Trelawny’s Army was saddened to learn that former County player Vernon Parkin had passed away whilst visiting his son in the States.
Parkin was a hard-running and feisty centre who broke through into the county side in the 68-69 season. The Penryn centre featured in all the county championship games including the final against Lancashire held at Redruth in front of some 23,000 spectators.
In all Parkin played for Cornwall on 20 occasions including the famous draw in France against a French Selection and the subsequent return game in Redruth against France B.
He went on to play at Bristol and Northampton.
The Army sends it’s condolences to all Vernon’s family and friends.
The 2020 Tamar Cup between Cornwall (holders) & Devon will be played at St. Austell RFC on the evening of Tuesday 21st April. Kick-off time will be confirmed nearer the date.
Cornishmen Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie were named in England’s
31 man squad for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan next month.
Cowan-Dickie impressed in England’s warm up again against Wales at Twickenham on Sunday snaffling a Welsh miss-throw quicker than a Pip’s pasty (other pasties are available) to score a try on his maiden start for England, whilst for Nowell it’s a race to get fit ahead of the tournament.
Both players come from Newlyn and came through the ranks at Penzance
& Newlyn and Truro College before progressing to Exeter Chiefs.
Speaking at the announcement England’s Head Coach Eddie Jones said.
“Today is another step in the progress towards the Rugby World Cup.
“We have taken the decision to go early because of what we learned from previous campaigns. We want the squad to know early and now we can get on and be the best prepared England side there has ever been, ready to win the World Cup.”
On the players not selected Jones added: “A lot of good players have missed out, we feel for them, I feel for them personally. But as we know the World Cup is an incredible tournament where opportunities can present themselves and all those players who have missed out have been told they have to be ready.”
England have three matches against Wales (17 August), Ireland (24 August) and Italy (6 September) before the tournament starts. Jones said of their importance: “Every game is an opportunity to improve our game fitness, our team cohesion, and our tactical adaptability. Each game for us will have a specific purpose.”
England will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan against Tonga in Sapporo (22 September, KO 11:15am UK time) before playing USA Rugby in Kobe (26 September, KO 11:45am UK time), Argentina in Tokyo (5 October, KO 09:00am UK time) and France in Yokohama (12 October, KO 09:15am UK time).
As every Cornishman will tell you, when England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 they also had two Cornishmen in the squad, props Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman!
England’s official Rugby World Cup squad
Forwards Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps) ** Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps) Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps) Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps) Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps) * Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps) George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps) * Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 59 caps) * Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 72 caps) ** Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 1 cap) Joe Marler (Harlequins, 58 caps) * Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps) Jack Singleton (Saracens, 1 cap) Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps) Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 42 caps) * Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps) * Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons / Sale Sharks, 13 caps)
Backs Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 5 caps) Elliot Daly (Saracens, 31 caps) Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps) * George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 56 caps) * Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 5 caps) Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 41 caps) * Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps) * Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped) Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps) * Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps) * Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 33 caps) * Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 34 caps) * Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps) **
We have also updated our banner images, to celebrate Cornwall’s stunning Bill Beaumont Cup Final 2019 success against Cheshire. Thanks to Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo for permission to use here.
Tyler Gendall receiving his Under 20 Player of the Year award in 2014 from Bill Hooper
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2020
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign
2019 is well underway with preparations being made for the coming season.
The fixtures have not yet been released, but a list of eligible players
is being complied. All clubs within the county will be asked to nominate
players they think suitable for representing their club and the county at this
age level prior to a team building team event in November.
We plan to play two warm up games against RNAS Culdrose and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service in preparation for the first championship game.
On the coaching side there has been a change with forwards coach Josh Lord deciding to step down due to work and family commitments. The CRFU wish to place on record their thanks to Josh for his hard work over the last couple of seasons with Cornwall Under 20 reaching the final of the Jason Leonard Cup in 2018 being the highlight.
Richie Kevern will continue as the backs coach fresh from his success
with the senior team in the Bill Beaumont Cup at Twickenham, and continues to
play for Redruth at National Two level.
Joining Richie is a former Cornwall U20 player Tyler Gendall. Tyler, who
was Trelawny’s Army Cornwall Under 20 player of the year in 2014, went on to play for the Cornish Pirates in the
Championship before joining Bristol and then Harlequins in the Premiership
before returning to the Mennaye and Championship rugby.
Tyler has now retired from professional rugby and has joined St. Ives as
forwards coach.
Chair of CRFU Representative Rugby Chris Lea said. “I am delighted to keep the
services of Richie with all his experience for Cornwall, and Redruth in the National
leagues, and am delighted to welcome Tyler in to the coaching team bringing
with him a wealth of experience at the highest level of English rugby.”
Any enquires concerning the CRFU U20 should be addressed to the team
manager Colin Hatch;-
CORNWALL’S BILL
BEAUMONT CUP SUCCESS CELEBRATED AT COUNTY HALL
By Bill Hooper
Members of the Cornwall team along with officers from the Cornwall RFU and also representatives from both Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club and the Falmouth Marine Band attended a civic reception held at County Hall in Truro last Friday afternoon.
Chair of Cornwall
Council Hilary Frank welcomed everyone to County Hall and praised the Cornwall
team and expressed how proud everyone in the Duchy was with their superb win
against Cheshire in the final at Twickenham.
In reply CRFU
President Peter James, thanked the council for their hospitality and expressed
his pride and joy as a Cornishman in the fine qualities of an exceptional team,
and the unrivalled support from the Cornish supporters.
Cornwall team
captain Ben Hilton also spoke about the game and the quality of his players and
paid tribute to the outstanding support the team received all through the
Championship from the fans, especially Trelawny’s Army and the Falmouth Marine
Band.
Councillor Frank,
who has also been involved with assisting with the preparations for the Rugby
World Cup in Japan later this year, arranged for special RWC pin badges from
the organising committee to be presented by an attaché from the Japanese Embassy
in London.
The proceedings
concluded with the singing of Trelawny, led by the City of Truro Male Choir.
With the dust of the Cornish rugby season barely settled following Cornwall’s dramatic win in Sunday’s Bill Beaumont Cup Final, Director of Rugby Nigel Hambly has moved to add two further members from the Cornwall side to his playing squad.
Redruth Director of Rugby Nigel Hambly welcomes Chris Fuca, Fraser Honey and Matt Shepherd to the club. Photo Jeff Till
Both Matt Shepherd and Fraser Honey have put pen to paper
and agreed to join Redruth for next season from Plymouth Albion.
In addition, Hambly has also brought former Redruth
favourite Chris Fuca back to the club as forwards coach for next season.
Speaking at the Recreation Ground on Tuesday evening
Honey was looking forward to the challenge of playing for Redruth. He said. “I am delighted to have signed for
Redruth, it’s a club I have followed for many years. I think I can bring
something to the club and also improve my game with the quality of the coaches here;
I have a huge amount of respect for Nigel, Chris and Matt.
Honey was really excited about the prospects for the new
season as the pieces begin to fall in place. “The support here at Redruth is
the best in the league, I’ve played here for Launceston and Bury St Edmunds as
well as the various county age groups, so I know many of the lads already here
from those days and of course with the wonderful month we have just had with
the Cornwall squad, I’ve played with Jack Oulton when I was at Launceston and
he was on loan and I think we have proved that we form an exciting half-back
partnership.
Matt Shepherd returns to the club in a player/coach role
and is equally enthusiastic about the prospects for the new season. He said. “I
feel that this is the right move for me now at this stage of my rugby career, I
am really looking forward to working with both Fucs and Nigel, I’ve heard a few
stories about Nigel he’s a legend here and huge respect for what he did to get
Redruth playing in National 1. I think having both of them here will attract a
number of players to the club.
Not only will Shepherd bring a wealth of experience to
the side but he is also looking forward to helping develop the young talent
that came through the club last season. “There are a lot of really good young
players at the club, boys like Jack Simmons, Aaron Simmonds, Jack Hodge and I
really am looking forward to helping them develop to the next stage of their
rugby careers.
Returning to the club having cut his coaching teeth at
St. Ives Chris Fuca is thrilled to be back at the club he calls home. “I am
delighted to be back, I spoke with Nigel earlier in the year but I wanted to
honour my commitments at St. Ives for last season before agreeing anything. I
am really looking forward to my role as forwards coach. I shall be purely
coaching to start with but I might have a run out if I am fit enough at some
stage.
“I think the player signings that we have announced
tonight shows real intent from the club that we need to improve on last
season’s results, and I think the work going on at the club both and off the
park shows that the club want to push on and make a statement this season. Both
Fraser and Matt are hugely respected by the other players and they can only
help improve the playing standards at the club.
Fuca is keen to get the Redruth edge upfront back. “Maybe
last season our scrum wasn’t quite the potent weapon it’s been in previous
seasons, so no question that is something I shall be working on. Fitness has a
big role to play so there will be a lot of fitness work pre-season and work on
our plays going into the new season. We will bring in some expertise for
various areas like strength and conditioning and make sure everything is done
in properly planned way.
Director of Rugby was pleased with his first signings for
the new season. “I am really pleased to having both Matt and Fraser joining the
club for next season and to have Chris back here in a new role for him. Fucs is
an icon here and I think he has a very bright future in a coaching role, I
think he will relish the challenge of coaching at this level.
As for Matt,I am delighted to see him back at Redruth. I
had spoken with one or two other potential candidates but it didn’t work out,
Marek Churcher suggested I approach Matt and he was immediately very receptive
to what I had in mind. Matt’s proven quality and hugely respected as player and
I think he has lot to offer in a coaching role here. When I approached Matt
about the role he told me he still wanted to play, for me that was the best
response to hear from him, he will bring his huge experience to the squad.
As for Fraser, I’ll be honest I haven’t seen a lot of him
playing, but from what I have seen he is very good and reads the game intelligently,
kicks the ball well and puts you in good areas on the field, his success rate
kicking for goal is high so all in all a quality player with proven ability in
National 1.”
Hambly also confirmed that Chris Allen would take up the
Team Manager’s role for next season and said that plans for the second team next
season were progressing as well as the colts
set up for next season under Steve Larkins.
Matt Shepherd, held his nerve to split the uprights with the conversion of Seti Raumakita’s game-saving try to win Cornwall the Bill Beaumont Cup to the delight of the Cornish fans who went beserk at the final whistle.
Credit to the
crest-fallen Cheshire boys who must have thought they had the game won, but
this Cornish side never gives up, despite playing the second half with fourteen
men, got their just rewards for an outstanding campaign.
Huge praise to the players, selectors and coaching staff, especially Marek Churcher, who perhaps doesn’t always get the credit he deserves, but who’s contribution is massive.
Prop Jess Tompsett
travelled up on the supporters bus on the morning of the game as his partner
had given birth to a daughter just hours earlier.
Cornwall arrived at the West Car Park to be greeted by the hordes of black and gold clad fans from Trelawny’s Army, One & All, united behind our boys. The reception the team got off the bus was truly inspiring.
Despite the lateness
of the hour there was a good crowd packed into the lower tier of the West
Stand, with the Cornish crowd in full voice as the teams entered the pitch.
Conditions were nigh
on perfect at kick-off despite the usual swirling breeze at Twickenham.
Cornwall had the better of the opening exchanges, but couldn’t breech the Cheshire defence. That set the scene for much of the first half, dogged defence.
Cheshire then had a
long period of territory and possession with wings Rory Hardman and Sam
Stelmaszek looking lively.
The Cornish back row
of Sam Stevens, Edd Pascoe and Brad Howe got through a lot of work, whilst Tony
Whittle had his usual all action game.
The deadlock was finally broken, by guess who? Alex Ducker. Taking a pass from centre Richie Kevern, Ducker burst through a pair of Cheshire defenders to speed to the line, Fraser Honey kicked the conversion and Cornwall were 7-0 up as the fans cheered like mad.
Cheshire roared back
at Cornwall, but once again the Cornish defence was outstanding, tackle after
tackle knocked the big Cheshire forwards back, with Cornwall winning turnover
ball.
In the lead up to half-time, Cornwall had a penalty on the Cheshire 10 metre line, in front of the posts, Honey elected to kick for goal, his kick rebounding off the Twickenham posts.
Following a ruck
there was an altercation near the touchline involving scrum-half Jack Oulton,
after the officials deliberation, referee Phil Davies brandished a red card at
Oulton, Cornwall would have to play the whole of the second half with just
fourteen men.
Cornwall need to re-organise, Shepherd moved to scrum-half, and Craig Williams came on for the excellent Dan Job, who had carried well as well as Tompsett.
Cheshire sensed
blood and went for it. Pressure eventually told when fly-half Tom Morton
squeezed over in the corner for a try he couldn’t convert.
Both sides looked to
the bench to find that extra lift, both George Jones and Grant Randlesome had
the Penryn contingent on their feet as they surged up field.
But it was Cheshire who now exerted the greater pressure, they drove at the Cornwall line and despite heroic defence by the black and gold, they finally mauled over for a try from Tom Sanders, Morton slotted the conversion and it was Cheshire ahead as the clock ticked down.
Cornwall had a penalty with Shepherd kicking to the corner, three times Cheshire were penalised and thrice Shepherd went for the same, try-scorer Sanders was the first dispatched to the bin for cynical play, followed by Jack Collister.
From a scrum five-meters out Shepherd saw Raumakita running hard from deep, the pop pass was perfect and the giant Fijian burst the tackle to score, as Twickenham went mad.
A Matt Shepherd conversion with the final kick of the game gave Cornwall the Bill Beaumont Cup in a tight final against Cheshire.
Cornwall led 7-0 at half-time thanks to an Alex Ducker try converted by Fraser Honey.
Playing the whole of the second half with just fourteen men following a red card to Jack Oulton, Cornwall withstood Cheshire pressure until finally cracking to an unconverted try.
Cheshire then went on to score a second try, this time converted and looked to be heading for the win.
However, Cornwall’s never-say-die attitude was rewarded at the end when Seti Raumakita cut a great line to score and tie the scores, leaving Shepherd to add the coup de grace.
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