Bolingey Barbarians v Perranporth, St Agnes, Newquay (PAN)
Sunday 10th December 2023
Before the match both teams lined up on the pitch to face the spectators for all present to conduct a minute’s applause. This was to honour the memory of dear friends and former players. Heartfelt condolences to all their families and friends are expressed by your ‘rugby family’. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in these difficult times.
This December fixture is played for (The Bolingey Bowl). The elusive cut glass trophy made an appearance this year and will be presented to the victors for safe keeping. A pre-Christmas celebration, when participants are encouraged to dust off the festive knitwear and use the opportunity to dry clean club blazers and iron their shirts!
The opposition traditionally a combination from Perranporth, St Agnes and Newquay RFC’s (PAN). This cocktail of players in varying amounts always provide a tough test for the Barbarians. The pitch at Ponsmere Valley is the home of both Perranporth and the Barbarians. So, the away team was at home and the home team were at home, to avoid confusion the home team wore green and white hoops, and the other team wore black and gold horizontal stripes.
Thank you to referee, Steve Avenell, who answered the late call to officiate and is familiar with the nuance of veteran rugby, helping everyone enjoy a most entertaining game.
After the previous deluge of rain, the weather brightened in the afternoon, leaving heavy but playable pitch conditions.
This proved to be an evenly matched contest, but the first score came after ten minutes when (PAN) flyhalf, Ryan Johns put through a deft chip kick for his brother Dan to collect, the centre making no mistake to touch down 0-5 or was it 5-0?
The game see-sawed for the bulk of the first half, each side unable to break through. (PAN) head coach, Steven Arthur, was frustrated with the lack of cohesion that he stated was evident at the team’s mid-week training session when his men were, charging like ‘injured rhinos’ into the mini-junior tackle bags!
On the cusp of half-time the fourth official was not needed. P.A.N.’s Aran McPherson received from the back of a maul twenty metres from the Barbarian goal line, the athletic second row forward jinked past the last defender for his sides second try 0-10 at the whistle.
The restart saw the Barbarians start to make effective inroads, with fly-half Kevin Mankee’s hands finally warming up to provide some good phases. After twenty minutes a forward drive and ensuing ruck ball saw Trevellyan Ward peel off to make no mistake with Bolingey’s first try of the match to halve the deficit 5-10.
With the contest becoming more frenetic as the low winter sun bounced shadows across balding heads, creating a strobe effect normally only seen at the annual dinner dance, Saturday, March 2nd at the Penventon Hotel, all welcome.
Spirited play became more evident as the stalemate after thirty minutes brought out competitive clashes. The scrum half battle saw P.A.N.’s Bruce Robertson pinballing into his opposite number, Mark Murray, the ball spinning wildly to flyhalf Mankee who knocked-on under pressure. More heavy challenges in the mid-field saw Barbarian James Instance folded into a new yoga position resembling a ‘mud crab’!
After referee Avenell asked captains to make sure their Christmas lists were in order or they might be reported to Santa’s helper, linesman Daniel Dunkin, recognised as the official wearing an elf hat complete with pointed ears.
This attritional last quarter saw the spoils go to P.A.N. With play reset, their fly-half, Ryan Johns topped off a fine personal performance, sprinting over in the corner to score, making the result 5-15.
At the post-match chat, referee Steve Avenell said that the low sun and sea mist contributed to a free-flowing game! Thanks again Steve for getting the balance just right.
The trophy was presented at Perranporth RFC to the winning captain by Bolingey Barbarian Chairman, Roger Mead.
A short journey for the ‘third half’ at The Bolingey Inn. Landlord Stuart Lane provided a meal and together with hard working staff kept everyone fed and watered.
The usual raffle, auction and fund-raising efforts were generously supported. With an impressive array of Christmas jumpers worn, the festive theme was enhanced with the donation of a brace of hand-crafted wooden Reindeer.
These fine beasts, complete with red noses and knitted scarves were kindly provided by Bolingey Barbarian, Paul Cholwill. Built in large numbers at the family farm near Bude to raise money for Little Harbour, Children’s Hospice. It is a quite remarkable effort, and more information can be easily found on the internet and their Facebook page.
The bidding at auction for these and other fine lots, together with a most generously laden raffle prize table went towards a total of over £1500 raised on the day.
On behalf of the less fortunate children in Cornwall. Thank you to everyone who generously supports the Bolingey Barbarian’s.
