Chairman's Chat no.5

Alan Truscott’s Chairman’s Chat No 5 –Sunday 21st November 2010

Our 1st XV results continue to follow a familiar pattern which is mirrored by the majority of clubs in the league; winning at home and losing away (albeit, in our case, losing away by the smallest of margins). Away defeats at Chippenham (currently top and undefeated) by 20 pts to 17 and away to Wadebridge by 23 pts to 22 were frustrating. Both matches were winnable especially after leading Wadebridge by 22 pts to 8! In our first season back in S.W.One we are not far away from being really capable of competing for a top half of the table position.

During the month our 2nd XV have enjoyed home successes against Pirates Amateurs and Peninsular Medics (Plymouth) which will give them great encouragement before their next away Merit Table match at Truro on November 27th. If you can’t make the trip that day to Walcot to support the 1st team then why not take the ‘lady in your life’ to Truro, leave her in M & S with your credit card and take a wander up St Clements hill! The 2nd’XV will be glad to see you.

Our 3rd XV meanwhile enjoyed fine wins away to Bodmin and home to Camelford but suffered defeats at the hands of Falmouth 2nd XV home and Liskeard & Looe away. The Camelford and Liskeard matches were Merit Table games.

Rugby returns to the C.S.M. Memorial Ground.

I’m thrilled to report that the Camborne School of Mines Trustees have granted us a 5 year lease on the C.S.M. Memorial Ground. When the Camborne School of Mines as part of the University of Exeter moved to the Combined Universities in Cornwall campus at Tremough, Penryn in 2004 the CSM Rugby stopped using the Memorial Ground in Boundervean Lane, Penponds training and playing their games on Penryn’s ground.

Although the CSM Trustees had disposed of almost all its property portfolio in Camborne – the students’ club and hostels in Gustavus Road making way for the new McCarthy Stone retirement complex, the Trevenson campus at Pool being turned into offices for Cornwall Council, Condurrow Mine at Beacon being acquired by a local Heritage Charity – it still retained the old CSM Rugby Ground.

Initially this was leased to Storm football club but as this has now ceased to operate the Trustees have granted us a 5 year lease on the ground. We intend using the facilities for the youth section, particularly the younger age groups, and also will allow the ground to be shared with other local sporting bodies.

Handing over the keys to the ground Robin Dunn, representing the CSM Trust told us that “although Trustees retained the ground as an investment asset he was delighted that rugby would again be played on the ground that many considered had one of the best playing surfaces in the County. Looking around the changing rooms an examination of the autographed shower tiles – originally sold as a fund raining event when building the new facilities in 1989 – brought back reminders of many CSM graduates with Camborne RFC connections. A few still legible ones being Bill Hussey, John Rogers and the late Dr C Victor Phillips”.

Use of this ground will give us an extra facility and alleviate over use of the Recreation Ground and Crane Park especially during the winter months when, Crane Park in particular, gets very muddy due to being used for training virtually every evening.

Boxing Day & beyond – the ‘Rodda’s Milk Cup

In recent years because of league commitments, matches between Camborne & Redruth have been restricted to once a season, on Boxing Day. The durability of the Boxing Day fixture is evident and the match, whether played here or at Redruth, always attracts a crowd in excess of 1000. Historically the two towns played each other 4 times per season and now, after positive discussion between representatives of both clubs I am pleased to announce the decision to introduce a second fixture at Easter.

A.E. Rodda and Son (Rodda’s Creamery), who are in the unique position in sponsoring both clubs have agreed to sponsor all fixtures between us and Redruth for the next two seasons initially, with the aim hopefully of continuing after that. They will also be providing a trophy, to be known as the ‘Rodda’s Milk Cup’, which will be competed for at each match.

This exciting initiative will, I’m certain, create considerable interest locally and with positive publicity in the build up to each match by ourselves and Redruth RFC both matches should produce a good crowd and great atmosphere.

Jeff Knuckey (Redruth RFC Commercial Manager) and myself, who were classmates at Redruth County Grammar School in the late 50’s early 60’s, met for the first time since those school days back in August when the seed was sown to instigate 2 fixtures per season so that each of our clubs enjoy the benefits of one home fixture between our clubs each season. I’m delighted that Rodda’s have agreed to be the sponsors and particularly thank Philip Rodda for his support in this initiative.

So Redruth v Camborne Monday 27th December 2010 and Camborne v Redruth Easter Monday 25th April 2011 are games not to be missed being played for the ‘Rodda’s Milk Cup’. Further details to follow in the coming weeks when there will be a joint club press release.

There is a lot of other news, ideas, plans and challenges to communicate so see you at the members meeting on Wednesday 1st December at 7pm in the ‘Cherry & Whites’ lounge bar.

Alan Truscott