PERRANPORTH 0 – 22 CORNWALL CLUBS XV

Report by Team Manager Stuart Hood

An evenly contested first quarter led to high scoring Illogan wing Owen Symonds showing his pace and scoring out wide after 22 mins. Stevie Trenoweth (Illogan) missed the conversion and a well contested first half ended 0-5 to Cornwall Clubs.

Early in the second half captain and number 8 Ollie Brooks (Bodmin) barged over under the posts which Stevie Trenoweth duly converted. Cornwall Clubs gradually came together as the second half progressed and again moving the ball wide led to Illogan’s flying winger Owen Symonds scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to complete his hat trick.

Final score Perranporth 0 – 22 Cornwall Clubs.

22 Match day squad – eight different clubs represented 
Cornwall Clubs XV:15 Max Cowling – Bodmin  14 Ben Chenoweth – Roseland13 Billy O’Meara – Illogan12 Josh Taylor – Bodmin 11 Owen Simmons – Illogan 10 Steve Trenoweth – Illogan 9 Jack Moorhouse Hoyle – St Agnes 8 Olly Brooks – Bodmin 7 Lewis Eustice – Helston 6 Kyle Pointer – St Just 5 Callum Rowe – Bodmin 4 Ed Llewelyn- Roseland 3 Jacob Hapan – St Agnes 2 Jason House – St Just 1 Johnathan Budd – Illogan

Replacements Decarlo Trerise – Helston Phil Nicholas – St Just Adam Smith – Camborne Crusaders Matt Penrose – Camborne Crusaders Dan Jane – Lan/Fowey James Turpin – Lan/Fowey Lachlan Blacklaw- Bodmin.
Coaches – Adrian Trewhella, David Mankee, Chris Bray

Please find attached the team sheet for tomorrow nights game v Redruth XV.

For obvious reasons there are no Redruth players in our squad but a number of U20’s will be playing against us so we can see as many players as possible.

11 different clubs represented as well so good spread from the clubs who have supported the nominations process.

We have selected Ethan Pearce-Cowley as the captain for tomorrow night, he has already shown good leadership skills, commitment and has a wealth of experience in rugby.

Cornwall U20’s v Redruth XV

Wednesday 8 December Hayle RFC 1930 kick off

1. Ethan Pearce-Cowley  not attached (Captain)
2. Jake Seaton – Pirates Amateurs
3. Kieran Yelland – Truro
4. Pat Walton – Penryn
5. Eli Williams – Pirates Amateurs
6. Archie Pilcher – Pirates Amateurs
7. Freddie Trewin – Helston
8. Oliver Minnis – St Austell
9. Josh Anderson – Truro
10. Joe McCarthy – Camborne School of Mines
11. Lewis Bostock – Truro
12. Bailey Rogers – Veor-Holman
13. Joss Pascoe – Truro
14. Jack Davis – Camborne
15. Harry Larkins – Camborne

Replacements

Tyler Dower – Camborne

Matt Boothby – St Austell

Matt Trehair – St Austell

Lewis Woolaway – Saltash

Connor Triggs – Truro

Dillon Newton – Newquay Hornets

Joe Maunder – St Austell

Dominic Tresidder – Camborne

Jack Counter – Wadebridge Camels

Kai Sale – Penryn

Ethan Knight – Truro

Andrew Walsh – Saltash

Team Manager – Colin Hatch

Coaches – Rich Kevern, Tyler Gendall, Adam Kevern.

Medical – Dr John Garman, Graham Ashton

Kit – Paul Hurrell

Photographs -Simon Bryant

Match Filming David Burrows

Multi-media – Kevin Bishop

Report & Photos from Team Manager James Mills

This campaign has been a challenge from the off with the RFU withdrawing funding and Covid-19 ensuring that the normal timelines were very much condensed resulting in a impact to our normal preparation. That said we had more than 110 players trial for the U18s and as always our clubs, colleges and schools have been incredibly supportive of the Cornwall Representative U18 team and for that we are hugely grateful.

An early morning 0745 pick up by Williams Travel at Chiverton Cross made for a quiet bus as 26 bleary eyed 16-18 year olds made there way to Hartpury in Gloucestershire for a 1400 kick off against the boys from Buckinghamshire. On arrival at midday we were faced with a cold sand strong wind that we were to play into in the first half.

Unfortunately we lost a couple of players just before kick off due to illness which meant our team manager had to scurry back and forth to the selectors meeting room to update them of the changes.

First Half

Dean Wills the Redruth stand off got the match under way and the initial encounters were pretty even but played within the Bucks half. The first scrum of the game came off a Bucks knock on, on the Bucks 10m line and Cornwall were quick to assert their forward power to win a scrum penalty. The open play and break downs were quite messy in the early stages but Luca Roberts the Cornish lock was showing good industry at the breakdown to win turnover ball to provide a platform to build upon and ensure our boys had good territory.

The next scrum had our boys going forward at a rate of knots only to be judged to have pushed beyond 1.5m and Bucks were awarded a free kick which they moved the ball left and created a good line break and were accelerating to the Cornwall try line, however Harvey Penhallurick at full back came hurtling across with a huge cover tackle to take the Bucks winger into touch. This was the first of 3 excellent try saving tackles Penhallurick would go onto make in the match.  From the subsequent line out Jarred Williams the Cornish hooker executed a sweet lineout throw and the team worked their way back up the pitch with the help of winning an offside penalty and then another free kick for an early shove in the scrum from Bucks. It was from this free kick after 13mins of play that scrum half Ben Bebb supplied good ball to Dean Wills who made a great run, sucking in the defenders for an equally excellent off load to centre Tom Hollyman who with still work to do had too much power and pace to be taken down and from 15m out went over to register the first points of the match. 5-0

This score was the catalyst for a period of dominance for Cornwall with Bucks making a number of unforced errors such as not straight lineout throws, scrum penalties and knock on’s. It was through another unforced error that a loose Bucks pass was picked off by winger Harvey Orchard on the right wing to show the Bucks boys a clean pair of heels and finish smartly in the right hand corner to extend the score 10-0 to Cornwall.

Cornwall obviously high in confidence started to relax, possibly too much and were forcing the game, as a result the Buckinghamshire boys came back into the game and countered well and if it were not for the tenacious Harvey Penhallurick  putting in another fine cover tackle were sure to score.  Bucks continued to exert pressure,  helped by knock on’s from Cornwall and clever Scrum Half play picking off the base of the scrum and using the wind to kick deep into the corner resulting in our lads having to take the ball back over our own try line and dot down. This gave Bucks a 5m attacking scrum on the 28min mark and they managed to cross our line to register their first points. 10-5 We should have taken note at the Bucks scrum half threat at the scrum time at this point.

Following a Bucks ruck infringement we secured a lineout 10m into the Bucks half with Magnus Busby imperious in the air securing good ball we ship the ball to our left wing who shows incredible feet and strength to dart down the left wing beating 4 defenders to cross the line under huge pressure to dot the ball down with 1 finger for possibly the score of the match. 15-5 on 31mins.

Cornwall then steal lineout ball only to knock on and from the subsequent scrum the Bucks 9 breaks again and it takes the 3^rd try saving cover tackle from our fullback Harvey Penhallurick to thwart the lively opposition scrum half.

With the match official about to blow for half time, Cornwall infringe at the breakdown and Bucks kick well using the wind at their back and secure a 5m lineout from which they lineout maul and drive over for a fine forward score that we would be proud of, to close the half Cornwall 15 – Bucks 10.

Second Half

Cornwall unload their entire bench of 8 new players as we are obliged to do with the half a game rule.

Bucks from the kick win good territory resulting in an early scrum 10m off the Cornish try line and that Bucks 9 again picks off the base and runs blindside unopposed to level the scoreboard 15-15. Not the end of the first half we wanted or the start of the 2^nd half. It is not until 9 mins into the 2^nd half until our boys start to assert themselves and its our dominance up front that wins another scrum penalty and dissent from Bucks see’s them marched back a further 10m.

Cornwall then suffer the blow of losing fresh on, replacement right winger Ollie Crawford for a high tackle that at the time I thought was harsh but the photographic evidence suggests that his subsequent sin bin time on the bench was probably justified. The next period of play was scrappy from both teams with Cornwall getting pinged for an early lift in our line out and both teams not securing their own ball at the breakdown. The Cornish blindside flanker Harry Tomlin however was happy to profit from this, winning good turnover ball which as a good reward for his industrious work all game.

Jack Commons the Redruth centre was next to benefit from the Bucks handling errors and neatly collected a loose ball off his boot straps during a knock on advantage to run strongly and break the tackles and finish under the sticks to nudge us back in front 20-15 14mins into the second half.

Dean Wills was the next to get on the wrong side of the match official whilst defending 20m off the Cornish line he was judged to have taken the Bucks player beyond the horizontal and as such had to spend some time in the bin. From this penalty Bucks kick for an attacking lineout and score in the left corner to again level the game 20-20 at the 24min mark. This was to prove the Bucks final attack as our Cornish players dominated the last 10mins of play.

Harvey Penhalurick fittingly after his fine defensive display in the first half was to show his abilities in attack to score in quick succession on 31 and 32mnin to take the victory for Cornwall 30-20.

Ben Smith our replacement hooker unfortunately took a knock on his shoulder and back rower Dom Stanislavacius also injured his ankle in the last 10mins but we hope neither are serious injuries. Bucks suffered a shoulder dislocation and we wish the player well. We look forward to our next match against Dorset & Wilts at Hartpury on 9^th Jan 2022.

Team:

1. Blain Mock                          Falmouth RFC
2. Jared Williams                   Redruth RFC
3. Beau Danks                        Redruth RFC
4. Magnus Bushby                Truro School
5. Luca Roberts                      Redruth RFC
6. Harry Tomlin                      Launceston RFC (Pack Leader)
7. Ollie Newman                   Truro School
8. Dom Stanislavacius          Redruth RFC
9. Ben Bebb                            Truro School
10. Dean Wills                           Redruth RFC
11. Archie Dinnis                      Launceston RFC
12. Harry Walsh-Newton     Helston RFC (Captain)
13. Tom Hollyman                   Saltash RFC
14. Harvey Orchard                Wadebridge Camels RFC
15. Harvey Penhallurick        Truro School
16. Fin Holt                                 Redruth RFC
17. Angus Williams                  Helston RFC
18. Tyler Gunn                          Redruth RFC
19. Ben Smith                           Redruth RFC
20. Ollie Crawford                   Saltash RFC
21. Matt Pollard                       Perranporth RFC
22. Jack Commons                  Redruth RFC
23. Zach Smith                          Redruth RFC

Travelling Reserve

1. Ben Bryant                          Launceston RFC

Late Withdrawals

1. Ben Jones                           Perranporth RFC
2. Jarrod Hambly                   Redruth RFC

Report by Chris Lea, photos Simon Barbary

Three u16 squads selected from clubs and schools across the county took their chance to shine against their Devon counterparts on Sunday 5^th December at Redruth Rugby Club. 78 boys were able to show their developing skills led by coaches Rich Phillips, Phil Olds and Marlen Walker. For the record Cornwall won two of the games but overall, this was a great festival day for youth players.

Many players, who train at the central venue, stood out showing good individual handling and passing skills as well as taking the ball forward at speed. Defensive work also stood out, but it was the teamwork and combinations of players that was most impressive. Despite ‘losing’ a year of rugby this age group demonstrated that the game at youth level is looking good.

The gathered supporters, families and friends, made the occasion more memorable for the young players as they roared on the players to go forward and generously applauded good play by both Devon and Cornwall players.

CRFU Management Board members were in attendance at the day of rugby. Youth Chairman, Tony Knightsbridge, was visibly enthused by the occasion that showcased what is good about Youth Rugby in the County. RugbySafe representative for Cornwall, Bob Hubble, was able to witness that the level of care for the young players was excellent with qualified pitch side staff and high standards of safety in place. President John Sumnall was delighted with the way that Cornish boys were able to wear the black and gold and represent their County.

CRFU Chairman, Dave Saunter, was very grateful that Redruth RFC hosted the event. The Redruth RFC website have a photo gallery for viewing. It is impressive! Saunts also wishes to thank the CRRS refs who allowed the boys to play keenly contested games ensuring a good attitude from all involved.

The intention is to provide more events like this for U15 and U16 players and dates are being planned for the New Year fitting in with club and RFU calendars. Young players who have not yet signed up to the rugby development ‘satellites’ can still register using the CRFU website.

Chris Lea

Ben Plummer who plays his rugby at St Austell RFC was presented with his U20’s Cornwall cap at his home club on Saturday 9^th October.

Ben earned his Cornwall tie on his first appearance for the U20’s back in February 2019 against Devon and was a regular squad member until the last game before Covid 19 struck in the away victory against Gloucestershire in March 2020. Had it not been for the pandemic Ben would have potentially made several further appearances and had his cap presented at one of the games in front of his teammates!

The presentation took place on the pitch before their home match against Old Patesians It was pleasing to see not only the players who played with Ben on the last occasion for Cornwall in the photograph, but they, and many other ex U20’s in the St Austell side on the day which is a testimony to club’s youth policy and player development. The CRFU President John Sumnall congratulated Ben on his achievement and wished him well in his future rugby career.

Congratulations to Ben on this well-deserved presentation.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20 Team Manager

Steve Murley – DOR St. Austell RFC added. “We believe it is a valuable and important of our players on-going development to represent Cornwall whenever selected.

They enjoy being challenged and tested in competitive environments against the best in their age group,  both within the county and in national championships.  In addition it takes players away from their home clubs and out of their comfort zone where they have to learn to adapt to new coaching styles and playing strategies. That helps make them more adaptable and flexible in their thinking.

All of this helps to develop players who not only see the standards they have to achieve to  progress their rugby careers but also helps them to become problem solvers and to think on their feet when confronted by situations on the field.

We can see many positives in our players representing Cornwall and believe it complements the coaching they receive within our club. All at St Austell appreciate  the help and support that we get from the CRFU and the respective age group coaches and support staff “