Cornwall U20 – Good luck messages for the semi-final and final of the
Jason Leonard Cup 2022
Back in April and May 2022 Cornwall U20 were involved in the semi-final and final of the Jason Leonard Cup. The semi-final: was an arduous 750 round trip to Lancashire to be played in front of a partisan home crowd. The management team thought it would be a nice idea to compile a video of messages wishing the player’s good luck. Cornwall are fortunate to have British & Irish Lions, International, Premiership and Championship players who have played for Cornwall, and a number are ex U20 players. We set about contacting them and asking for a good luck message and we were overwhelmed with the results. The following clip was played at the team hotel prior to our departure for the game.
Cornwall won the semi-final and then faced a strong Kent side in the final. The final was to be played at Worcester Warriors home ground Sixways a few weeks after. So, a call went out again to put together a good luck messages for the final. The following clip was played at Clifton Rugby club before the final leg of our journey to Sixways.
Everybody involved with the Cornwall U20 would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to the making of the video messages, it certainly played a big part in our build up to those two massive games. The thanks must also go to Kevin Bishop (kevinbishop media) who compiled and edited the presentations for the squad, and the Oggymen who’s song “Cornwall My Home” was used to accompany the videos.
To celebrate both Platinum Jubilees of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Charles becoming the Duke of Cornwall, various events are being held throughout the country.
Ethan & Isobel at Boconnoc
One such event took place on the 18 July at Boconnoc House near Lostwithiel. The invitees were current leaders, up-and-coming leaders, those who have made a particular contribution to the vibrant life of Cornwall and those who have been put forward by their communities. Ethan was the captain of the successful Cornwall U20’s team that won the Jason Leonard Cup for the first time in May 2022 and was nominated to attend the event and was subsequently invited to attend.
Ethan said “It was an absolute honour to have been involved with the Cornwall U20’s this season, and to lead the team to win the Jason Leonard Cup was an amazing experience. To then receive this invitation to celebrate the Platinum Jubilees of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Cornwall at Boconnoc, as a
young leader in Cornwall, was incredible. I want to thank the CRFU, all the players, coaches, and back-room staff for their work over the season who all contributed to make the season happen, and ultimately led to me receiving this invitation to Boconnoc”
A recent presentation of a montage photograph of the final at Worcester Warriors and an opportunity for the sponsors to see and have photographs taken with both the Jason Leonard and the Brunel cups has taken place.
Kelsall Steele Investment Services Ltd have been long standing sponsors of both the senior men and the U20’s where their logo is proudly displayed on the front of the U20’s playing shirts. Lucien Trathen Chairman, and Chris Blackmore Director are seen receiving the framed photograph from Colin Hatch the CRFU Under 20 Team Manager.
Colin Hatch presents to Kessall Steele Investments Services Ltd
Another long-standing supporter of the U20 are Booths Print based in Penryn who publish the match day programmes. Colin Hatch Cornwall U20 Team Manager presented a montage photograph of the final, too owner Steve Booth Also in the picture are Sqeez and Peter who work at Booths Print.
Colin Hatch at Booth’s Print
The Under 20 section and the CRFU, greatly appreciate the support given by all of our sponsors, without such assistance the successful running of the season would be far more difficult.
Cornwall’s U20 coach Rich Kevern has just been awarded his RFU Advanced Coaching Award.
The award is the culmination of a 12-month assessable course in which candidates must meet a number of criteria. Apart from several trips to Bristol for regional workshops, it involved E learning, webinars, on site assessment of coaching techniques and compiling a portfolio for assessment by the RFU.
Rich joins a small group of coaches in Cornwall who hold this level of coaching which was formerly the RFU Level 3 coaching award. Rich was part of the coaching team who oversaw Cornwall U20’s winning the Jason Leonard Cup the County Championship for U20’s in May 2022 for the first time.
The CRFU supported Rich in applying and completing the award. Rich said; – “I am delighted to have gained this further coaching award and would like to thank the CRFU for their invaluable support in the process and in paying the cost of the course”
Cornwall U20 Team Manager Colin Hatch said; -” Rich has put in a huge amount of work to gain this award, in addition to his coaching roles with Cornwall U20’s and Redruth, he has work and family commitments. It is vitally important that the representative teams have high class coaches to help develop players that come through the system. We are fortunate to have Rich as one of the U20 coaches for a number of years. He rightly deserved the support of the CRFU through the process and he has repaid that support by gaining this high-level coaching award.
Rich has played representative rugby for Cornwall at U20 and Senior level and replaced Matt Shepperd on the coaching team during the 2018 / 2019 season.
Also gaining the Advanced Coaching Award was Tom Kessell, not only a player at the Cornish Pirates but also the backs and attacks coach at Camborne RFC.
The CRFU President John Sumnall said; – “It is tremendous to see that Rich has gained this award and it is well deserved for the time and commitment he has put into the U20’s over the past few years. This award of coaching is not given lightly by the RFU, but it is important that we help develop high level coaches in Cornwall to keep our game progressing in the years to come and the total funding, by the CRFU of £1100, for this level demonstrates our commitment. A big well done too Rich on achieving this award”
Cornwall retained the Bill Beaumont Cup to cap an unprecedented season that sees them hold three county cup titles from their representative sides. For the Black and Golds this was a 7th Championship title.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Bernie Shepherd, Matt Shepherd’s father who sadly passed away shortly after the Hertfordshire game. There were thoughts also for former Cornwall player Neil Douch who passed away this week. Also it was a poignant moment to remember Dave “Benji” Thomas, on this of all days.
Roared on by Trelawny’s Army, Cornwall kicked off and within a minute had opened the scoring. The Black and Golds secured the ball with fly-half Fraser Honey firing out a long pass to Alex Ducker, the winger slipped the ball to his full-back Will Trewin, who still had work to do, but he scored in the corner, with Honey adding the touchline conversion.
Soon Cornwall cut loose again, centre Duncan Tout carved through the centre with his partner Jack Simmons in support, an inside ball to Jack Oulton saw the scrum-half in under the posts, no trouble for Honey with the extras and Cornwall were in dreamland.
Cheshire re-grouped and put Cornwall under long periods of pressure but once again the Cornish defence proved up to the mark.
The Cornwall back row of skipper Kyle Marriott, Sam Stevens and Ben Fox were getting through a lot of hard work at the breakdown, whilst at the coalface props Tommy Phillips, Jess Tompsett along with hooker Ben Priddey battled hard against the formidable Cheshire front three.
Honey missed with a penalty kick attempt but he was back on song to convert Cornwall’s third try, great work from the forwards saw hooker Ben Priddey in space, his pass to Oulton put him in at the corner scoring with aplomb.
Cheshire ended the half knocking on the Cornwall door, as the penalty count against the black and gold mounted with Trewin taking a yellow for the team.
The men from the North got their reward early in the second half when their captain No.8 Josiah Dickinson powered over for the first of his three tries, James Robbins added the conversion.
The same combination doubled the Cheshire tally soon after as they began to creep closer to Cornwall on the scoreboard, the black and Golds lost Simmons to the sin-bin, now was the time for the supporters to get behind the team. Nerves were soothed as Honey kicked a penalty to nudge Cornwall two scores ahead, but that was short-lived as Cheshire’s wing Tom Walsh exploited an overlap to score an unconverted try in the corner.
Cornwall’s bench was emptied as they looked for fresh legs to see them home
Good work from replacement scrum-half Mikey Austin and wing Alex Ducker brought another penalty for Cornwall in front of the posts, which Honey slotted.
It was all set for a dramatic finale, Dickinson got his third try from a catch and drive, crucially unconverted, before another Tout snipe set up a penalty for Honey that gave Cornwall a six point buffer.
With the game in the final minute and the Cornish crowd nervously awaiting the final whistle, skipper Kyle Marriott broke from a scrum on his twenty-two and found Austin, who went through the gears right up the middle of the pitch, eluding some desperate Cheshire tackles, his momentum took him to the line to confirm Cornwall’s win with Honey administering the coup de grace sending the Cornish supporters into full party mode.
After the game Cornwall assistant coach Marek Churcher was delighted with his side’s performance. “We weren’t complacent after our fast start, we knew this Cheshire side would come back strongly and ask us questions, but I was pleased with the way we managed the game and took our opportunities to keep our noses ahead. “
Cornwall Women made it an historic day for Cornish rugby with this deserved win in the inaugural Gill Burns Division 3 final. There was a brace of tries each for Amy Bunt, Tia Larson and Emma Stefanotti
It’s a win that will hopefully have a positive effect on Women’s rugby in the Duchy as young girls will see that they too can wear the black and gold and emulate the women who have astonished even their most ardent supporters this season.
It was the three counties that got the opening score when their full-back Cassie Milestone crossed in the corner, with fly-half Hannah Vandersluis landing a very good touchline conversion.
However, Cornwall soon got their opening try when centre Larson made a superb break to dance her way to the corner for an unconverted try.
The back row of Beth Hampton, Rhian Roberts and skipper Verity Holden were carrying well and working hard at the breakdown, whilst both props Mel Ruby and Kim Upcott put in a lot of work.
Further good play from the forwards and backs saw centre Lisa Allin put full back Amy Bunt in for a try and a 10-7 lead. Bunt’s strength when she stepped inside her opponent to dot down was sheer class.
With half-time approaching scrum-half Amy Warman fired out a pass to Bunt who saw space behind, using her speed to outwit the defence she strolled in from 55 meters to plant he ball under the sticks, with a cheeky smile at the camera from some 35 meters out!! Holly Williams conversion putting Cornwall in a strong position at the break 17-7.
Cornwall began the second half with a bang, wing Emma Stefanotti went off on a speculative run, saw the gap to sidestep the cover and streak straight to the try-line under the posts, Hawkins duly obliged with the extras.
NLD pulled back three points with a penalty from in front of the posts by Vandersluis, before Larson again showed her silky skills with solo run that sliced through the opposition from half-way to dot down under the bar, Faith Rowe on as a replacement bettered the try.
Stefanotti then completed her brace of scores taking a good pass from Holden. NLD completed the scoring with a short-range effort from the forwards that Vandersluis converted.
Cornwall earned a final penalty and were able to boot the ball off the park to start the celebrations.
Cornwall’s selectors have chosen their side to face Cheshire in the County Championship Final at Twickenham on Saturday 3 pm.
Will Trewin (Redruth) returns at full-back, whilst St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd reverts to the wing in place of Kyle Bradley, who is on the bench following the late withdrawal of Connor Gilbert due to injury.
On the bench Redruth’s Edd Pascoe returns following Naval duties prohibited his playing against Hertfordshire in place of Torin Clarke.
The Cornwall team will travel up on Friday and will be arriving at Twickenham Stadium at 1:30 pm, ahead of the team photograph outside the Spirit of Rugby at 1:55 pm. Cornwall supporters are asked to congregate on the West concourse to cheer the lads off the coach.
RFU will be streaming the match live, whilst BBC Radio Cornwall are providing live match commentary.
Cornwall team to play Cheshire at Twickenham Stadium Saturday 4th June 3 pm.
The Cornwall Women Selectors have named their side to face Notts, Lincs & Derby Women in the Gill Burns Division 3 final this Saturday 2:15 pm at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
At hooker, Nicole Rowland and Emily Carbis reverse their roles from the Somerset game. In the second row, Caitlin Milliken steps up from the bench to partner Alex Gallagher.
At half-back, Holly Williams starts along her Launceston clubmate Amy Warman. On the left wing Lydia Hawkins replaces Chloe Towers who is on the bench.
Both Claire Thompson and Oz Brazier come in to complete the bench.
Entry to Richmond is free on the day, whilst for those unable to travel the game will be shown via the RFU Streaming service. BBC Radio Cornwall will also be providing match commentary.
The Notts, Lincs & Derby Squad for the Final
1 Lauren Smith – Mellish
2 Natasha Champion – Boston
3 Holly Felton – Ashfield
4 Etilly Pigg – Nottingham Trent University
5 Emily Gallivan – West Bridgford
6 Seren Pepperall – Nottingham Trent University
7 Rebecca Humphreys – West Bridgford
8 Hannah Dennis – Stamford (C)
9 Abigail Lee – Lincoln
10 Hannah Vandersluis – West Bridgford
11 Jess Pearce – Stamford
12 Charlotte Lacy – Lichfield / University of Leeds
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