SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT

Our 23 are READY for battle!

Cornwall Women take on Devon this Sunday at Polson Bridge in a massive clash that’s about more than just points. It’s pride, progression, and the inaugural Women’s Tamar Cup on the line

With a place in the Gill Burns Cup semi-finals at stake, this one promises to be a cracker. You won’t want to miss it!

Sunday, June 1

Polson Bridge, Launceston

Kick-off: 2:00 PM

Be loud. Be proud. Be there.

GILL BURNS CUP

GLOUCESTERSHIRE WOMEN 0 – 37 CORNWALL WOMEN

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall Women bounced back from their defeat last Sunday against Hampshire to gain an emphatic win against Gloucestershire at Kingsholm stadium.

The win keeps Cornwall’s chances of making the semi-finals alive when they take on Devon Women at Polson Bridge in their final pool match, it also gives them a great memory playing at one of English rugby’s iconic stadiums.

Cornwall dominated throughout building their score. No.8 Michaella Roberts drove over for the first try with skipper Amy Bunt, centre Abby Smith, scrum-half Lisa Allin getting herself a brace and wing Tia Larson all touching down. Centre Georgia Hall kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Cornwall will now look to their final pool game against Devon on Sunday at Polson Bridge, 2 pm, to hopefully do enough to get a semi-final berth.

This match will also see the winners awarded the Women’s Tamar Cup.

Women’s head coach Jo Holden was delighted with her side’s performance but knows a stiffer test lies ahead. “I think we need to go into the game with confidence, the women have two matches under their belts now and have confidence in themselves. It should be a really good game, hopefully we can edge it next week.

“The call goes out to our wonderful supporters to come along to Polson Bridge next Sunday and get behind the team. It would be great to see all black and gold around the ground.”

Cornwall Women (Launceston, unless stated): Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Tia Larson (Bude), Abigail Smith, Georgia Hall (Penryn), Suz Franks, Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Lisa Allin (Bude); Libbie Cole, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold, Rhiannon Thomas, Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Izzy Burrows (Truro), Michaella Roberts (Ivybridge).

Replacements: Teigan Aitken (Penryn), Jessica Varker (Helston), Josie Ninnis, Vinnie James (Bude), Holly Williams, Amy Warman, Faith Rowe (Camborne), Lydia Hawkins (Falmouth).

BILL BEAUMONT CUP

CORNWALL 18 – 34 KENT

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground, Redruth

Kent deservedly booked their place in the Bill Beaumont Cup final with this thrilling win against a Cornwall side that can have no complaints.

Some will point to the disallowed Ben Plummer try on 64 minutes when Cornwall trailed by six points following a superb break by Duncan Tout. Sadly for the Cornish faithful in Hellfire corner the officials got it right as the St. Austell winger’s right foot touched the whitewash as he was about to score.

It came at a time when Cornwall were pressing hard to get on level terms and proved a pivotal moment in the game.

Cornwall played up the slope first half looking to restrict Kent, an early penalty to Cornwall was kicked to the corner. Tom Cowan-Dickie made ground from the lineout but Cornwall infringed.

Kent got the opening score on 10 minutes, a clearance kick was charged down by the visitors on the Cornwall twenty-two, ball bounced wickedly on the hard surface eluding Tout but not Kent’s No.8 Ben Charnock, he grabbed the ball and romped in under the sticks. Fly-half Sam Evans added the extras.

Cornwall needed a reply and it came from a lineout up in the scoreboard corner when Cowan-Dickie powered over for an unconverted try.

Kent upped their game with their back row looking sharp whilst the backs gave notice of their powerful running.

The visitors had a lineout down in Hellfire corner, they set up the drive that saw Cornwall take the drive to ground, Jon Drew sent to the bin and Kent awarded a penalty try.

Worst was to come, from a scrum on the Cornwall twenty-two, Charnock broke away shrugging off a poor Cornish tackle to stride under the posts, Evans’ conversion and Cornwall already faced a mountain to climb.

Good play from Alex Ducker and Matt Shepherd took play up towards the Kent line, from an ensuing lineout Cowan-Dickie was again on hand to get over and dot down.

A penalty from Evans put Kent two scores ahead early in the second half, Shepherd cut that back with his one successful kick of the game.

With the game in the final quarter both Ducker and Harry Larkins combined to put the young Camborne wing in at the Piggy Lane corner.

Plummer’s chance came and went, Larkins was again called into action to stop Kent’s hooker from scoring, it proved a brief respite as Kent’s excellent scrum-half Mikel Davies scored their fourth try converted by Evans to start the celebrations.

Cornwall’s head coach Graham Dawe was understandably disappointed with the result. He said. “I felt we did well in the set-piece but at times we tended to over play it a bit, we were second best in the tackle area we need to see what went on there.

“Losing a couple of players to yellow cards didn’t help neither the foot in touch which would have made it a one score game at a critical moment.”

Cornwall will now need to refocus ahead of their final game away to Hampshire next Saturday at Havant and look to finish with a win.

Cornwall (Camborne unless stated): Matt Shepherd (St. Austell, Capt), Harry Larkins, Duncan Tout (Tonbridge J), Sam James (Redruth), Alex Ducker, Dan Rutter (Redruth), CJ Boyce; Kye Beasley, Tom Cowan-Dickie (Redruth), Jon Drew, Jamie Prisk, Edd Pascoe (both Redruth), Adam Hughes, Jordan Nicholls, Hugo Culverhouse (Tonbridge J).

Replacements: Ben Priddey, Luke Barnes (Redruth), Sam Rodman, Pat Walton (Barnes), Ben Hancock (Bude), Chris Rovery (Redruth), Ben Plummer, Archie Bees (both St. Austell).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Cowan-Dickie 20, 37, Larkins 61, Pen, Shepherd

Attendance: 2,075

GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2

HAMPSHIRE WOMEN 41 – 19 CORNWALL WOMEN

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall Women will probably reflect on what might have been with four  tries held up over the Hampshire line, whilst the score-line points to a comfortable Hampshire win, it was anything but.

Cornwall were caught cold from the kick-off with Hampshire’s scrum-half Hannah Kemmish scoring after just 4 minutes. Moments later the homeside scored again when centre Rose Brown scored and converted her own try for a 12-0 lead.

Cornwall reacted with several pick & goes near the Hampshire line before prop Libbie Cole powered over with Georgia Hall adding the conversion.

Cornwall continued to enjoy good possession with Kim Upcott and Roberta Smith Scotland  prominent, but they were foiled by the Hampshire defence.

Hampshire bagged a third try before half-time scored by hooker Ciera Fory following good work from No.8 Natasha Bullock.

Cornwall were again caught cold at the start of the second half when wing Rhiannon Powell scored in the corner.

Cornwall needed a score and it came from a quick tap from scrum-half Amy Warman, the ball went wide to wing Tia Larson who scored.

Flanker Izzy Burrows put in some big drives as Cornwall looked for another score instead it was Hampshire’s Sam King who crossed the whitewash to stretch the lead.

In the final 10 minutes Keeta Rowlands scored a couple of tries either side of a score for Cornwall from skipper Amy Bunt bettered by Hall.

Next Saturday Cornwall travel to Kingsholm to play Gloucestershire Women who were well beaten by Devon 50-12 at Brixham on Saturday.

Cornwall Women (Launceston unless stated): Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Tia Larson (Bude), Abigail Smith, Georgia Hall (Penryn), Megan Tucker, Megan Okey (Ivybridge),Amy Warman; Libbie Cole, Teigan Aitken (Penryn), Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold, Rhiannon Thomas, Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Izzy Burrows (Truro), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Devonport Services).

Replacements: Jenna Arnold, Jessica Ann Varker (Helston), Josie Ninnis, Vinnie James (Bude), Nicole Rowland (Ivybridge), Faith Rowe (Camborne), Lisa Allin (Bude), Suz Franks

Cornwall scores: Tries, Cole 16, Larson 53, Bunt 77, Cons, Hall 17, 78

Cornwall Star Player: Izzy Burrows

EXETER CHIEFS XV 38 – 14 CORNWALL

By Bill Hooper

Despite this defeat Cornwall can take plenty of positives from the game ahead of the Bill Beaumont Cup games.

The young Exeter Chiefs side showed plenty of willingness to move the ball at speed and in fly-half Louie Sinclair the man-of-the-match.

Despite a bright start by Cornwall they soon found themselves 14 points down, first of all Chiefs countered from their own line with Campbell Ridl dotting down and then Olly Baston charged over, both scores bettered by Sinclair.

Cornwall needed a reply and it came through Aiden Brassington (pictured scoring) who fed off an inside pass from Josh Matavesi, Matt Shepherd adding the extras.

Whilst Cornwall bossed the scrums they lost their wrecking ball Matavesi in mid-field after 15 minutes.

The black and gold levelled matters when Jamie Prisk burrowed over for a try bettered by Shephard, but Chiefs had the last word of the half as Noah Fenton was put away by Sinclair for an unconverted try just as Cornwall were reduced to fourteen when Jordan Nicholls was sent to the sin-bin.

The second half saw both sides turn to the bench at regular intervals; understandably Cornwall found the pace of the game difficult in the warm conditions.

Sam James had a couple of good runs for Cornwall as they came close to adding to their tally, however it was Chiefs who added to the scoreboard as Cornwall again went down to fourteen men when Duncan Tout was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on as they scored three second half tries from Ollie Miall and in the final five minutes two scores with Sinclair finishing off from a Fenton pass.

A good workout for the Cornwall squad ahead of the game against Kent, having beaten Hampshire they will travel to Redruth looking to seal a place in the Twickenham final.

Cornwall: Matt Shephard (St. Austell, Capt), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge J), Jack Simmons (Redruth), Josh Matavesi (Camborne), Ben Plummer (St. Austell), Dan Rutter (Redruth), Josh Pengilly (Brunel Uni); Kye Beasley (Camborne), Tom Cowan-Dickee (Redruth), Tyler Gendall (Redruth), Jamie Prisk (Redruth), Dan Goldsmith (Launceston), Adam Hughes (Camborne), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Aiden Brassington (Camborne).

Replacements: Luke Barnes (Redruth), Luis Powell (Truro), Charlie Short (Launceston), Adam Powell (St. Austell), Ben Hancock (Bude), Jack Hazelton (Camborne), Harry Larkins (Camborne), Will Hennessy (Camborne), CJ Boyce (Camborne), Sam James (Redruth), Cam Fogden (Launceston).

Cornwall scores: Tries Brassington 11, Prisk 34, Cons, Shepherd 12, 35

Crowd: 2,725

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 33 – 33 SOMERSET U.20

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground, Redruth

A try by full-back Barney Lewis salvaged a draw for Cornwall Under 20’s against a very good Somerset side whom looked set for a rare win on Cornish soil.

Cornwall trailed their visitors for most of the game, at one point during the second half they found themselves seventeen points adrift as they struggled to get to grips.

That they “stuck at it” and pulled themselves back on the scoreboard has to be commended.

Cornwall kicked-off down the slope but it was Somerset who bagged the first points with a good try from wing Billy Coombes. Fly-half George Nuttycombe banged over a good conversion, the first of his seventeen point tally.

Cornwall struck back with a good try from flanker Will Symons, bettered by fly-half Jowan Kerry who had earlier missed a penalty chance.

Nuttycombe’s try and conversion nudged the visitors ahead before centre Alfie Hodge stretched their advantage further.

Cornwall needed a score before the break and it came through flanker Freddie Jordan by the posts with Kerry adding the extras.

The start of the second half saw Somerset increase their lead with tries from No.8 Aiden Cable and shortly after flanker Will Clapham.

Cornwall needed a quick response and it came thanks to a try scored by Ayden Earnshaw following a good backs move.

Cornwall started to empty the bench with Ola Phillips making some telling charges and putting his side on the front foot. Cornwall finally began to get some good ball which gave centre Billy Jordan the chance to score.

Trailing by just five points Cornwall threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Somerset and with the final play full back Barney Lewis jinked his way to the try line to tie the scores.

Cornwall had a chance to win it but the conversion sailed past the post with a draw being a fair result for both sides. 

Devon’s win against Gloucestershire sees them top the group and progress to the next round.

Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis (Newquay H), Ayden Earnshaw (Helston), Lowen Mears-Ollerenshaw (Newquay H), Billy Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay H), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Callum Phillips (Wadebridge C); Rosko Troughton (Helston), Jalal Bennett (Truro), Olly Derry (Wadebridge C), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Jack Jenkin (Helston, Capt), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge C), Will Luscombe (Redruth).

Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Ola Phillips (Truro), Ethan Redondo-Barter (St. Ives), Luke Young (Redruth), Ethan Williams (Falmouth), Harry Rigg (Helston), Ted Kullich (Camborne).

Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Symons 11, F Jordan 39, Earnshaw 57, B Jordan 68, Lewis 79, Cons, Kerry 12, 40, 58, 69.

Cornwall Star Man: Ola Phillips

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20 V SOMERSET U.20

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall go into their final pool match in this season’s Jason Leonard Cup looking to end their campaign on a high following their defeat at Topsham against Devon Under 20’s last time out.

The match will be played on Sunday at Redruth RFC with a 2 pm kick-off.

CRFU Chairman Steve Murley had this to say. “Much of this season’s squad are only just out from our Under 18’s from last season and in many cases will be available for another two seasons at this level.

“They will have learned much from this season’s campaign that they can carry forward into next season’s.

“I have no doubt they will wish to finish their campaign with a win against Somerset and with the help of a good crowd on Sunday I feel confident they can achieve this.”

Cornwall selectors have made a few changes from the side that Devon, with a first start at centre for Camborne’s Ted Kullich who returns from injury. Skipper Jack Jenkin moves from No.8 into the second row.

Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis (Newquay H), Ayden Earnshaw (Helston), Ted Kullick (Camborne), Billy Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay H), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Callum Phillips (Wadebridge C); Rosko Troughton (Helston), Jalal Bennett (Truro), Olly Derry (Wadebridge C), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Jack Jenkin (Helston), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge C), Will Luscombe (Redruth).

Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Ola Phillips (Truro), Ben Smith (Camborne), Luke Young (Redruth), Ethan Williams (Falmouth), Harry Rigg (Helston), Lowen Mears-Ollerenshaw (Newquay H).

JASON LEONARD CUP

DEVON U.20 46 – 21 CORNWALL U.20

By Bill Hooper, at the Bonfire Field, Topsham

Cornwall’s hopes of progressing from the pool stage were dealt a blow with this defeat at Topsham on Sunday against a well-drilled powerful Devon side who proved too clinical.

Coach Richie Kevern was understandably disappointed with the result. “We worked hard to get the score-line back to 20-14 at half-time and I thought we started the second period well but we were crucified when Devon scored four tries in the space of 12 minutes that put the game to bed.

“We will get back to the training paddock and look to put in a much better performance against Somerset in our final pool match on the 11^th May at Redruth.”

Cornwall fell behind in the first minute when they conceded a penalty that the Devon captain Matt Smale kicked.

Cornwall came back into it when centre Billy Jordan intercepted in his own half, he made it almost to the Devon line before being hauled down.

Cornwall recycled the ball went through several phases before skipper Jack Jenkin scored with fly-half Jowan Kerry adding the first of his three conversions.

Devon worked the spaces well allowing wing Kai Kidd to score, Smale again on the money with extras as he was shortly after with a penalty and conversion of Matt Whitlock’s try.

Full-back Barney Lewis pulled a try back for Cornwall to keep them in touch at the break.

Devon made a few changes at half-time and that seemed to give them a greater cutting edge.

Once they scored their bonus point try they turned the screw scoring two further tries to put the game out of reach.

Topsham wing Matt Hammond caught the eye with his strong running as did the Devon No.6 Finlay Crockett.

Cornwall had the final word when Lewis went over for his second try, however the Brunel Cup remains in Devon for another year.

Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis (Newquay H), Ayden Earnshaw, Ben Roskilly (both Helston), Billy Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay H), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Jarvis Lee (Truro); Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Olly Derry (Wadebridge C), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Olli Wells (Redruth), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge C), Jack Jenkin (Capt, Helston).

Replacements: Jalal Bennett (Truro), Rosko Troughton (Helston), Joe Court (Camborne), Will Luscombe, Luke Young (both Redruth), Callum Phillips (Wadebridge C), Harry Rigg (Helston), Lowen Mears-Ollerenshaw (Newquay H).

Cornwall scores: Tries: Jenkin 8, Lewis 35, 79, Cons, Kerry, 9,36,80.

Cornwall Star Player: Barney Lewis

Thirty players have been named in this season’s Gill Burns Cup squad by the coaching team headed by Jo Holden.

Unsurprisingly there are 11 players from Launceston Ladies who this season have won promotion to Championship 2 next season.

Cornwall Women have a challenging pool to navigate commencing with a trips to Hampshire and Gloucestershire before their home game at Polson Bridge against Devon, which will also see a Women’s Tamar Cup competed for for the first time.

“Congratulations to the players who have come through the trials, now we get down to preparing that first game against Hampshire at Havant.”

Jo Holden had this to say. “Once again it’s been a difficult selection process with many players trialling to get into the squad. This shows the progress the Women’s game is making throughout the length and breadth of Cornwall. This will only grow with the Women’s World Cup this summer.

FIXTURES

Sun 18 May, Hampshire Women v Cornwall Women @ Havant RFC, 2 pm

Sat 24 May, Gloucestershire Women v Cornwall Women @ Kingsholm, Gloucester RFC 2 pm

Sun 01 Jun, Cornwall Women v Devon Women @ Launceston RC 2pm