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.

BILL BEAUMONT CUP CORNWALL V HERTFORDSHIRE

Saturday 11th May Kick-Off 3pm

Come and join the Black and Gold Army as Cornwall take the next step on the road back to Twickenham. The Recreation Ground has been the scene of many a stirring county match and Saturday promises to be another closely fought game.

Gates open at 1pm, get there early to enjoy the atmosphere at Cornwall’s most intimidating venue. Lets make home advantage count.

Spectators will be able to lubricate their vocal cords with both clubhouse bars being open to the public along with the Tribute Lounge and outside bars on the East Bank and Hell’s Bar in Hellfire Corner. If all the excitement makes you hungry, then Hell’s Kitchen in Hellfire Corner and the clubhouse kitchen will be able to satisfy even the most voracious of appetites. No need to miss any of the action getting fed and watered at Redruth.

Safety Notice
Please note that no glass, bottles or cans may be brought into the ground. Any bags brought into the ground are liable to be searched.
Vehicle access to the ground will not be permitted after 2.30pm.
No vehicle may leave the ground during the match. After the final whistle vehicles will be held in the ground until the crowd has dispersed and will leave the ground via the Piggy Lane gate, please follow stewards instructions.

Please also note there is no smoking in the grandstand nor the enclosure at Redruth RFC. 

Cornwall RFU & Redruth RFC

Cornwall RFU chosen charity for this season is the #Cry4Tom charity, set up in memory of former local rugby player Tom Demaine who sadly was struck down from an undiagnosed cardiac condition.

Collectors will be at the ground this Saturday and will be wearing the charity T-shirt. Please give as generously as you can to this worthy cause and make a note of the date at Bodmin College for a screening session on 4th/5th December this year. 

Cornwall looking to break Herts

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall go into their second Bill Beaumont Cup group game this Saturday buoyed by an opening day win at Kent.

Hertfordshire, last season’s finalists in the Cup, will also travel to Redruth in good heart having scored a bonus point win at Hampshire 29-20.

However, the defeat against Hertfordshire in the final pool game last season 50-0, and it’s something the Cornwall team would like to set the record straight.

Both sides will look very different from the teams that lined up last May with both counties fielding players in their first season of Championship rugby.    

Ahead of last night’s busy training session at Redruth I spoke with both Graham Dawe and Marek Churcher. Dawe said. “I haven’t gone into too much analysis since Saturday, I think my initial assessment on the game is about right. These lads know how to play rugby, Ben Hilton is a fine leader. We might need to add a little experience to the side this Saturday, a little more leadership in certain areas and continue to fine tune our game.

“We need to make sure we are on the same wavelength as the referee this week, a few times last week we had to challenge his interpretation but at the same time he’s got to be your best friend!

Dawe also has no worries about last season’s result up there. “I was proud of the players that went up there last season and did a job in difficult circumstances. Saturday is another game, we can’t influence the past but we can the future, that’s all I am interested in.”

There were certainly a few experienced heads  helping out at training last night, apart from Craig Williams and Edd Pascoe, Mike Rawlings and Dan Sanderson all assisted and participated in the session along with squad players Declan Matthews, Aaron Simmonds and Andrius Zacharovas.

Matt Shepherd comes into the side at full back whilst Kyle Speare comes in on the wing with both Rhys Brownfield and Dean Bonds reverting to the bench in the only two changes to the starting XV from Kent.

On the bench Craig Williams and Edd Pascoe come in replacing Charlie Nicholson and Rupert Edwards, whilst Taron Peacock is unlucky as is Edwards to miss out.

Marek Churcher said. “I was really pleased with our performance up at Kent, it would have been nice to have got the bonus point, but having said that to see the guys come together as team so quickly was the big plus. I thought Dan Job was outstanding last week and shows what talent there is playing further down the leagues in Cornwall.

“We are looking forward to playing at Redruth on Saturday in front of a big crowd getting behind the lads.” 

Cornwall Team to play Hertfordshire Saturday 11^th May

15 Matt Shepherd (Plymouth Albion)

14 Kyle Speare (Bude)

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 Ben Hilton (Capt) (Barnstaple)

5 Tony Whittle (Camborne)

6 Grant Randlesome (Penryn)

7 Sam Stevens (Redruth)

8 Brad Howe (Redruth)

16 Matt Ballard (Wadebridge Camels)

17 Craig Williams (Redruth)

18 George Jones (Penryn)

19 Edd Pascoe (Redruth)

20 Rhys Brownfield (Camborne)

21 Dean Bonds (Redruth)

22 Richie Kevern (Redruth)

Reserves: Rupert Edwards (Wadebridge Camels), Andruis Zacharovas, Taron Peacock (both Camborne)

Head coach: Graham Dawe

Backs coach: Marek Churcher

Hertfordshire released their side Friday lunchtime, here it is.

HERTFORDSHIRE

15. Josh Rudling (Northumbria Uni)

14. Alex Ricci (Old Albanians)

13. Kyle Lemon (Hertford)

12. Richard Streets (Hertford)

11. Sam Barnes (Tring)

10. Sam Cappaert (Bishop’s Stortford)

 9. Mike Sargent (Hertford)

 1. Ben Harrison-Price (Bishop’s Stortford)

 2. Mike Bond (Old Albanians)

 3. Jack Flanagan (Tring)

 4. Rob Conquest (Cambridge) (Capt)

 5. Harry Green (Tring)

 6. Nick Radley (Tring)

7. Harry McCartney (Tring)

8. Chris West (Harrow).

Replacements;

16. Tim Matthew (Hertford)

17. Douglas McGregor-Smith (Fullerians)

18. Oscar Nicholson (Tring)

19. Josh Milton (Welwyn)

20. Jack Elston (Hertford)

21. Ben Creasey (Bishop’s Stortford)

22. Iwan Dawes (Hertford)

GILL BURNS CUP

SOMERSET WOMEN 49 – 22 CORNWALL WOMEN

Cornwall Women’s interest in this season’s Gill Burns Cup came to an end on Sunday as they lost their second and final group game, reports Bill Hooper.

The Cornish side will be pleased to have picked up a try-scoring bonus point as some consolation for the hard work they have put in for the campaign.

Team Manager Lorri Osman was full of praise for the side. She said. “Off the back of last week’s performance the ladies were ready for the second round of Gill Burns cup. Despite a very strong Somerset side with players from Tyrrells Premier 15 and Championship clubs on their team sheet, the score did not reflect the 80 minute battle that was to take place.
“With one try disallowed for Cornwall I think the ladies heads dropped slightly but they never gave up. They have a lot to be proud of from yesterday considering the quality players they are up against.

“Three eligible U.18 girls featured in the squad with Leona Hughes hard work being rewarded with forward of the match alongside Jo Roberts as back of the match.

“These ladies have a lot to be proud of this season despite score- lines. They have reduced the deficit against Dorset and Wilts and took it to a very strong Somerset side.

“We continue to build on the past two seasons with training planned to start even earlier next season and getting to play as a team earlier. Special mention to Kev Luke and Gav Mountjoy who stood in at short notice as coaches and have bought a very different dynamic to the squad.Also to Rob Durant who has been tirelessly working with the ladies monitoring injuries and getting them back on the pitch.

“Special mention for Trelawny’s Army who supported us so magnificently throughout the game and made the match day experience special for the girls.”

Cornwall Women: 15. Amy Bunt (Liskeard-Looe & Plymouth Albion), 14. Megan Stroff (Liskeard-Looe), 13 Jo Roberts (Plymstock AO), 12. Lauren Chenoweth (Penryn), 11. Frankie Perry (Bude & Plymouth Albion), 10. Ro Gomez (Penryn), 9. Amy Warman (Liskeard-Looe & Plymouth Albion); 1.Clare Matthews, 2. Zeta Penrose (capt) (both Penryn), 3.Claire Hannigan (Plymstock AO), 4.Rachel Shackleton, 5.Alex Gallagher (both Bude), 6.Rhian Roberts (Plymstock AO) 7.Katie Bosustow (Penryn), 8 Leona Hughes (Liskeard-Looe).

Replacements: 16. Emma Stefanotti (Bude & Plymouth Albion), 17. Michaella Roberts (Bristol), 18. Verity Waters (Plymouth Albion), 19. Lucia Honey (Plymstock AO), 20. Jo Holden, 21. Anna Clooke (both Plymouth Albion), 22. Elizabeth Stacey (Bath), 23. Mel Ruby (Bude)  

Travelling Reserves: Megan Betts (Penzance), Bethany Hampton (Camborne)   

Cornwall scores: Tries, Matthews, Chenoweth, Perry 2, Con, Chenoweth

BILL BEAUMONT CUP

KENT 21 – 25 CORNWALL

By Bill Hooper, at Medway with photos by Simon Bryant

Fraser Honey’s penalty three minutes from time sealed an important opening day win for Cornwall in this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup.

As is often the case when Cornwall face a side with “higher league” players in it, the black and golds roared on by Trelawny’s Army lifted their game to more than match their opponents.

The forwards had a towering game, typified by prop Dan Job from Lanner who went the full eighty, the tackle count put in was huge as the Cornish lads put their bodies on the line, ably led as you would expect by skipper Ben Hilton.

In weather more akin to March rather than May Cornwall began strongly playing into a strong breeze.

Following a string of penalties and some good drives from the forwards, notably Tony Whittle, Sam Stevens, on his Cornwall debut, crashed over for Cornwall’s opening try on seven minutes, which Honey converted.

Kent came back at Cornwall with determination putting in some big forward drives notably through their locks Mark Davey and Dave Irvine, but Cornwall matched them.

Cornwall’s back row was working hard with Grant Randlesome, Stevens and Brad Howe all prominent.

However, the pressure finally told when the hosts finished off a catch and drive near the Cornwall line flanker Freddie Owen getting the try. Frank Reynolds tied the scores with his successful conversion.

Both sides had half chances before half-time with the dangerous Kent wing Kwaku Asiedu having to be closely watched at all times by Dean Bonds, however it remained 7-all up to the break.

Cornwall again began the second half well with Honey kicking a penalty as Kent were caught offside.

Jon Dawe and Jack Simmons provided a cutting partnership in the centre, whilst also defending like terriers.   

Livewire scrum-half Charlie Edwards was proving to be a thorn in Cornwall’s side with his snipping breaks, and as Kent piled on the pressure near the Cornwall line, the visitors gave away a string of penalties that tried the patience of the referee resulting in a yellow card for Jack Oulton.

A couple of phases later and Cornwall still being adjudged of being the culprits referee Wigley awarded Kent a penalty-try.

Cornwall began to look to the bench for some fresh legs as they used the wind well to kick for position.

The Cornish response was clinical when Kent went down to fourteen men with Irvine sent to the bin from a powerful drive the forwards went over the line with Rob Elloway sneaking in under a pile of bodies for an unconverted try.

Moments later with Kent pressing in the Cornwall half, a stray pass from Kieran Moffat was snaffled by Alex Ducker who was in the clear and made no mistake going in under the posts to the joy of Trelawny’s Army.

Cornwall had a good advantage going into the final ten but the game was far from safe and when replacement scrum-half Jack Daly taped in the Cornwall twenty-two his pass to Asiedu put the winger in. Reynolds’ conversion brought Kent back to within a point.

George Jones put in a big shift off the bench as did Rupert Edwards with the forwards earning Cornwall a penalty on the Kent twenty-two, Honey calmly slotted the kick to put Cornwall four points up in time added on.

Cornwall then saw the game out keeping Kent deep in their twenty-two and then forcing the error to close out the game.

Following the game Cornwall’s head coach was satisfied with the win. He said. “It was tough conditions out there against a very good side, I thought we managed the conditions well. We did well to go in at half-time level and then have the wind second half. It was a little bit frustrating at times trying to understand the referee’s interpretation of the ruck. I thought our back row was outstanding today, work rate was high and they defended well.  

“Our props Dan Job and Jess Tompsett stood up well, the forwards work rate was top draw, now we have to back it up against Hertfordshire next week.”

Kent (Blackheath unless stated): Bryan Hotston (O.Elthamians), Elliot Simmons, Kieran Moffat (O Elthamians), M Cooke (Capt), Kwaku Asiedu (Cambridge), Frank Reynolds (Tunbridge Wells), Charlie Edwards (Tonbridge Juddians), Tom Williams, Nathan Morris (O Elthamians), Danny Herriott, Mark Davey, Dave Irvine (both Tonbridge Juddians), Freddie Owen, Mike Hathaway (Tunbridge Wells), Tom Stradwick.

Replacements: Ryan Jackson (Tonbridge Juddians), Billy Young, Stefan North, Nathan Thomas (both O. Elthamians), Tom Beaumont (Medway), Jack Daly, Alfie Orris (Medway)   

Kent scores: Tries Owen, Penalty, Asiedu, Cons Reynolds 2

Yellow Card: Irvine (60)

Cornwall (Redruth unless stated): Rhys Brownfield (Camborne), 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), Grant Randlesome (Penryn), Sam Stevens, Brad Howe.

Replacements: Matt Ballard (Wadebridge Camels), Charlie Nicholson (St. Austell), Rupert Edwards (Wadebridge Camels), George Jones (Penryn), Kyle Speare (Bude), Richie Kevern, Taron Peacock (Camborne).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Stevens, Elloway, Ducker, Cons, Honey 2, Pens, Honey 2

Yellow Card: Oulton (47)

Referee: Andrew Wigley (RFU)

Crowd: 250       

The second TASC sponsored 2 Counties Colts finals took place at Exeter Saracens RFC yesterday. Disappointingly a few sides have dropped out for one reason or another, so the program was a little truncated.

The results are as follows;

Bowl: Exeter Saracens v Okehampton no score known, but Exeter Saracens won

Plate: Saltash 40 – 7 Brixham

Cup & Shield : Launceston 17 – 45 Topsham

Huge thanks to everyone who has had to work doubly hard to get this on, especially Lee Maher.

Congratulations to Devon Bennett-Murray from Saltash Colts, who was awarded the Ewart White Memorial Trophy as the best Cornish Player on the day.

Cornwall Women & Girl’s Rugby Forum

As another season has passed, we have more girls playing more rugby in Schools, we have more players looking for more playing opportunities and whilst I have an insight as to how the County looks now, we have no forum currently for the clubs to look into the future, this needs to be addressed urgently and for that reason we are calling a meeting at Bodmin RFC – May 15th, 7pm Start for anyone currently involved or that would like to get involved in the W&G’s game in the County…

On the agenda will be;

County WAGS Committee – New
Competitive Rugby for Clubs
County Rugby
Coach Development
Safeguarding
RFU Plans for the Future

plus anything else we need to discuss, our County Chairman has kindly offered to chair the meeting, which reiterates how important the management board take the current set up.

Please share far and wide, we have a growing game on our hands and we need to make sure we have control of it! #TeamCornwall

By Bill Hooper, Photos: Simon Bryant Iktisphoto

As expected there is a strong representation from Redruth in the Cornwall side to face Kent on Saturday with no less than seven players is the match day squad.

Dan Job, who did so well in the Tamar Cup, retains his place in the side marking the first ever County Championship cap for a player from Lanner.

The Cornish backline looks very tasty with Alex Ducker and Dean Bonds on the wing whilst the mid-field duo of Jon Dawe and Jack Simmons looks promising.

Jack Oulton and Fraser Honey are the half-back pairing and will look to get their line going.

The side is captained by Ben Hilton who partners up with Tony Whittle in the second row.

50 years after his father featured for Cornwall in a County Championship final, Sam Stevens plays for Cornwall, a very proud moment for the family.

Travelling reserves: Aaron Simmonds (Redruth), Rikki Bentham (Launceston)

Head Coach Graham Dawe

Backs Coach Marek Churcher

Kent to play Cornwall

15. Bryan Hotston (Old Elthamians)

14. Elliot Simmons (Blackheath)

13. Kieran Moffat (Old Elthamians)

12. Mark Cooke, Capt (Blackheath)

11. Kwaku Asiedu (Cambridge)

10. Frank Reynolds (Tunbridge Wells)

9. Charlie Edwards (Tonbridge Juddians)

1. Tom Williams (Blackheath)

2. Nathan Morris (Old Elthamians)  

3. Danny Herriott (Blackheath)

4. Mark Davey (Tonbridge Juddians)

5. Dave Irvine (Tonbridge Juddians)

6. Freddie Owen (Blackheath)

7. Mike Hathaway (Tunbridge Wells)

8. Tom Stradwick (Blackheath)

Replacements;

16. Ryan Jackson (Tonbridge Juddians)

17. Bily Young (Blackheath)

18. Stefan North (Old Elthamians)

19. Nathan Thomas (Old Elthamians)

20. Tom Beaumont (Medway)

21. Jack Daly (Blackheath)

22. Alfie Orris (Medway)

CORNWALL WOMEN TRAVEL TO SOMERSET THIS SUNDAY

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall Women resume their Gill Burns Cup campaign this Sunday at the Commspluss Stadium Hyde Park, Taunton against Somerset Women, kick-off 2:30 pm.

Cornwall Women lost their opening fixture at Launceston last Sunday to group favourites Dorset & Wilts in a tight game with the visitors only pulling away on the scoreboard in the final ten minutes to end up 27-10 winners.

The coaches have made a few changes to the side that lost to Dorset & Wilts, both youngsters from Liskeard-Looe, Megan Stroff (wing) and Leona Hughes (No.8) come into the starting XV, whilst Elizabeth Stacey is set for a first cap off the bench. Verity Waters also comes onto the bench.      

Cornwall Women: 15. Amy Bunt (Liskeard-Looe & Plymouth Albion), 14. Megan Stroff (Liskeard-Looe), 13 Jo Roberts (Plymstock AO), 12. Lauren Chenoweth (Penryn), 11. Frankie Perry (Bude & Plymouth Albion), 10. Ro Gomez (Penryn), 9. Amy Warman (Liskeard-Looe & Plymouth Albion); 1.Clare Matthews, 2. Zeta Penrose (capt) (both Penryn), 3.Claire Hannigan (Plymstock AO), 4.Rachel Shackleton, 5.Alex Gallagher (both Bude), 6.Rhian Roberts (Plymstock AO) 7.Katie Bosustow (Penryn), 8 Leona Hughes (Liskeard-Looe).

Replacements: 16. Emma Stefanotti (Bude & Plymouth Albion), 17. Michaella Roberts (Bristol), 18. Verity Waters (Plymouth Albion), 19. Lucia Honey (Plymstock AO), 20. Jo Holden, 21. Anna Clooke (both Plymouth Albion) , 22. Elizabeth Stacey (Bath), 23. Mel Ruby (Bude)  

Travelling Reserves: Megan Betts (Penzance), Bethany Hampton (Camborne)