Bolingey Barbarians v Perranporth, St Agnes and Newquay (PAN)
Sunday 14th December 2025
A good crowd gathered to enjoy the veteran rugby show. It was a fitting tribute for all to witness three young CRFU officials conduct the match so professionally, in honour of John Sumnall.
Perranporth Rugby Club stalwart and servant to the Referees Society, founder member and former president of Bolingey Barbarians and of Cornwall Rugby Football Union. A great loss to Cornish rugby. We send love and respect to John’s family and friends at this sad time.
The traditional December fixture has become a highlight of the Bolingey Barbarian calendar. Officially named the ‘Bolingey Bowl’. The glittering crystal prize, a fine cut glass trophy, entrusted to the victors until Rudolph and the other lot get hitched up next year.
The match against a combined team (PAN), is also known as ‘Christmas Jumper Day’. Following a quick scrummage around the back of the wardrobe, to produce some of the finest knitwear this side of the North Pole.
It rained ‘cats and dogs’ earlier in the week, which necessitated a pitch inspection, the previously soggy Droop at Budnic Hill, Perranporth was deemed playable after the evacuated rabbits were re-homed above the high tide line at the Golf Club.
Referee James Milliner started proceedings smartly, dressed in a blazer and cravat. PAN opened the scoring after fifteen minutes; their winger streaked down the line, 0-5. The fully dressed Peter Joyce replied five minutes later, the Barbarian prop touching down after good pressure from his pack, 5-5.
PAN went ahead with a nice midfield break by centre Mark Richards, creating a gap to race over, 5-10. PAN then made a substitution, the delighted Dan Johns praising his injured comrade as he left the warm tracksuit for him in the Perranporth dugout.
PAN went two ahead before the break to make it 5-15. Scrum half Dave Rich earning the spoils with his wealth of talent.
The local visitors increased their lead after the restart, the yellow and green hoops creating sustained pressure, Newquay’s Russell Wilson receiving to storm over and put the black and gold hoops further adrift, 5-20.
The industrious Peter Joyce came to the Ba Bas rescue, with his second try, another driving forward move to stop the rot, 10-20.
The respite was short lived; PAN uncorked the champagne for a beautifully crafted score. Quality inter-play by their forwards and rewound through the backs, on loan Barbarian scrum half, ex South African National, Bruce Robertson provided the deft final pass to his runner, 10-25.
Indeed, it became all too much for the Barbarians to deal with, sixteen in fact. As the referee asked politely, ‘who would like to have a rest’. Perranporth head coach, Stevie Arthur, said that he still personally knew at least half of his team, all nine of them!
The Barbarians fought their way back into contention through Huge Newt, the St Austell prop forward. It was a subtle play, storming, marauding and rampaging, just to give the correct understatement to his thrashing smash over the line, 15-25.
Suddenly it was panic stations, the hordes of green fighting a rear-guard action against the purple patch that spread through the shorts of the black and gold. Matt Biggins broke through in the final minutes to make it a one score game, a fine Barbarian effort that coloured the ruby red and claret cheeks of the spirited faithful, 20-25.
A fine spectacle of veteran rugby to mark the festive occasion, thank you to all 31 players for gracing the field and providing a most entertaining match.
The third half was soon underway at the Perran club house, thanks to Lisa and her team for their hospitality. The Barbarian members who always provide some port and cheese and keep the tradition of our rugby family that is so unique.
After the debrief, a festive knitwear army enjoyed some carol singing and the fund-raising efforts which included the usual raffle, auction and generous donations back at The Bolingey Inn. Seasonal pickled onions were consumed or swerved, it only cost £1, regardless.
Bolingey Barbarian Chairman, Steve Instance, gave an address and paid tribute to John Sumnall, presenting Steve Arthur with a gift to remember the man that was such a mainstay of their club and the wider rugby family.
President, Roger Mead, thanked landlords, Diane and Matt and their staff for feeding and watering the large gathering. He also presented Barbarian ties to new caps, Ross Payne from Redruth Albany and Linesman, Harry Saundercock.
Barbarian Treasurer, Lee Taylor, reported an amazing sum of £1,680 was raised on the day. All made possible by the most generous donations of our supporters and players. The Barbarians strive to help children’s charities in Cornwall and wish everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas.
