game. They came into this sitting ninth (second bottom) in the league table, having won four of their seventeen games up to this point, behind Midlands Hurricanes on points difference and just two points adrift of today’s visitors Rochdale Hornets.

Rochdale scored twice in the opening twelve minutes, to lead 0-8 with tries by Brierley and Harrison, but were unable to convert either of them. Cornwall hit back with a try of their own from Brown, who also kicked the conversion and the game was really in the balance as it remained 6-8 at halftime. Eight minutes into the second half Cornwall went in front for the first time, when a try from Mitchell was converted again by Brown to see them go 12-8 ahead. A sin bin saw Cornwall reduced to twelve men following a delay of the restart and just before Whitton was due to return, Brewin went over in the corner to make it 12-12, but they were unable to add the conversion. Cornwall missed a couple of attempted drop goals, as they tried to nick the win late on and it looked as if we were heading for a draw, when in the dying seconds Whitton scored right in the corner and the conversion, with the final kick of the match, was added by Brown to give Cornwall the win.

Cornwall play at the home of Penryn R.U.F.C. (the oldest rugby club in Cornwall) which is just outside Falmouth. Only three sides of the ground are accessible to spectators, with the side opposite the main stand out of bounds. For a club that has struggled somewhat on the pitch, the crowd was certainly impressive. I counted 465, which is not bad at all. Imagine what they’d pull in if they were challenging at the top of the table.