County scene sport

Stock cars

SERIES OPENER AT ST DAY:

The honour of staging the first West Country meeting of the new national Stock Car racing season has been bestowed on the United Downs Raceway, St Day, which will host the event on Sunday afternoon (1pm). In addition to the Formula Two Stock Cars, the National Bangers will contest the St Piran team championship, and the youngsters in the Ministox will complete the line-up. During the 2008 season for Formula Two Stock Cars at St Day, there were eight different feature final winners in as many meetings. Over the course of the winter closed season, a number of south west drivers have acquired new cars, or re-built or re-furbished their old ones. Consequently, there is an air of expectancy on the eve of the new season, and a promising entry of drivers looks set to contest the opening meeting. There is a prestigious and highly coveted prize at stake, too, for meeting sponsors, Tyrone Snell Trailers of Longdowns, who will have their annual trophy up for grabs on the main race of the day. The huge trophy, is a magnificent piece of auto-sculpture, which Tyrone Snell himself constructed two years ago using many components found in the engine of a modern day Stock Car. A host of local drivers will have strong designs on lifting the trophy, including Ross Rowe, of Radnor, who was the first winner of the award, in 2007. This season, Rowe will be joined on track by his younger brother Liam, who is one of a trio of drivers set to make their debuts on Sunday – the others being Simon Bassett of St Austell, and James Rygor of Westbury, near Bath. Ross Rowe's former car passed to Ian Jefferies of St Agnes last season, and he ended his debut year with a maiden win at the final St Day meeting of 2008, last October. Callington teenager Ashley Rundle is one of a number of drivers who has a brand new car for this season, along with former World Champion Dave Luscombe of Totnes, and Darren Wade of Roche. A good showing of National Bangers will contest this year's St Piran team championship. There are eight four-man teams who have entered for the event, including Team 47, who will be led by Phil Purdy of North Country and reigning Cornish champion Jamie Jenkin of St Erth. World champion Dave Spooner, of Four Lanes, will lead Renegades A, and that team will also feature Anthony Sleeman of Threemilestone and Andre McLellan of Carharrack. The line-up for the Rebels team is: Cameron May of Newquay, Toby Tiddy of Penryn, Nigel Belfield of Redruth and Jamie Seery of Indian Queens. Their cars will be red and black, and they are aiming to supply a lot of the day's action. A very interesting addition to the entry, is that of Team Toilet, whose inclusion has come about from a comedy thread on an internet forum about Banger racing. The nominated drivers for Team Toilet are mainly racers who have achieved little in the way of results – due in no small part, because of their desire to race very old cars. Local interest in Team Toilet includes David James of Indian Queens, and also Sean McKnight of Illogan who has been instrumental in encouraging some drivers from as far afield as London to make the journey West. When the youngsters in the Ministox were last at St Day, in mid-February, 12-year-old Adam Neville of Retanna, Helston, scored the first two race wins of his career, and a further successful day's racing at Smeatharpe, near Honiton a week later, has seen him charge to the top of the first Points Championship chart of the year. Another race winner at St Day's mid-February date, was 14-year-old Amy Deeble of Probus.

Short mat bowls

THRILLING WIN FOR COUNTY:

Cornwall's short mat bowls county squad were in action on Saturday in the ESMBA Inter County Championship Consolation Competition at Caroline Chisholm School, Northampton. The A Team were involved in a tough match against Northamptonshire and earned a thrilling victory. After addition of the bonus points for most shots on each discipline, shared 4-4, with Northamptonshire claiming the singles and pairs and Cornwall the triples and fours the final score read Northamptonshire 20 points 171 shots Cornwall 20 points 170 shots. With the result unable to be settled on games won alone, both counties having won seven and drawn two games a deciding one end bowl off was required. Phil Hicks took on the challenge of facing Brian Nelson, who had faced the same situation in the quarter finals for Northamptonshire. Bowling first, Hicks came up short of the jack, Nelson's first wood also fell short. Hicks adjusted well with his second wood to trail the jack to within a foot of the ditch line. Nelson was unable to respond with his second wood leaving Hicks a clear shot to draw behind the jack and set up a secure position leaving Nelson again unable to respond. Hicks left his final wood just short of the head and despite a well directed running wood, Nelson was unable to make a significant impression on the head and the match win was secured for Cornwall. Cornwall will now face Hampshire in the final of the competition on Sunday. Scores (Northamptonshire first): Singles – P Spargo (Liskeard) 16-11 & 14-12, G Reeves (Saltash) 12-15 & 16-11. Pairs – C Matthews (St Newlyn East) & P Williams (St Newlyn East) 13-7 & 14-14, M Barbery (Dobwalls) & J Ward (Withiel) 16-10 & 11-15. Triples – R Flower (Tintagel), D Swaby (Wadebridge) & N Ward (Withiel) 8-14 & 6-8, P Hamley (Lostwithiel), J Roper (Dobwalls) & P Hamley 8-8 & 8-11. Fours - C Cawrse (Luxulyan), M Horrell (Withiel), K Horrell (Withiel) & P Hicks (Luxulyan) 3-9 & 4-12, S Hodge (Liskeard), T Jago (Treviscoe), B Sleep (Dobwalls) & D Newton (Liskeard) 11-9 & 11-4.The Premier team, with six changes from the team which defeated Gloucestershire in the quarter finals, were defeated in their match against Shropshire, despite putting in a much more competitive performance that the previous two occasions they have met. The final score read Cornwall 16 points 152 shots Shropshire 24 points 201 shots.Scores (Cornwall first): Singles N Nicholls (Newlyn Trinity) 11-15 & 6-14, D Studden (Troon) 4-22 & 6-25; Pairs – G Cawrse (Luxulyan) & N Truscott (Holmans) 13-15 & 7-15, G Lane (Penlee) & B Sharp (Dobwalls) 17-9 & 8-15. Triples –J Stanley (St Newlyn East), T Rigler (Duloe) & G Fisher (Troon) 15-11 & 7-11, Jim Rule (Lostwithiel), Betty Temple Smith (Lostwithiel) & C Cawrse (Luxulyan) 10-8 & 11-7. Fours – K Goodman (Treviscoe), P Sully (Holmans), C Ford (St Newlyn East) & G Ford (St Newlyn East) 5-9 & 14-7, R Christophers (Helston), G Luke (Luxulyan), B Wakeley (Luxulyan) & C Roberts (Ladock) 6-10 & 12-8.BowlsBODMIN'S SHIELD WIN: Despite a late surge by Newquay, Bodmin held onto their lead on both rinks in the over-60s Bergen Shield competition, finally winning by nine shots. Rink scores: R Thompson 21 F Wilkinson 18; M Spittey 22 J Keers 16.Andy Webber is back on top of the Men's Morning Triples Division One, one point ahead of Geoff Mugford. Dudley Halling maintains his two point advantage over Reg Harris in Division Two but Reg now has three games in hand. After months of deadlock, the last few games have seen Mervyn Emment pull clear of Roy Lambden in the Evening Triples: Mervyn's lead is currently five points. With an increased margin this week of 11 points, Mel Cooper is pulling well ahead of Phil Treleaven in the Evening Rinks. Berenice Mugford has moved into second position, nine points below Rita Carne, in the Ladies' Triples, and still leads the Ladies' Rinks over new contender Yvonne Sandercock. In the Mixed Fours, Barry Bowe is back in second place, two points adrift from Roger Priestley.Youth footballTOURNAMENT'S ANNIVERSARY:This year is the 10th anniversary of the largest one day mini-soccer tournament in the West Country – Wendron/Sharon Wood Mini-Soccer Tournament. Each year it surpasses the expectations of the previous and last year was no exception. The number of teams continues to be high and places are always filled quickly with more money being raised for Cancer Research UK. In nine years nearly £45,000 has been raised, a marvellous effort and credit must go to the huge team of organisers and many volunteers who donate their time freely on the day and in the months leading up to the tournament. In its first event in 2000 over £600 was raised, last year we raised over £6,000. Up to and including last year donations to Cancer Research UK saw the club exceed a total of well over £22,000. There will be a full programme of events for the whole family including licensed bar in the clubhouse, barbecue, cakes, pasties, ice cream, candy floss, bouncy castle, penalty competition, bottle stall, raffle, SAR helicopter flypast and many other attractions. Sharon was one of the founding committee members at Wendron Youth, and her tragic death from cancer in 1999 triggered the club to start this tournament as a means of raising funds for Cancer Research UK. All proceeds are split equally with CRUK and Wendron Youth Football and this allows the youth section to continue and thrive as a club. An additional trophy will be awarded this year – the Graham Wood Sporting Trophy Award, to the team in each group who is deemed the most sporting on the day. Sadly Graham, Sharon's husband died last year also from cancer. Once again teams will be limited to the first 16 entries in each age group and on a first come basis. Matches will be played in groups to ensure all teams play sufficient matches followed by knockout stages, after which trophies will be awarded to all winners and runners up in the age groups U9-12 and ladies. U7 and U8 age groups will play as per FA guidelines whereby no results or league positions will be recorded, however players will receive recognition for their participation. The event which takes place at Wendron's Underlane ground on Sunday July 19 will be as big as ever. Entries are invited from age groups from U7-12 and ladies. Information and entry forms can be obtained from www.wendronfc.co.uk or contact Alan Watson on 01326 561430.Schoolboy motocrossCHAMPIONSHIP EVENT:The Cornwall Schoolboy Motocross will be running their second club championship event at the mid- Cornwall track, Fraddon, on Sunday. Children from the ages of six upwards in six different classes will be racing. The Cornwall club would like to ask anyone thinking of getting into the sport to come along. There is no admission fee and racing will get under way at 10.30am and sign posted from the A30 at Fraddon.Sidecar trialTRICKY TEST FOR RIDERS: Sunday saw 23 sidecars competing in the Colin Dommett ACU British trials championship round. Starting from the Braefel House Rejerrah, the sidecars' first stop was at Gargoll Farm, where four subs over fallen trees and earth banks got the entry underway. From here they travelled to Metha Woods, where another four subs included a river crossing, climbs and drops. A large group of 14 subs at Shepherds Farm followed next, consisting of an assortment of slippery streams, steep climbs and tight turns in and around the fir trees. Next was a group at St Allen consisting of eight subs that would normally be devoid of any grip, but on this occasion the dry weather made for some good grip in and around the earthy banks. The tight turns of the four subs at Chyverton Farm though took a lot of marks from the unwary. Finally the trial rounded off with six subs at Tinker's Castle, where once again the tight turns and innocent ground cover hid some rather nasty roots. A small entry of solos also ran alongside the sidecars, with two trailbikes riding the clubman route and five monos riding the championship route.Results: Championship course: Sidecar: Prem, J Tuck/M Sparks 29, R Luscombe/ S Luscombe 47, K Nolan/ D Daryl 52. Intermediate, Prem: S Stephens/ G Davey 51.Solo Prem, G Edyvean 1, J Dunn 31, C Anstee 37. Clubman Route: Sidecar Prem, G Andrew/ K Morcom 20, A Haigh/ R Haigh 23, P Sparks/ R Tuck 28.S/ car Newcomer Prem: P Crabtree/ A Searle 80, D Wilcoxs/ M Ripper 106, T Walker/ P Norman 179. Trailbike Prem: R Parkyn 13, M Youlton 44.Cricket DEATH OF UMPIRE: Cornwall Cricket League Panel umpire Keith Morgan, aged 52, of Penryn has peacefully passed away. He joined the panel in 1998 and became regarded as one of the most respected umpires on the circuit. He organised the umpires for the Cornwall Youth Festival at Penryn for a number of years and last year became a member of St Gluvias Cricket Club. The funeral will take place at Penmount Crematorium on Thursday March 5 at 4pm.Youth rugbyCORNWALL LEAVE IT LATE:Cornwall U17 22, Devon 15In a thrilling encounter played at Penryn, Cornwall triumphed in a fantastically open contest which saw the result in doubt until the last few minutes. Playing into the elements Cornwall took an early lead with a Rob Banks penalty after some early pressure, but despite dominating the early stages due to poor option taking allied to good defence it was Devon who intercepted a loose pass and raced away to score an unconverted try. Cornwall took the lead again when centre Mike Fittock sliced through the visitors' defence to score and banks again converted but almost from the restart Devon's threequarters linked well together to set up a converted score to take the lead. After good forward driving play and concerted pressure Joe Wilson took a quick tap penalty to plunge over to regain the lead but almost immediately Devon equalised when their fly half slotted a penalty when Cornwall infringed at the ruck. Both sides pressed for the win playing entertaining attacking rugby with risks being taken, before from a free flowing move centre Dawe fed winger Dean Bonds who outpaced the defence to run half the length of the field for the winning score converted by replacement Tom Miles.After addition of the bonus points for most shots on each discipline, shared 4-4, with Northamptonshire claiming the singles and pairs and Cornwall the triples and fours the final score read Northamptonshire 20 points 171 shots Cornwall 20 points 170 shots. With the result unable to be settled on games won alone, both counties having won seven and drawn two games a deciding one end bowl off was required. Phil Hicks took on the challenge of facing Brian Nelson, who had faced the same situation in the quarter finals for Northamptonshire. Bowling first, Hicks came up short of the jack, Nelson's first wood also fell short. Hicks adjusted well with his second wood to trail the jack to within a foot of the ditch line. Nelson was unable to respond with his second wood leaving Hicks a clear shot to draw behind the jack and set up a secure position leaving Nelson again unable to respond. Hicks left his final wood just short of the head and despite a well directed running wood, Nelson was unable to make a significant impression on the head and the match win was secured for Cornwall. Cornwall will now face Hampshire in the final of the competition on Sunday.

Scores (Northamptonshire first): Singles – P Spargo (Liskeard) 16-11 & 14-12, G Reeves (Saltash) 12-15 & 16-11. Pairs – C Matthews (St Newlyn East) & P Williams (St Newlyn East) 13-7 & 14-14, M Barbery (Dobwalls) & J Ward (Withiel) 16-10 & 11-15. Triples – R Flower (Tintagel), D Swaby (Wadebridge) & N Ward (Withiel) 8-14 & 6-8, P Hamley (Lostwithiel), J Roper (Dobwalls) & P Hamley 8-8 & 8-11. Fours - C Cawrse (Luxulyan), M Horrell (Withiel), K Horrell (Withiel) & P Hicks (Luxulyan) 3-9 & 4-12, S Hodge (Liskeard), T Jago (Treviscoe), B Sleep (Dobwalls) & D Newton (Liskeard) 11-9 & 11-4.

The Premier team, with six changes from the team which defeated Gloucestershire in the quarter finals, were defeated in their match against Shropshire, despite putting in a much more competitive performance that the previous two occasions they have met. The final score read Cornwall 16 points 152 shots Shropshire 24 points 201 shots.

Scores (Cornwall first): Singles N Nicholls (Newlyn Trinity) 11-15 & 6-14, D Studden (Troon) 4-22 & 6-25; Pairs – G Cawrse (Luxulyan) & N Truscott (Holmans) 13-15 & 7-15, G Lane (Penlee) & B Sharp (Dobwalls) 17-9 & 8-15. Triples –J Stanley (St Newlyn East), T Rigler (Duloe) & G Fisher (Troon) 15-11 & 7-11, Jim Rule (Lostwithiel), Betty Temple Smith (Lostwithiel) & C Cawrse (Luxulyan) 10-8 & 11-7. Fours – K Goodman (Treviscoe), P Sully (Holmans), C Ford (St Newlyn East) & G Ford (St Newlyn East) 5-9 & 14-7, R Christophers (Helston), G Luke (Luxulyan), B Wakeley (Luxulyan) & C Roberts (Ladock) 6-10 & 12-8.

Bowls

BODMIN'S SHIELD WIN:

Despite a late surge by Newquay, Bodmin held onto their lead on both rinks in the over-60s Bergen Shield competition, finally winning by nine shots.

Rink scores: R Thompson 21 F Wilkinson 18; M Spittey 22 J Keers 16.

Andy Webber is back on top of the Men's Morning Triples Division One, one point ahead of Geoff Mugford. Dudley Halling maintains his two point advantage over Reg Harris in Division Two but Reg now has three games in hand. After months of deadlock, the last few games have seen Mervyn Emment pull clear of Roy Lambden in the Evening Triples: Mervyn's lead is currently five points. With an increased margin this week of 11 points, Mel Cooper is pulling well ahead of Phil Treleaven in the Evening Rinks. Berenice Mugford has moved into second position, nine points below Rita Carne, in the Ladies' Triples, and still leads the Ladies' Rinks over new contender Yvonne Sandercock. In the Mixed Fours, Barry Bowe is back in second place, two points adrift from Roger Priestley.

Youth football

TOURNAMENT'S ANNIVERSARY:

This year is the 10th anniversary of the largest one day mini-soccer tournament in the West Country – Wendron/Sharon Wood Mini-Soccer Tournament. Each year it surpasses the expectations of the previous and last year was no exception. The number of teams continues to be high and places are always filled quickly with more money being raised for Cancer Research UK. In nine years nearly £45,000 has been raised, a marvellous effort and credit must go to the huge team of organisers and many volunteers who donate their time freely on the day and in the months leading up to the tournament. In its first event in 2000 over £600 was raised, last year we raised over £6,000. Up to and including last year donations to Cancer Research UK saw the club exceed a total of well over £22,000. There will be a full programme of events for the whole family including licensed bar in the clubhouse, barbecue, cakes, pasties, ice cream, candy floss, bouncy castle, penalty competition, bottle stall, raffle, SAR helicopter flypast and many other attractions. Sharon was one of the founding committee members at Wendron Youth, and her tragic death from cancer in 1999 triggered the club to start this tournament as a means of raising funds for Cancer Research UK. All proceeds are split equally with CRUK and Wendron Youth Football and this allows the youth section to continue and thrive as a club. An additional trophy will be awarded this year – the Graham Wood Sporting Trophy Award, to the team in each group who is deemed the most sporting on the day. Sadly Graham, Sharon's husband died last year also from cancer. Once again teams will be limited to the first 16 entries in each age group and on a first come basis. Matches will be played in groups to ensure all teams play sufficient matches followed by knockout stages, after which trophies will be awarded to all winners and runners up in the age groups U9-12 and ladies. U7 and U8 age groups will play as per FA guidelines whereby no results or league positions will be recorded, however players will receive recognition for their participation. The event which takes place at Wendron's Underlane ground on Sunday July 19 will be as big as ever. Entries are invited from age groups from U7-12 and ladies. Information and entry forms can be obtained from www.wendronfc.co.uk or contact Alan Watson on 01326 561430.

Schoolboy motocross

CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT:

The Cornwall Schoolboy Motocross will be running their second club championship event at the mid- Cornwall track, Fraddon, on Sunday. Children from the ages of six upwards in six different classes will be racing. The Cornwall club would like to ask anyone thinking of getting into the sport to come along. There is no admission fee and racing will get under way at 10.30am and sign posted from the A30 at Fraddon.

Sidecar trial

TRICKY TEST FOR RIDERS:

Sunday saw 23 sidecars competing in the Colin Dommett ACU British trials championship round. Starting from the Braefel House Rejerrah, the sidecars' first stop was at Gargoll Farm, where four subs over fallen trees and earth banks got the entry underway. From here they travelled to Metha Woods, where another four subs included a river crossing, climbs and drops. A large group of 14 subs at Shepherds Farm followed next, consisting of an assortment of slippery streams, steep climbs and tight turns in and around the fir trees. Next was a group at St Allen consisting of eight subs that would normally be devoid of any grip, but on this occasion the dry weather made for some good grip in and around the earthy banks. The tight turns of the four subs at Chyverton Farm though took a lot of marks from the unwary. Finally the trial rounded off with six subs at Tinker's Castle, where once again the tight turns and innocent ground cover hid some rather nasty roots. A small entry of solos also ran alongside the sidecars, with two trailbikes riding the clubman route and five monos riding the championship route.

Results: Championship course: Sidecar: Prem, J Tuck/M Sparks 29, R Luscombe/ S Luscombe 47, K Nolan/ D Daryl 52. Intermediate, Prem: S Stephens/ G Davey 51.Solo Prem, G Edyvean 1, J Dunn 31, C Anstee 37. Clubman Route: Sidecar Prem, G Andrew/ K Morcom 20, A Haigh/ R Haigh 23, P Sparks/ R Tuck 28.S/ car Newcomer Prem: P Crabtree/ A Searle 80, D Wilcoxs/ M Ripper 106, T Walker/ P Norman 179. Trailbike Prem: R Parkyn 13, M Youlton 44.

Cricket

DEATH OF UMPIRE:

Cornwall Cricket League Panel umpire Keith Morgan, aged 52, of Penryn has peacefully passed away. He joined the panel in 1998 and became regarded as one of the most respected umpires on the circuit. He organised the umpires for the Cornwall Youth Festival at Penryn for a number of years and last year became a member of St Gluvias Cricket Club. The funeral will take place at Penmount Crematorium on Thursday March 5 at 4pm.

Youth rugby

CORNWALL LEAVE IT LATE:

Cornwall U17 22, Devon 15

In a thrilling encounter played at Penryn, Cornwall triumphed in a fantastically open contest which saw the result in doubt until the last few minutes. Playing into the elements Cornwall took an early lead with a Rob Banks penalty after some early pressure, but despite dominating the early stages due to poor option taking allied to good defence it was Devon who intercepted a loose pass and raced away to score an unconverted try. Cornwall took the lead again when centre Mike Fittock sliced through the visitors' defence to score and banks again converted but almost from the restart Devon's threequarters linked well together to set up a converted score to take the lead. After good forward driving play and concerted pressure Joe Wilson took a quick tap penalty to plunge over to regain the lead but almost immediately Devon equalised when their fly half slotted a penalty when Cornwall infringed at the ruck. Both sides pressed for the win playing entertaining attacking rugby with risks being taken, before from a free flowing move centre Dawe fed winger Dean Bonds who outpaced the defence to run half the length of the field for the winning score converted by replacement Tom Miles.