Helston RFC
 | |
| Full name | Helston Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1965 |
| Location | Helston, United Kingdom |
| Ground(s) | King George V Playing Field (Capacity: 2,500 (no seating)) |
| League(s) | Cornwall League 1 |
Helston RFC is a rugby union club in Cornwall which has been in existence since 1965. They currently play in Cornwall League 1, following promotion from Cornwall League 2 in 2005–06.
They are famous for the 1995–96 side that managed to reach the final of the RFU Pilkington Shield, and are one of only three Cornish club sides to have played in a competitive final at Twickenham (alongside Mount's Bay RFC and the Cornish Pirates).
History
Helston RFC was formed in 1965, when a group of men within the town of Helston decided that rugby had a place within the local community. Their first ever game took place against Penryn 2nd XV, which resulted in a 14–9 loss. However, their first victory would occur a few games later against the Newquay Hornets. The club would go on to win several junior cups throughout the 1980s, with victories over such sides as Bodmin, Liskeard-Looe, St. Agnes and Bude, and have also won the Cornwall 2 league title on four occasions, more than any other club.
In 1995–96 season, the club would achieve an incredible feat. They reached the final of the Pilkington Shield (now the Powergen Vase), which is some achievement for a small club as it was the largest club rugby competition in the world, with 501 teams competing. They eventually lost at Twickenham on the 4 May 1996, against Medicals RFC (16–6) from Newcastle. Following on from their previous successes in cup competitions, and despite a difficult season on the field, Helston made the final of the CRFU Skinners Junior Cup in season 2009–10 against Roseland. The final score was 23–19 to Roseland but Helston held their heads up high.
Honours
- Cornwall Clubs Cup winners (6): 1980-81, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1990-91
- Cornwall Clubs Cup runners up (3): 1992-93, 1995-96, 2009-10
- Cornwall 2 champions (4): 1990–91, 1992–93, 2003–04, 2005–06
- Pilkington Shield runners up: 1995-96
- Cornwall 1 runners up: 2007-08
Current season
In 2013–14, Helston will play in Tribute Cornwall 1, the Cornwall Clubs Knockout Cup and the EDF Energy Junior Vase.
King George V Playing Field
The King George V Playing Field has been in use by the club since the club played its first match in 1965. It is owned by Cornwall Council. Until recently, the facilities at the site were extremely poor by any standards. However, on the 20 April 2006, a new clubhouse was opened which included two top quality changing rooms and a brand new bar facility. It is also the venue for an annual road race An Resek Helys (The Race for Helston)[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Cornwall Rugby Football Union Official Handbook 2010-11
- ↑ http://www.trelawnysarmy.org.uk/ta/tascf.html
- ↑ http://www.cornwallroadrunning.co.uk/