It's a pleasure once again to welcome Launceston Rugby Club to the Recreation Ground. It's been a long time, in fact almost 20 years since the two clubs locked horns in the league (1996/97).
Launceston were promoted from South West one that season and we were to be religated, the score on that occassion was 8 - 29 to the visitors. Interestingly the local press report on the game recorded that the match was Sponsored by well know local coach operator Charlie Palmer of Wheal Briton and a crowd of over 200 were present.
I suspect the crowd for todays encounter will be significantly higher, I certainly hope so!!

Several of the players who were involved in the match for Camborne on that day will no doubt be present this afternoon as we are holding a Former Players Reunion.
The teams were;
Camborne: -
15. N.Burrell, 14. L.Smitham, 13. P.Wheeler, 12. J.Warren, 11. J.Richards, 10. K.Mankee, 9. L.Chapple
1. J.Mitchell, 2.C.Hewett, 3. S.Hood, 4. T.Adams, 5.N.Coldrick, 6. S.Oates (capt), 7. R.Carroll, 8. G.Nicholls
Reps; J.Mankee, D.Richards & J.Sweet.
Launceston; - D.Sloman, P.Thorne, G.Johns, S.Mitchell, J.Bellamy, J.Tucker, E.Nancekivell, P.Risdon, B.Lucas, S.Warring, G.Hutchings, M.Tummon, R.Dennis, JJ.Wilcox, D.Shipton.
Reps; R.Fry, S.Rush & A.Redwood.

We have made an excellent start to our first season back in the National Leagues. Last weeks victory by 41pts to 24 at leaders Ivybridge was well deserved. We started the match and after just 21 minutes found ourselves 24pts to nil in the lead.
Gradually the vociferous home support perticularly in front of the clubhouse got behind their team (ably assisted by an incessant drummer!) and Ivybridge gradually got points on the board.
However, order was restored and we ran out comfortable and very worthy winners. The drum thank goodness was silenced!!
I would like to thank on behalf of all the players, coaches and officials the 100 plus supporters who made the 150 mile round trip to Ivybridge. Your support was tremendous and very much appriciated by us all.

Launceston meanwhile were winning their first match of the season with a fine home victory over Salisbury. No doubt the result has given their Players and coaching staff a real lift and so today's Duchy Derby should be a cracking match and a great advert for Cornish rugby.

Our Sponsors for today's match are A.E Rodda & Son and LWC (Jolly's). Both are main club sponsors who have again invested in the club for the next two season's. Both companies are well known nationally and the club is extremely grateful to receive their support. Indeed this shows where we are when we can not only attract interest from such high profile companies but keep that interest alive over the course of several seasons.

We would like to thank both the Rodda family and Richard Jewell along with David Jolly from LWC for their help and continued support.

During the closed season as part of work required due to health and safety legislation we constructed two new Accessibility Viewing platforms in front of the Grandstand.
The work was carried out by Phl Woods, Neil Hocking and a group of volunteers from the club including their sons Shane and Leigh, so a big thankyou to everyone involved.
But most of all we must thank the two businesses who donated the materials required to make this possible. So I would like to thank Matt Cavill of EBC Building & Maintenance and Andrew Hearn from Cornish Granite.

Finally we welcome our referee for today Richard Timbrell from the Bristol Society. I understand he's recently spent some time refereeing in New Zealand, we hope he enjoy's his first visit to the REC. Have an enjoyable match Richard and enjoy our hospitality.

Enjoy your afternoon everyone,

Alan Truscott,
Chairman Camborne RFC.