Trelawny’s Army A.G.M. took place at the St. Austell Brewery Visitor Centre, we thank our President Sean Jarvis and the Brewery for their kind and much appreciated hospitality.

Once the formal business had been completed we were able to get to the presentations.

First and foremost, Ian Gordon announced that Hugh Penna had been made a Life Member.

Thanks were also expressed to both David & Viv Broadhurst who have stepped down from the committee after many years service encompassing various roles.

A cheque for £100 was presented to Bill Hooper from the CRFU in favour of Mike’s Trust.

A cheque for £500 was presented to Lee Maher from CRFU in respect of our continuing sponsorship of Colts rugby in Cornwall.

The Bill Osborne Memorial Shield went to MATT SHEPHERD. This was the third time Matt had been awarded the player of the year award, matching the achievement of Richard Carroll. Sadly Matt could not be with us as he is currently under the weather. We wish Matt all the best , you were missed. The award was presented by CRFU President Andy Reed to Mr Stanlake on Matt’s behalf.

The Jess Humber Shield went to AMY BUNT. It is the second consecutive year that Amy has picked up this award. We were delighted that both Jo and Verity Holden part of the Women’s coaching team could be with us.

The Tony Mead Memorial Shield for the Under 20 player went to JAMIE STANLAKE. Congratulations to Jamie on his award.

The evening concluded with the singing of Trelawny and a pasty supper.

Hon.Sec Ian Gordon presented Dave & Viv Broadhurst an engraved plaque to mark their retirement from the committee after many years service.

Both have served the Army well in various roles and we very much appreciate all they have done.

TASC Hon.Sec Ian Gordon presenting a couple of match balls to Camborne Hon.Sec Richard Simeons, in recognition of the club achieving promotion from Regional 1 South West last season. The presentation took place ahead of the Camborne v Redruth game in front of some 3,000 supporters.

Other presentations will take place around Cornwall during the season.

Photo kindly provided by Simon Bryant, Iktis photo.

Letters have been sent to all Cornwall clubs asking for nominations for the
CornwallU20 squad for the coming season.

Last season the team reached the quarter-finals of the Jason Leonard Cup and will
start training again in January 2024.

To qualify players must be under 20 on the 1 September 2023, are either born in
Cornwall, live in Cornwall, registered with a Cornish club, or represented Cornwall at
a previous age group. As this is classed as adult rugby, we will not allow players
under the age of 18 to train or play for us even if they have been assessed. The RFU
also introduced a rule last season that they must not be playing at Level 4 or above.
Potential players not only come from club nominations but also come from players
transitioning from the Cornwall U18 group, player nominations, and from observation
of the coaching and management team during games throughout the season.

Training is normally held at Truro College on a Sunday morning between 1000 –
1200 commencing in January 2024.

Last season some 14 clubs were represented, and several players went on to
represent Cornwall in the SW divisional team.

Any player interested in finding out more can either go via their club for nomination
or contact the team manager to discuss the options.

Team manager – Colin Hatch 07967725368 – hatch0348@btinternet.com
Assistant team manager – Terry Williams 07753715318 – terry3@sky.com

Saturday 5th August at Polson Bridge, should be a great day to honour a top man.

Following the SW trials that were held in Bristol a few weeks ago, the SW selectors
have selected a squad of 23 players who will face the other regions over the
weekend on 10/11 June.

The games will be played at Broadstreet RFC, Coventry where the SW team will
take on London and the Southeast, with the winners playing the winners of the North
v Midlands.

12 players from Cornwall were originally selected for the SW trials and 6 have made
it through to represent Cornwall in the SW squad, the biggest representation of any
of the SW counties.

The 6 players are –
Matt Boothby – St Austell
Matt Pritchard – Falmouth
Connor Triggs – Truro
Lewis Bostock – Truro
Jack Statton – Launceston
Harvey Penhallurick – Falmouth

Although the accommodation cost is met by the SW, the travel expenses are not,
and we thank Trelawny’s Army for their contribution to the cost from their bursary
grant.

Huge congratulations to the 6 selected in the SW squad and we wish you well and
know that you will do yourself and Cornwall proud.

Colin Hatch
Cornwall U20 Team Manager

Cornwall U20 player Nat Dart received a further national honours when he was recently selected to play for the England Deaf XV v Wales.

The game took place at Cambridge RFC with England emerging winners 41 – 7. To add to

the great win Nat scored an impressive 21 of the 41 points for England.

It is a fantastic achievement for Nat to represent England at this level, and proves once again if you are determined, put in the effort you can achieve your goals.

A huge congratulation to Nat on his selection from the whole Cornwall U20 squad and staff

as well as the from everyone involved with the CRFU.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20 Team Manager

GILL BURNS DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINAL

CORNWALL WOMEN 0 – 38 HAMPSHIRE WOMEN

By Bill Hooper, at Polson Bridge

Under a blistering hot sun and a hard pitch, it proved not to be this season for a brave Cornwall Women’s side who found Hampshire just a little too hot to handle.

The visitors, seasoned campaigners at this level will play Eastern Counties in next Sunday’s final for the Division 2 title at Ealing Trailfinders.

Cornwall, never gave up they fought valiantly and tackled fearlessly until the final whistle, bruised and battered they showed the scars of a good fight.

Cornwall began promisingly, a good early run from skipper Amy Bunt took the game to Hampshire, however it soon became evident that Hampshire was wise to her threat closing her down well.

Hampshire began to dominate the breakdown, and always seemed to have that extra player in support to take any offload. They began to string good phases of play with their back row of Emelia Green, Natasha Bullock and Chardonnay Wilson catching the eye with their forceful runs.

Cornwall did well to soak up the pressure, eventually the pressure told when prop Ash Robertson found space to charge over. Full-back Abi Pearson kicking the first of her four successful conversions.

Cornwall continued to defend well, frustrating the visitors at every turn, in the end numbers out wide saw Hampshire exploit the space allowing centre Jariya Sime to dot down a converted try.

Just before the break Hampshire lost a player to the sin-bin as Cornwall looked to cut the deficit, sadly unforced errors and the Hampshire defence denied the home side.

Cornwall needed to get the next score, but due to an unkind bounce, Katie Wadeson profited, whilst Cornwall got back to tackle the wing, good support play from Green saw her on-hand to score.

That was the try that sealed Cornwall’s fate. Further tries from hooker Thea Kilby, scrum-half Hannah Kemish and Wadeson put the polish on the Hampshire win.

Despite the score-line there were some very good performances from Cornish players. Mel Ruby put in some big charges, whilst in the back row Rhiannon Thomas again showed her class as did No.8 Kath Wherry.

Fly-half Georgia Hall, kicked well from hand and looked to get her line going, scrum-half Amy Warman battled away and took charge when skipper Bunt had to leave the field with an injury. Bunt strong and determined in the tackle showed what an all round player she is.

At the final whistle the crowd of some 600 showed their appreciation to the players and their never-say-die attitude.

After the match coach Jo Holden was philosophical in defeat. She said. “I am incredibly proud of the squad, we have been punching above our weight at this level, today we lacked the intensity and we will learn from this. We have now seen what level we must aspire to so we can be competitive at this level, this season was a massive learning curve for us and we will come back stronger next season.

“My one disappointment was our speed around the ruck area, we were well beaten there, but we will learn from that.

“The girls love playing for Cornwall and I think despite the score-line you saw that, near the end we were pushing for a score and showed great heart, but it just wasn’t to be.”   

Cornwall Captain Amy Bunt congratulated Hampshire on their win but was also incredibly proud of her team. “Fair-play to Hampshire, but we battled well against a team drawing their side from players who play at least a couple of divisions higher than the majority of our girls. Defeat is never nice, but we will take it on the chin and go again next season and look to improve to take our game to another level

Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Rebecca Bennett (Truro), Shannon Foster (Plymstock AO), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Amy Warman; Mel Ruby, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold (all Launceston), Sian Westgarth, Sam Whitfield (both Truro) Rhiannon Thomas (Launceston), Katherine Wherry (Ivybridge).

Replacements: Josie Ninnis (Penryn), Caitlin Milliken  (Camborne), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO), Oz Brazier (Truro), Caitlin Hancock (Launceston), Bryher Freight (Truro), Megan Tucker (Launceston).

Hampshire Women: Abi Pearson (Havant), Nina Hoadley (Ellingham & Ringwood), Jariya Sime (Havant), Samantha Wharton, Katie Wadeson (both Portsmouth), Sarah Butler (CC), Hannah Kemish (both Trojans); Keeta Rowlands (Portsmouth), Thea Kilby, Ashleigh Robertson (both Trojans), Tessa Down (Ellingham & Ringwood), Eloise Shrimpton, Natasha Bullock (CC) (both Havant), Emelia Green, Chardonnay Wilson (both Trojans).

Replacements: Ciera Forry (Portsmouth), Louise Weinfeld (Trojans), Natsha Davison (Portsmouth), Carol Tennant (Trojans), Emma Andrews (Southampton), Emmie-Lou Cooper (Portsmouth), Lauren Gillingham (Havant).

Hampshire scores: Tries, Robertson, Sime, Green, Kilby, Kemish, Wadeson, Cons, Pearson 4

(CC) = co captain

Referee: Lucy Smith (Somerset RRS)

Crowd: 600