Veor RFC

Veor RFC

Full name	Veor Rugby Football Club
Union	Cornwall RFU
Founded	1966; 59 years ago (1966)
Location	Camborne, Cornwall, England
Ground(s)	Blaythornes holmans sports centre (Capacity: 850)
Chairman	Scott Lake
Coach(es)	Chris Instance (forwards) & Joe Parma (Head) Dan Arthur (S&C) Adam Coombes (team manager) Ben Page (lineout)
Captain(s)	Akiva Eaton & Pean gale (vice)
League(s)	Counties 2 Cornwall
2023–24	5th
Team kit
Official website
www.pitchero.com/clubs/veor/

Veor Rugby Football Club is a Cornish and English rugby union football club based in Camborne, Cornwall. The club, founded in 1966, play in amber and black at the Holmans Sports Centre.^[1] They are one of two teams in the town, along with neighbours, Camborne RFC. They currently play in Counties 2 Cornwall – a league at level 8 of the English rugby union system – following their promotion as champions of Cornwall 1 at the end of the 2018–19 season.

History

With the advent of the league rugby union in 1987 Veor were placed in Cornwall 2 – a basement league ranked at level 10 of the English rugby union system – which they promptly won in their first season. This early success was replicated the next season when they won the Cornwall Clubs Cup (then known as the Knockout Plate) for the first time in their history. During the 1990s the club continued to build, achieving another promotion to reach the Cornwall/Devon League. Although they managed to remain at level 8 for several more year, Veor had to withdraw from Cornwall/Devon during the 1998-99 season, and were automatically relegated two levels down to Cornwall 2.

After struggling in Cornwall 2 at the start of the 21st century, Veor has started to move up the leagues once more, returning to the Cornwall/Devon League several times but being able to remain at level 8 for longer than a season on each occasion. In 2014–15 Veor were second in Tribute Cornwall 1, an English level nine league in the England rugby union structure. They played the runner-up from Tribute Devon 1 for a place in Tribute Cornwall/Devon League.^[2] By the end of the season, Veor won the CRFU Cornwall Clubs Cup for the third time in their history beating local rivals Lanner 10 – 7 in the final held at St Clement's in Truro.^[3]

After five seasons in Cornwall 1, Veor won the 2018–19 league championship and promotion back to Tribute Cornwall/Devon.

Ground

Since 2016 Veor have played home games at the Memorial Ground, just off Boundervean Lane on the outskirts of Camborne. The Memorial Ground is also occupied by Camborne RFC who play their 1st XV fixtures nearby at the much larger Recreation Ground. Previously Veor had played at Wheal Gerry (also in Camborne) where they had been based for 60 years but had to move after being given notice to leave. Thankfully for Veor they were given the opportunity to share the Memorial Ground with Camborne RFC.

Facilities at the ground are fairly basic with standing space for at least 500 spectators, although more are possible with limited viewing. Parking is also non-existent on the country lane nearby, although the ground is five minutes or less walk from the Recreation Ground where easier parking can be made nearby and Camborne RFC have also made the Crane Park clubhouse available for team players and supporters.^[4]

Season summary

Season	League			National Cup(s)		County Cup(s)
	Competition/Level	Position	Points	Competition	Performance	Competition	Performance
1987–88	Cornwall 2 (10)	1st (promoted)	6
1988–89	Cornwall 1 (9)					Cornwall Junior Knockout Plate	Winners
1989–90	Cornwall 1 (9)
1990–91	Cornwall 1 (9)[5]
1991–92	Cornwall 1 (9)[6]
1992–93	Cornwall 1 (9)	1st (promoted)
1993–94	Cornwall/Devon (8)
1994–95	Cornwall/Devon (8)
1995–96	Cornwall/Devon (8)[7]
1996–97	Cornwall/Devon (8)	N/A (withdrew)[8][a 1]	N/A
1997–98	Cornwall 2 (9)	2nd (promoted)[9]	18
1998–99	Cornwall 1 (9)	9th (relegated)[10]	-2
1999–00	Cornwall 2 (10)	7th[11]	5
2000–01	Cornwall 2 (10)	4th[12]	10
2001–02	Cornwall 2 (10)	3rd[13]	20
2002–03	Cornwall 2 (10)	7th[14]	4			Cornwall Clubs Cup	[15]
2003–04	Cornwall 2 (10)	6th[16]	8	Powergen Junior Vase	[17]
2004–05	Cornwall 2 (10)	5th[18]	8	Powergen Junior Vase	[19]
2005–06	Cornwall 2 (10)	8th[20]	6	Powergen Junior Vase	[21]
2006–07	Cornwall 2 (10)	8th[22]	-2	EDF Energy Junior Vase	Preliminary Round[23][24]
2007–08	Cornwall 2 (10)	7th	8
2008–09	Cornwall 2 (10)	1st (promoted)	29			Cornwall Clubs Cup	Quarter-finals[25]
2009–10	Cornwall 1 (9)	2nd (lost playoff)	36
2010–11	Cornwall 1 (9)	1st (promoted)	92[a 2]			Cornwall Clubs Cup	Runners up
2011–12	Cornwall/Devon (8)	12th (relegated)	44
2012–13	Cornwall 1 (9)	1st (promoted)[26]	78			Cornwall Clubs Cup	Winners
2013–14	Cornwall/Devon (8)	13th (relegated)	11			Cornwall Cup	1st Round[27]
2014–15	Cornwall 1 (9)	2nd (lost playoff)[28]	50			Cornwall Clubs Cup	Winners
2015–16	Cornwall 1 (9)	3rd[29]	47	RFU Junior Vase	4th Round[30][31]	Cornwall Clubs Cup	Runners up
2016–17	Cornwall 1 (9)	4th[32]	32			Cornwall Clubs Cup	Semi-finals[33]
2017–18	Cornwall 1 (9)	4th[34]	38
2018–19	Cornwall 1 (9)	1st (promoted)[35]	63	RFU Junior Vase	1st Round[36]	Cornwall Clubs Cup	Runners up
2019–20	Cornwall/Devon (8)	9th	46.80[a 3]
2020–21	Cornwall/Devon (8)
Green background stands for either league champions (with promotion) or cup winners. Blue background stands for promotion without winning league or losing cup finalists. Pink background stands for relegation.

Honours

• Cornwall League 2 champions (2): 1987–88, 2008–09^[38]
• Cornwall Clubs Cup winners (3): 1989–90,^[39] 2012–13, 2014–15
• Cornwall League 1 champions (4): 1992–93, 2010–11,^[40] 2012–13, 2018–19

See also

• Cornish rugby

Notes

1. During the 1996–97 season Veor withdrew Cornwall/Devon and were automatically demoted two levels to Cornwall 2.
2. The 2010–11 season would see the introduction of bonus points into lower league English rugby union (tier 6 and below).
3. The season was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom with Veor sitting in 9th, having played 20 games and gained 39 points. The remaining games were calculated on a 'best playing record formula', with Veor remaining in 9th place with 46.80 points.^[37]

References

1. Cornwall RFU Handbook. 2010–11.
2. "Fixtures and Results - Tribute Cornwall 1". England Rugby. RFU. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
3. "Veor edge out Lanner to lift Cornwall Clubs' Cup". West Briton. 4 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
4. "Camborne to groundshare with Veor". Camborne RFC. 4 May 2015.
5. Williams, T. and Mitchell, B. (1990) Courage Clubs Championship Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990-91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
6. Williams, T. and Mitchell, B. (1991) Courage Clubs Championship Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991-92. Taunton: Tony Williams.
7. Stephen Jones, ed. (1994). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1994-95. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7472-7850-4.
8. Mick Cleary and John Griffiths, ed. (1997). Rothmans Rugby Union Yearbook 1997-98. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 07472-7732-X.
9. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1997-98". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
10. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1998-1999". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
11. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 1999-2000". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
12. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2000-2001". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
13. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2001-2002". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
14. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2002-2003". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
15. "Pirates opt out of Cornwall Cup". South West Farmer. 20 June 2002.
16. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2003-2004". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
17. "Powergen Draws". ESPN. 12 July 2003.
18. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2004-2005". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
19. "Junior clubs begin national cup trail". South West Farmer. 6 September 2004.
20. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2005-2006". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
21. "Powergen Cup Draws". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 17 August 2005.
22. "FINAL LEAGUE TABLES, 2006-2007". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
23. "THE SENIOR LEAGUES 2006-2007". Trelawny's Army. 16 September 2006.
24. "EDF Energy Intermediate Cup, Senior Vase and Junior Vase draws announced". ESPN. 2 August 2006.
25. "PIRATES KEEP THE FLAG FLYING". Trelawny's Army. 19 January 2009.
26. "Final League Tables 2012–13". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
27. "Full Cornish Fixtures & Results 2013-14". Trelawny's Army. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
28. "South West Division 2014-15". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
29. "South West Division 2015-16". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
30. "RUGBY ROUND-UP: Tamar Saracens reach South West Vase final". Plymouth Sports Gazette. 3 January 2016.
31. "Our progress in the RFU Junior Vase competition..." Veor RFC (Pitchero). 8 October 2015.
32. "South West Division 2016-17". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
33. "Full Cornish Fixtures & Results 2016-17". Trelawny's Army. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
34. "South West Division 2016-17". England Rugby. 21 April 2018.
35. "South West Division 2018-19". England Rugby. 13 April 2019.
36. "Full Cornish Fixtures & Results 2018-19". Trelawny's Army. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
37. "RFU confirms league positions". England Rugby. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
38. Cornwall RFU Handbook. 2009–10.
39. Williams, T. and Mitchell, B. (1990) Courage Clubs Championship Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990–91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd.
40. Revenge sweet as Amateurs take their turn for cup glory. http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Revenge-sweet-Amateurs-turn-cup-glory/story-11409043-detail/story.html