Photo- last season’s Under 20 player of the year Tommy Phillips on the charge
Cornwall’s Under 20’s lost their opening pool fixture in this season’s County Championship, on Sunday against last season’s beaten finalist’s, Berkshire at Redingensians.
Cornwall found themselves twelve points down in the opening in ten minutes of the game as winger SJ Mahon and then hooker Allen Crawshaw scored tries to stun the Cornish lads. Rory Garrett landed the first conversion but failed with his second attempt.
The Cornish boys started to work their way back into the game but were unable to turn some good possession into points as the score-line remained at 12-0 at the interval.
With the advantage of the wind for the second period the visitors were still very much in the game but it was Berkshire who scored next when inside centre Jordan Souter went over for a fine solo try after a dazzling run from fifty metres out left the Cornish defence in disarray. Garrett converted to leave Cornwall with a nineteen point deficit to overcome in the last half-hour.
Photo – Camborne’s Ben Stean dots down Cornwall’s sole try with No.8 Adam Hughes & No.7 Locryn Williams in support
The introduction of Ryan Burley (Penryn) to the Cornish front row gave the black & gold scrum dominance and a series of penalties from the set piece set up the scoring opportunity for full back Ben Stean (Camborne), who had defended valiantly all afternoon, to touch down for James McFarlane (Redruth/Exeter University) to convert.
Photo- St. Austell’s Konnor Ewudzi on the chase
Locryn Williams, currently with Chinnor, was having a fine game for Cornwall in the back row along with Camborne’s Liam Moyle, and was one of the players to catch the eye of the England Counties Under 20 selectors present at the game. They will tour Russia this season.
Mahon almost made it four tries for Berkshire but after an impressive break he dropped the ball in the process of going over the line.
Cornwall continued to battle but were unable to add to their single score.
Next up is a difficult trip to Cinderford on Sunday 28th February to face Gloucestershire, who defeated Devon 30-15 at Keyham, nothing less than a win will do for Cornwall to have a chance of a place in this season’s last eight.
CORNWALL U20s: Ben Stean (Camborne), Lewis Thomas (St Ives), Jack Simmons (Camborne, Capt), Dan Rutter (Redruth), Konnor Ewudzi (St Austell), James McFarlane (Redruth/Exeter University), Brandon Andrews (Saltash); Tommy-Lee Southworth (Camborne), Adam Smith (Redruth), Tommy Phillips (Redruth), Luke Hattam (Redruth), Andy Inch (St Austell), Locryn Williams (Chinnor), Liam Moyle (Camborne), Adam Hughes (Penryn).
Replacements: Ryan Burley (Penryn), Harry Smith (Wadebridge Camels), Angus Brown (Camborne), Kieron Down (Saltash), Tom Sandercock (Launceston), Connor Swan (Cardiff Met), Connor Bick (Pirates Amateurs).
Travelling Reserves: Aaron Vincent (Lankelly-Fowey), Will Whitworth (Redruth), Dane Jane (St Austell).
Cornwall scores, Try, Stean, Con, McFarlane
