The season is well underway with Clubs having varied success mainly, I am afraid, relating to players being available or not making themselves available. On the one hand we have St Austell RFC who are now fielding three teams most Saturdays and Stithians RFC who have reformed and played a match, to a Club that has had to withdraw from the League, Camelford RFC but very sensibly joined the Duchy Leagues to play whenever they can. Some Clubs have had a temporary problem and have not been able to play the odd League match. All in all we can say that the League amendments appear to have been well received, with a reduction in mileage for some and most importantly a regular and agreed fixture list for those teams that now play in the Cornwall Counties League 3 (formally Clubs from the old Cornwall 1 & 2). What is certainly remarkable is that the fear of second teams entering the Leagues which was entertained by some Clubs has generally fallen away and that they can be beaten in the league in which they play.
Earlier, I mentioned player’s availability but perhaps it is willingness to play as there are far too many distractions. At a visit to a Club that shall remain nameless I learnt that when a player was asked why he did not turn up to play the previous Saturday his answer was that he had decided to have a new tattoo, and some of us were not allowed to be married during the season. Seriously, there has been a drop off and has been seen throughout the Country but should not make the CRFU complacent. I am well aware of those volunteers that turn out every Sunday morning to help the various age groups to enjoy the game of rugby but we need to keep these players when they reach 15 and 16 years as that is when the choice of distractions increase. Good coaching, comradeship and being involved in local community activities is a suggested way forward.
At long last we now have the fixtures for the three County Championships that we are so anxious to defend. These are:
- Bill Beaumont Cup Division 1 (Open to players from National 1 and below.)
- 06 May Somerset RFU (H) (As this is also The Coronation we may play later in the day or the following day.
- 13 May Hampshire RFU (A)
- 20 May Kent RFU (H)
- Gill Burns Cup Division 2
- 07 May Oxfordshire Women (H)
- 21 May Somerset Women (A)
- Jason Leonard Cup U.20 (Open to players from Regional 1 and below.)
- 19 March Devon RFU (A)
- 09 April Gloucestershire (H)
- 23 April Somerset (H)
- 07 May Quarter-Finals (A)
- 21 May Semi-Finals (Neutral Venue)
- 03 June Final
There may well be amendments and these will be posted on our Web.
Enjoy your season and if I can help any time please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours,
John.
