Bolingey Barbarians v St Austell
Sunday 23rd March 2025
St Austell arrived at Perranporth in a style, deemed most exemplary, an executive coach hauled precious cargo of their finest athletes in recent memory.
Referee Steve Avenell got the match underway; the pitch was dry and firm with a brisk Northerly teasing the prairie.
It was first blood to the visitors, after a lineout 10 metres from the Barbarian goal line. The ball was swiftly passed to outside centre Ben Chenoweth, the St Austell man cutting a fine line to dot down between the scaffolding. 0-5 after 15 mins.
Bolingey replied immediately after the restart, flyhalf Owen Hambly jinked through the rush defence to even the score. 5-5. Both sides were intent on expansive play, the hallmark of Barbarian rugby. It was Alex Welland who went over next, the St Austell inside centre putting his side back in front. 5-10.
The forwards certainly rose to the challenge, providing good quality ball for their respective half backs. With Bolingey in possession for several phases, back row Nigel West received a pop pass and sped around the corner, the aggressive move paid dividends, sending him over to equalise. 10-10.
The Ba Bas kept up the momentum, some fine handling giving full back Robert Grose the necessary impetus to send him crashing over the line wide out. 15-10. Indeed, they could have gone two scores ahead soon after, Hambly broke through again and fed his outside runner, Steve Instance, who had open ground ahead, the captain unselfishly passing to an overlap, alas the ball was fumbled and turned over. The scrummage was initially evenly matched, St Austell’s Huge Newt in his element at scrum half, finding a position in his dotage that allows him to express himself with a back-catalogue of moves previously unseen. His cheeky reverse pop-pass finding Ben Trudgian, putting him on a collision course with the hapless Grose who was steam-rollered by the charging Trudgian, putting St Austell back on terms at half time. 15-15.
After the restart, Bolingey faced the sea and a continuing oncoming tide. With number eight, Pete Wheeler, surging through the defence to score his sides fourth. 15-20. After a new ball was unwrapped and St Austell’s Neil Smith found his boots, he was able to smash the perfect 50-20 kick. The resulting lineout was lost by his team, another was granted when the ball was taken back into touch by Bolingey. This time they made no mistake, gathering and feeding Alec Mynewt who made no small effort in splashing over the try line.15-25.
Referee Steve Avenell did a splendid job as always, martialling the fast open game with a perfect balance, which allowed for failings in spatial awareness as some minds departed from bodies in the final quarter of the match.
Barbarian Bruce Robertson was instrumental after switching to fullback, fielding loose ball and turning the defence with trademark dummies to put winger Scott Yelland over for a try, Yelland displaying great handling skills to put his team back within one score. 20-25.
As the plumbline swung back into Barbarian favour, Paul Carter made a superb long-range break to centralise the score bubble once again. 25-25.
Was it too much to ask if the Barbarians could construct another opportunity? Building on previous analogies it was a concrete foundation that shored things up. Truro’s Ben Hawke playing his debut for Bolingey at scrum half and capping a fine performance scored the try of the match. After some champagne handling his perfectly timed run produced the angle which allowed an unopposed race to the line. 30-25.
This result could have gone either way, never more than two scores separating the sides. In the final minute, Steve Instance closed out the game, breaching the St Austell line to seal Barbarian victory. 35-25.
Thanks to all involved for providing a great spectacle of veteran rugby. Finishing the domestic season at Bolingey.
The players enjoyed the post-match debrief with well-earned refreshment at The Brewers Droop. Bolingey Barbarian President, Roger Mead, thanked Perranporth RFC for hosting the Barbarians this season. Roger presented some flowers to Lisa for her hospitality and hard work behind the bar, leading a rousing three cheers from all in attendance.
During the ‘third half’ back at our home, The Bolingey Inn, the players enjoyed a meal, kindly supplied by our hosts, Diane and Matt.
With a raffle, auction and kind donations, a total of £1,178.00 was raised on the day. St Austell’s Chairman, Paul Hayes, thanked the Barbarians for another great game and presented a generous donation from the St Austell players.
This completed a busy weekend of fundraising after the Barbarians visited the Penzance Pirates on Friday evening, enjoying a fine victory by the Cornish club in round 13 of the championship against London Scottish. The Barbarians wish the Pirates every success in this season’s campaign. We are so grateful for your continuing support. The generosity of their supporters helped us raise a collection of £691.00 during the interval.
We finish our season when we host Le Havre Rugby on Saturday 29th March at Camborne RFC. Kick off 3pm.
On Easter Sunday we have been invited to Redruth RFC to be part of their 150th Anniversary celebrations. Kick off 1pm.
On behalf of the less fortunate children in Cornwall, a big thank you to all who so generously support The Bolingey Barbarians, enabling continued help to so many in the County.
