Helston RFC

Helston RFC is a rugby union club in Cornwall which has been in existence since 1965. They currently play in Counties 2 Cornwall, following relegation from Cornwall League 1 in 2018–19. In season 1995–96 side they reached 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 game took place against Penryn 2nd XV, which resulted in a 14–9 loss and their first victory occurred a few games later against the Newquay Hornets. The club would go on to win several Junior Cups throughout the 1980s, with victories over 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 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.

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). Current supporter capacity is approximately 2,500, all of which is standing.

Season summary Season League National Cup(s) County Cup(s) Competition/Level Position Points Competition Performance Competition Performance 1987–88 Cornwall 1 (9) 4th 12 Cornwall Junior Knockout Plate Winners 1988–89 Cornwall 1 (9) Cornwall Junior Knockout Plate Winners 1989–90 Cornwall 1 (9) (relegated)Williams, T. and Mitchell, B. (1990) Courage Clubs Championship Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1990-91. Windsor: Burlington Publishing Co. Ltd. 1990–91 Cornwall 2 (10) 1st (promoted)Williams, T. and Mitchell, B. (1991) Courage Clubs Championship Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991-92. Taunton: Tony Williams. Cornwall Junior Knockout Plate Winners 1991–92 Cornwall 1 (9) (relegated)Cornwall Rugby Football Union Handbook, 1992-3 1992–93 Cornwall 2 (10) 1st (promoted) Cornwall Junior Knockout Plate Runners up 1993–94 Cornwall 1 (9) 1994–95 Cornwall 1 (9) 1995–96 Cornwall 1 (9)Cornwall Rugby Football Union Handbook, 1996-7 Pilkington Shield Runners up Cornwall Junior Knockout Plate Runners up 1996–97 Cornwall 1 (9) 3rd 20 1997–98 Cornwall 1 (9) 7th 12 1998–99 Cornwall 1 (9) 7th 10 1999–00 Cornwall 1 (9) 6th 12 2000–01 Cornwall 1 (9) 7th 7 2001–02 Cornwall 1 (9) 8th 10 2002–03 Cornwall 1 (9) 9th (relegated) 1 Cornwall Clubs Cup 2nd Round 2003–04 Cornwall 2 (10) 1st (promoted) 25 Powergen Junior Vase 2004–05 Cornwall 1 (9) 8th (relegated) 2 Powergen Junior Vase 2005–06 Cornwall 2 (10) 1st (promoted) 25 Powergen Junior Vase 2006–07 Cornwall 1 (9) 4th 13 EDF Junior Vase 4th Round Cornwall Clubs Cup Quarter-finals 2007–08 Cornwall 1 (9) 2nd (lost promotion playoff) 26 Cornwall Clubs Cup Semi-finals 2008–09 Cornwall 1 (9) 5th 12 EDF Junior Vase 2nd Round 2009–10 Cornwall 1 (9) 11th 9 Cornwall Clubs Cup Runners up 2010–11 Cornwall 1 (9) 3rd 63 2011–12 Cornwall 1 (9) 2nd (lost promotion playoff) 67 Cornwall Clubs Cup Semi-finals 2012–13 Cornwall 1 (9) 6th 24 2013–14 Cornwall 1 (9) 6th 24 RFU Junior Vase 3rd Round Cornwall Clubs Cup Semi-finals 2014–15 Cornwall 1 (9) 6th 21 RFU Junior Vase 1st Round Cornwall Clubs Cup Quarter-finals 2015–16 Cornwall 1 (9) 6th 19 RFU Junior Vase 1st Round Cornwall Clubs Cup Quarter-finals 2016–17 Cornwall 1 (9) 5th 25 Cornwall Clubs Plate Winners 2017–18 Cornwall 2 (10) 1st (promoted) 60 2018–19 Cornwall 1 (9) 8th (relegated) 15 RFU Junior Vase Group Stage 2019–20 Cornwall 2 (10) 2nd (promoted) 38 2020–21 Cornwall 1 (9) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was cancelled. 2021–22 Cornwall 1 (9) 4th 2022–23 Counties 2 Cornwall (8) 8th 2023–24 Counties 2 Cornwall (8) 8th 2024–25 Counties 2 Cornwall (8) 2nd 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 Rugby Football Union Official Handbook 2010-11 Cornwall Clubs Cup winners (6): 1980–81, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91 Cornwall 2 champions (5): 1990–91, 1992–93, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2017–18 Pilkington Shield runners up: 1995–96 CRFU Cornwall Club Plate winners: 2016–17

Notable former players Ricky Pellow – started his career with the club before playing at a higher level with Worcester Warriors and Bath, with whom he won the Heineken Cup in 1998. Also achieved multiple caps for Cornwall.

Notes

Helston RFC

Bron en licentie