Cornwall’s Bill Beaumont Cup fixtures and Exeter Chiefs XV fixture confirmed.

CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2026 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2026 gets underway with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team hosts local rivals Devon for their first pool game of the competition on Sunday 22^nd February 2026. The game will be played at Redruth RFC with a 14:30 kick off time.

CRFU President Andy Reed said “It is great to get this year’s competition off with a tie against Devon. The winners will also be presented with the Brunel Cup, which is played for annually between theses 2 great rivals. We thank all our sponsors for their support and assistance with this group of players in this important game representing Cornwall. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played”.

Cornwall had named Jack Jenkin (Helston) as the captain for the season, alongside him a new player this season, Oscar Marr from Penzance and Newlyn, who was the vice-captain. However, an injury to Jack in the warmup game v Cornwall Clubs means Jack is no longer available. Oscar Will take over as captain and vice-captain will be Luke Young from Redruth.

Coach Rich Kevern said – “This will be a good test for this new set of young players. We start a fresh with a whole group of new players entering the competition for the first time. Playing Devon is never easy, playing Devon in the very first game of the season will be an even bigger challenge for these guys”.

Cornwall’s coaching set up this season, is well established Rich Kevern as the head coach, and ex U20 player and Brad Howe as the forward’s coach. Always keen to encourage young coaches into the game we see ex senior county player David Mankee assisting the backs again with Rich, and joining the team is Jack Hazelton another county player assisting Brad with the forwards. LJ Collick remains as the team manager.

Cornwall Captain Oscar Marr said, – “It was an honour to be asked to be vice-captain of the side for this season, however due to the unfortunate injury to Jack I will now be taking on the role of Captain for this game. I know the guys are up for a tough campaign as always and have trained well in preparation for this game. This is my first season with the 20’s and I know that it is a tough competition, and we will have to perform at our best in every game. We have had great numbers at training, and I know some guys will be disappointed not to be in the team, but this is a squad for the season so keep pushing us for those places, nobody’s shirt is fixed. For those who will run out with me on the 22nd, we have a big task ahead of us but I’m confident in our ability”.

Cornwall ‘s second pool game will be Somerset away on Sunday 19th April at Burnham on Sea RFC with a 1430 kick off time.

The CRFU Chair Steve Murley said, –”The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. Any player who is named in match day squad during the season at level 4 i.e. Camborne or Redruth first team, makes them ineligible for consideration for the competition. That means this season alone we have lost about 10 potential players. So, we start to build again with a mixture of players transitioning from the U18’s, new players identified and nominated from clubs around the county. There are a number of these players who will be around for the next 2 seasons, and we are always on the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join them over the coming seasons. For those joining the U20s, it is part of their rugby education adapting to different teammates, coaches and patterns of play. Our U20s have a great record of rising to these challenges and it is always a pleasure to see them progress and develop as a team”.

Entry on the day will be via the purchase of a match programme at a cost of £5, with Under 16’s having free entry. 

There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Under 20’s team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Tanya Thomas of the CRFU in the first instance.

Email – commercial-development@crfu.co.uk

Bill Hooper

Cornwall RFU Assistant Hon Sec

16/02/2026

Cornwall President’s XV, 27 – 19 Crawshay’s Welsh

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground

In an entertaining game the President’s XV got the better of their Welsh visitors on a heavy, sticky Camborne pitch.

Playing up the slope first half the President’s XV enjoyed early pressure, however as is often the case in games when players come together at short notice the error count was high.

Eventually the President’s XV got the first try scored by Redruth’s Finn Wolstencroft from a short-range drive.

A sweeping move from the President’s XV deserved a score with centres Cam Fogden, Jamie Stanlake and scrum-half Ben Rosevear all involved, only desperate Crawshay’s defence denying the try.

Crawshay’s came more into the game, a fine run down the grandstand touchline by Kristian Jones led up to their opening try scored by skipper Matt Jacobs. Joseph Scrivens adding the extras for the lead.

Crawshay’s continued to press President’s full-back Ben Wragg had to be alert to prevent a Crawshay’s try touching down in goal.

Just before half-time Crawshay’s got their second try through wing Ben Evans, Scrivens again on the money with the conversion. 14-5 to Crawshay’s at the break.

The President’s XV got off to a great start at the beginning of the second half. Fine play from Ben Plummer and Stanlake set up Rosevear for an unconverted try.

A yellow card for Crawshay’s put them under further pressure, Ben Hancock went close for the President’s XV before Hector Bright having just come on powered over for an unconverted try and regain the lead for the President’s XV.

Bright then managed to exploit some confusion in the Crawshay’s line to bag his second try of the game before the industrious Hancock completed the President’s haul of tries which Oscar Marr converted.

Crawshay’s had the final say when Evans went in at the corner late in the game. St. Austell’s centre Jamie Stanlake was named man-of-the-match.

Cornwall PresidentsXV: Ben Wragg, Ben Plummer, Cam Fogden, Jamie Stanlake, Ollie Bebbington, Oscar Marr, Ben Rosevear; Declan Prowse, Rory Mead, Olly Derry, Tom Daniel, Mark Vian (Capt), Charlie Tummon, Ben Hancock, Finn Wolstencroft.

Replacements (all used): Levent Bulut, Ethan Pearce-Cowley, Archie Rolls, Rupert Edwards, Hector Bright, Dan Tyrrell, Ed Cooke.

Crawshay’s Welsh: Lewis Bates, Ben Evans, Matthew Jacobs (Capt), Kristian Jones, Dan Dunmore, Joseph Scrivens, Jakob Williams; Lewis Pryce-Jones, Aneurin Jenkins, Josh Gay, Seth Butler, Jake Duffy, Will Gregory, Shaun Tennant, Evren Ozbilen.

Replacements (all used): Archie Ivens, Efan Passmore, Michael Van den Berg, Logan Woskett, Dylan Roberts, Reuben Lynch, Kallum Rosser, Jake Lloyd.

Referee: Will Williams (Cornwall RRS)

Former Launceston and Cornwall player Billy Searle, currently having a great season with Leicester Tigers starts, for England A against an Ireland XV in Limerick on Friday night. Also in the side is Harelquins Cadan Murley, who has family links to Penzance.

Congratulations guys.

The following is from CRFU Chair, Steve Murley.

It is with deep sadness that we record the passing of Richard Sharp OBE, the former England and British & Irish Lions fly-half whose fine sporting talent was matched by a quiet dignity and unwavering sportsmanship. He died on 3 November 2025 at the age of 87.

Born on 9 September 1938 in Bangalore, India, to a mining engineer father educated at the Camborne School of Mines and a mother born in Redruth, Cornwall, Richard’s early life was rooted in the South West. After the family moved to England, he was educated at Montpelier School and then at Blundell’s School in Devon, before reading at Balliol College Oxford, where he won three rugby Blues between 1958 and 1961.

From his Cornwall heritage he developed a lifelong loyalty to his home county’s sporting life, both in rugby and cricket.

Richard began his club career with Redruth RFC in Cornwall, representing the club and his county with commitment and flair. At county level he played 28 times for Cornwall between 1957 and 1966. He also played for Wasps and Bristol as well as the famed Barbarians RFC.

Internationally, he earned 14 caps for England between 1960 and 1967, and captained the side, most notably leading England to the 1963 Five Nations title. In 1962 he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa, playing in two Test matches.

His style on the field was celebrated for its elegance and precision — one contemporary described him as “probably the most elegant fly-half England ever had”.

Richard also made his mark in cricket representing Cornwall County Cricket Club in the Minor Counties Championship between 1957 and 1970, qualifying as an all-round sportsman of the Duchy.

Across his many roles—clubman, county stalwart, international captain—Richard Sharp was widely admired for the manner in which he carried himself. His conduct both on and off the field was marked by humility, fairness and respect for opponents. Many in Cornwall still recall not only his brilliance at fly‐half, but his generosity of spirit, his willingness to mentor younger players, and his steadfast loyalty to his roots. He was awarded an O.B.E. in 1986.

Though the records seldom quantify such attributes, those who encountered him remember him as a gentleman in every sense of the word.

Richard will be remembered not simply for the tries scored, the caps won or the tours undertaken—but for the person he was: quietly assured, respectfully modest, unwavering in his support for Cornwall and his sporting communities.

His passing will be mourned by his family, his many friends in Cornish and English sport, and all who valued not only his athletic talents but his character.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and to the communities—rugby, cricket, Cornwall—that he enriched so deeply.

Cornwall Presidents XV 50 v Royal Navy U23s 12

By Paul Hayes at Tregorrick Park

The Cornish rugby world came together to commemorate the memory of John Sumnall following the sad news of the passing of the former CRFU President. John was a true champion of the community game who embodied the traditional values of rugby. He would no doubt have approved of the minute silence in his honour before the kick-off impeccably observed by the players and a large crowd at Tregorrick. John was also an inherently modest and humble man who would have been embarrassed by the fuss being made and flushed at the many glowing tributes recollecting his immense contributions to the game. One thing is for sure; he would have been delighted at the match that followed – a fiercely competitive contest between two young sides determined to run the ball at every opportunity.

Despite being drawn from ten different Clubs the Cornwall squad quickly clicked into gear to put the Navy under pressure from the start. The high tempo was stretching the Navy to the edges, but it was the powerful forward surges that delivered the first points. Hooker Pete Harris finished a lineout maul that moved almost 20m at a rate of knots. Number Eight Finn Wolstencroft repeated the routine in the opposite corner, and the pack soon added another with flanker Hector Bright dotting down under a pile of bodies. Archie Bees added the conversion, and this was quickly followed by a penalty try to make it 24-0 after a ruthless opening quarter from Cornwall.

The Navy finally enjoyed some good possession on in dangerous areas but found the Cornish as adept in defence as they had been in attack. Another surge up field instigated by full back Archie Bees laid the foundations for a fifth Cornish try of the half with Finn Wolstencroft going over for his second of the evening. Pete Harris completed his brace and the final score of the half to make it 36-0 at the interval.

It was a rejuvenated Navy side that came out for the second period to show great heart and determination to stem the tide of Cornish scores. They dominated the third quarter to score two tries and one conversion to get themselves on the scoreboard.

Both benches were now being emptied which broke the flow of the game as the changes took time to settle. Cornwall were being forced to defend for prolonged periods but did enough to prevent the Navy from adding to their two tries. As the game entered the final ten minutes the Cornish team regained their earlier high tempo with the forwards providing quick ball for live wire scrum half Will Tanswell to spin out to an eager backline. With a penalty advantage being played, an astute cross field kick found winger Ollie Bebbington out wide who finished superbly in Apples Corner.

There was still time for Finn Wolstencroft to complete his hattrick from a catch and drive in the same area. Ben Rosevear converted both tries to make the final score 50-12 to complete a great win for Cornwall and a good workout for the Navy ahead of their Inter-Services tournament. Above all else the match and the occasion was a fantastic tribute to former CRFU President John Sumnall.

The Tribute Player of the Match was Finn Wolstencroft selected by Vice Admiral Andy Burns. The hat-trick hero was pushed hard for the accolade by strong running prop Olly Derry, scrum half Will Tanswell who kept the Cornish team ticking, and hooker Pete Harris who was a constant thorn in the Navy side.

Cornwall President’s XV: Archie Bees (St. Austell), Rhys Williams (Exeter Uni & Helston), Jamie Stanlake (St. Austell), Harris Eddy (Penzance & Newlyn), Ollie Bebbington (Launceston), Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn), Will Tanswell (Camborne); Declan Prowse (Penzance & Newlyn), Pete Harris (St. Austell), Olly Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Mark Vian (St. Austell, Capt), Hector Bright (St. Austell), Will Symons (Wadebridge Camels), Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth).

Replacements: Rob Walsh (Saltash), Cam Leigh (Redruth), Rohan Ewels (Redruth), Will Perkin (St. Ives), Charlie Tumon (Launceston), Ben Rosevear (Helston), Jack Sander (Wadebridge Camels), Ben Wragg (Penzance & Newlyn).

Scorers

5 mins Pete Harris (St Austell RFC)

14 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC)

18 mins Hector Bright (St Austell RFC), Con: Archie Bees (St Austell RFC)

20 mins Penalty Try

22 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC), Con: Archie Bees (St Austell RFC)

33 mins Pete Harris (St Austell RFC)

HT 36-0

41 mins Charlie Over (RN)

45 mins RN try, George Edson (RN) 36-12

69 mins Ollie Bebbington (Launceston RFC), Con Ben Rosevear (Helston RFC)

78 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC), Con Ben Rosevear (Helston RFC)

A Cornwall President’s XV will play the Royal Navy Under 23s under the lights at Tregorrick Park St. Austell on Wednesday 29th October, kick-off 7:30 pm.

Gate entry is £5, with under 16s free.

Trelawny’s Army AGM was held on Tuesday 16th September at the St. Austell Brewery Visitor Centre.

Following a welcome to One & All by our President Sean Jarvis the formal part of the evening took place.

TASC can report a successful year with our tradestand raising funds to be ploughed back into Cornish rugby.

Once again we donated a cheque for £600 to the CRFU for Colts Final Days rugby as well as a donation of rugby balls. This was accepted by Steve Murley, Chair of the CRFU.

Steve also gave a brief outline to members about the CRFU’s principle priorities for the season ahead.

Presentations were made to Shirley Floyd, how many cakes has she baked for TASC? Always the most sought after rafle prize!

The Player Awards were then made;

Bill Osborne Memorial Shield, Cornwall Senior Player of the Year to Tom Cowan Dickie of Redruth RFC

Tony Mead Memorial Shield, Cornwall Under 20 Player of the Year to Dan Bennett of St. Austell RFC

Jessie Humber Shield, Cornwall Women’s Player of the Year to Amy Bunt of Ivybridge RFC.

Congratulations to all our award winners who also received a case of Tribute Ales courtesey of St. Austell Brewery.

To end the meeting Trelawny was sung and pasties consumed.

Many thanks again to Sean Jarvis and St. Austell Brewery for hosting us and providing the refreshments, it is much appreciated.