JASON LEONARD CUP UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL

HERTFORDSHIRE U.20  28 – 19 CORNWALL U.20

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall’s quest for a return to Twickenham was extinguished at Cheshunt as the hosts booked a home semi-final against Lancashire.

Cornwall’s preparations were hampered by injury and unavailability and were further hindered on the morning of the game when full-back Reuben Edwards failed a fitness test necessitating a re-shuffle of the back-line.

Hertfordshire made a fast start scoring a couple of converted tries in the opening fifteen minutes. The first came from strong forward play with hooker Steff Jones going over, then the backs got involved with centre Joe Hall scoring. Both tries were converted by fly-half Luke Bouchier.

Cornwall needed a reply and it came with a try scored by centre Connor Gilbert on the half-hour mark.

Jake Penprase was full of running for Cornwall looking dangerous on the break.

Hertfordshire then got a third try from further forward play when lock Matt Holmes crossed with Bouchier again on the money with the extras.

Cornwall continued to show good spiirt and got their reward just before half-time when No.8 James Eddy their second try with James Tucker adding the extras to leave them 21-12 down at the break.

After half-time Hertfordshire scored their fourth try through winger Tommy Reilly again bettered by Bouchier to seal the result.

Cornwall didn’t let their heads drop battling away for Gilbert to score his second try of the game with Tucker adding the conversion.

Under enormous pressure in the closing stages from Hertfordshire Cornwall’s defence held firm to deny the hosts another score.

Cornwall’s coaches, Josh Lord and Richie Kevern whilst disappointed with the loss were much happier with the performance of their side compared to the Gloucestershire game. 

The other semi-final sees Gloucestershire host champions Yorkshire.

Herts Stags U.20: Euan Rees (Royston), Cairo Sango (Notts Trent), Joe Hall (O Albanian), Harry Collins (Oxford Brooks Uni), Tommy Reilly (O Albanian), Luke Bouchier (Notts Trent), Caswell Parks (York Uni); Matt Ramzan (O Albanian), Steff Jones (Cardiff Uni), Dan Hood (Uni of Surrey, Capt), George Carter (Notts Trent), Matthew Holmes (Barnet), Oliver Moody (Uni of Surrey), Josh Milton (Welwyn), Brad Etherington (Bishop’s Stortford).

Replacements: Callum McDermott (Royston, Chris Enslin (Tring), Steve Mackenzie-Cardi (Fullerians), Jacques Hladkhu (O Albanian), Connor Mak (Bishop’s Stortford), Curtis Woodham (Fullerians), Rohan Finnegan (Portsmouth).

Herts Stags scores: Tries, Jones, Hall, Holmes, Reilly, Cons, Bouchier 4

Cornwall U.20: James Tucker (Redruth), Ben Plummer (St. Austell), Connor Gilbert (Redruth), Isaak Welch (Truro), Jake Penprase (Bath Uni)  Will Trewin (Cardiff Met), Owen Davey (Truro); Luke Barnes (Redruth), Rory Mead (Bude), Chae Jenkins, Dan Goldsmith (both Launceston), Mawgan Osborne (PzN Colts), Torin Clarke (Launceston, Capt), Aden Brassington (St. Ives), Jamie Eddy (Redruth).

Replacements: Harry Lightfoot (Launceston), Cain Worley (Unattached), Eddy Hall (Pirates Ams), Alex Bartlett (Launceston), Stan Somers (Falmouth), Tom Wallace (Penryn), Adam Long (Camborne).

Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries Gilbert 2 Eddy, Cons, Tucker 2

JASON LEONARD CUP QUARTER-FINAL

HERTFORDSHIRE U.20S 28 – 19 CORNWALL U.20S

Commiserations to the Cornwall players. Well done to Herts and good luck for the semi-final.

CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) 2019, Under 20 County Championship campaign is now into the knock out stage of the Jason Leonard Cup. Cornwall will play Hertfordshire at Cheshunt RFC with a 13:30 kick off time on Sunday March 31st.

rnwall RFU President Peter James said “This will be a real test for a young side that need to pull themselves back together following the defeat against Gloucestershire 2 weeks ago. An away trip to Hertfordshire who topped their group is a daunting task, but one this team I am sure will relish.”

Coach Josh Lord said. “We make no excuses for our last performance which was below the standard these guys are capable of, and we expect. Hertfordshire will go into this game as favourites especially with home advantage and rightly so, it is up to these guys now to perform to their true potential if they wish to progress in the competition. From now on in, it is winner takes all.”

Cornwall Captain Torin Clarke said. “As a group of players we felt we let our coaches and of course the supporters down at St Austell last week. It is easy to make excuses the true fact is we did not perform well enough on the day and Gloucestershire were a class outfit and that reflected in the score line.”

Hertfordshire won all of their group games with victories over Sussex, Eastern Counties and finally last week over Kent to top their group. Cornwall defeated Devon and Hampshire before losing to Gloucestershire coming runners up in their group and therefore earning an away quarter-final place.

The Cornwall U20 team manager Colin Hatch said. “Unfortunately we have picked up a few injuries and of course most teams will be playing on Saturday before we make a long trip to Hertfordshire to play on Sunday. This gives an opportunity for a couple of the squad members to get a run out at this crucial stage of the competition.”

Cornwall find themselves without prop Jack Hodge, who picked up a calf problem in the last game, whilst Aaron Simmonds, Alistair Harding and Charlie Levick are also missing from the backs.

Redruth’s Luke Barnes gets his first start at loose head prop, whilst St. Ives’ Aden Brassington starts at seven again in the pack. A change at fly half sees another Red James Tucker fill the spot with Will Trewin moving to centre. Jake Penprase moves to wing joining St. Austell’s Ben Plummer whilst Launceston’s Reuben Edwards covers full back. Camborne’s Adam Long comes onto the bench along with debutant Tom Wallace an exciting prospect and recent signing at the Borough via Waikato.  

                           Hertfordshire U20 v Cornwall U20

Sunday 31 March @ Cheshunt RFC 13:30 kick-off

Cornwall Squad 

Coaches – Josh Lord + Rich Kevern

Medical cover – Graham Ashton + Lauren Albury

Kit – Paul Hurrell (Head) + Colin Hatch

Ian Gordon, Hon.Sec, Trelawny’s Army and Bill Hooper. Press Officer presented match balls to Cornwall Under 20s ahead of their game against Gloucestershire Under 20s at St. Austell RFC last Sunday.

On a busy afternoon of International rugby, England Ladies Under 20s played their return fixture against France Ladies Under 20s at Newbury.

In the England side there were three Cornish girls, wing Merryn Doidge started the game with front row forward Charlie Budge and flanker Ebony Jefferies on the bench.

Sadly the English side couldn’t overturn the result of the first game lost 31-12 in Strasbourg last weekend as the French girls ran out 40-14 in the return.

Thanks to Will Doidge (Merryn’s Dad) for the photo of the girls at Newbury.

JASON LEONARD CUP

U.20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

CORNWALL 0 – 48 GLOUCESTERSHIRE

By Bill Hooper at Tregorrick Park, St. Austell.

Cornwall Under 20s were given a sharp lesson by their Gloucestershire opponents who dominated the game from the first whistle to the last.

On the day Cornwall had no answers to a side that was quicker in thought, deed and utterly clinical in execution.

With wing Rueben Edwards forced to withdraw from the side during the warm up, there was a late call up for Falmouth’s Alistair Harding, sadly neither he nor Charlie Levick on the other wing so much ball for eighty minutes.

Gloucestershire elected to play with the strong breeze first half and they made the best use of it running up 22 points for a healthy half-time lead.

Cornwall lost their skipper Torin Clarke after just six minutes with a nasty gash to the forehead, which resulted in a trip to the local hospital for eight stitches, resulting in Falmouth’s Harry Somers coming off the bench.

That was the first of a string of injuries that Cornish players picked up throughout the game.

Gloucestershire used the wind well pinning Cornwall deep in their twenty-two, scoring a first try after just seven minutes when wing Brandon Pettitt forced his way in at the corner.

Play was scrappy but the Cornwall pack was in difficulty at scrum-time as Gloucestershire put the squeeze on to good effect.

Following a quick tap the visitors got a second try through lock Sam Gregory with fly-half Tom Price adding the first of his four conversions.

Gloucestershire maintained the tempo adding further tries from Pettitt and skipper Adam Hopkinson  before half-time to wrap up the bonus point.

Cornwall needed a quick start to the second half, cruelly  the wind dropped in it’s intensity and the pain continued as replacement hooker Spencer Miller drove over for his side’s fifth try as the visitor’s stranglehold continued.

Cornwall could not break the line despite efforts from centres Jake Penprase and Connor Gilbert in mid-field, whilst the support was too often lacking. 

Instead, the Gloucestershire continued with further tries from the excellent Tom Knight at scrum-half, and a brace late on from replacement back Nathan Brookes to complete their win and book a home tie with Kent in the last eight.

The Cornish pack battled away gamely but with too many key players picking up injuries they couldn’t make any headway.

James Tucker showed some good touches at fly-half late on as Cornwall tried to salvage some pride but it all came to nothing.

The result means that Cornwall must now travel to face Hertfordshire in the last eight on Sunday 31^st March at Cheshunt RFC with a 1 pm kick-off.    

Cornwall’s backs coach Richie Kevern was very disappointed with the performance of his side. “It’s certainly not the result we wanted today, it was a catalogue of errors, we looked flat, we couldn’t string any phases of play together. We didn’t play into the wind very well first half whilst Gloucestershire used it very well and punished us. I have to say hats off to them for the game they played. 

Head coach Josh Lord echoed the thoughts of Richie Kevern. He said. “It was massively frustrating watching that game, we were outplayed and out performed in all areas of the park. We looked flat out there, hopefully this will shake any complacency the lads might have had after their win at Hampshire out of the system. They need to go away and realize what level of performance will be required when we go to play Herts, they have to have a good look at themselves and sort it out, I am sure there will be a reaction from the lads after that performance today and we will see a different side against Herts.”

Cornwall: A. Simmonds (Redruth), A Harding (Falmouth), J Penprase (Bath Uni), C Gilbert (Redruth), C Levick (Penryn Colts), W Trewin (Cardiff Met), O Davey (Truro); J Hodge (Redruth), R Mead (Bude), C Jenkins (Launceston), D Goldsmith (Launceston), M Osborne (Pz& N Colts) T Clarke (Launceston, Capt), E Hall (Pirates Amateurs), J Eddy (Redruth).

Replacements: L Barnes (Redruth), C Worley (Unattatched), S Somers (Falmouth), H Lightfoot (Launceston), J Murray (Redruth), B Plummer (St. Austell), J Tucker (Redruth).

Gloucestershire: B Dunn (Spartans), W Bawden (Cinderford), J Guy (Newent), T Hargan (UWE), B Pettitt (Avonmouth OB), T Price (Cleve), T Knight (O. Patesians); K Wilson (Thornbury), J Jackson (Dings), B Phillips (O. Patesians), J Holliday, S Gregory (both Cinderford), B Davies (Royal Agri Coll), J Du Plessis (Avonmouth OB), A Hopkinson (Gloucs Uni, Capt).

Replacements: S Miller (Gloucs OB), E Manley, J White (both Gloucs Uni), J Du Plessis (Avonmouth OB), T Broady (Spartans), N Brookes (Newent), G Sanderson (Gloucs Uni).

Gloucestershire scores: Tries, Pettitt 2, Gregory, Hopkinson, Miller, Knight, Brookes 2, Cons, Price 4   

Referee: Dan Driscoll (Devon RRS)   

Cornwall Under 20s were given a torrid afternoon by a very good Gloucestershire side at St. Austell who scored eight tries.

The result means that Cornwall now travel to face Hertfordshire Under 20s in the quarter-finals with the game being played on Sunday 31st March at Cheshunt RFC kick-off 1 pm.

CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2019

 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Under 20s take on their Gloucestershire counterparts this Sunday at St. Austell RFC in their final pool game, kick-off 13:30.

Both sides are through to the quarterfinals; however the winner of this game will guarantee themselves a home tie in the last eight against either Hertfordshire or Kent, who also meet on Sunday.

Additionally, both sides have an almost identical record going into the final game, however Gloucestershire have single point better points difference, so Cornwall must win to top the group.

Cornwall RFU President Peter James said “This is not only the final pool game but it is the pool decider to see who will gain the home quarterfinal on Sunday March 31. Gloucestershire are a hot bed of County rugby and have always provided strong opposition, I am sure this match will be no different”

Coach Richie Kevern said. “The guys earned a very impressive win at Havant two weeks ago against Hampshire on the 4G pitch. Gloucestershire like us have won their opening two pool games and so this is all to play for. If anything Gloucestershire have a slight edge as they have a better point’s difference by 1 point, so a win or a draw will see them earn a home quarterfinal, whereas Cornwall needs to win to get a home quarterfinal”

Cornwall have made a couple of changes in the back row where Eddy Hall gets his first start and Jamie Eddy starts at No.8 after missing the last game. Skipper Torin Clarke moves from No.8 to the blindside. Falmouth’s lock Stan Somers comes onto the bench having missed the Hampshire game as does St. Austell’s back Ben Plummer.

Cornwall Captain Torin Clarke said. “The guys put in a tremendous shift up at Havant but know this will be a much more physical game against a traditional Gloucestershire side. We need now to put behind us the last two games and concentrate on putting in a performance against the pool leaders.”

The Cornwall U20 team manager Colin Hatch.”To recognise the commitment to the Cornwall U20 team, 3 players will be awarded their U20 caps for making 7 or more appearance in the Jason Leonard Cup. Prop Chae Jenkins along with fellow prop and Vice-Captain Jack Hodge will be joined by Captain Torin Clarke in collecting their caps at the end of the match. This is a fantastic achievement and makes a total of 8 caps awarded so far this season.”

Entry is by program £5, with under 16s free entry. As ever your support for the lads on the afternoon will be much appreciated as they strive to earn a home quarterfinal on Sunday March 31^st.  

                           Cornwall U20 v Gloucestershire U20

Sunday 17 March @ St Austell RFC 13:30 kick off

Cornwall Squad 

Coaches – Josh Lord + Rich Kevern

Medical cover – Dr John Garman, Sam West + Graham Ashton

Kit – Paul Hurrell (Head) +Colin Hatch

                          Gloucestershire Squad