We’re raising £10,000 to help underprivileged young people in the Falmouth and Penryn area to access life changing opportunities. Dave ‘Benji’ Thomas was a terrific influence on many people’s life and his lasting legacy will be to keep on helping others. Fifty brave souls will attempt the Benji Memorial Walk on 30th April 2022, a thirty five mile challenge from Lizard Point to Pendennis Point – not for the faint hearted!! Monies raised will go directly to helping disadvantaged young people in the Falmouth and Penryn area to access life changing opportunities. A cause very close to Benji’s heart and in the weeks before his sad passing a repeated determination that some action be taken. Benji’s expertise and ability to “drench” you with enthusiasm will have touched thousands and they in turn will have modelled to many others . The Benji Memorial Walk typifies such legacy and so it goes on….
Very sad news this morning, “Benji” Thomas who coached Cornwall to the 1991 ADT County Championship in 1991 passed away at his home in Penryn this morning following a short illness.
“Benji” often referred to Trelawny’s Army as Cornwall’s 16th man
We offer our sincerest condolences to Valerie and his daughter Helen at this sad time.
Cornwall took on Dorset & Wilts in their second pool game at Dorchester RFC looking to confirm a place in this season’s quarter-finals.
The Black and Golds made a couple of changes to the side that started against Devon with Harry Andrewartha (Redruth) coming in for the injured Charlie Levick at centre, whilst in the back row Jack King (Camborne) replaced Eli Williams.
Lewis Bostock scores Cornwall Under 20 opening try @Iktisphoto
On the bench Matt Pritchard (Falmouth), Dillon Newton (Wadebridge Camels) and Adam Hall (Redruth) all came in.
Any nerves that the Cornish lads may have had were quickly dispelled as they took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck from the off building a 45-0 lead by half-time.
Truro wing Lewis Bostock got the try feast going as he bagged the first of his brace, with fly-half Joe McCarthy, Camborne School of Mines kicking the first of his five conversions. McCarthy was on the money soon after with a successful penalty.
Declan Prowse scores @Iktisphoto
The forwards then got amongst the try-scoring with the Camborne pair Tyler Dower and Declan Prowse crossing whilst Pirates Amateurs No.8 Archie Pilcher scored his second try in two games.
The backs got back into the scoring with vice-captain Joss Pascoe scoring with his centre partner Redruth’s Harry Andrewartha also dotting down just before half-time.
Joss Pascoe celebrates his try @Iktisphoto
In the second half Cornwall looked to the bench to give all the lads a run. Skipper Ethan Pearce-Cowley completed the front-row try scoring, whilst McCarthy bagged a try to give him an eighteen point haul for the game. Hall added the extras as he did for the final try scored by Pritchard, in between Bostock got his second.
Dorset & Wilts did cross for a converted try near the end but it was no more than a consolation.
Coach Richie Kevern was delighted with the win. “We couldn’t of asked more from the lads today, they played their hearts out and got their reward of a home tie in the last eight. We will be back training next weekend preparing for that game.”
The win confirms Cornwall as group winners and they can now look forward to a home quarter-final against either Hertfordshire or Kent on Sunday March 20th
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2022 continues with their second and final pool game to be played on Sunday 6 February. Cornwall travel to Dorchester RFC where they will take on Dorset and Wilts with a 13:00 kick off.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “Following a fantastic fightback from these young guys v Devon two weeks ago they are now on the road to play Dorset + Wilts. In their first game they certainly displayed plenty of grit and passion to come back and record a bonus point win. A big thanks to everyone who came to Camborne to support the team last week, our sponsors, and to all involved in the planning to ensure the U20’s are as prepared as they can be for their next game.”
This is Cornwall’s second and last pool game in the competition, whilst Devon play Dorset and Wilts at home on Sunday February 28th.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “Cornwall guys will have learnt a lot from the game v Devon, it was tough, and hard fought throughout the game. The guys displayed true fighting spirit and will need to show that again on Sunday against an unknown Dorset and Wilts team who have won promotion into this division of the Jason Leonard Cup”
Cornwall owe a big debt to the people behind the scenes, the medical team, kit man Paul Hurrell, along with match video David Burrows, photographer Simon Bryant and multimedia Kevin Bishop along with the support of the CRFU management board.
Cornwall Captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley said, – “It was certainly a very big tester for us last weekend against Devon. With the score so close I must give credit to all the lads to eventually come out on top through all their tough work. This was the first opportunity we had to play a competitive game in this competition and the coaches had warned us of the pressure we would experience. The selection of this second team will again mean some guys will be disappointed not to be in the mix, but as already said, nobody’s shirt is fixed. For those who will run out with me on the 6th, we have a big task ahead of us, I’m confident in our ability but we need to perform from the off. There’s a good atmosphere off the back of our win over Devon and we’re up for this next match too”
Depending on this result, and the game on the 28th of February Devon v Dorset + Wilts will determine the quarter-finals placings.
The CRFU Hon Sec Terry Williams said, -” The last game saw 18 ties awarded to players who played their first senior game in the black and gold shirt. It is also difficult when a number of these players are involved with their own clubs on a Saturday and then turn out for training or games for us on a Sunday. We are fortunate that players have the will and desire to be involved and turn up and put themselves in the mix for selection.”
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 Colin Hatch in the first instance.
By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne
Three tries during the second half saw Cornwall Under 20’s overturn an 8-17 half-time deficit and become the inaugural holders of the Brunel Cup, a trophy that they and Devon Under 20’s will compete for on an annual basis.
Cornwall began the game well and were quickly into their stride with the forwards making some big carries, whilst outside the backs looked sharp, notably full-back Harry Larkins.
Sadly, Cornwall had to re-shuffle the backline when centre Charlie Levick went off with a muscle pull after just 6 minutes.
It got worse when Devon wing Cameron Grizzle-Johnson sliced through the Cornish defence before linking with his full-back Fred Smale who romped in for the opening try, converted by fly-half Bradley McKee.
Helston’s Freddie Trewin at flanker was a constant thorn in Devon’s side, a huge workrate.
Cornwall got on the scoreboard with a penalty struck by School of Mines fly-half Joe McCarthy, but Devon soon extended their lead when a bouncing ball bamboozled the Cornish defence allowing Devon centre Sam Plumer to snap up the ball and score his side’s second try, McKee was once more on the money with the extras.
Cornwall needed a swift response, it came as the forwards drove, notably locks Toby Osborne, Pat Walton and prop Declan Prowse before McCarthy put in a cross-field kick that Camborne wing Lachlan Surridge gleefully accepted to dive in at the corner for an unconverted try.
A Mckee penalty before half-time gave Devon their half-time advantage, but Cornwall would have the slope and the wind second half.
The forwards would prove key during the second half as Cornwall kept it tighter, a powerful maul just four minutes in saw Pirates Amateurs No.8 Alfie Pilcher stretch and score. Moments later another powerful maul saw Cornwall head for the Devon line this time hooker Camborne’s Tyler Dower dotted down and astonishingly Cornwall now led!
Cornwall pressed for the bonus point try deep in the Devon twenty-two, suddenly the ball was intercepted by the menacing Grizzle-Johnson, there was no stopping the flyer as he sped to the Cornish line, McKee’s conversion put Devon 6 points up, all to do again!
There was still time for a final twist, Cornwall roared back, McCarthy’s deft kick through bounced up kindly for the on-rushing replacement Camborne’s Jack Davis, who gathered to dot down.
McCarthy picked the right moment to land his first conversion of the match to regain the lead for Cornwall to huge roars from the crowd to huge cheers from the West Bank.
Devon threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Cornwall during the dying minutes, but Cornwall’s defence would not yield, Devon attempted a drop-goal that fell short, gathered by Larkins he set off on a memorable run up-field that ran down the clock and the relief of the referee’s final whistle.
In two week’s time Cornwall travel to Dorchester to take on Dorset & Wilts in their final group game.
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2022 gets underway with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team host neighbours Devon for their first pool game of the competition. The game will be played at Camborne RFC with a 1400 kick off time.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “It is great to get this year’s campaign off with a local tie against our neighbours Devon. 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 have named Ethan Pearce-Cowley (Cinderford) as the captain for the season, Ethan came through the ranks at St. Austell RFC and was capped by England Counties U.18’s alongside him is Truro RFC’s Joss Pascoe who is the vice-captain.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “This will be a good test for this new set of young players. Having missed all last season with covid this is virtually a start from scratch team and a big step up for them all. Although we have had only one warm up game, we are in a different ball game now that the Championship is underway. 2 years ago, we were beaten by Devon at Ivybridge, and we know the guys in green and white will be up for a tough game again this season.”
Cornwall has maintained the same coaching set again with Tyler Gendall, Brad Howe coaching the forwards and Adam Kevern and Richie Kevern coaching the backs.
Cornwall Captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley said, – “It is an honour to be asked to captain the side for this season. 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 and only 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.”
Cornwall ‘s second pool game will be away to Dorset & Wilts at Dorchester RFC on Sunday February 6. As Gloucestershire have not entered this year’s competition, we only have the 2 pool games and so results are important if we want to progress.
The CRFU Hon Sec Terry Williams said, -” The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. This year due to Covid we have lost 2 years’ worth of experience and knowledge. 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 guys 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.”
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 Colin Hatch in the first instance.
Cornwall U.18’s, 10pts v 50 pts Dorset & Wilts U.18’s
Report and pictures by James Mills Cornwall Under 18 Team Manager
Our 18’s went into this match off the back of a victory pre Christmas and were keen to build upon that momentum but Dorset & Wilts had other ideas and took the victory in a dominant display built upon both their strength in the scrum, fast hands, their off loading game in the wide channels and having the edge on us in terms of fitness. Our lads gave it their all but the opposition were too strong on the day and we were certainly not helped by 5 injuries during the game that deprived us of both of our Fly Halves Dean Wills and Captain Harry Walsh-Newton, our full back Harvey Penhallurick who was a stand out player in our first match, our centre Jack Commons and our openside flanker Ben Jones. Additionally we were on the wrong side of the penalty count which further starved us of territory and control.
That said our line out functioned well with lock Magnus Bushby securing good ball. Our Launceston boys winger Archie Dinnis and blindside flanker Harry Tomlin also had strong performances and both were rewarded with a score a piece. Their mums Mel and Jackie assured me their rugby talents originated from them! We hope that a number of our players have done well enough for further SW divisional consideration.
Despite the disappointing result from our perspective, credit has to go to the opposition Dorset & Wilts who took a deserved victory and we wish their players well with the SW selection.
First Half
Dorset & Wilts kicked off and opened the scoring after a good 50:22 kick from their own half to secure a line out in the Cornish 22. The line out was well executed from D&W and good running lines dissected the black and gold defence to score under the posts. 5-0 It only took another minute straight from the restart for the D&W backs to run it back going through the hands with good offloads within their midfield to create an overlap down their left to score in the corner. 10-0.
Archie Dinnis showing strong early form secured our first points 10-5. Cornwall took energy from this and spent a good period in the opposition 22 when we looked certain to score only to be thwarted by the match officials whistle who gave D&W a penalty and from 5m off their own line they ran it back down their left wing to score a fine try on 20mins. 5-15.
Our boys held their own right up until just before half time when we slipped off some tackles for D&W to break our lines to register a further 2 scores to close the half 5-25.
Second Half
Dorset & Wilts started the half as they finished the first half scoring 2 near identical scores down their right wing before Harry Tomlin scored from short range 10-35. Much of the second half was controlled by Dorset & Wilts who always appeared to have more players on the pitch possibly because they did at the start as we had only 14 on the pitch! Cornwall suffered a series of injuries which enabled to D&W to take the game away from us with a further 3 scores down their right wing creating overlaps and through an excellent off loading game for a deserved victory. 10-50
Over the course of the 2 matches our players gave it everything they had and I look forward to seeing how they all progress over the coming seasons and wish them all the very best. I look forward to seeing our 10 U17 players back in the black and gold at the end of the season.
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