On Sunday 28 May Cornwall the U20 Southwest trials took place in Bristol. During the pool stages of this season Jason Leonard Cup, SW selectors and coaches from participating teams selected a team of the day at each game and when all the names were collated the SW selectors invited several players from all counties to the trials.
Cornwall had 12 players selected but due to a holiday only 11 could attend the day and following this a SW 23 will be selected for games against other regions on the weekend 10th June in Coventry.
Pictured below are the 11 Cornish participants, from left to right, Matt Pritchard (Falmouth) Jamie Stanlake, Joe Maunder both (St Austell) Connor Triggs, Lewis Bostock both (Truro), Matt Boothby (St Austell) Harvey Penhallurick (Falmouth) Gideon Blacklock (Newquay Hornets), Will Perkin (St Ives) Wes Eddy (Pirates Ams) and finally Jack Statton (Launceston, missing from the photo was Lachlan Surridge (Camborne)
A massive thanks from all 12 players and the entire U20 section to Trelawny’s Army for the bursary grant to assist with their travelling expenses to Bristol. Not only do this band of supporters travel around the country to cheer on the young black and golds but this bursary from their funds is greatly appreciated by “one and all”.
Congratulations to all 12 players selected, another great honour to represent Cornwall at the SW trials.
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).
Nine players from the Launceston club are in the match day squad for Sunday’s Gill Burns Division 2 semi-final against Hampshire Women at Polson Bridge, kick-off 2 pm.
Last Saturday Cornwall Women had a warm up game against Ivybridge Ladies, which gave the coaches the chance to view their options.
Cornwall coach Jo Holden had this to say. “Last Saturday was really useful for us to review the squad. So many players put their hands up for selection which again gave us selectors a headache, but again shows the strength in depth we are now developing.
There are a few changes from the side that defeated Oxfordshire Women 57-0 earlier this month.
In the front row Kim Upcott steps up from the bench and starts at tight-head prop.
The other change in the pack is Sam Whitfield from Truro who comes into the back row in place of Penryn’s Rosie Ninnis.
The half backs remain the same with Amy Warman and Georgia Hall retaining their shirts.
Shannon Foster comes in for her Plymstock clubmate Jo Roberts, who is unavailable as are both Lisa Allin and Lydia Hawkins. Rebecca Bennett gets a start on the wing following a good game against Ivybridge Ladies last Saturday.
On the bench, Josie Ninnis drops out of the starting XV, whilst Oz Brazier, Caitlin Hancock and Meg Tucker all come in.
The Hampshire Women’s side has also been named and is shown below.
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), Meg Tucker (Launceston).
On World Bee Day, Kent drew the sting of the Cornish swarm to book their place in this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup final at Twickenham next Sunday.
Cornwall can have no complaints, Kent were the better side on the day and fully deserved their win.
It was of course bitter disappointment for the Cornwall players and the 2,000 plus crowd at Camborne, all bedecked in the black and gold, who never-the-less serenaded their heroes on the final whistle.
Kent kicked off playing towards the clubhouse end and immediately set about their business.
Centre Jake Hennessey went very close to a try early on with only good Cornish defence keeping the centre from scoring.
Cornwall didn’t heed the warning, Kent were awarded a penalty close to the Cornish line, quick thinking from Toby Wallace saw the wing take a quick tap and sliced through the cover to score. Fly-half Sam Evans added the first of his four conversions.
Cornwall skipper Fraser Honey reduced the deficit with a penalty, before Cornwall scored a slightly bizarre try. Good play from Duncan Tout set up Mike Austin, the scrum-half kicked ahead, the ball bounced in-goal over the defenders head, back towards the on-rushing scrum-half who claimed the try. Honey added the extras.
Matt Shepherd thought he had scored a try from a quick throw in but the referee ruled the ball had been touched!
Evans tied the scores with a penalty kick as the nip and tuck nature of the game became increasingly evident.
The same player was on the money moments later to nudge Kent back into the lead with a second penalty.
Cornwall responded well, good lineout ball from Edd Pascoe saw the ball moved wide, with Shepherd jinking his way to the line, Honey added a fine conversion.
With half-time approaching, Kent launched another good attack, Matt Harrison made the hard yards before flanker Rafael Dutta took the ball to dive in under the sticks to leave the visitors 20-17 up at the break.
Cornwall needed a fast start to the second period and it came from a lineout. Ben Hilton won the ball before Sam Stevens took play up to the twenty-two, quickly recycled the ball found it’s way to centre Nico De Battista, the Argentinean scoring on his Cornwall debut.
Cornwall were back ahead, they needed to build on the score to put them more than a score ahead, crucially two penalty attempts at goal went begging, the second crashing against the Camborne upright and bouncing back beyond the twenty-two.
Instead it was Kent who scored next, from good lineout ball Alfie Orris showed his pace to fly in.
Both sides looked to the bench, Jordan Nicholls put in a big run for Cornwall gaining good ground. The next score would prove crucial as the game moved towards the last ten minutes.
Kent got close to the Cornwall line earning a penalty, Cornwall were guilty of switching off as Hennessey took another quick tap and dive over, Kent now had the two score margin!
Cornwall gave it one last go, they score through the excellent Stevens with Honey drop-kicking the conversion but it was too little, too late.
After the match Cornwall Captain Fraser Honey was naturally disappointed with the final outcome. “We all feel very frustrated. There were moments in that game that we should of capitalised on but didn’t and then we paid the price for those missed chances.
“We fell two score behind but in the past we have clawed back and stayed in the fight, I take my responsibility for missing those two penalties. We gave it a final fling after Sam Stevens try but it wasn’t to be. Fair play to Kent, they were well organised and good luck to them in the final.”
Cornwall: Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Sam Parsons (St. Austell), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), Nicolas De Battista (Camborne), Konnor Ewudzi (St. Austell), Fraser Honey (Redruth, Capt), Mike Austin (Cinderford); Luke Barnes (Redruth), Ben Priddey (Camborne), Jess Tompsett (Redruth), Jack Heazelton (Camborne), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple), Edd Pascoe, Sam Stevens, Ben Fox (all Redruth).
Replacements: Tommy-Lee Southworth (Camborne), Richard Brown, Craig Williams (both Redruth) Freddie Stevenson (Bude), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams), Lewis Thomas (Redruth).
Kent: Bryan Hotson (Tonbridge Juddians), Toby Wallace (Tunbridge Wells), Jake Hennessey (Blackheath , Matt Harrison (Westcombe Park), Alfie Orris (Medway), Sam Evans (Worthing), George Daly (Blackheath) ; Luke Boon (Tonbridge Juddians), Ryan Jackson (Bishops Stortford), Reece Conlon (Tonbridge Juddians), Tom Stradwick (Blackheath), Dave Irvine (Canterbury), Rafael Dutta (Blackheath), Harvey Furneaux, Jamie Stephens (Capt) (both Canterbury). .
Replacements: Alex Witchell (Blackheath), Sam Carmen (Sidcup), Max Hayes (Tonbridge Juddians), Mo Pangarker (Medway), Tom Williams, Frank Reynolds, Lewis Hollidge (all Canterbury).
Cornwall’s selectors have named the side to face Kent in the group decider at Camborne on Saturday, kick-off 2 pm.
With Camborne’s Jack Kessell ruled out of the rest of the competition due to injury, the selectors have turned to former Cornish Pirate star Nicolas De Battista. The Argentinean makes his Cornwall debut at centre alongside Duncan Tout.
Sam Parsons reverts to the wing.
In the pack, Edd Pascoe returns having been part of the Royal Navy side that defeated The Army last Saturday at Twickenham.
Jordan Nicholls reverts to the bench as does Richard Brown with Ben Priddey starting at hooker. Craig Williams also returns to bench at the expense of Declan Prowse, Jack King also is omitted due to the return of Pascoe.
The Kent side has not yet been announced, however in their previous games they have drawn from principally from Blackheath, Canterbury, Westcombe Park and Tonbridge Juddians. With all to play for they will not travel to Camborne lacking ambition.
Cornwall: Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Sam Parsons (St. Austell), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), Nicolas De Battista (Camborne), Konnor Ewudzi (St. Austell), Fraser Honey (Redruth, Capt), Mike Austin (Cinderford); Luke Barnes (Redruth),Ben Priddey (Camborne), Jess Tompsett (Redruth), Jack Heazelton (Camborne), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple), Edd Pascoe, Sam Stevens, Ben Fox (all Redruth).
Replacements: Tommy-Lee Southworth (Camborne), Richard Brown, Craig Williams (both Redruth), Freddie Stevenson (Bude), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams), Lewis Thomas (Redruth).
Cornwall Women’s semi-final in the Gill Burns Division 2 against either Kent Women or Hampshire Women, will be played at Polson Bridge, Launceston on Sunday 28th May.
Following the completion of the SW pools 1 + 2 the SW selectors have invited several players from the 7 SW counties to attend the SW trials on Sunday 28 May.
At each game that is played in the 2 SW pools, a SW selector attends and at the end of the day agrees with both teams coaches a “team of the day”.
At the completion of the pool stages all the SW selectors meet and compile and invite players from those “teams of the day”.
This season Cornwall have had 12 players invited to attend the trials which will be held at Bristol Grammar school on Sunday 28 May. Following the days trials a final SW team will be selected and go on to represent the SW region in the regional play-offs to be held in Coventry.
The 12 players are; –
Matt Pritchard – Falmouth
Matt Boothby – St Austell
Joe Maunder – St Austell
Will Perkin – St Ives
Wes Eddy – Pirates Ams
Giddy Blacklock- Newquay Hornets
Connor Triggs – Truro
Lachlan Surridge – Camborne
Lewis Bostock – Truro
Jack Statton – Launceston
Jamie Stanlake – St Austell
Harvey Penhallurick – Falmouth
Congratulation to all 12 players on their well-deserved selection. A massive thank you to Trelawny’s Army who once again have offered a bursary to the 12 players to assist in their travelling cost to the venue in Bristol. All the players and those involved with the U20’s greatly appreciate the support that they give throughout the season and this bursary is another example of that support.
“Cometh the hour, cometh the man.” For Cornwall the hour was time added on as they trailed 20—17, the man was replacement prop Tommy-Lee Southworth, he emerged from the melee of players clutching the ball having been driven over by the never say die Cornish pack.
It was a try that sent Trelawny’s Army into a wild chorus of celebration, whilst at the same time breaking Hampshire’s hearts. Theirs was a brave performance and on another day they may well of pulled off the win.
Cornwall’s win sets up a decider against Kent next Saturday at Camborne RFC, kick-off 2 pm.
On a beautiful Hampshire day Cornwall kicked off roared on by the black and gold supporters.
The early exchanges set the scene; this was a much improved Hampshire side from last season at Redruth.
Cornwall earned a couple of penalties down in the scoreboard corner, at the second attempt Ben Fox secured the lineout ball allowing Cornwall to drive for the line, with hooker Richard Brown as ever reliable with the try. Skipper Fraser Honey kicked a very good conversion to make it 7-0 to Cornwall.
Scrum half Mike Austin put in some good box-kicks inviting Cornwall to chase, however Cornwall were as last week sometimes a little too eager to force the play.
A very good 50/22 gave Hampshire good field position on their first visit to the Cornwall twenty-two. From that Hampshire set up a good play which saw Harry Carr go in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Cornwall responded well with Duncan Tout putting in some strong runs in mid-field.
Having missed with a conversion, Hampshire’s Robbie Searle again failed with a penalty attempt from long range.
Cornwall lost wing Jack Kessell to a serious injury which will see him miss the rest of the campaign. Lewis Thomas coming on for his Championship debut.
Hampshire’s forwards were carrying well none more so than their skipper Liam Perkins.
Cornwall looked to have scored a second try as the pack went over the line but referee Howarth deemed a knock on.
Instead, a swift counter from Hampshire gave them the lead, Perkins the instigator before full back Max Fletcher showed great pace to run in from 60 meters and dot down in the corner another unconverted try.
Just before half-time Cornwall earned a penalty in front of the sticks, which Honey snuck over to tie the scores at 10- all.
Cornwall needed a good start to the second half and they certainly provided it. A searing break from Matt Shepherd saw the full-back make good ground, he put in a grubber kick for his St. Austell team mate Konnor Ewudzi who collected and dived in at the corner, a great score.
As Honey stepped up to take the conversion, the ball toppled off its tee, calmly, Honey picked up the ball and drop-kicked the conversion from out wide, it was a sweet strike under pressure.
Both sides emptied their benches as the game moved into the final quarter. Ben Priddey and Jack King carried well as Cornwall looked for another score.
Instead, Searle found his kicking boots, cutting the deficit with a penalty to set up a nervous finale. Hampshire thought they had scored but the referee gave a goal-line clearance to Cornwall.
Cornwall then found themselves down to 14 men as Declan Prowse was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
A Cornwall lineout was secured on their twenty-two, the ball went to ground, the referee deemed the ball was playable and Perkins picked up the ball as Cornwall hesitated and ran in to score in the corner, Tom Fieldsend then kicked a very good conversion from the touchline to put Hampshire back in the lead with time running out.
There was still time, but Cornwall had to secure the re-start. A good hanging ball allowed Freddie Stevenson to challenge and Cornwall had the ball. A cool head was now required, and credit to Cornwall, they patiently went through the phases, worked their way towards the line driving over with Southworth the scorer. Shepherd knocked over the conversion, Cornwall led 24-20.
There was time for a re-start, Cornwall got a penalty which Shepherd booted happily off the pitch.
Speaking after the game Cornwall Captain Fraser Honey was proud of the resilience shown by the side. He said. “The boys showed a lot of character at the end, having conceded that try we were determined to win that re-start and get that final try. We probably played our best rugby of the match in that period.
“Next Saturday will be a big game at Camborne and I hope that we will get a big crowd to cheer us on and hopefully book another visit to Twickenham.”
Hampshire: Max Fletcher (Sandown & Shanklin), Harry Carr (Havant), Alex Young (Camberley), Toogi Long (Trojans), Chris Buckett (Havant), Robbie Searle, Harry Dolbear (both Tottonians); Dan Sargent (Worthing), Sean Shepherd (Havant), Nick Barry (Camberley), Craig Durnin (Tottonians), Ross Parkins, Will Brock (both Havant), Jack Coles (Winchester), Liam Perkins (Worthing, Capt).
Replacements: Alex Hibdige (Andover), Joe Tarrant (Tottonians), Ben Featherstone (Trojans), Sam Voight ( Camberley), Dylan Read (Colchester), Wes Dugan (Havant), Tom Fieldsend (Winchester).
Cornwall: Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Jack Kessell (Camborne), Sam Parsons (St. Austell), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), Konnor Ewudzi (St. Austell), Fraser Honey (Redruth, Capt), Mike Austin (Cinderford); Luke Barnes, Richard Brown, Jess Tompsett (both Redruth), Jack Heazelton (Camborne), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Sam Stevens, Ben Fox (both Redruth).
Replacements: Tommy-Lee Southworth, Ben Priddey, Declan Prowse (all Camborne), Freddie Stevenson (Bude), Jack King, Lewis Thomas (both Redruth) Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams).
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