Re-visting the Recreation Ground 50 years after playing in one of the most famous games of rugby ever played on the famous old ground, some of the surviving members of the Cornwall side that played Lancashire in the 1969 County Championship Final, played on the 8th March.
23,000 spectators crammed into the Redruth Recreation Ground that afternoon in the hope that Cornwall could win the crown that had eluded them since 1908.
Sadly it was not to be as Lancashire staged a second half comeback to win the game 11-9.
Cornwall’s first half points were scored by Roger Harris and Raymond George, penalties and David Chapman with a drop-goal.
Sadly four of the side have passed away and they are sadly missed by all supporters of the game in Cornwall.
The players were the guests of the Cornwall RFU for the day.
Cornwall took a giant
step towards another Twickenham final with this exhilarating six try win against
last season’s beaten finalists.
Roared on by a passionate crowd and watched approvingly by the surviving members of the Cornwall side who played a county final on the same pitch in 1969, Cornwall showed all the pride and passion head coach Graham Dawe demands for the shirt he wore with great distinction.
Dawe said after the
final whistle. “I am pleased for the boys and the fans, we put in the tackles
and looked to manage the game. We played some intelligent rugby at times and
got our rewards, the scores just before half-time and then our third try immediately
after the break were crucial.
“Next week against Devon we have to be just as clinical, we will train well this week and look to work on little bits to fine tune our game.”
Hertfordshire won
the toss and elected to play up the slope into a stiff breeze; however,
Cornwall enjoyed the early territory and earned a penalty as Herts were caught
offside. Fraser Honey stepped up to land his kick between the sticks.
Hertfordshire then enjoyed a long period of domination in the Cornwall half, with some good drives from their back row of McCartney, Radley and West but a combination of over eagerness and rock-solid Cornish defence, Sam Stevens again knocking players over like skittles denied the visitors.
Eventually Sam Cappaert
kicked a penalty, as Cornwall were penalised at the ruck, to level the scores,
it was scant reward for their efforts.
With half-time fast approaching
Cornwall needed to make the most of the slope. With a kickable penalty on offer
Honey opted for a kick to the corner.
Tony Whittle took the catch to set up a driving maul that powered into Hellfire corner with Rob Elloway dotting down for the second game running.
Honey added the conversion before Cornwall were back in a similar position moments later. Whittle secured the ball as Cornwall drove with Jess Tompsett powering on, the ball went to ground, Cornwall went through the phases with No.8 Brad Howe crashing over near the posts, Honey’s conversion put Cornwall 17-3 up at the break.
With just moments
played in the second half Trelawny’s Army were in raptures as Jack Simmons found
space down the Eastern Bank touchline to sprint in from 40 meters and evade the
desperate cover in the scoreboard corner to score Cornwall’s third try.
Cornwall then lost Alex Ducker to the sin bin for a deliberate knock on and survived a Herts catch-and-drive, before Honey kicked a penalty towards the top touchline. Cornwall went through the phases before Jack Oulton scampered in on the blindside to score Cornwall’s fourth try.
Hertfordshire then
managed to score a try through wing Alex Ricci following a good move by the
visitors.
The black and golds
were full of running, Oulton burst out of defence with prop Dan Job powering
on.
Cornwall’s bench was
now on with George Jones, Richie Kevern and Rhys Brownfield all lending to the
attack.
With Ducker back from his rest, the mercurial winger went off on one of his scything runs skipping his way through the cover before passing to replacement Dean Bonds to score Cornwall’s fifth try.
Ducker then put the icing on the cake from deep in his twenty-two, an arching run saw him break the line, then jink his way through the cover tight to the touchline to canter in for try number six for Cornwall as the black and gold went into Barmy Army mode.
Ricci’s second try for Hertfordshire near the end was merely pride for the Herts’ lads and when the final whistle was blown Cornwall’s supporters, upon hearing the results elsewhere had gone in their favour, started the celebrations in earnest and began to plan their trip to Brixham.
Cornwall (Redruth
unless stated): Matt Shepherd (Plymouth Albion), Kyle Speare (Bude), Jack
Simmons, Jon Dawe (Plymouth Albion), Alex Ducker (Camborne), Fraser Honey
(Plymouth Albion), Jack Oulton; Dan Job (Lanner), Rob Elloway (St. Ives), Jess
Tompsett, Ben Hilton (Barnstaple, Capt) Tony Whittle (Camborne), Grant
Randlesome (Penryn), Sam Stevens, Brad Howe.
Replacements (all used):
Matt Ballard (Wadebridge Camels), Craig Williams, George Jones (Penryn), Edd
Pascoe (Redruth), Rhys Brownfield (Camborne), Dean Bonds, Richie
Kevern.
Hertfordshire (Tring
unless stated): Josh Rudling (Northumbria Uni), Alex Ricci (Old Albanians), Kyle Lemon (Hertford), Richard Streets (Hertford),
Sam Barnes, Sam Cappaert (Bishop’s Stortford), Mike Sargent (Hertford); Ben Harrison-Price (Bishop’s Stortford), Mike
Bond (Old Albanians), Jack Flanagan, Rob Conquest (Cambridge, Capt), Harry Green, Nick Radley, Harry McCartney, Chris West (Harrow).
Replacements: Tim
Matthew (Hertford), Douglas McGregor-Smith (Fullerians), Oscar Nicholson, Josh
Milton (Welwyn), Jack Elston (Hertford), Ben Creasey (Bishop’s Stortford), Iwan Dawes (Hertford).
Tries from Rob Elloway, Brad Howe, Jack Simmons, Jack Oulton, Dean Bonds and Alex Ducker plus seven points from the boot of Fraser Honey, saw Cornwall to a great 37-13 win against Hertfordshire.
Full report tomorrow, but with Kent winning at Gloucestershire 42-33 and Devon defeating Hampshire 30-27, it means Cornwall are in pole position ahead of their final game in the pool next Saturday at Brixham against Devon kick-off 2:30 pm.
Come and join the Black and Gold Army as Cornwall take the next step
on the road back to Twickenham. The Recreation Ground has been the scene
of many a stirring county match and Saturday promises to be another
closely fought game.
Gates open at 1pm, get there early to enjoy the atmosphere at Cornwall’s most intimidating venue. Lets make home advantage count.
Spectators will be able to lubricate their vocal cords with both
clubhouse bars being open to the public along with the Tribute Lounge
and outside bars on the East Bank and Hell’s Bar in Hellfire Corner. If
all the excitement makes you hungry, then Hell’s Kitchen in Hellfire
Corner and the clubhouse kitchen will be able to satisfy even the most
voracious of appetites. No need to miss any of the action getting fed
and watered at Redruth.
Safety Notice Please note that no glass, bottles
or cans may be brought into the ground. Any bags brought into the ground
are liable to be searched. Vehicle access to the ground will not be permitted after 2.30pm. No
vehicle may leave the ground during the match. After the final whistle
vehicles will be held in the ground until the crowd has dispersed and
will leave the ground via the Piggy Lane gate, please follow stewards
instructions.
Please also note there is no smoking in the grandstand nor the enclosure at Redruth RFC.
Cornwall RFU chosen charity for this season is the #Cry4Tom charity,
set up in memory of former local rugby player Tom Demaine who sadly was
struck down from an undiagnosed cardiac condition.
Collectors will be at the ground this Saturday and will be wearing
the charity T-shirt. Please give as generously as you can to this worthy
cause and make a note of the date at Bodmin College for a screening
session on 4th/5th December this year.
However, the defeat
against Hertfordshire in the final pool game last season 50-0, and it’s
something the Cornwall team would like to set the record straight.
Both sides will look
very different from the teams that lined up last May with both counties
fielding players in their first season of Championship rugby.
Ahead of last
night’s busy training session at Redruth I spoke with both Graham Dawe and
Marek Churcher. Dawe said. “I haven’t gone into too much analysis since
Saturday, I think my initial assessment on the game is about right. These lads
know how to play rugby, Ben Hilton is a fine leader. We might need to add a
little experience to the side this Saturday, a little more leadership in
certain areas and continue to fine tune our game.
“We need to make sure we are on the same wavelength as the referee this week, a few times last week we had to challenge his interpretation but at the same time he’s got to be your best friend!
Dawe also has no
worries about last season’s result up there. “I was proud of the players that
went up there last season and did a job in difficult circumstances. Saturday is
another game, we can’t influence the past but we can the future, that’s all I
am interested in.”
There were certainly
a few experienced heads helping out at
training last night, apart from Craig Williams and Edd Pascoe, Mike Rawlings
and Dan Sanderson all assisted and participated in the session along with squad
players Declan Matthews, Aaron Simmonds and Andrius Zacharovas.
Matt Shepherd comes into the side at full back whilst Kyle Speare comes in on the wing with both Rhys Brownfield and Dean Bonds reverting to the bench in the only two changes to the starting XV from Kent.
On the bench Craig Williams and Edd Pascoe come in replacing Charlie Nicholson and Rupert Edwards, whilst Taron Peacock is unlucky as is Edwards to miss out.
Marek Churcher said.
“I was really pleased with our performance up at Kent, it would have been nice
to have got the bonus point, but having said that to see the guys come together
as team so quickly was the big plus. I thought Dan Job was outstanding last
week and shows what talent there is playing further down the leagues in
Cornwall.
“We are looking
forward to playing at Redruth on Saturday in front of a big crowd getting
behind the lads.”
Cornwall Team to
play Hertfordshire Saturday 11th May
Cornwall Women’s interest in this season’s Gill Burns Cup came to an end on Sunday as they lost their second and final group game, reports Bill Hooper.
The Cornish side will be pleased to have picked up a try-scoring
bonus point as some consolation for the hard work they have put in for the
campaign.
Team Manager Lorri Osman was full of praise for the side. She said. “Off the back of last week’s performance the ladies were ready for the second round of Gill Burns cup. Despite a very strong Somerset side with players from Tyrrells Premier 15 and Championship clubs on their team sheet, the score did not reflect the 80 minute battle that was to take place. “With one try disallowed for Cornwall I think the ladies heads dropped slightly but they never gave up. They have a lot to be proud of from yesterday considering the quality players they are up against.
Cornwall Women under the Taunton posts – photo Barbara Hocking
“Three eligible U.18 girls featured in the squad with Leona
Hughes hard work being rewarded with forward of the match alongside Jo Roberts
as back of the match.
“These ladies have a lot to be proud of this season despite score- lines. They have reduced the deficit against Dorset and Wilts and took it to a very strong Somerset side.
“We continue to build on the past two seasons with training planned to start even earlier next season and getting to play as a team earlier. Special mention to Kev Luke and Gav Mountjoy who stood in at short notice as coaches and have bought a very different dynamic to the squad.Also to Rob Durant who has been tirelessly working with the ladies monitoring injuries and getting them back on the pitch.
Cornwall on the attack – photo Barbara Hocking
“Special mention for Trelawny’s Army who supported us so
magnificently throughout the game and made the match day experience special for
the girls.”
By Bill Hooper, at Medway with photos by Simon Bryant
Fraser Honey’s
penalty three minutes from time sealed an important opening day win for
Cornwall in this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup.
As is often the case when Cornwall face a side with “higher league” players in it, the black and golds roared on by Trelawny’s Army lifted their game to more than match their opponents.
The forwards had a
towering game, typified by prop Dan Job from Lanner who went the full eighty, the
tackle count put in was huge as the Cornish lads put their bodies on the line,
ably led as you would expect by skipper Ben Hilton.
In weather more akin to March rather than May Cornwall began strongly playing into a strong breeze.
Following a string of
penalties and some good drives from the forwards, notably Tony Whittle, Sam
Stevens, on his Cornwall debut, crashed over for Cornwall’s opening try on
seven minutes, which Honey converted.
Kent came back at
Cornwall with determination putting in some big forward drives notably through
their locks Mark Davey and Dave Irvine, but Cornwall matched them.
Cornwall’s back row was working hard with Grant Randlesome, Stevens and Brad Howe all prominent.
However, the pressure finally told when the hosts finished off a catch and drive near the Cornwall line flanker Freddie Owen getting the try. Frank Reynolds tied the scores with his successful conversion.
Both sides had half
chances before half-time with the dangerous Kent wing Kwaku Asiedu having to be
closely watched at all times by Dean Bonds, however it remained 7-all up to the
break.
Cornwall again began the second half well with Honey kicking a penalty as Kent were caught offside.
Jon Dawe and Jack
Simmons provided a cutting partnership in the centre, whilst also defending
like terriers.
Livewire scrum-half Charlie Edwards was proving to be a thorn in Cornwall’s side with his snipping breaks, and as Kent piled on the pressure near the Cornwall line, the visitors gave away a string of penalties that tried the patience of the referee resulting in a yellow card for Jack Oulton.
A couple of phases
later and Cornwall still being adjudged of being the culprits referee Wigley
awarded Kent a penalty-try.
Cornwall began to
look to the bench for some fresh legs as they used the wind well to kick for
position.
The Cornish response
was clinical when Kent went down to fourteen men with Irvine sent to the bin from
a powerful drive the forwards went over the line with Rob Elloway sneaking in
under a pile of bodies for an unconverted try.
Moments later with Kent pressing in the Cornwall half, a stray pass from Kieran Moffat was snaffled by Alex Ducker who was in the clear and made no mistake going in under the posts to the joy of Trelawny’s Army.
Cornwall had a good
advantage going into the final ten but the game was far from safe and when
replacement scrum-half Jack Daly taped in the Cornwall twenty-two his pass to Asiedu
put the winger in. Reynolds’ conversion brought Kent back to within a point.
George Jones put in a big shift off the bench as did Rupert Edwards with the forwards earning Cornwall a penalty on the Kent twenty-two, Honey calmly slotted the kick to put Cornwall four points up in time added on.
Following the game
Cornwall’s head coach was satisfied with the win. He said. “It was tough
conditions out there against a very good side, I thought we managed the
conditions well. We did well to go in at half-time level and then have the wind
second half. It was a little bit frustrating at times trying to understand the
referee’s interpretation of the ruck. I thought our back row was outstanding
today, work rate was high and they defended well.
“Our props Dan Job
and Jess Tompsett stood up well, the forwards work rate was top draw, now we
have to back it up against Hertfordshire next week.”
Kent (Blackheath
unless stated): Bryan Hotston (O.Elthamians), Elliot Simmons, Kieran Moffat (O
Elthamians), M Cooke (Capt), Kwaku Asiedu (Cambridge), Frank Reynolds
(Tunbridge Wells), Charlie Edwards (Tonbridge Juddians), Tom Williams, Nathan
Morris (O Elthamians), Danny Herriott, Mark Davey, Dave Irvine (both Tonbridge
Juddians), Freddie Owen, Mike Hathaway (Tunbridge Wells), Tom Stradwick.
Replacements: Ryan
Jackson (Tonbridge Juddians), Billy Young, Stefan North, Nathan Thomas (both O.
Elthamians), Tom Beaumont (Medway), Jack Daly, Alfie Orris (Medway)
Kent scores: Tries
Owen, Penalty, Asiedu, Cons Reynolds 2
Yellow Card: Irvine
(60)
Cornwall (Redruth
unless stated): Rhys Brownfield (Camborne), Dean Bonds, Jack Simmons, Jon Dawe
(Plymouth Albion), Alex Ducker (Camborne), Fraser Honey (Plymouth Albion), Jack
Oulton; Dan Job (Lanner), Rob Elloway (St. Ives), Jess Tompsett, Tony Whittle
(Camborne), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple, Capt), Grant Randlesome (Penryn), Sam Stevens,
Brad Howe.
Replacements: Matt
Ballard (Wadebridge Camels), Charlie Nicholson (St. Austell), Rupert Edwards (Wadebridge
Camels), George Jones (Penryn), Kyle Speare (Bude), Richie Kevern, Taron
Peacock (Camborne).
The second TASC sponsored 2 Counties Colts finals took place at Exeter Saracens RFC yesterday. Disappointingly a few sides have dropped out for one reason or another, so the program was a little truncated.
The results are as follows;
Bowl: Exeter Saracens v Okehampton no score known, but Exeter Saracens won
Plate: Saltash 40 – 7 Brixham
Cup & Shield : Launceston 17 – 45 Topsham
Huge thanks to everyone who has had to work doubly hard to get this on, especially Lee Maher.
Devon Bennett-Murray is awarded the Ewart White Memorial trophy as Cornish Player of the tournament
Congratulations to Devon Bennett-Murray from Saltash Colts, who was awarded the Ewart White Memorial Trophy as the best Cornish Player on the day.
