Cornwall U20 – 2022/2023 – Expressions of interest

Cornwall U20 build up to the new season has commenced. We are awaiting fixtures and dates from
the RFU but expect to commence training in early 2023.
In preparation the CRFU has written to all clubs asking for them to nominate potential players, in
addition we have players transitioning from the U18 group along with existing players from last
season.
Players must be over the age of 18 to train / play and must be under 20 years of age on the 1st of
September 2022. You must either live in Cornwall, be born in Cornwall, be registered with a Cornish
club, or have played for Cornwall in a previous age group.
We will train on Sunday mornings at Truro college on the Astro pitch between 10-12.
Any body interested in being considered for the squad or requires any further information should
initially contact the team Manager Colin Hatch on either 07967725368 or
hatch0348@btinternet.com.

Colin Hatch
Cornwall U20 Team Manager

An unprecedented season of success for Cornish Representative sides, which saw them bring back across the Tamar 3 National Cups, gave rise to an interesting poll for the various player of the year awards amongst the members of Trelawny’s Army.

The Presentations took place at St. Austell Brewery Visitor Centre at the conclusion of Trelawny’s Army A.G.M.

The Bill Osborne Memorial Shield, for the Cornwall Senior Player, went for the second time to St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd. Matt previously won the trophy in 2015 when playing for Launceston, the year Cornwall won their first Bill Beaumont Cup. He is only the second player to be awarded the trophy more than once, the other player being three-times winner Richard Carroll 2003,04 & 05.

The Jess Humber Shield, for the Cornwall Women’s Player went to full-back Amy Bunt of Ivybridge Ladies RFC. Amy scored in every game for Cornwall this season and proved a constant threat to the opposition with her strong runs from deep. Amy came through the ranks at Liskeard-Looe RFC and is destined for greater things in the Women’s game. 

The Tony Mead Memorial Shield for the Cornwall Under 20 player went to the skipper of the Jason Leonard Cup winning side, Ethan Pearce-Cowley, Ethan proved an inspirational leader of his side guiding them through a tough campaign that saw them defeat Kent at Worcester’s Sixways to become the first Cornish side to win at this level. Ethan came through the youth set-up at St. Austell RFC and is currently playing for National League1 side Plymouth Albion.    

In other presentations Colin Hatch received a case of Tribute from TASC President Sean Jarvis.

Hon. Treasurer Viv Broadhurst presented Lee Maher with a £500 cheque to assist Colts rugby this season.

Finally retiring Press & Media Officer Bill Hooper was made a presentation for his services.

PRESS RELEASE

TRELAWNY’S ARMY SUPPORTERS CLUB NAME THEIR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

An unprecedented season of success for Cornish Representative sides, which saw them bring back across the Tamar 3 National Cups, gave rise to an interesting poll for the various player of the year awards amongst the members of Trelawny’s Army.

The Bill Osborne Memorial Shield, for the Cornwall Senior Player, goes for the second time to St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd. Matt previously won the trophy in 2015 when playing for Launceston, the year Cornwall won their first Bill Beaumont Cup. He is only the second player to be awarded the trophy more than once, the other player being three-times winner Richard Carroll 2003,04 & 05.

The Jess Humber Shield, for the Cornwall Women’s Player went to full-back Amy Bunt of Ivybridge Ladies RFC. Amy scored in every game for Cornwall this season and proved a constant threat to the opposition with her strong runs from deep. Amy came through the ranks at Liskeard-Looe RFC and is destined for greater things in the Women’s game. 

The Tony Mead Memorial Shield for the Cornwall Under 20 player goes to the skipper of the Jason Leonard Cup winning side, Ethan Pearce-Cowley, Ethan proved an inspirational leader of his side guiding them through a tough campaign that saw them defeat Kent at Worcester’s Sixways to become the first Cornish side to win at this level. Ethan came through the youth set-up at St. Austell RFC and is currently playing for National League1 side Plymouth Albion.    

Our award winners will be presented with their shields at the TASC A.G.M. which will be held at St Austell Brewery’s Visitor Centre on Wednesday 21^st September at 7:45 pm.

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.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20 Team Manager

It is with a heavy heart that we have learned today of the passing of Thelma Sweet, who for many years was our Membership Officer.

Thelma, with her famous hat, was a fixture in the crowd, home and away when the Black & Gold played.

She loved all the players, but ‘Deano’ Dean Shipton was her hero.

RIP Thelma, your beloved Kernow is a poorer place without you.

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.

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”

Colin Hatch
Cornwall U20 Team Manager

Cornwall U20’s Sponsors presentation

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.

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.

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.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20 Team Manager

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”

BILL BEAUMONT CUP FINAL

CHESHIRE 24 – 37 CORNWALL

By Bill Hooper at Twickenham Stadium

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. “  

Cheshire (Caldy unless stated): Barlow, Walsh (Sale FC), Titherington, Robbins (Sale FC), Jones, Hinchcliffe, Murray; Rushton, Hearn, Salisbury (Anselmians), Gerrard, Priestly-Nagel (Sale FC), Crowe, Ridgeway, Dickinson (Capt).

Replacements: Aigbokhae, Higginson, Longmore, Taharoui (Sale FC), Tebbatt (Sale FC), Robinson, Moorhouse (Sale FC).

Cheshire scores: Tries Dickinson (3), Walsh, Cons, Robbins (2)

Cornwall (Redruth unless stated): Trewin, Shepherd (St. Austell), Simmons, Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), Ducker (Plymouth Albion), Honey, Oulton; Phillips, Priddey (Camborne), Tompsett, Freeman (Tonbridge Juddians), Whittle (Falmouth), Fox, Stevens, Marriott (St. Austell, Capt).

Replacements: Barnes, Brown, Williams, Hilton (Barnstaple), Pascoe, Austin (Cinderford), Bradley.

Cornwall scores: Tries, Trewin, Oulton 2, Austin, Cons, Honey 4, Pens, Honey 3

Referee: Jonathan Cook