Bill
Trelawny’s Army are once again delighted to be the sponsor for Cornwall RFU Colts Cup Finals Day to be held on Sunday 7th April at St. Austell RFC.
Program of matches.
TASC Bowl Final
Newquay Hornets v Penryn 11 am
TASC Plate Final
Saltash v Truro 12:30 pm
TASC Shield Final
Camborne v Launceston 2 pm
TASC Cup Final
Penzance & Newlyn v St. Austell 3:30 pm
Bill
s
Cornish Pirates 7 London Irish 35
Despite the Cornish Pirates playing with a truly commendable spirit throughout, five tries from London Irish, all converted by Ireland international Ian Keatley, saw the visitors to victory, reports Phil Westren.
The teams had already played each other three times this season, the Pirates in their last meeting recording a first ever win against London Irish, which back in mid-December had delivered a perfect Christmas present. Following that loss, it was always likely that ‘Irish’ would seek their revenge, with the added incentive of striving to hone towards almost certain promotion at the business end of the season.
The Pirates made three changes in their starting line-up from the one that ran out at Bedford the previous weekend. AJ Cant slotted in on the left wing and in the front-row Sam Matavesi was named at hooker and Jack Owlett at tight-head prop.
The visit of London Irish, combined with that of the Falmouth Marine Band plus sunny weather, helped create a real pre-match buzz about the ‘Mennaye’, and it one certainly enjoyed by both sets of supporters.
After a lively start from the competing teams, it was London Irish who opened their account in the twelfth minute with a try scored at the old Western National corner by centre Tom Stephenson. Fly-half Keatley followed up with the first of his five conversions slotted in the match.
In the period that followed the visitors dominated possession, ending with Stephenson making it over the line again for a second converted score.
Conditions were, of course, much better than Irish had experienced on their last visit to Penzance, and fielding a side littered with international performers there were threats aplenty for the Pirates to contend with.
There was credit due the Cornish team for efforts made in also striving to launch attacks. Centre Rory Parata and wing Robin Wedlake were to the fore, alongside willing ball carriers in hooker Sam Matavesi and flankers Josh Caulfield and Matt Bolwell. The Pirates line-out also functioned well, as did their scrum which was holding up commendably well against larger opponents. Despite these positives, however, it was the defensive determination and line speed display of their opponents that was mightily impressive. Indeed, here was a squad that had arrived fully focused, their collective will to deliver at a level this particular scribe has seldom witnessed.
After Pirates’ centre Javier Rojas Alvarez was luckless with a penalty attempt on 32 minutes, just before the break the visitors extended their lead when a run from Luke McLean was given support by scrum-half Ben Meehan who scored a converted try to the left of the Newlyn posts.
London Irish proceeded to notch a bonus point just four minutes into the second half, it the turn of right-wing Ben Loader to get his name on the scoresheet. Making a counter-attack from some 40 metres out, in what seemed just a flash he dotted the ball down at the Penzance posts, with Keatley’s fourth conversion making it 0-28.
Showing resolve, the Pirates maintained their effort and boosted by fresh legs gained ultimate reward. After pressing close to the line, it appeared that London Irish were about to clear the danger, only for Matavesi to pounce and score a try converted by Rojas Alvarez.
Now was a period when the Pirates looked in control and pressing for a second score wing Cant was unlucky not to gather and make it over on the left. It felt that their efforts were deserving of further points, but it was not to be, Meehan’s second try of the match, again converted, delivering for London Irish their keenly sought-after victory.
Speaking after the game, Cornish Pirates’ co-coach Gavin Cattle had praise both for London Irish and his own team. He commented.“We have to commend London Irish for a complete professional performance. They made us work for everything and controlled field position, especially with the breeze advantage in the first half.
“Looking at how we played, there were certainly positives to take from the match. Our discipline was improved and sticking in the fight we reacted well from our defeat at Bedford.
“There are a few battered bodies and seeing the effort put in every week I’m just proud of the boys. Today was a case that at times you just have to tip your hat to a better team.”
Cornish Pirates: 15 Maliq Holden, 14 Robin Wedlake, 13 Rory Parata (Dan Koster 6), 12 Javier Rojas Alvarez, 11 AJ Cant, 10 Will Cargill (Callum Patterson 54), 9 Alex Schwarz (Alex Day 54); 1 Marlen Walker (Jack Andrew 40), 2 Sam Matavesi (Dan Frost 70), 3 Jack Owlett, 4 Toby Freeman, 5 Brett Beukeboom (c), 6 Josh Caulfield, 7 Matt Bolwell (John Stevens 53), 8 Tom Duncan (Dan Lee 53).
London Irish: 15 Alivereti Veitokani, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Tom Stephenson, 12 Fergus Mulchrone, 11 Luke McLean, 10 Ian Keatley (Jacob Atkins 74), 9 Ben Meehan (Scott Steele 74); 1 Gordon Reid (Lovejoy Chawatama 74), 2 Dave Porecki (Michael van Vuuren 74), 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Franco van der Merwe (Barney Maddison 73), 5 Josh McNally (c), 6 Albert Tuisue, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Ofisa Treviranus (Jake Schatz 73).
Replacement (not used): Matt Williams.
Scorers: Cornish Pirates – try: Matavesi; con: Rojas Alvarez. London Irish – tries: Stephenson (2), Meehan (2), Loader; cons: Keatley (5).
Referee: JP Doyle (RFU)
Crowd: 2722
St. Austell Brewery’s ‘Cornish Pirates’ Man-of-the-Match: Sam Matavesi
BillJASON 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
BillJASON 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.
BillCORNWALL 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
| 1 | Luke Barnes | Redruth |
| 2 | Rory Mead | Bude |
| 3 | Chae Jenkins | Launceston |
| 4 | Dan Goldsmith (Vice-Captain) | Launceston |
| 5 | Mawgan Osborne | P&N Colts |
| 6 | Torin Clarke (Captain) | Launceston |
| 7 | Aden Brassington | St Ives |
| 8 | Jamie Eddy | Redruth |
| 9 | Owen Davey | Truro |
| 10 | James Tucker | Redruth |
| 11 | Jake Penprase | Bath Uni |
| 12 | Will Trewin | Cardiff Met |
| 13 | Connor Gilbert | Redruth |
| 14 | Ben Plummer | St Austell |
| 15 | Reuben Edwards | Launceston |
| 16 | Harry Lightfoot | Launceston |
| 17 | Cain Worley | N/A |
| 18 | Eddy Hall | Pirates Amateurs |
| 19 | Alex Bartlett | Launceston |
| 20 | Stan Somers | Falmouth |
| 21 | Tom Wallace | Penryn |
| 22 | Adam Long | Camborne |
| Travelling reserves | ||
| 23 | Jack Hodge | Redruth |
| 24 | James Murray | Redruth |
| 25 | Lawrence Armstrong | Launceston |
Coaches – Josh Lord + Rich Kevern
Medical cover – Graham Ashton + Lauren Albury
Kit – Paul Hurrell (Head) + Colin Hatch
Bill
REDRUTH 20 – 22 BARNES
By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground.
Redruth’s Jeykll and Hyde season continued with this disappointing ill-disciplined home defeat to Barnes.
No question the Reds were the architects of their own downfall with a display that frustrated and clearly annoyed Director of Rugby Nigel Hambly as he spoke animatedly to his players in the post match huddle.
There was a sombre atmosphere as the players remembered their former teammate James Huxtable, who tragically passed away a year ago.
The players wore James’ final club Belsize Park socks in his memory, whilst the fly-half shirt worn by Richie Kevern had no number, with the actual 10 shirt hanging in the home dressing room on the peg that was James’ during his spell at the club.
Barnes had first use of the slope, despite falling behind to a Redruth penalty, kicked by full-back Aaron Simmonds, were soon level when Josh Hammett replied in kind.
Barnes pressure led to Redruth losing the influential player/coach Pale Nonu to the sin bin on the half-hour mark allowing the visitors to take full advantage scoring an unconverted try through skipper Jamie Collins.
Redruth’s growing woes were compounded when they lost Simmonds to a red card. The full-back was adjudged to have made contact with his knee to an opposing player’s head.
Barnes capitalised scoring a second try from another drive through prop Alistair Ryan with Hammett adding the extras for a useful 15-3 lead at the break.
Redruth looked to claw back their deficit playing down the slope, however Barnes defended well leaving the Reds frustrated. They eventually got some reward as Dean Bonds got in amongst the forwards to score in the corner as Barnes lost lock Matt Steele to a yellow card as the pressure finally told.
Scrum-half Jack Oulton looked to put Redruth on the front foot kicking to the corner from a penalty which led to a penalty-try to the home side and lifted the crowd.
Redruth looked to have saved the game when centre Jack Simmons scored following good work from skipper Richard Brown and Nonu, but crucially the conversion was disallowed by the referee, despite both assistants raising their flags!
With time running out back came Barnes piling on the pressure which eventully told as they scored a try through scrum-half Josh Davies to allow Hammett to kick what proved to be the winning conversion.
Barnes then survived a late penalty attempt from Oulton that sailed wide and summed up Redruth’s day.
Redruth: A Simmonds, T Notman, J Simmons, P Nonu, D Bonds, R Kevern, J Oulton; L Kivalu, M Gidlow, J Tompsett, T Prisk, L Hattam, J Clemson, S Stevens, B Howe.
Replacements: R Brown, C Williams, L Barnes, J Tucker, N Webber.
Redruth scores: Tries, Bonds, Penalty, Simmons, Pen, Simmonds.
Yellow Card: Nonu (30)
Red Card: Simmonds (37)
Barnes: T O’Toole, R Martey, D Holmes, N Van Buuren, T Pearce, J Hammett, J Davies; G Hunter, G Head, A Ryan, M Steele, J Collins, J Van der Poel, C Smyth, M Wakeling.
Replacements: F McArthur, J Garrett, R Nimmo, F Avis, G Davies.
Barnes scores: Tries, Collins, Ryan, Davies, Con, Hammett 2, Pen, Hammett
Yellow Card: Steele (53)
Referee: James Milliner
Crowd: 650
Redruth man-of-the-match: Jack Oulton, another solid performance from the scrum-half on a difficult afternoon, kicked Redruth into good positions and gave his usual spiky performance.
Bill
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.
BillOn 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.
BillJASON 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 31st 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)
BillCornwall 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.
