Cornwall’s selectors have been forced to make a couple of changes to the Cornwall side that enjoyed a fine win against Hampshire last Saturday by 78-12.
Matt Shepherd has switched to full-back in place of the injured Will Trewin, who suffered concussion near the end of Saturday’s game.
Redruth’s Kyle Bradley comes in on the wing for his county debut, Kyle has impressed during his maiden season at the Reds.
On the bench Edd Pascoe is unavailable due to Naval duties, so former Cornwall captain Ben Hilton returns to the match day 22. The other change is Torin Clarke, the former Cornwall Under 20 captain who comes in on the bench in place of Brad Howe.
Kick-off at Hertford RFC is 3 pm with BBC Radio Cornwall providing live match commentary.
Cornwall team to play Hertfordshire at Hertford RFC Saturday 21st May 3 pm.
Following trials at Bristol on the 8 May, the SW selectors confirmed 5 Cornwall U20 players had been selected for the SW team.
Unfortunately, the RFU have decided there will be no England Counties U20 this season, and so these players were denied the opportunity to try and earn an England Cap!
This also meant that the SW trials were rearranged at the end of the season due to Cornwall and Berkshire reaching their respective cup finals. A big thank you to Trelawny’s Army who assisted the players attending the trials with fuel costs.
The 5 players selected were; –
Ethan Pearce-Cowley (Cinderford)
Declan Prowse (Camborne)
Pat Walton (Penryn)
Harry Larkins (Camborne)
Joss Pascoe (Truro)
Many congratulations to all 5 on their achievement.
Cornwall Women made it two wins on the bounce with a gutsy display at Grasshoppers RFC against their hosts Middlesex Women.
A very even first half saw both sides have scoring chances but the defences held firm. It was Cornwall Women who got the important first score some 17 minutes into the half when following a penalty that missed touch wing Emma Stefanotti hacked the ball into clear space, with the Middlesex defence wrong-footed, she kicked on again before gathering to score at the posts.
Cornwall were unable to convert so it remained 5-0 to Cornwall until half-time.
In the second half Cornwall were under almost constant pressure but their defence was unrelenting with a huge tackle count. Eventually Middlesex got over the line to level the scores thanks to prop Louise Simons.
Cornwall remained unfazed to put in a strong finish which saw full back Amy Bunt pick up a loose ball to run in the winning score from her own half, tackled short of the line she managed to place the ball on the line for the winning try.
Cornwall now face Somerset Women at Hayle RFC next Sunday 2 pm kick-off with a place in the Gill Burns Division 3 final at stake.
By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground. Photos Simon Bryant Iktisphoto
Cornwall served up a veritable feast of attacking rugby at Redruth as they opened the defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup with an emphatic win against a valiant Hampshire.
St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd was the star of the show helping himself to four tries, whilst fly-half Fraser Honey missed just one kick at goal all afternoon.
In front of a large crowd Cornwall got off to a fast start. Honey kicked a routine penalty before adding the extras to a Alex Ducker try following a jinking run from the winger.
Hampshire replied with a try from their prop Dan Sargent following some good pressure with fly-half Tom Fieldsend adding the extras.
However, from the re-start Cornwall were back on the scoreboard as they secured the re-start to launch a blistering attack that saw centre Jack Simmons gallop through.
Off the back of scrum Jack Oulton found Shepherd to put him in, the winger stretching to dot down on the line.
There were some big drives from the forwards with prop Tommy Phillips, and locks Tony Whittle and Toby Freeman prominent, a word too for the work of flanker Ben Fox in the loose.
From a catch-and-drive the forward powered towards the line with hooker Ben Priddey coming up with the ball, to leave Cornwall 31-7 up at half-time.
During the break Cornwall’s Under 20s paraded the Jason Leonard Cup around the pitch to huge cheers from the black and gold supporters.
After half-time it was more of the same. Oulton and Ducker launched a blistering attack that saw Shepherd in for his second.
Hampshire pulled a try back through wing Chris Buckett, but immediately Shepherd bagged his third try.
Ducker then completed his brace before Shepherd scored his fourth to put the Cornwall supporters in dreamland!
Mike Austin on as a replacement scrum-half got Cornwall’s next try with Redruth favourite hooker Richard Brown coming up with one of his trademark tries off a catch-and-drive.
Cornwall’s final try went to Freeman making his county debut, the former Cornish Pirate was delighted with his score.
Will Trewin had a solid game at full back on his county debut, he suffered a bad knock near the end but left the field walking.
Cornwall head coach Graham Dawe was satisfied with the result. He said. “The guys came together really well this week, they were determined to put on a show, first of all get the win and also score some points and as big a margin as possible.
“I thought we kept our shape well for the full eighty, we had defend at times and we put in some big tackles. The whole 22 got a good run out and we were able to see what they had to offer in a match situation.
“Next week at Hertfordshire will another step up, so we will prepare accordingly.”
Cornwall selectors have announced their side to play Hampshire in their first game in this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup.
Only two players who featured in the recent Crawshay’s match feature in the match day 22, Matt Shepherd and Tony Whittle.
Former Cornwall captain Kyle Marriott returns as captain having last played for Cornwall in the winning final of 2016 against Cheshire.
Ben Priddey gets the nod for the hooker spot, fresh from playing in the recent Army v Navy game at Twickenham
Toby Freeman a former Cornish Pirate and Harlequin comes into the side. The former Spanish Cup winner with Ordiza forms a powerful second row partnership with Whittle.
The Redruth half backs, Jack Oulton and Fraser Honey will once more play a pivotal role in Cornwall’s fortunes this season.
The boy from Bude, Duncan Tout teams up with Redruth’s Jack Simmons to form an exciting centre pairing.
A deserved senior debut for Will Trewin at full back, he has enjoyed a great season in the red shirt and fully deserves his Cornwall call up.
On the bench one of the stars from Cornwall Under 20’s Jason Leonard Cup win prop Declan Prowse, whilst former Falmouth player Mike Austin will be the scrum-half cover off the bench.
Cornwall team to play Hampshire at Redruth Saturday 14th May 3 pm.
Fresh from their success against Dorset & Wilts Women last Sunday by 30-15 at Polson Bridge, Cornwall Women travel to take on Middlesex Women at Grasshoppers RFC with a 1 pm kick-off.
In the pack both hooker Emily Carbis and flanker Rhian Roberts drop to the bench, with Holly Derrante and Briony Eddy come into the starting pack.
In the threequarters, Lydia Hawkins comes in for Mariella Blanchard. On the bench Emily Kneale comes into the matchday 22.
Middlesex like Cornwall won their opening game when they defeated Somerset last Sunday at Weston Hornets 35-17.
By Bill Hooper, at Polson Bridge. Photos Izzy Ninnis.
Cornwall Women got their campaign off to the best possible start with a bonus point win against Dorset & Wilts Women on a gloriously warm day at Launceston.
Prior to the kick-off there was a minute’s applause to remember Chloe Dawe who was part of the squad prior to the pandemic but who sadly passed away earlier during the season.
Cornwall kicked off playing towards the town end and immediately established good field position, Beth Hampton at No.8 putting in the first of some big drives. Cornwall worked the phases and it was flanker Rhian Roberts who dotted down behind the whitewash for an unconverted try.
Rhian Roberts scores the opening try
Cornwall continued to boss the early stages with Tia Larson in the centre putting in some huge tackles as well as looking dangerous on the attack.
It came as no surprise when Cornwall doubled their score with a superb try from full-back Amy Bunt who showed her pace to out-stretch the cover.
Dorset & Wilts rolled their sleeves up and got some territory in the Cornwall twenty-two, from a tap and go lock Kathy Hancock powered over in the clubhouse corner to cut the deficit.
The same player repeated the trick before half-time to see both sides level at the break 10-10.
Cornwall again began the half in dominant mood with prop Nicole Rowland showing her strength to get over from a pick and go.
Emma Stefanotti dots down her try
Cornwall then scored the try of the game, Bunt combined with wing Emma Stefanotti who set off on a mazy run of some 50 meters breaking tackles, keeping her balance to score a memorable try under the sticks, fly-half Faith Rowe adding the extras.
Cornwall weren’t finished, centre Lisa Allin skipped out of a tired tackle to score Cornwall fifth try to the delight of the crowd.
Marina Trevarton presents the match ball to Amy Warman
There were a few hold up for injuries as both sides tired, Rowe pushed Cornwall to the thirty point mark with a penalty from in front of the posts with just a couple of minutes to go.
However, the visitors had the final say when prop Lucy Brewer got over for their third try.
After the final whistle, Cornwall Captain Verity Holden spoke of her pride in the team and praised her side for their hard work both in preparing for the season and during the game. “I couldn’t have asked for more the girls played for the shirt today I am over the moon with our result today.
“The girls put their bodies on the line today, they defended like demons to keep out Dorset & Wilts.
“I think today was a big statement that Cornwall Women can play rugby and have the heart and the passion for it.”
Cornwall Women are on the road next Sunday against Middlesex at Grasshoppers RFC.
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