St Austell 47 Berry Hill 17

ST AUSTELL maintained their pursuit of glory in the RFU Intermediate Cup running in five tries at Tregorrick Park to sweep aside the dogged resistance of a tough Berry Hill outfit.

This victory against the Forest of Dean Club saw them win the South West Counties Intermediate Cup final and in doing so ensures a home tie in the regional final against Dorset side Wimborne on February 23.

The winner of that game has just one more hurdle barring the way to a Twickenham final in early May.

But on a cold afternoon in mid-Cornwall and urged on by their passionate home support St Austell made light of the heavy pitch as backs and forwards linked well to score some superb tries. However, they didn't have things all their own way.

After a bright start from the home side and two early Matt Shepherd penalties, Berry Hill finally got their pick and drive game going forcing a stream of penalties and a yellow card for St Austell flanker Paul Winterbottom.

Camped on the Cornish line they finally drove over from a five-metre scrum with Sean McRoberts claiming the unconverted try.

A moment of brilliant simplicity on the half hour mark from a lineout handed St Austell their opening touchdown as centre James Earp hit the line at pace carving open the midfield to score.

Five minutes later another flowing move from the Cornish side saw Alex Welland's break well supported by Sam Tank and the full-back cantered in under the posts for the try.

Shepherd converted both tries to make it 20-5 at the interval and he added his third penalty just after the restart, but Berry Hill were far from finished.

Their pack battered its way up to the St Austell line again and refused to budge.

With defenders sucked into the break down they finally spun the ball wide and wing Kingsley Bower capitalised on a huge overlap to score in the corner.

Shepherd blasted over another penalty but Berry Hill quickly struck again. St Austell replacement Mark Vian also saw yellow as they frantically defended their line, and the visitors drove over from close range for McRoberts' second try.

Restless

Aaron Ryder's conversion cut the home lead to 26-17 and Tregorrick Park grew restless before St Austell delivered a dramatic hammer blow with three converted tries in the final ten minutes to end the contest.

Flanker Adam Kellow finished from 15 metres after quick phase-play and good recycling and wing Marcus McCoan's pace then rounded off Tank's break from halfway.

Then in added time, St Austell broke out from their own 22, with Tom Miles leading a spectacular charge and Shepherd bagging the try. He then converted with the final kick of a pulsating contest to take his own points tally to 27.

Director of Rugby Steve Murley was delighted with the efforts of his young side and said: "That was fantastic.

"You spend all week preparing for the game and when Saturday comes you hope the guys will go out and turn up, and today they did that. I really thought they were excellent.

"Berry Hill are a good side and when you play against good sides you have to do something special to win the game. The boys knew that and they came up trumps. I couldn't have asked for any more from them."

Man of the match Matt Shepherd added: "It was very high tempo and heated out there. Berry Hill kept coming at us and we had the two sin-bins but we got the win and that was all we wanted.

"We cut some holes in their defence and while the forwards may not like it I think if the backs had been given more ball then we would have scored more tries.

"But the forwards did well, matched them up front, and we took it to them."

A POPULAR goalkeeper who was found dead in his car in North Cornwall has been described as a star by the secretary of a club he used to play for.

Matt Oke, 36, is thought to have taken his own life.

Matt was the first-team goalkeeper for Bradworthy in Devon, but had previously been a regular between the sticks for Week St Mary, who play in the Duchy League.

He was found dead in his car in the car park of the Treetops Inn in Week St Mary at 7.30pm on Saturday week by police after a call from a member of the public.

They found a shotgun beside Mr Oke's body and say they are not treating the death as suspicious.

"He was a star in goal," said Mike Caesar-Gordon, the secretary of Week St Mary AFC.

"He joined us when we were in the Duchy League in 2004 and played through four seasons of promotion until we reached Division 1.

"Every time he played the opposition would ask who the goalkeeper was. He was such a flamboyant character – so brave; he would never pull out of a challenge."

Week St Mary team manager Tom Hannaford, who had known Mr Oke for 24 years, coached him from an under-12 to playing with him in men's football at Holsworthy.

"After a few years I brought him to Week St Mary for eight years, where he helped the team's achievements from Kingsley League through to Division 1 in the Duchy League," said Mr Hannaford.

"As a goalkeeper I haven't seen, played with or managed anyone better.

"His fearlessness and attitude to the game was unbelievable and he will most certainly be sadly missed by players, friends and family alike.

"We send our condolences to his brother Peter and partner Jo."

Mr Oke lived most of his life in the Holsworthy area but spent a lot of time in Week St Mary where he had many friends. An agricultural contractor, he is believed to have had money worries.

Tributes have flowed in from the community and football clubs.

Holsworthy manager Steve Lewis said: "He was such a well-liked boy. He'd do anything for anybody."

Annabel Shields, landlady of the Golden Fleece in Holsworthy, said: "Matt made a deep and lasting impression on everyone who met him.

"He was a great friend to us all at the pub and always fiercely loyal to his friends."

Mr Oke's manager at Bradworthy FC, Steve Jenkins, said Matt had been through some tough times.

He said: "Matt started off his days with us as a youngster coming along to training.

"He's had several clubs since then but has been back with us for two seasons and he's probably one of the best keepers to have come out of the area.

"He wasn't in a good place these past few months and things started to get on top of him, but there was nobody better around and he will be missed. It's hard for the guys he's left behind."

His funeral service is private, for family and close friends, but those who knew him are welcome at the Holsworthy Magpie RBL Club next Tuesday from 2.15pm to 5pm.

A NEW dawn for St Austell could be on the horizon after the town voted yes to a Business Improvement District (BID).

The town may have missed out in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee city status competition and a slice of marketing guru Mary Portas's £1 million for ailing high streets but it will now be receiving a £600,000 windfall over the next five years.

The votes of a formal ballot were counted on Thursday last week.

Of the 195 businesses eligible to vote, 106 took part (55 per cent). Of those, 80 businesses voted in favour (75 per cent).

This is the largest majority vote of any BID in Cornwall – higher than Truro, Newquay, Falmouth and the most recent in Camborne.

St Austell is the 150th BID to be approved in the UK. They see businesses within the BID boundary pay a levy on their business rates, which goes into a ring-fenced pot to be spent on improving the town.

From April 1, £120,000 will be available to spend on projects that the businesses themselves have indicated as priorities to attract more visitors to the town.

This follows 18 months of hard work by the members of the steering group.

"This is a fantastic result for St Austell. After months of consulting, canvassing and convincing, this small group have achieved what we set out to achieve all those months ago. We have spoken to the businesses of the town and with limited funds, already addressed key issues raised – driving footfall and parking," said group chairman Chris Witt.

"Now look out. We have major resources to put our town back on the map and show everyone what St Austell is all about."

It is now hoped further funding can be secured by businesses on the outskirts of the town or under the £5,000 rateable value threshold.

Tom French, St Austell Bay Chamber of Commerce chairman, said: "This is a very important event in the development of St Austell, as it will provide the management and funds over the next five years to help refocus the identity and activities available in the town centre, which will better meet the aspirations and needs of the community.

"I congratulate Chris Witt and his steering group."

Stephen Rushworth, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for economy and regeneration, said: "I am delighted that businesses in St Austell are supporting this initiative."

He added: "Nationally, town centres are facing huge challenges and to see the local business community in St Austell coming together to steer the future of their town centre is very encouraging."

The next step for St Austell's BID is to put a board of directors (unpaid) in place to oversee the delivery of the scheme and ensure the money is invested responsibly in areas that will make the maximum impact.

A paid BID manager will also be appointed to deliver the programme, reporting to the board and accountable to all the levy-paying businesses.

For more information on the BID or the above roles visit www.staustellbid.co.uk or contact BID development officer Josyanne Thatcher on 01872 224378 or e-mail josy anne.thatcher@cornwall.gov.uk

A POLISH father angered by sexual advances from a 60-year-old Torpoint man has been jailed for stabbing him numerous times and causing horrific injuries with a pair of scissors.

Pawel Pusledzki, 27, left the man for dead after the "frenzied attack" at his home in July last year.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was beaten so severely during the attack that his skull was fractured and patterns from a walking stick were engraved on his skin.

He suffered serious injuries to his face and skull, stab wounds to his body, and a severe internal injury after being violated internally with a pair of 17cm-bladed scissors during the attack. The exact details of what happened are too horrific for the Cornish Guardian to print.

Truro Crown Court heard on Friday that the victim was "smashed" over the head with a wine bottle before being struck with furniture, a walking stick, a pair of scissors and left for dead wearing just his underwear in his blood-splattered home.

He regained consciousness the following morning and telephoned for an ambulance. He spent 12 days in hospital and required treatment for internal injuries.

Pusledzki, of Wyndham Street West, Plymouth, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was jailed for eight years on Friday.

His friend, Michal Walaszczyk, 23, of Beaumont Road, St Judes, Plymouth, was acquitted of any involvement in the attack at a trial.

Sentencing, judge Mrs Justice Victoria Sharp said: "This was a frenzied attack. He was a much smaller and older man, who was extremely drunk himself and vulnerable.

"It can be said, and there is no doubt, that you were extremely drunk when you committed the offence."

Pusledzki had been drinking in Plymouth with his friend, Michal Walaszczyk, on July 2, 2012 after hearing news that his daughter was ill – something that the judge said did not explain his actions.

Prosecutor David Gittins said Pusledzki and his friend were drinking in a pub when the victim, himself very drunk, walked in.

The three men agreed to go back to his home in Torpoint to continue drinking when an argument broke out.

He said: "For reasons which never seem to be explained, he was attacked.

"He was first hit over the head with a wine bottle which knocked him to the ground.

"Following that there was a sustained attack. He was hit with furniture and a walking stick and believed to have been stabbed with scissors."

He said the victim was in "excruciating" pain.

The court heard Pusledzki was believed to have said to have wanted to "finish off" his victim, leaving no evidence.

But his victim said Mr Walaszczyk "saved his life" by calling a halt to the attack. They left the scene without contacting emergency services.

Robert Linford, for the defence, said his client had pleaded guilty at the first possible occasion and was "very sorry" for his actions.

He said Pusledzki, who was described as a hard worker with no previous convictions, had believed he and his friend were being approached "in a homosexual way".

"He completely overreacted to it," he said. "He lost his temper and he subjected his victim to the assault."

The judge said she was satisfied it was not a premeditated attack but that there was the intention to commit more serious harm to the victim and sentenced Pusledzki to eight years in prison. She told him he would serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

TRAFFIC officials in Newquay are being given cameras in a bid to catch abusive motorists in the act, the Cornish Guardian can reveal.

In the first move of its kind in Cornwall, the resort's four civil enforcement officers (CEOs) will now wear the head or body cameras during every shift.

Recorded footage will provide video evidence to support police investigations should a CEO be subjected to an assault or abuse.

It is hoped the scheme, a joint venture between Cornwall Council and police, will reduce assaults and abuse against the town's parking patrol officers.

It is being piloted in Newquay and could pave the way for more initiatives to be developed elsewhere in the county.

Jerry Mitchell, a police community safety sergeant based at Bodmin, said the recorded footage would be used as evidence, enabling the police to deal with crimes effectively.

"It came about because the council were concerned about attacks on parking officials," he said.

"I met with them and it was a suggestion I put forward.

"They suffer abuse and aggression from people and as they're usually on their own there's no one to back it up. This will provide more evidence.

"The council spends ages dealing with complaints. When cameras are used we find the number of complaints drops.

"There's a problem in several major towns, but because of the proximity of Newquay it's a good place to trial."

All four CEOs in Newquay have been given a head camera as part of a three-month trial. The equipment was provided by Cornwall Council's antisocial behaviour (ASB) team.

Mike Lawton, of Cornwall Council's health and safety team, said the idea exemplified a "great multi-agency approach to a problem.

"All CEOs in Cornwall also have a panic button behind their badge which records conversations," he said.

"Some of the language used against them is absolutely disgraceful.

"There have been 36 recorded instances since last April but I am sure that's under- reporting. One of the CEOs given a head camera said to me that the change had been amazing."

He said statistics would be gathered around March.

Newquay's sector police inspector Dave Meredith said it was a great initiative which would provide further protection to Newquay's CEOs and was fully supported by police. As well as collecting evidence, the cameras would provide a visible deterrent.

BODMIN residents are fighting a battle with a housing developer to stop construction vehicles rolling over their recreation area.

People living in Gilbert Road have sent a 95-signature petition to Cornwall Council's planning department urging it to block a request by Barratt Homes for authority to use the estate's open space as an access road for the next two years while they build further houses on its Canyke Fields' site.

Derek Atkinson, who is co-ordinating the campaign on behalf of the residents, claimed Barratt told residents that after the Gilbert Road phase of the development was completed, further phases would be built via a different access off Priory Road, but that no longer seemed the case.

"There is very little provision of open space within the Barratt development and this proposal will remove an area which is well used by the community for recreation," said Mr Atkinson.

"It is used for children's recreation, dog-walking, street parties, and things like barbecues, all of which would be curtailed for some considerable time.

"Gilbert Road is now an established residential area with parking at a premium at all times of day. The movement of large lorries or plant will present an unacceptable risk to children, pedestrians and traffic when alternative routes via Canyke Fields have already been established.

Mr Atkinson said dust, mud, fumes and noise caused by heavy traffic driving past residents' homes would cause a further unnecessary hazard considering that an established route is already approved.

Another Gilbert Road resident, Vicky Orchard, said she would not have purchased her home if she had known her life would be disrupted by construction vehicles.

"It's our only recreation area and is for the public to use, and we do use it a lot, but no one will be able to do that for two years or more if Barratt Homes get their way, and the misery and disruption it will cause to all of us will be significant," she said.

Cornwall councillor Lance Kennedy has met with residents and said the company would have to put in a formal planning application.

"Following discussions with planning officers and legal considerations, it has been decided to grant the application for a certificate of lawfulness, but with a narrative that the proposed construction would be in breach of a Section 106 agreement," he said.

"There are a number of ways that the application can be pursued but I am satisfied that it should be done through a formal planning application. If and when such application is submitted I feel it will be in the public interest to have a formal committee hearing which will allow all those involved to make representations."

Barratt Homes managing director Tim Larner said: "As a responsible housebuilder, Barratt is keen to explore all options for safe access to the development and this is one of those currently under consideration between ourselves and Cornwall Council as planning authority."

Two men have been arrested following a suspected arson attack on a shed in Hayle early this morning.

Firefighters from Camborne and St Ives spent half an hour tackling the blaze shortly after 2.30am on Tremeadow Terrace.

The fire had spread from one shed on to another on a neighbouring property causing irreparable damage to both.

A police spokesman said between 13 and 14 properties were affected by the incident.

The men are in custody at Camborne Police Station and as yet no charge has been made.

FIREFIGHTERS were scrambled to the Eden Project last night.

The fire alarm sounded after a blaze broke out in a boiler room.

It was out by the time the St Austell fire crew arrived at about 10.30pm but on-site engineers were called to fix the problem.

ARSON is the suspected cause of a car found on fire on Tuesday.

It was found between Luxulyan and Lockengate, near Bodmin, and firefighters wearing breathing equipment used a jet hose to douse the flames at about 5am.

Police also attended and a fire service spokesperson said the car was totally destroyed by fire.