Bolingey Barbarians v Penwith
Sunday 20th February 2022
This was the last home game of the 2021-22 season. Bolingey Barbarians hosting a combined side from West Penwith, featuring players from St. Just, Hayle and St. Ives.
Storm Franklin made us wrestle to fit the post pads but did not stop our record of never postponing a match at Perranporth RFC due to poor weather.
We had Dudley on Wednesday, Eunice on Friday and Franklin today. Apparently the first time that three named storms have been recorded within seven days since the storm naming system began in 2015.
Thanks to referee Steve Avenell who was kept busy from his first whistle, in a frantic opening passage of play. The deadlock was broken after fifteen minutes, following a good forward drive from Penwith, Fly Half Adam Harris peeling off to score the opener.
From the restart it was the pacey Harris who produced a double blow to the Barbarians, breaking through the defensive line, he passed to the wing, received the return, and sped over for his second.
Penwith lost possession in midfield when a fumbled ball was gathered by outside centre Ross Williams who sprinted thirty yards before being tackled and managing to off-load to winger Mark Murray who made no mistake, diving over in the corner to put the Barbarians back in contention just before half time.
The second half rewarded the spectators for braving the elements with twice as many tries as the first. It was a most entertaining affair with both sides battling hard to win the ball.
Bolingey were rewarded after a multi-phase move gave them the field position from ruck ball. Hard charging No.8 Simon Bailey made a break in mid-field, he started throwing dummy passes that made people in the dug-out lose their balance! The ensuing breakdown saw Fly Half Tate Richardson give new cap Owen Hambly a well-timed pop pass to send him through to equalise between the posts.
It was now the Barbarians turn to score in quick succession when five minutes later Richardson exploited a gap in defence to produce space and feed industrious back row Lee Goodson who put the home side ahead for the first time.
It was a short-lived lead for Bolingey. Penwith equalised when Adam Harris showed the flailing defence a clean pair of heels and was uncatchable with a great solo effort to score his hat-trick.
The game opened up in the final quarter, with scrambling defence providing more scoring opportunities, tries were made first by Bolingey and countered by the visitors who equalised the match score for the third time to tie the game at four a piece.
In the last play it was Barbarian Lee Goodson who had the final say. Great stamina found him clear to cross the line for his second and final try of the match.
It was another great day of veteran rugby, thanks to all players for their spirit and character which produced a fine match.
The chairman’s report . . .
Sunday 20th February was the last home match of the season for the Bolingey Barbarians. They welcomed their friends from West Cornwall. St Ives, Hayle, and a large contingent from St Just. As always, they brought great support, together with good wishes from those at St Just RFC that could not travel.
The boys from the west never disappoint as you will see from the match report.
After the game at Perranporth RFC, Bolingey Barbarian’s chairman Roger Mead thanked the Perranporth club for the use of their facilities and presented Lisa who has looked after us from behind the bar with a bouquet of flowers.
Onward to the Bolingey Inn, they came bearing many bottles for the raffle and auction and a glass jar that’s been sitting on the bar at St Just RFC. Presented together with match day subs, this started the day off with a most generous donation of over £350. Plus, a personal gift from another St Just member.
During the third half at the Bolingey Inn we were fed and hosted for the last time by Carol and Mike who have been the owners of the Bolingey Inn for 15 years and have been great supporters of the Bolingey Barbarians. We wish them every happiness and success in the future. We have been truly spoilt over the years with first class food.
A superb raffle, then some very good auctioneering by Daniel (Diddy) Dunkin, helped to boost the charitable donations. Followed by the £1 if you do or £1 if you don’t. This week it was some wicked ‘smelling salts’ well worth the £1 not to partake!
After a little sing and some good camaraderie, the day closed and a staggering amount of £1459.47 was raised, this along with other events through the season is going to help the less fortunate children in Cornwall.
The Bolingey Barbarians next match is on Sunday 13th March, they are the guests of Penryn RFC, celebrating 150 years of rugby at the Borough. The first club in Cornwall to achieve this, we are very honoured to be invited. We look forward to seeing lots of Bolingey Barbarians and players from around the county. Kick-off is 1.30 pm at Penryn RFC.
Roger Mead, B.E.M.
(Chairman, Bolingey Barbarians)
