Ian Gordon presented the match balls to the Cornwall under 20s on Sunday. Former county player Paul Hurrell took receipt of the balls.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship team, play their only home fixture in the pool stage of the 2020 Jason Leonard Cup. The team host Berkshire at Camborne RFC with a 1330 kick off time on Sunday 23 February, and will be played on the main pitch.

Cornwall Under 20 coaches Richie Kevern and Tyler Gendall have made ten changes, three positional, to the side ahead of Sunday’s Jason Leonard Cup pool game against Berkshire at Camborne RFC.

Coach Rich Kevern said – “The first game against Devon has to be a wakeup call for the players. We had lots of opportunities to win the game but didn’t take them and allowed a strong Devon team to get back into the match. Discipline is another area we have to improve and to ensure that we keep to our game.

The changes are; in the front row, James Lambourn comes in at loose-head with Oliver Mackenzie at hooker.

In the second row Penryn’s  Steele Barker partners Mawgan Osborne, whilst Toby Osborne goes from lock to blindside flanker.

Saltash player Jack Wickham comes in at No.8.

There is a change at half-back with James Tucker starting at fly-half, with skipper Aaron Simmonds moving to the outside centre berth, St. Austell’s Ben Plummer moves to inside centre and fellow Saint Fraser Nottle coming in at 14.

Another Penryn player, Charlie Levick comes in at full-back.

The coaches are at present unable to confirm the complete line up on the replacements bench due to re-arranged league matches taking place on the Saturday, however they have named five forwards with three backs to be added.

Cornwall Captain Aaron Simmonds said; – “The guys were disappointed with our performance against Devon. We had been prepared well by the coaches but let ourselves down in a number of areas on the field which cost us dearly and ultimately the result! This is our only home game and it would be great to get the fantastic Cornish crowd to turnout and support us at Camborne on Sunday. ”

CRFU President John Sumnall said “We are pleased to be playing this game at Camborne RFC and thank the club and its members for hosting us. Our first game saw 13 young players representing the County at this level for the first time and although the result in a tight game went against them, I am sure they will be up to the challenge of this tough game against Berkshire. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them and our sponsors for their support to enable these fixtures to be played.”

Berkshire lost their opening game to Gloucestershire so both counties will be looking for a win to kick-start their hopes of making the knockout stages.

Cornwall‘s final pool game will be hosted by Dings RFC in Bristol on Sunday 15 March where the opponents will be Gloucestershire.

The team manager Colin Hatch said; -“The President rightly points out the number of new players that played in our last game, however it is no different for any other county in this competition. A number of these guys are playing rugby week in and week out for their clubs at all levels of the game. We have emphasised the fact that this competition is short and if we don’t perform then it is over for this season. I am sure that the players will have learnt from the first game and will want to make amends in this home game.”

Cornwall Team to play Berkshire

Coaches – Rich Kevern + Tyler Gendall, assisted by Adam Kevern + Brad Howe

Gates open to the public at 1230, with entry for adults costing £5 including a programme. Young people under the age of 16 accompanied by an adult get free entry.

It has been confirmed by the RFU that the date for this year’s Bill Beaumont Cup Final has been moved from 21st of June to Saturday 30th May.

The county finals will not be part of the England V Barbarians game package which remains at it’s original date.

The good news is that all 5 county finals will be played at Twickenham on the same day, with the Bill Beaumont Cup Final scheduled for 3 pm.

At this stage it is not clear which part of the stadium will be open for the finals, probably just the West Stand lower.

Bryan Llewellyn will advise of travel packages available when sorted.

Obviously, Cornwall will have to qualify first, this is just a heads up.

Members from Trelawny’s Army were invited to this season’s Cornwall team get-together held at the Eden Project, reports Bill Hooper

There were some 150 players, family, CRFU officials and guests present, which also saw the launch of the 2020 playing shirt designed by O’Neills. Our current player of the year Tony Whittle is seen modelling the new shirt below.

At the conclusion of the formal part of the event members of Trelawny’s Army led the singing of “Cornwall, my home” and “Trelawny”.

Founder member of the Army was pictured proudly holding the Bill Beaumont Cup.

Thanks must be expressed to the CRFU for inviting us and to the Eden Project and St. Austell Brewery.

JASON LEONARD CUP

UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

DEVON U.20Ss, 30 – 18 CORNWALL U.20 s

By Bill Hooper at Cross-in-Hand, Ivybridge

Cornwall got their campaign off to a disappointing start with this defeat to Devon.

Sadly, Cornwall were the architects of their own demise with indiscipline costing them dear with two yellow cards in the space of 4 second half minutes.

Devon scored two tries during the sin-binning making it a mountain to climb for the Cornish youngsters, who to their credit responded with a couple of tries.

Frustratingly, Cornwall had the better of the first half, enjoying good territorial advantage, but crucially unable to turn it into scores.

Cornwall coach Richie Kevern was naturally disappointed at the final whistle. “Indiscipline cost us today, going down the thirteen men made it very difficult. We really didn’t make the most of our chances in the first half and that was equally frustrating. We will go away now and prepare for the Berkshire game at Camborne in four weeks time.” 

There were positives for Cornwall Skipper Aaron Simmonds looked very accomplished at fly-half, Tom Spiers was a handful in the back row, both the Osborne brothers in the boiler house went well, Eliot Salt carried well, whilst Mishka Fibbens made a big impact off the bench.

Simmonds gave Cornwall the lead after 31 minutes with a penalty. This was cancelled out by Harry Ottaway for the hosts. The same player then nudged Devon ahead with his second penalty that was matched immediately by Simmonds to leave the scores tied 6- all at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half was when it started to unravel for Cornwall. Open-side flanker Tom Spiers was harshly carded for a ruck offence.

Devon capitalised laying siege to the Cornwall line with eventually hooker Reece Bartlett forcing his way over, Ottaway adding the conversion.

It was then that fellow back row Cameron Taylor was binned, Devon took full-advantage launching an unstoppable forward drive with No.8 Adam Northcott scoring, Ottaway’s conversion putting Devon 25-6 up.

With the clock against Cornwall fresh legs came on, prop Mishka Fibbens made an instant impact ploughing through the Devon defence to crash over, Simmonds on the money with the extras.

Cornwall gave it a good go creating a chance for Mawgan Osborne out wide, the lock danced along the touchline to squeeze in for an unconverted try.

Now trailing by just seven points could Cornwall snatch a draw? They had chances but couldn’t take them, instead Devon made the game safe as lock Ethan Pearce made good ground evading some tired tackle before finding wing Devon Jewsbury who finished well to score Devon’s bonus point try. 

Cornwall U.20: Adam Long (Camborne), Guy Brooks (Penryn), Ben Plummer (St. Austell), Isaak Welsh (Truro), Max Bullen (St. Austell), Aaron Simmonds (Capt), Ali Stacey (both Redruth); Callum Looker (Cardiff Met), Rory Mead (Bude), Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met), Mawgan Osborne, Toby Osborne (both Pirates Ams), Cameron Taylor (St. Austell), Tom Spiers (Truro), Aden Brassington (Redruth).

Replacements: James Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Mishka Fibbens (Penryn), Jack Wickham, Devon Bennett-Murray (both Saltash), James Tucker (St. Austell), James Murray (Redruth), Fraser Nottle (St. Austell).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Fibbens, M Osborne, Con, Simmonds, Pens, Simmonds 2

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2020 gets underway, this Sunday 26th January, with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team travel to neighbours Devon for their first pool game of the competition. The game will be played at Ivybridge RFC.

CRFU President John Sumnall said “It is great to get this year’s campaign off with a local tie against our neighbours Devon. We thank all our sponsors for their support and assistance with this group of players in this important game representing Cornwall. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played”

The game kicks off at 14:00 at Ivybridge and will be played on the all-weather pitch.

Coach Rich Kevern said. “This will be a good test for this new set of young players and the experienced guys remaining from last season. Although we have had two warm up games we are in a different ball game now that the Championship is underway. We had a tight game against Devon last season at St Austell and we know the guys in green and white will be up for a tough game again this season”

Cornwall has a new forwards coach this season with ex Cornwall U20, Championship and Premiership player Tyler Gendall who joins Rich Kevern. Rich’s brother Adam has also been assisting especially during his recovery from injury.

Cornwall Captain this season is Aaron Simmonds he said. “It is an honour to be asked to captain the side for this season. I know the guys are up for a tough campaign as always and have trained well in preparation for this game. This is my second season with the 20’s and I know that it is a tough competition and we will have to perform at our best in every game.”

Cornwall‘s second pool game will be home to Berkshire at Camborne RFC with a 13:30 kick off on Sunday February 23. The final pool game will be hosted by Dings RFC in Bristol on Sunday 15 March where the opponents will be Gloucestershire.

The CRFU Representative Rugby Chair Chris Lea said. “The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. This year we have lost even more and so we start to build again with a mixture of players transitioning from the U18’s, new players identified and nominated from clubs around the county. There are a number of these guys who will be around for the next 2 seasons and we are always on the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join them over the coming seasons.”

Cornwall Squad  v Devon Sunday 26th January

Coaches – Rich Kevern + Tyler Gendall, assisted by Adam Kevern

Medical cover – Neville Curnow + Graham Ashton

Kit – Paul Hurrell, Colin Hatch

JASON LEONARD CUP (Pool Fixtures)

Sunday 26th January 2020   DEVON V CORNWALL @ Ivybridge RFC kick-off 2 pm

Sunday 23rd February 2020 CORNWALL V BERKSHIRE @ Camborne RFC 1:30 pm

Sunday 15th March 2020 GLOUCESTERSHIRE V CORNWALL @ Dings Crusaders 2:30 pm

Tonight’s game between Cornwall Club Development XV and Launceston Ladies at Polson Bridge has been cancelled due to a water-logged pitch.

President’s Diary.

As we enter the second half of the season I would like to share some of my experiences and thoughts during my visits to the Cornwall Clubs and Rugby in Cornwall.

Of the eleven Clubs that I have visited so far, I have been impressed by the commitment that their volunteers give not only to their Club but also to rugby and their community by many different methods. The successful hosting of sponsors at pre match meals and buffets at Bude, Camborne. Launceston and St Austell not only cater for their followers but it also brings in welcome finance and occasionally new people to the game and the Club. Liskeard-Looe provide a very welcome hot drinks cabin adjacent to the pitch and Saltash, on the day that I visited, were selling home made cakes and goodies to help with a mini/junior tour. At Wadebridge, I was impressed by the number of helpers on their two pitches and in the Club House, all volunteers. The number of ex players attending the matches at Newquay Hornets and Penryn state much about the continual commitment and value of these guys and hopefully their current players will follow their example. Deep down in the far south west that great community Club, St Just, had just purchased adjacent land to extend their camping facilities during the summer with the intention of providing even more facilities at their Club.

However, there are unknown benefits to be gained when visiting Clubs and these outcomes include discussing their requirements to enable the CRFU to help to meet, as far as possible, their needs. At Lanner training lights have been arranged. Stithians had ten registered players and two committee members at the beginning of the season and have recently completed all their fixtures well done Stithians. May I remind Clubs that they do not have to wait for a visit. Just ask!

A very pleasant evening was spent at a Cornwall Rugby Referee’s Soceity meeting when a discussion was held entitled “Rugby in Cornwall” and the referees chose to discuss not refereeing but their concern for the state of the game. These included the loss of players between 16 and 18, the introduction of “Game On” and the reasons for the deduction of league points. Most enlightening. Monthly visits are made to the Cornwall Rugby Sages when an update is given on CRFU matters before they enjoy their pasty, pint and singing. These are always well attended by some great past players and stalwarts of Cornish rugby and I thoroughly recommend them to you.

A special highlight was to be invited to the England Women v. France Women at Exeter and not only observe a great win for England but the magnificent spectacle of some 150 girls ferried from Cornwall by our CDCs and others. The Ladies and Girls game is certainly growing in Cornwall from this interest and I wish them every success.

May I wish you all a prosperous New Year and I look forward to visiting more Clubs in the second half of the season.