Cornwall completed their final training session at Redruth RFC yesterday evening with the squad looking forward to Sunday’s Bill Beaumont Cup final 5-45 pm at Twickenham.

There a no injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash with Cheshire.

The Cornwall squad will depart for Twickenham tomorrow morning, 11 am starting from Hayle RFC, staying overnight near London.

The squad will prepare on Sunday for the game, before the coach ride to the Stadium.

Many thanks to Warren’s Bakery who have kindly provided the squad with pasties for the trip up, also to Tribute Brewery and Kelsal Steele who have sponsored a range of O’Neills leisure wear so that the squad will look “proper” at HQ.

Sunday morning sees the Family coach set off from Hayle RFC at 7 am and they will meet up with the Trelawny’s Army coaches and others from the duchy along with our “exiles” to greet the team as they arrive at Twickenham at around 3:45 pm to sea of black and gold.     

For those early arrivals at Twickenham head to the Cabbage Patch for 12-noon, where choirmaster Stu Hoy will lead the singing of the Cornish. Pasties will be available.

For those unable to travel to Twickenham, there will be full match coverage by BBC Radio Cornwall, with Dick Straughan and John Martin your commentators.

It is expected and hoped that ERTV will provide match footage of the game. See the RFU site for updates.

Two of the stars from this season’s Cornwall side have been picked for England Counties tour to Georgia, leaving almost immediately following the final whistle in Sunday’s Bill Beaumont Cup Final.

For both Jack Oulton (Redruth) and Alex Ducker (Camborne), it is worthy recognition as both players have enjoyed a stand out season for both their clubs and Cornwall.

There are two games scheduled, both against a Georgia XV, with the first game taking place in Kutaisi on the 7th June and the second in Tbilisi on the 11th June, both games kick-off at 6 pm local time.

England Counties squad to tour Georgia

1. Tom Williams* Kent and Blackheath

2. George Porter* Gloucestershire and Cinderford

3. Henry Paul* Surrey And Esher

4. Danny Herriott* Kent and Blackheath

5. Nathan Morris* Kent and Old Elthamians

6. Neil Briggs * Cheshire and Sale FC

7. Bob Birtwell Lancashire and Sedgley Park

8. Joe Makin Yorkshire and Hull Ionians

9. John Kelly* Devon and Plymouth Albion

10. Ollie Hodgson Durham and DMP

11. Andrew Hughes Lancashire and Sale FC

12. Harry Hone Gloucestershire and Cinderford

13. Stephen Leonard * Kent and Cambridge University

14. Jack Daly Kent and Blackheath

15. Jack Oulton* Cornwall and Redruth

16. Dan Mugford Devon and Plymouth Albion

17. Greg Lound* Surrey and Rosslyn park

18. James Tincknell Yorkshire and Hull Ionians

19. Kieron Moffat* Kent and Old Elthamians

20. Lewis Minikin Yorkshire and Hull Ionians

21. Callum McKenzie* Durham and DMP

22. Craig Holland* Surrey and Chinnor

23. Nick Hankin* Hertfordshire and Bishops Stortford

24. Alex Ducker* Cornwall and Camborne

New caps-*

CORNWALL SELECT SIDE TO FACE CHESHIRE IN SUNDAY TEA-TIME FINAL

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall selectors have stuck by the same tried and tested squad for Sunday’s Bill Beaumont Cup Final against Cheshire at Twickenham.

It will be the third time the two counties have faced each other in the final, Cheshire won the first final in 1998, 21-14, whilst Cornwall won the second final three years ago, 35-13, Matt Shepherd notching twenty points in a memorable performance with a try, three penalties and three conversions.  

There are just a couple of positional changes for the final. Jon Dawe moves to the wing whilst Richie Kevern moves from full-back to the centre to partner club mate Jack Simmons with Shepherd having recovered from injury that forced him to miss the Devon game.

In the back row, Edd Pascoe retains his place with fit again Sam Stevens returning having also missed out against Devon.

Disappointingly, there is no place for Bude winger Kyle Speare who is named as a travelling reserve.

The replacements bench will supply plenty to the team’s performance when they get their chance. Penryn pair George Jones and Grant Randlesome are bound to play a full part at rugby HQ, as will Wadebridge’s Matt Ballard.

The whole squad at training joined in with the congratulations to Alex Ducker and Jack Oulton on their selection for England Counties tour to Georgia, which departs immediately after the final.

While there are still 80 minutes of rugby to be played, this Cornwall team will give everything and more in this final game of their season and be a credit to their families, their clubs and their county. They have played with pride and passion wearing the black and gold and that has always been a hallmark of great Cornwall sides of the past.

The selected squad will be travelling up to Twickenham on Saturday and will arrive at the ground at approximately 3.30 pm on the Sunday and look forward to being greeted by the Cornish crowd as they step off the coach.

There may be many in the Cornwall rugby community who will be baffled by the RFU decision to move the 5.30pm kick-off to 5.45pm

Cornwall team to play Cheshire at Twickenham on Sunday 2^nd June. Kick off 5.45pm

15. Matt Shepherd   Plymouth Albion

14. John Dawe           Plymouth Albion

13. Jack Simmons      Redruth

12. Richie Kevern     Redruth

11. Alex Ducker         Camborne

10. Fraser Honey       Plymouth Albion

9. Jack Oulton            Redruth

1. Dan Job                  Lanner

2. Rob Elloway          St. Ives

3. Jess Tompsett      Redruth

4. Tony Whittle        Camborne

5. Ben Hilton (captain)   Barnstaple

6. Edd Pascoe           Redruth & Royal Navy

7. Sam Stevens        Redruth

8. Brad Howe           Redruth

16. Matt Ballard      Wadebridge Camels

25. Craig Williams   Redruth

18. George Jones    Penryn

19. Grant Randlesome   Penryn

20. Taron Peacock  Camborne

21. Dean Bonds      Redruth

22. Seti Raumakita  Plymouth Albion

Travelling Reserves: Rikki Bentham, Kyle Speare, Rhys Brownfield, Charlie Nicholson or Greg Thomas

BILL BEAUMONT CUP          

DEVON 20 – 50 CORNWALL

By Bill Hooper, at Astley Park

Cornwall booked their return to Twickenham in impressive style scoring eight tries as they defeated a gutsy Devon side.

There was a late change to the published team, with Sam Stevens failing a late fitness test. Fellow red Edd Pascoe came into the back row, with Falmouth’s lock Dan Sanderson onto the bench.

Roared on by Trelawny’s Army, Cornwall kicked off and looked to stamp their authority on the game.

It didn’t take long with an opening try after just four minutes scored by the mercurial Alex Ducker following some good phases by the Cornish forwards, Ducker’s balance and pace bamboozled the Devon defence.

Fly-half Fraser Honey made no mistake with the first of his five successful conversions.

Devon came back into it with some good play from former Cornwall player Lewis Paterson and the impressive back row Tom McGratton, they earned a penalty that fly-half Tom Putt kicked to cut the deficit.

Honey then missed with a penalty attempt at the other end, before the game erupted with a dust up involving Brad Howe and Devon’s Dean Avery, both players were invited by referee Nick Wood to spend ten minutes on the naughty step.

Cornwall’s defence was again rock-solid with Pascoe knocking over Devon players at will.

Cornwall then found themselves down to thirteen men when Ducker was adjudged to have deliberately knocked-on, it seemed a harsh call.

Putt, who had just seen a penalty attempt canon off an upright, made no mistake at the second time of asking.

Cornwall survived the short period of being down to thirteen before Howe returned, indeed wing Dean Bonds was just inches away from scoring Cornwall’s second try.

The Black and Golds maintained the pressure near the Devon line, with penalty decisions going their way at scrum-time, eventually it told as scrum-half Jack Oulton sniped, seemed to lose balance but kept his feet to score near the posts, Honey was again successful with the extras.

Full-back Charlie Briant went close for the green and whites, denied once more by the granite Cornish defence.

With half-time fast approaching Cornwall got their third try, from a ruck near the Devon line, prop Dan Job drove and planted the ball on the line, Honey’s conversion put Cornwall in the driving seat at the break 21-6.

Cornwall didn’t deal well with the kick-off at the beginning of the second half handing possession to Devon, they went through the phases near the Cornwall line before scrum-half Ben Watts went over, Putt’s conversion brought Devon back into contention momentarily as Cornwall got their act together getting the bonus point try through the impressive Howe, Honey again made no mistake with the conversion.

Just four minutes later further pressure in the Devon twenty-two saw giant prop Jess Tompsett drive over for try number five, and Honey adding his final conversion.

The Cornwall supporters were by now in full-cry as Cornwall, with the game in the bag cut loose with further tries from Kyle Speare, following great work from Ducker, Jon Dawe, given the scoring pass by full-back Richie Kevern and finally Taron Peacock, who found a big hole and gleefully accepted it.

Devon did have the final say with a try from Avery from a missed lineout near the Cornwall line, converted by Putt, but by then Cornwall’s black and gold army was in full celebration as the plans for Twickenham were being made.

Head coach Graham Dawe was pleased with the win. “Delighted for the boys but it took us awhile to get going, we fell foul of the referee again, so we have to make sure we understand what he wants. We will look to prepare for Twickenham and make sure the boys are in the best shape going into that game.”

DEVON (Ivybridge unless stated): Charlie Briant, Billy Pinkus, Rhys Palmer (Okehampton), Lewis Paterson, Frank Kelly (Plymouth Albion), Tom Putt (Unattached), Ben Watts; Matt Dowrick (Newton Abbot), Dean Avery (Unattached), Charlie Tribble (Exmouth), Adam Thomas (Brixham), Jamie Tripcony, Tom McGratton (Okehampton), Sam Thomas (Brixham), Wayne Sprangle (Bridgwater & Albion, Capt).

Replacements: Ashlee Crouch (Plymouth Albion),Shane Cooper (Exmouth), Ben King, Olly Schuster-Wood (Cullompton), George Wilson, Mitch Pinkus (Brixham), Jamie Hext (Brixham).

Devon scores: Tries, Watts, Avery, Cons, Putt 2, Pens, Putt 2

Yellow Card: Avery (19)

CORNWALL (Redruth unless stated): Richie Kevern, 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), Edd Pascoe, Grant Randlesome (Penryn), Brad Howe.

Replacements: Matt Ballard (Wadebridge Camels), Craig Williams, Dan Sanderson (Falmouth), George Jones (Penryn), Seti Raumakita (Plymouth Albion), Kyle Speare (Bude), Taron Peacock (Camborne).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Ducker, Oulton, Job, Howe, Tompsett, Speare, Dawe, Peacock, Cons, Honey 5

Yellow Cards: Howe (19), Ducker (27)

Referee: Nick Woods

Crowd: 1,450   

The Black & Golds ran in eight tries in a 50-20 win to book a return to rugby HQ in early June.

Cornwall ran riot in the second half scoring five tries to demolish a brave Devon effort.

Ducker, Outlton and Job scored tries in the first half with Honey kicking all three conversions, to a couple of Putt penalties for the hosts.

Despite an early second half score by Watts for Devon, Cornwall kept their foot on the metal with tries from Howe, Tompsett, Speare, Dawe and Peacock with Honey adding another couple of conversions.

Devon had the final say when Avery crashed over but it was too little for the green and whites.

Cornwall will now face Cheshire in the final, after they defeated Durham today and Lancashire lost the Roses match to Yorkshire.

Full report tomorrow

BILL BEAUMONT CUP          

DEVON V CORNWALL

Cornwall go into their third and final pool match this Saturday against old rivals Devon knowing a win will be good enough to take them back to Twickenham  for the sixth time in seven years.

Having already defeated Devon in this season’s Tamar Cup match at Brickfields last month 28-13, Cornwall will be keen to avenge the Championship defeat to Devon last season at Camborne 20-19, however there will be a key player from the Tamar cup win missing, full-back Matt Shepherd.

Shepherd picked up an injury against Hertfordshire last Saturday, sadly has not recovered in time.

Redruth’s Richie Kevern comes into the starting XV at full-back, whilst fellow Red Dean Bonds, a try scorer last week, gets the nod over Kyle Speare on the wing, who reverts to the bench.

Albion’s Seti Raumakita comes in as a backs replacement on the bench as does Camborne’s Taron Peacock, the unfortunate player to miss out is another Cherry and White, utility back Rhys Brownfield.

Head coach Graham Dawe said ahead of the game. “It’s going to be a huge battle against Devon, we have to earn the right to make the final again, the game will come down to those fine margins and who is prepared to put their bodies on the line.”

Kick-off at Brixham is 2:30 pm.

Cornwall side to face Devon;

15. Richie Kevern (Redruth)

14. Dean Bonds (Redruth)

13. Jack Simmons (Redruth)

12. Jon Dawe (Plymouth Albion)

11. Alex Ducker (Camborne)

10. Fraser Honey (Plymouth Albion)

9. Jack Oulton (Redruth)

1. Dan Job (Lanner)

2. Rob Elloway (St. Ives)

3. Jess Tompsett (Redruth)

4. Tony Whittle (Camborne)

5. Ben Hilton (Barnstaple, Capt)

6. Grant Randlesome (Penryn)

7. Sam Stevens (Redruth)

8. Brad Howe (Redruth)

Replacements;

16. Matt Ballard (Wadebridge Camels)

17. Craig Williams (Redruth)

18. Edd Pascoe (Redruth)

19. George Jones (Penryn)

20. Taron Peacock (Camborne)

21. Seti Raumakita (Plymouth Albion)

22. Kyle Speare (Bude)

Travelling Reserves: Andruis Zacharovas (Camborne), Dan Sanderson (Falmouth), Rhys Brownfield (Camborne)   

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.

Please be aware of the following information re car parking at Brixham RFC on Saturday 18th May.

Car Parking at the ground is restricted to Blue Badge holders, or those with a disability. Parking spaces will be at a premium.

If you require a parking space at the club please contact the club direct on 01803 882162 to reserve a place.

General parking will be available at a nearby school.

BILL BEAUMONT CUP

CORNWALL 37 – 13 HERTFORDSHIRE

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground Redruth

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.

Cornwall scores: Tries, Elloway, Howe, Simmons, Oulton, Bonds, Ducker, Cons, Honey 2, Pen, Honey

Yellow Cards: Ducker (52), Oulton (79)

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).

Hertfordshire scores: Tries Ricci 2, Pen, Cappaert

Referee: Dan Parrott

Crowd: 1780

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.