On Friday the Reds 2nd XV take to the field for a pre-season friendly against Helston RFC. This should be a good workout for the Reds who have been working hard in the pre-season. As you will be aware the RFU delayed the start of the season for clubs below Level 4, so the Reds are delighted that Helston are able to visit the Recreation Ground on Friday. The Reds league season does not start until the 26th September when they will be at home against Devonport Services 2nds. The Reds will be looking to improve on last season’s 6th place finish.

Helston currently play one level below the Reds in Counties 2 Tribute Ale Cornwall, South West and last season finished in an excellent 2nd position. The club’s Head Coach is Brad Howe who of course is no stranger to the Recreation Ground.

Helston RFC was formed in 1965 and its origin, like many rugby clubs throughout the land, began after a conversation in a pub. The Helston website records it thus.
Bill Stancumbe was the landlord of the Red Lion Inn at the time the club was launched. He said that it all came about because of a chat -or several - with former AFC goalkeeper Sam Reel.
"All you could talk about with Sam was football. So, I said to him one day that I had a good mind to start a rugby club in Helston. He said it would never get off the ground": Helston Rugby Club was the end product.
The club has always played at the King George V Playing Fields and in 2006 opened its excellent new changing rooms and clubhouse. Helston first won the Cornwall Junior Cup in 1981 and were leading lights on the local junior rugby scene for many years. Perhaps the highlight on the field came when they reached the final of the Pilkington Shield at Twickenham in 1996, losing 16-6 to Newcastle Medicals RFC. In 1979 the club added a mini/junior section and they also run a Ladies side who will come up against Redruth this coming season.
Perhaps the clubs most famous old player is Colin Laity who, as well as playing for Redruth, went on to play for Wales.

Entry is by donation to the Terry Pryor Trust in support of Craig Martin who is cycling from London to Paris. Need to pump up those tyres to cross the channel, Craig.

Kick-off @ 7pm
Team news later in the week.