By Bill Hooper

As expected Cornwall Women have gone with a strong contingent from Launceston Ladies for their opening Gill Burns Division 2 game against Oxfordshire Women on Sunday May 7^th at Polson Bridge Launceston RC, kick-off 2 pm.

There are eight survivors from last season’s Gill Burns Division 3 final in Sunday’s match day squad, including Captain Amy Bunt.

Coach Jo Holden had this to say ahead of Sunday’s game. “After last year’s triumph, I am unbelievably proud to still be part of this amazing process. The buy in we have had from all the women this year has been incredible and they are constantly raising the bar. Our aim will always be to elevate women’s rugby and from the amount of women now involved across the county, I hope we are on the right track and can play this campaign with the same amount of passion we showed last year”.

Entry to the game at Polson Bridge on Sunday is £5 by programme, a first for a Cornwall Women’s match, a special souvenir in itself, with Under 16s free.

With Somerset Women having pulled out of this season’s competition, Sunday’s game is a straight knock-out for a semi-final tie, which will take place on Sunday 28th May.

Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Lydia Hawkins (Falmouth), Jo Roberts (Plymstock AO), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Amy Warman (Launceston); Mel Ruby (Launceston), Jenna Arnold (Launceston), Josie Ninnis (Penryn), Megan Arnold (Launceston), Sian Westgarth (Truro), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Rhiannon Thomas (Launceston), Katherine Wherry (Ivybridge).

Replacements: Kim Upcott (Launceston), Lara Wallace (Camborne), Caitlin Milliken  (Camborne), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO), Lisa Allin (Bude), Rebecca Bennett (Truro), Bryher Freight (Truro).

Travelling Reserves: Oz Brazier (Truro), Laura Outten (Camborne)

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2023 continues as we enter the knock-out stages of this seasons Jason Leonard Cup. Cornwall travel to North Dorset RFC this Sunday to take on Dorset and Wilts who were SW regional pool 1 winners.

CRFU President John Sumnall said “This is an opportunity for these guys to progress within this year’s competition. Last week the table showed us second after a fantastic victory over Somerset which meant that we were out of this season’s competition however, with several counties being deducted points included our neighbours Devon, it means Cornwall top Southwest pool 2”.

Cornwall narrowly lost their first game away to Devon 35 – 29 but came away with 2 losing bonus points. The second game Cornwall earned maximum points with a 38 – 28 victory over Gloucestershire whilst denying them a losing bonus point. Cornwall won handsomely in their last pool game 79 – 19 over Somerset.

Coach Rich Kevern said .“We asked for a massive performance against Somerset and the boys certainly put in a great shift and produced a superb win. We now must travel to Dorset and Wilts who topped Southwest pool 1 on Sunday and need another big performance. We are now into knock-out rugby, win and we progress or lose and end of season”.

The game will be played at North Dorset RFC with a 1400 kick off time.

Cornwall Captain Joss Pascoe said. “Every game we play now is crucial and we will not get another second chance. For several players including myself this is our last season with the U20 and so we must perform on the day. I know the boys are up for the challenge, but we also know some face a club v county dilemma. At the end of the day we will put out the best team available to us and give 110% whilst wearing the black and gold shirt”.

Cornwall make one change with Joss Pascoe moving to the bench and Jack Statton who had a powerful performance from the bench on the last outing earning the starting 13 shirt. Will Perkin takes over the captaincy role whilst Matt Pritchard at hooker takes up the vice captains’ role for this game. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Essex v Hampshire game and will be played on Sunday 21 May.

CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said. ” Logistically this causes all teams some headaches, with the senior men playing on the Saturday the senior women and the U20’s playing on the Sunday and of course this is the same day as the Papa John’s finals, which several Cornish could be involved in! A big thank you to all our supporters and sponsors, the players, coaches, and backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support all our teams”.

Cornwall U.20: H Penhallurick (Falmouth), L Bostock (Truro), J Statton (Launceston), J Stanlake (St. Austell), L Surridge (Camborne), N Dart (Camborne), J Walker (Falmouth); M Cardwell (Pirates Ams), M Pritchard (Falmouth), M Boothby, J Maunder (both St. Austell), W Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), W Eddy (Pirates Ams), B Jones (Perranporth), C Triggs (Truro).

Replacements: P Harris (St. Austell), A Harris (St. Just), R Lawrence, J Peck, B Rosevear, F Deavin (all Falmouth), J Pascoe (Truro).  

Nat Dart Cornwall Under 20’s Player

Nat Dart is the current U20’s flyhalf and has featured in 2 of the 3 pool games this season. He missed the game v Gloucestershire as he was selected to represent England deaf 7’s in the World cup in Argentina.

Nat was born deaf and has had to learn how to play and adapt with the condition. He wears hearing aids and lip reads to assist him in his game play, and a scrum cap to protect the hearing aids.Nat started his career in his home town of St Agnes with their Under 5’s. He then played at Falmouth colts, Truro College and is currently register with Camborne RFC.

Nat had a call to go for the trials and travelled to Moulton College in Northamptonshire along with several others hoping to make the final 12 players selected to travel to Argentina. His skills and personality shone through, and he was selected in the final 12 to represent England. He was also the youngest member of the squad so as is tradition he had the honour of carrying and guarding the team mascot throughout his time away!

Argentina was a great experience being played in its second city Córdoba, with a population of about 1.4 million and is the capital of Cordoba province. Nat said the weather was hot, the steaks fantastic and he managed to find some liquid refreshments to keep himself hydrated.

England came third in the competition losing in the semi-final to the eventual winners Wales. He did receive a trophy but more importantly an England shirt and Cap.This is his first season playing with the U20’s and several other players he has played with in different age groups, Joe Walker, Wes Eddy, and Jack Statton, and it is great to be able to play with them competitively in the Jason Leonard Cup this season.

It is an enjoyable learning environment and a great way to finish the season says Nat.Nat is studying Sports and Exercise Science at Cardiff Met University which is a 3-year course, and he hopes to put to good use in his future career. Nat would like to play rugby at the highest level his skills will allow and of course one day add a senior Cornwall tie to his collection.Nat would like to put a big thanks out to both St Agnes and Perranporth rugby clubs who raised money to fund his trip to represent the England deaf squad.In total he had to raise £1500 which is a considerable amount of money in these current times and from one of the poorest areas in the country.

The thanks must also go to all the people who assisted Nat during his career and encouraging him to go for it, that starts from at home to all the teams mentioned above.It just shows how from humble beginnings with a disability it is no bar to what you can achieve if you believe, make sacrifices, and are prepared to put in the work. Nat has certainly proved he has all those attributes and joins a long list of Cornwall players who have earned international honours.The whole Cornwall U20 squad and the wider rugby community salute Nat for his achievements.

Colin Hatch Cornwall U20 Team Manager

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 79 – 19 SOMERSET U.20

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground Camborne

Despite Cornwall running in an impressive 13 tries in this big win, Devon’s single point victory against Gloucestershire in Cheltenham confirmed them as pool winners and it they who now advance to a South-West play-off against Dorset & Wilts on May 7^th.

One interested spectator at the game was the recently appointed Cornwall Women’s captain Amy Bunt.

Knowing that their fate was not totally in their hands, Cornwall set about the job in-hand, to win and by as many points as they could score.

It did not take long for Cornwall to put the Camborne scorer to work. Good play from No.8 Connor Triggs put his wing Lewis Bostock clear, the Truro flyer finished in style, fly-half Nat Dart kicking the first of his six successful conversions.

Bostock then turned provider for Dart just 2 minutes later with some good play from forwards and backs in the build up.

Ollie Lamb made a good break for Somerset, but flanker Ben Jones did remarkably to cover for Cornwall.

Hooker Matt Pritchard and Bostock were involved in the build up to scrum-half Joe Walker’s try, before Pritchard secured the bonus point score with aplomb under the posts.

Cornwall’s free-flowing rugby saw further tries before half-time from skipper Joss Pascoe, from a quickly taken tap and impressive St. Ives lock Will Perkin.

Somerset finally troubled the scoreboard on half-time with a good try from their No.8 Kieran Leach bettered by Lamb to leave the score 38-7 to Cornwall at half-time.

Cornwall began the second period strongly with the impressive Jones scoring after several phases.

3 pm arrived with a cacophony of mobile phones sounding the national alert, to the great amusement of the crowd.

Triggs was the next to get his name on score-sheet following a powerful break from Perkin.

Zach Driscoll-Pike pulled a try back for the visitors with Lamb again on the money with the extras.

Both sides turned to their benches; some close quarter work near the Somerset line was finished off strongly by prop Rowan Lawrence.

Further Cornish tries came from Harvey Penhallurick, Peter Harris,Fin Deavin and finally Jack Statton, with Ben Rosevear adding a conversion.

After the game coach Richie Kevern was pleased with his side’s performance. He said. “It was a great way to finish, we went out to do a number today, we knew we had to run up a big score and hope Gloucestershire could do us a favour, we did our part but Devon scored a late try to win their game and it is they who go forward. I think we saw today the fruits of the hard work put in by the lads, some of their play was simply breath-taking. I am sure some will be looking to Divisional representation going forward.”

Cornwall U.20: H Penhallurick (Falmouth), L Bostock (Truro), J Pascoe (Truro, Capt), J Stanlake (St. Austell), L Surridge (Camborne), N Dart (Camborne), J Walker (Falmouth); M Cardwell (Pirates Ams), M Pritchard (Falmouth), M Boothby, J Maunder (both St. Austell), W Perkin (St. Ives), W Eddy (Pirates Ams), B Jones (Perranporth), C Triggs (Truro).

Replacements: P Harris (St. Austell), A Harris (St. Just), R Lawrence, J Peck, B Rosevear, F Deavin (all Falmouth), J Statton (Launceston).  

Cornwall scores: Tries, Bostock, Dart, Walker, Pritchard, Pascoe, Perkin, Jones, Triggs, Lawrence, Penhallurick, P. Harris, Deavin, Statton, Cons, Dart 6, Rosevear.

Amy Bunt has been named as this season’s captain of the Cornwall Women’s side ahead of their Gill Burns Division 2 campaign.

Amy, who currently plays for Ivybridge Women, came through the junior ranks at Liskeard-Looe, and played at full-back in last season’s Championship winning Gill Burns Division 3 side.

She scored two tries in the final against Notts Lincs & Derbyshire at the Richmond Athletic Ground amongst the five tries she touched down during the campaign.

Last season she was also named Trelawny’s Army Women’s Player of the Year following her stellar performances in the black and gold.

Amy was also Cornwall RFU Volunteer of the Year in 2019 for the hard work she put in helping girls rugby, which saw attend a black tie function at Twickenham.

Speaking of the appointment Cornwall Women’s Coach Jo Holden said. “Amy is a fantastic choice. She is “Kernow” through and through and one of our most exciting and passionate players.

“She always leads from the front and we are excited with how she will lead the team this year.”

 Amy had this to say about her appointment. “I am feeling very honoured to pull the Cornwall shirt on again this year! But then to top it all off being asked to Captain the squad this season is such an honour.

“I couldn’t be prouder to lead this incredible group of ladies out for the first time in our game against Oxfordshire Women on the 7^th May.

“Speaking on behalf of the whole team, we really look forward to seeing a big crowd at Polson Bridge to cheer us on and support our Kernow Ladies.”

Cornwall Women have two pool matches this season, should they top the group they will then play a semi-final on Sunday May 28^th.

Cornwall Women Fixtures;

Sunday 7^th May v Oxfordshire Women @ Launceston RC 2 pm

Sunday 21^st May v Somerset Women @ Taunton RFC 3 pm

CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 The Jason Leonard Cup. 

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship home campaign 2023 continues with their third fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team host Somerset U20’s in the final pool game of this year’s competition on Sunday 23rd April. The game will be played at Camborne RFC with a 1400 kick off time.

CRFU President John Sumnall said. “Irrespective of the result on Sunday, this will be the last home game that the U20’s plays this season, so it would be fantastic to get a great crowd there to support and cheer them on. We thank Camborne RFC for hosting us once again along with their volunteers who make playing the game possible. The thanks must also go to our fabulous sponsors, kit suppliers O’Neills, Kelsall Steele Investment Services LTD, Booths Print of Penryn, and of course Trelawny’s Army supporters club for the match ball sponsorship and their attendance at all the games”.

Cornwall narrowly lost their first game away to Devon 35 – 29 but came away with 2 losing bonus points. The second game Cornwall earned maximum points with a 38 – 28 victory over Gloucestershire whilst denying them a losing bonus point. Cornwall have been forced to make 2 changes in the back row due to injuries, and of course the County finals, colts finals and Papa John cup games all take place on the Saturday prior to our game.

The team sees skipper Joss Pascoe switch back from fly-half to outside centre, with Nat Dart returning at fly-half.

In the pack, there are enforced changes in the back row. Wes Eddy comes in for the injured Gideon Blacklock, whilst Ben Jones, who came off the bench against Gloucestershire, starts for the unavailable Freddy Trewin.

Coach Rich Kevern said. “We know Somerset have lost their first two games; we must not be complacent as they will be fighting all the way to avenge those defeats. We put in a far better performance against Gloucestershire but there are still many areas where we need to tighten up and improve are game management. It is and all to play for in this next round with Devon, Gloucestershire, and Cornwall all in contention to top the pool and earn a quarter-final place”.

Entry on the day will be £5 which includes a programme with U16 gaining free admission.

Cornwall Captain Joss Pascoe said. “After the Devon game we came away and did a lot of soul searching, licked our wounds and needed to put in a performance against Gloucestershire. I’m proud to say the boys did just that and stood up to a very physical team and came out on top. We now not only have to match but improve that performance to give us every chance of progressing in this year’s competition. I know how the guys have trained, and what they are capable of, and we need that performance on Sunday”.

This season’s competition has changed and only the pool winners go through to the quarter-finals. The winner of our group will travel to play Dorset and Wilts at a venue yet to be confirmed on Sunday May 7th.

The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said. “This will be the last home game for some of these guys in an U20 shirt and I know they will want to go out in style. 12 of last week’s 22 will not be eligible for next season’s competition however that means 10 guys will carry forward a massive amount of experience next season. A big thank you to the coaches, medics, and backroom staff for all the effort and time they put into developing these players for not only the County but their home clubs as well”.

Cornwall U20 v Somerset U20

Sunday 23^rd April @ Camborne RFC 1400 kick off.

Coaches – Rich Kevern, Tyler Gendall, Brad Howe

Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams

Medical cover – Neville Curnow + Graham Ashton

Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop

CORNWALL SQUAD FOR THE BILL BEAUMONT CUP

Cornwall Championship Squad 2023

Coaches and selectors have announced a thirty-five man squad for this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup campaign, which will kick-off on Saturday May 6^th against Somerset at Redruth RFC, kick-off 3 pm.

The squad is comprised of twenty forwards and fifteen backs. This season Redruth’s fly-half Fraser Honey has been appointed to captain the side.

It should be noted that Plymouth Albion did not release their players to play in this season’s competition.

As expected a number of Redruth players form the majority of the squad. However, both Camborne and St. Austell see a number of their players selected following promotion winning seasons. The squad also has a number of players who have in the past played for the Cornish Pirates and bring that level of experience to the table.

As always there are always one or two players who are surprise selections, with Bude’s lock Freddie Stevenson and Pirates Amateurs centre Josh Semmens, who had a fine game in the Tamar Cup against Devon. Back rowers Adam Blackmore (Wadebridge Camels) and Brandon Rowley (Launceston) also get deserved call ups.

There is also place for players from last season’s successful Under 20s with Declan Prowse (Camborne), Sam Walker (Exeter Uni), Charlie Levick (Penryn) & Joe Tanswell (Redruth) all included.

Chairman of Selectors Kevin Thomas was pleased with the balance of the squad. He said. “I’d like to thank my fellow selectors for the hard work they have done since the beginning of the season in looking at players all around Cornwall. The breadth of the squad shows that, no matter where you play, you are in with a chance if good enough.

“Our first training session is on the 26^th April at Redruth and we will look to select our match day 23 for the first game on May 6^th from that session. The players are excited to be a part of the squad and looking forward to putting on the black and gold shirt.”

“I am sure the Cornish fans will turn out a support the lads, that first game is so important as it will set the tone for the campaign, so please do come along on May 6^th and get behind the lads.”

FORWARDS (20)

Adam Blackmore (Wadebridge Camels),Ben Fox (Redruth), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple), Ben Priddey (Camborne), Brandon Rowley (Launceston), Craig Williams (Redruth), Declan Prowse (Camborne), Edd Pascoe (Redruth), Freddie Stevenson (Bude), Jack Hazelton (Camborne), Jess Tompsett (Redruth), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Luke Barnes (Redruth), Mackenzie Oliver (Redruth), Richard Brown (Redruth), Sam Stevens (Redruth), Toby Freeman (Tonbridge Juddians), Tom Duncan (Truro),Tommy Phillips (Redruth), Tommy Lee Southworth (Camborne).

BACKS (15)

Charlie Levick (Penryn), CJ Boyce (St. Austell), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), Fraser Honey (Redruth), Jack Kessell (Camborne),Jack Simmons (Redruth), Joe Tanswell (Redruth), Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams), Konnor Ewudzi (St. Austell), Lewis Thomas (Redruth), Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Mike Austin (Cinderford), Nicolas De Battista (Camborne), Sam Parsons (St. Austell), Sam Walker (Exeter Uni)

Cornwall’s matches all kick-off at 3 pm;

May 6^th v Somerset (Redruth)

May 13^th v Hampshire (Havant)

May 20^th v Kent (Camborne)

Home games Entry on gate £10. Under 16s free.

Committee member Bill Hooper made the presentation to Cornwall Under 20 Captain Joss Pascoe and Vice-Captain Freddie Trewin at Camborne RFC ahead of their game against Gloucestershire Under 20s on Sunday.

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 38 – 28 GLOUCESTERSHIRE U.20

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground Camborne

In front of a good size crowd Cornwall put in a much better display in defeating Gloucestershire to give them a chance of making the knockout stage of this year’s Jason Leonard Cup competition.

When the visitors lost their back row forward Ben Kindred to a yellow card on 31minutes Cornwall took advantage scoring three tries before half-time.

Gloucestershire kicked off with a stiff breeze at their backs, however they failed to make proper use of the elements, which also cost them dearly.

A couple of early penalties from their fly-half Will Hammonds gave the visitors a 6-0 lead. But when Kindred was sent to the sin-bin Cornwall turned on the pressure.

Truro No.8 Connor Triggs scored the opening try following some good play from the forwards, Falmouth full-back Harvey Penhallurick added the extras, the first of his five successful conversions, in a faultless kicking display.

Penhallurick then bamboozled the Gloucestershire defence with a dazzling run to score by the posts.

Moments later hooker Matt Pritchard seized on an interception to gallop in under the posts.

Penryn’s Freddie Trewin had another big game for Cornwall, always a handful at the breakdown and putting in some big tackles on the heavy Gloucestershire forwards.

Just before half-time Gloucestershire scored from a catch-and-drive with hooker Harry Legg credited with the score. Hammonds adding the conversion for a score of 21-13 to Cornwall at the break.

Almost immediately after half-time Cornwall secured the bonus point score following further good forward play with Pritchard showing good strength to bag his second try.

Kindred made up for his earlier misdemeanour when he scored for the visitors from a catch and drive.

It was Cornwall’s turn to find themselves down to fourteen men when the excellent Pritchard was shown a yellow card.

Wing Owen Notley went in at the corner to cut the deficit to just five points, but that was as close as Gloucestershire would get.

Fresh off the bench St. Austell’s Peter Harris scored Cornwall’s fifth try and when Penhallurick kicked a penalty late on, Cornwall led by 15 points.

Gloucestershire had the final say scoring a 4^th try at the death through skipper Lloyd Thomas to secure a try-scoring bonus point, which may prove useful in the final shake up.

Cornwall had the win they needed to have a chance of qualifying when they play Somerset in two weeks time, but they will also require Gloucestershire to beat Devon.

Coach Richie Kevern was pleased with his side’s performance. He said. “I thought that was a controlled performance from us, and we took our opportunities well. We kept our discipline during the first half but in the second we were guilty of giving away too many penalties. But all credit to the boys they deserved the win and know they have a chance in two weeks time to progress if results go our way.”

Cornwall U.20: H Penhallurick (Falmouth), L Bostock (Truro), J Statton (Launceston), J Stanlake (St. Austell), L Surridge (Camborne), J Pascoe (Truro,Capt), J Walker (Falmouth); M Cardwell (Pirates Ams), M Pritchard (Falmouth), M Boothby, J Maunder (both St. Austell), W Perkin (St. Ives), G Blacklock (Newquay Hornets), F Trewin (Penryn), C Triggs (Truro).

Replacements: P Harris (St. Austell), A Harris (St. Just), R Lawrence (Falmouth), B Jones (Perranporth), B Rosevear, F Deavin (both Falmouth), W Eddy (Pirates Ams).  

Cornwall scores: Tries, Triggs, Penhallurick, Pritchard  2, Harris, Cons, Penhallurick 5, Pen, Penhallurick