IN January, Falmouth Sports Club’s squash team was celebrating after gaining promotion to the County Squash League’s first division.

The club’s chairman, Cliffy Banfield, said that the team, comprising mainly of juniors, was “very committed.”

In the last week of February, Cornwall’s Under 20s reached the quarter finals of the County Championship after gaining a well-deserved but hard-fought victory at Penryn’s Memorial Ground over fierce rivals Devon by 18pts to 15pts.

Serious runners lined up next to fun runners in March to take part in the third annual Run Falmouth half marathon.

Michael Brichmore, from Newquay Road Runners, was first over the finish line for the second year running. He finished in 1hr 15mins.

In April, Former world professional snooker champion, Dennis Taylor, passed on some expert tips when he took part in an evening of exhibition matches at Falmouth’s Atheneum Club.

Taylor won all of the 14 frames he played on the night.

In May, Falmouth Pilot Gig Club came out on top again at the annual World Gig Championships held on the Isles of Scilly.

The club’s men’s, ladies’ and ladies’ super veterans teams all won their classes overcoming tough opposition along the way.

In June, Cornwall left Twickenham empty-handed despite a valiant effort as they were defeated by Lancashire in the Bill Beaumont Cup Final for the second time in as many years.

Despite the 36pts to 26pts score, Cornwall’s squad had much to be proud of.

In July, celebrations were held at Budock Vean Golf Club as the course’s 50th anniversary was celebrated.

Returning to the club for the occasion were Paul Martin, Jamie O’Hara, Chris Wharton and Chris Ramsden, who all played there as juniors.

Pictured below are some of the former club captains.

Falmouth Packet: Vean 50th 2.jpg

Racing was hotly contested in the waters off Falmouth in August during the annual Falmouth Week Regatta.

Boats of various classes competed in races organised by the Helford River, Mylor, Restronguet, Flushing and St Mawes sailing clubs and by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.

In September, Greenbank Falmouth Rowing Club’s Bryony Lawrence (16) took another step on the road she hopes will see her follow in the footsteps of Olympic champion Helen Glover when she joined the GB “Start” Development Programme.

In the first week of October, Penryn’s Tribute Western Counties side confirmed that a deal had been struck to see lock Ben Trevaskis return to the club.

In the summer, Trevaskis had signed for the Cornish Pirates under their player development project.

In November, Falmouth and Penryn Boxing Club fighter Ben Ambrose maintained his fine form winning his sixth bout in a row.

In a close contest at Truro, Ambrose showed great spirit to beat Three Counties Champion Yasar Cubuk from Paignton.

In December two pilot gig rowing clubs, Falmouth and Nankersey, both launched new boats.

Nankersey’s latest gig was, after a vote by members, named Cygnet, pictured below, and Falmouth called its boat Governor.

It was named by Captain David Barnicoat.

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