As part of the cost cutting being implemented by the RFU in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, the Bill Beaumont, Gill Burns and Jason Leonard Cups have been axed for the forthcoming season.

The RFU have stated that this is for one season only.

This news will naturally come as a great disappointment for all members of Trelawny’s Army, however it should be remembered that 139 staff at the RFU are set to lose their jobs as part of the cut-backs! A sobering thought.

The following announcement was made today by the Chairman of the CRFU, Dave Saunter.

Following the announcement from RFU CEO Bill Sweeney concerning cut backs envisaged by the RFU to get through the financial effects of the covid pandemic, CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter made the following comments;

“You will no doubt have heard the sad news that the aspirational pathway from the RFU has been cancelled for the 20/21 season. This means no Bill Beaumont Cup, Gill Burns Cup, Jason Leonard Cup or U18s divisional programme. It will also mean no England Counties rugby for any of the age groups.

“This was part of an announcement by Bill Sweeney RFU CEO which also included the loss of 139 jobs across the RFU, locally our own team of Jonny Stephenson, Phil Morris and Neil Smith are all under threat of redundancies. I’m sure like me you will be crossing fingers and toes, so that their jobs are saved, they are an integral part of our team and we hope the future is good for them.

“The County via the management board who are currently meeting via Microsoft teams every fortnight are already talking to our neighbours and other Counties about some sort of County rugby next year. You can be certain we will do all in our power to make sure we have the opportunity of watching the Black and Gold shirt at one of the County grounds.

“As an example of Management Board work, we are part way through a programme of having clubs tested for legionella within their water supply. Twenty-two clubs have taken us up on this at a cost of £3520, paid for by the RFU via the County.

“Whilst this is a hard time for all of us I would also like to thank all the clubs who were able to Support our NHS with their immunisation programme. All clubs who took part gave their venues for free, a great example of Cornish Rugby spirit.

“We now wait for when we can get back to pulling our boots on and hopefully the 2020/21 season can start. In the meantime stay safe and remember the County via the RFU does have finances to help.”

John Sumnall, CRFU President added, “The sad news that we are to lose the County Championship for a second year is only tempered by the latest news that there will be a loss of 139 jobs at the RFU together with a considerable remodelling of the organisation.

“Thankfully, Cornwall is determined to play some County Rugby at all levels in the coming season and planning has already begun.

The RFU have stated their continuing 3 aims are:

• Supporting the community game and our member clubs – which are the life blood of our game.  

• Maintaining our ability to compete and win in the performance arena.  

• Delivering on our purpose of enriching lives, introducing more people and more diversity to rugby union while developing the sport for future generations. 

“We very much hope the County Championship, at all levels, will be part of this in seasons to come.”

County Treasurer, Andy Richards added. “Whilst it is obviously sad to be losing the revenue from two home fixtures, our thoughts should be with Jonny and his team, hopefully they will get through this second threat of redundancy in two years. I’m sure we will have some format of County rugby at the different levels during the season to come.”

Dave Saunter added. “If any club needs help please contact me on my mobile 07554010480.”

Dave Saunter

Chairman, CRFU Management Board.

Good interview with Graham on the farm looking back over his remarkable rugby career.

Access article in the link

CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship team, play their final fixture in the pool stage of the 2020 Jason Leonard Cup. The team play Gloucestershire away at Dings RFC with a 1430 kick off on Sunday 15^th March.

CRFU President John Sumnall said “This is another must win game if Cornwall wish to progress in this year’s competition. The guys came back from the defeat against Devon to record a superb victory over Berkshire. This has given them a chance to progress, however the pool is very tight and a number of outcomes are still possible”

The game kicks off at 1430 at Dings RFC in Bristol and will be played on the astro-pitch surface.

Coach Rich Kevern said – “The guys performed well at a wet and windy Camborne but this will be another step up for these players. Gloucestershire are always tough opponents especially on their home turf but I know the guys will be up for the contest. A number of guys have performed well in both games and we are hopeful they will represent Cornwall at the South West trials in April.”

Cornwall has made one change to the starting line up with Callum Looker starting at loose head prop and James Lambourn going onto the bench. For the replacements the coaches have gone with a 4 / 3 split with Joe Best earning his first call up and Mishka Fibbens becoming a travelling reserve. For the backs Liam Stoddern makes his first appearance on the bench.

There is a late change at 14. with the coaches’ decision awaited.

Cornwall Captain Aaron Simmonds said; – “We needed to produce a performance at our only home pool game and put behind us the game against Devon. The guys stuck to the game plan and played some good rugby although there are areas we still need to work on to continue that momentum”

Cornwall lost their first game 30-18 away to Devon before picking up a bonus point win against Berkshire, winning 42-7. Gloucestershire won away at Berkshire 24 – 30 before drawing away to Devon in their last pool game 29 -29. The pool standings at present have Devon and Gloucestershire both on 8 points, Cornwall are third with 5 points, and Berkshire are fourth on 1 point. Devon will travel to Berkshire on the same day as Gloucestershire host Cornwall. A win for Cornwall will see them earn another quarterfinal place in the competition, but a loss will be the end of the season for the team.

The Representative rugby chair Chris Lea said; -“It is testament to the players to bounce back after the Devon game but now need another performance to guarantee they remain in the top tier of the Jason Leonard Cup next season. There has been a number of months hard work put in not only by the players but the coaching, medical, backroom staff and the guys who provide the game analysis, multi-media and photographs to support the players and our thanks go to each and every one of them. ”

                             Gloucestershire U20 v Cornwall U20

Sunday 15 March @ Dings RFC 1430 kick off

Cornwall Squad 

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

Medical cover – Neville Curnow + Graham Ashton

Kit – Paul Hurrell, Colin Hatch

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 42 – 7 BERKSHIRE U.20

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne.

Cornwall put in a much improved performance defeating a useful Berkshire side by six tries to one to keep their hopes of making the last eight in this season’s Leonard Cup competition.

The Camborne pitch was heavy after all the rain in recent weeks, but Cornwall made light of the difficult conditions.

Cheered on by members of Trelawny’s Army, skipper Aaron Simmonds opened the scoring after just 3 minutes with a well-struck penalty.

Truro flanker Tom Spiers gave a Berkshire forward an almighty hand-off sending him sprawling in the Camborne mud to set the tone, Spiers went on to have an outstanding game.

Cornwall continued to capitalise profiting from a Berkshire error, St Austell centre Ben Plummer intercepting to slide in at the corner for an unconverted try.

Saltash No.8 Jack Wickham made a strong break off the back of a scrum gaining good ground; he was another who made a good impression.

The continued Cornish pressure  soon led to another try, good work from the St. Austell wings Fraser Nottle and Max Bullen combined to put lock Mawgan Osborne away, the Pirates Amateurs player ran hard towards the line before shipping a pass to hooker Mackenzie Oliver to score, Simmonds adding the extras.

A third try was not long in the offing, a kick through saw Penryn’s lock Steele Barker gleefully take full advantage to score an unconverted try.

Towards half-time Berkshire got some territory making the most of a catch and drive to score through hooker Harry Wayne Branch, fly-half Jack Grapper kicked a good conversion to leave the score 20-7 to Cornwall at half-time.   

Cornwall made another fast start with barely two minutes of the second half played, the outstanding Spiers put away Barker for his second try, the lock sliding in under the posts to give Simmonds a routine conversion.

Simmonds then kicked a second penalty to put the game well and truly out of Berkshire’s reach.

Further scores came from Penryn’s Charlie Levick, from his own kick ahead to win the chase, then to cap his fine performance a deserved final try for Spiers under the sticks that Simmonds bettered.

Speaking after the game Cornwall coach Richie Kevern was delighted with the team’s performance. He said. “It was a good performance in tough conditions, we told them in no uncertain terms that if they lost today then that would be the end of the road for this season, they took it on board and put in a tremendous performance.

Kevern was delighted with the side’s sound defence and good discipline. “There were times when we had to defend and all credit to the lads they put in the hits, this week our discipline was good and that made a big difference.

Kevern also had words of praise for Tom Spiers. “He has had two big games for us, his defence is top draw and when he has the ball in hand he is a real handful to deal with, he has got a very bright future.”

Cornwall now travel to play Gloucestershire Under 20s in their final pool game on Sunday 15^th March at Dings Crusaders, with all to play for.

Cornwall U20: Charlie Levick (Penryn), Fraser Nottle (St. Austell), Aaron Simmonds (Redruth, Capt), Ben Plummer, Max Bullen, James Tucker (all St. Austell), Ali Stacey (Redruth); James Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Mackenzie Oliver (Redruth), Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met), Mawgan Osborne (Pirates Ams), Steele Barker (Penryn), Toby Osborne (Pirates Ams), Tom Spiers (Truro), Jack Wickham (Saltash).

Replacements: Cameron Taylor (St. Austell), Mishka Fibbens (Penryn), Callum Looker (Cardiff Met), Caden Brownfield (Hayle), Connor George (Unattached), James Murray, Jordan Sidwell (both Redruth).   

Cornwall scores: Tries, Plummer, Oliver, Barker 2, Levick, Spiers, Cons, Simmonds 3, Pens, Simmonds 2