Edd Pascoe wins selection for England Counties, Josh Matavesi called up by BaaBaas

Redruth and Royal Navy lock Edd Pascoe is the only Cornish player to have been selected for this year’s England Counties tour to Romania.

Well done to Edd.

Edd Pascoe of Cornwall (Redruth) on the attack during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Devon at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Camborne Cornwall- Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

 

Full England Counties squad in the link

Congratulations to Josh Matavesi who has been called up to the Barbarians squad to face England on Sunday. The Camborne socks are on the way!

Posted in Bill's Blog


Chris Fuca Testimonial Game

There were plenty of Chris’ former and current team-mates on show Saturday for Fucs’ farewell game at Redruth.

Just a few photos by Dan Barbary to give you a flavour of the day.

Cheers Fucs.

 

Jack Simmons breaks away having avoided Sam Heard’s tackle. Copyright Dan Barbary

Brad Howe lining up Mark Bright! Copyright Dan Barbary

Shaun Buzza about to be jumped by Lewis Vinnicombe. Copyright Dan Barbary

Sum bleddy boys mind! Copyright Dan Barbary

 

 

Posted in Bill's Blog


Herts prove too strong for Cornwall

BILL BEAUMONT CUP – COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

HERTFORDSHIRE 50–0 CORNWALL

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall selectors rang the changes ahead of county side’s final fixture for this season with a view to looking at players ahead of next season’s campaign; however they were also hit by some late withdrawals which meant Cornwall fielding a side with not one Redruth player in the match day squad!

Sadly, for Cornwall the gulf in the playing standard showed with Cornwall suffering their biggest defeat for many years, a result that will shock many but in reality others feared.

Adrius Zacharovas of Cornwall (Camborne) hands off Sam Barnes of Hertfordshire (Tring) during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Hertfordshire and Cornwall at Silver Leys on May 19th 2018, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Huge credit to those players who came in at the last minute to wear the shirt, indeed to the whole side for never giving up playing until the final whistle.

Cornwall ended the campaign bottom of their group but as relegation is considered over two seasons, the 15 points they amassed in 2017 saved their skins, however in 2019 they will start another 2 year cycle of results. Surrey appear to be the unlucky side to drop having been deducted points for fielding an ineligible player against Cornwall.

Jake Murphy Captain of Cornwall (Barnstaple) kicks for the corner during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Hertfordshire and Cornwall at Silver Leys on May 19th 2018, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Cornwall’s skipper Jake Murphy was philosophical in defeat. “Credit to our lads for turning out today, it’s not been easy putting a side together this week. To a man they gave their all but sadly the gulf was evident today when you are up against National League 1 & 2 players. I shall think over my own situation over the summer as to whether I should carry on next season, maybe it’s time for the youngsters to step up now and take Cornwall on a new adventure.”

As in their previous two games Cornwall conceded an early try from a catch-and-drive when Herts hooker Steff Jones snuck over from the drive, fly-half Sean Taylor kicked the conversion and the home side were up and running.

Cornwall then lost lock Jack Heazelton to injury giving Penryn’s Adam Hughes an early chance to impress.

Cornwall enjoyed good possession for large parts of the first half but sadly committed too many errors. Skipper Jake Murphy and fellow centre Jon Dawe caught the eye in mid-field as did forwards Jon Drew and George Jones with their drives.

George Jones of Cornwall (Penryn) is tackled by Nick Stevens of Hertfordshire (Old Albanians) and Rob Conquest of Hertfordshire (Cambridge) during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Hertfordshire and Cornwall at Silver Leys on May 19th 2018, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Hertfordshire made the most of their field position when it came scoring two tries in the final ten minutes of the first half through lock Harry Green and right on the half-time whistle through No.8 Chris West, Taylor converted the former for a 19-0 half-time advantage to Hertfordshire.

In the second half Cornwall again had good periods but sadly they couldn’t capitalise as the big Hertfordshire pack took charge allied to the greater fitness of National League players.

Saltash’s Lewis Wells looked lively, whilst lock Ben Hilton was a nuisance in the rucks and mauls.

Lewis Wells of Cornwall (Saltash) makes a break during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Hertfordshire and Cornwall at Silver Leys on May 19th 2018, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, England – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Hertfordshire’s bonus point try came from a forward drive replacement hooker Ollie Walker getting the try with the excellent Taylor again adding the extras.

Tries came at regular intervals as the final quarter wore on through scrum-half Ben Creasey centre James Rea, replacement wing Luke Barber, flanker Nick Radley bringing up the eight tries. Taylor added a further couple of conversions to complete the scoring in an emphatic win, which coupled with Surrey’s win over Gloucestershire sees the men in green at Twickenham next Sunday to face Lancashire in the final.

Cornwall will be bitterly disappointed not to have got a score, whilst the coaches and selectors will have much to ponder on how to turn Cornwall’s fortunes around next season.

HERTFORDSHIRE: S Taylor (Hertford), E Byfield (Tring), J Rea (Bishop’s Stortford), R Streets (Hertford), S Barnes (Tring), D Watt (Old Albanian), T Banks (Bishop’s Stortford, capt); L Castiglione, S Jones (both Hertford), K Garside (Amptill), R Conquest (Cambridge), H Green, N Radley, N Stevens (all Tring), C West (Old Albanian).

Replacements: O Walker (Old Albanian), T McCrone (Bishop’s Stortford), D Archer, J Elston, B Creasey (all Hertford), J Scantlebury (Bishop’s Stortford), L Barber (Harpenden).

Hertfordshire scores: Tries, Jones, Green, West, Walker, Rea, Creasey, Barber, Radley, Cons, Taylor (5)

CORNWALL: M Vague (Penryn), W Morton (Saltash), S Hitchens (Penryn), J Dawe, D Pearce (both Launceston), J Murphy (Barnstaple, capt), T Peacock (Camborne); A Zacharovs (Camborne), M Ballard (Wadebridge Camels), J Drew (Camborne), B Hilton (Barnstaple), J Heazelton (Truro), L Wells (Saltash), G Jones (Penryn), L Duke (Launceston).

Replacements: T-L Southworth, (Camborne),  Z Cinnamond (Launceston), A Hodges (Bude), O Seagrove (Truro), A Hughes (Penryn), N Nash (Brixham), R McAtee (Camborne).

REFEREE: Alex Thomas (RFU)

Crowd: 610

 

 

Posted in Bill's Blog


Cornwall ring changes for Herts trip

Photo: Ben Hilton returns to Cornwall’s boiler house

By Bill Hooper

Due to unavailability and other circumstances, Cornwall’s selectors have picked a largely experimental side to face Hertfordshire at Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday 3 pm.

There are nine changes in the starting XV from the side that played against Devon at Camborne last week and just four players in the squad that faced Hertfordshire at Camborne last season. The big surprise is the omission of Matt Shepherd who would have been available this week, but sadly is another unavailable player.

In the backs, Will Morton (Saltash) comes in for the unavailable Tom Notman, whilst Richie Kevern comes off the bench into centre in place of the injured Duncan Tout.

Dave Mankee forms a club partnership at half back with Taron Peacock as he did last week when coming on for the injured Fraser Honey.

The forwards see a major shake-up, Jess Tompsett starts alongside Matt Ballard and Jon Drew, whilst in the second row there is a new partnership as former county captain Ben Hilton teams up with Truro’s Jack Heazelton in place of the Redruth duo of Edd Pascoe and Luke Hattam.

In the back row, a second Saltash player comes in Lewis Wells replacing BJ Chapman, whilst Launceston skipper Lloyd Duke comes in for Grant Randlesome at No.8.

Both Andrius Zacharovas and Tommy-Lee Southworth drop to the bench with a raft of new names coming in Zac Cinnamond, Angus Hodges, Adam Hughes, Sam Hitchens and Dan Pearce

 

CORNWALL TEAM

15 Mitch Vague (Penryn)

14 Will Morton (Saltash)

13 Jake Murphy [Capt.] (Barnstaple)

12 Richard Kevern (Redruth)

11 Jon Dawe (Launceston)

10 David Mankee (Camborne)

  9 Taron Peacock (Camborne)

  1 Jess Tompsett (Redruth)

  2 Matt Ballard (Wadebridge Camels)

  3 Jon Drew (Camborne)

  4 Ben Hilton (Barnstaple)

  5 Jack Heazelton (Truro)

  6 Lewis Wells (Saltash)

  7 George Jones (Penryn)

  8 Lloyd Duke Launceston)

 

Replacements

16 Tommy Lee Southworth (Camborne)

17 Andrius Zacharovas (Camborne)

18 Zac Cinnamond (Launceston)

19 Angus Hodges (Bude)

20 Sam Hitchens (Penryn)

21 Adam Hughes (Penryn)

22 Dan Pearce (Launceston)

 

Head Coach: Graham Dawe

Assistant Coaches: Marek Churcher & Rhodri McAtee

Hertfordshire have announced their side for the annual clash in the Bill Beaumont Cup against Cornwall, who they host this Saturday, 19th May at Bishop Stortford RFC. Kick off is 3pm.

Hertfordshire: Sean Taylor (Hertford); Elliott Byfield (Tring), James Rea (Bishop Stortford), Richard Streets (Hertford), Sam Barnes (Tring); Dan Watt (Old Albanian), Tom Banks (Bishop Stortford) – Captain, Louis Castiglione (Hertford), Steff Jones (Hertford), Karl Garside (Ampthill), Rob Conquest (Cambridge), Harry Green (Tring), Nick Radley (Tring), Nick Stevens (Old Albanian), Chris West (Old Albanian)

Replacements: Ollie Walliker (Old Albanian), Tom McCrone (Bishop’s Stortford), Dave Archer (Hertford), Jack Elston (Hertford), Ben Creasey (Hertford), Jack Scantlebury (Bishop’s Stortford), Luke Barber (Harpenden)

For those unable to get to Bishop’s Stortford the game will be streamed live by Dave Burrows, click on the link from 3 pm Saturday

Game will also be live on BBC Radio Cornwall with John Martin and David Jenkins.

Posted in Bill's Blog


Cornish lads unlucky not to make England Counties U.20 selection

Photo Colin Hatch: Players l-r Jake Penprase, Luke Barnes, James Tucker, Declan Matthews & Torin Clarke.

Five Cornwall U.20 players took place in the inter-divisional games at Derby last weekend. The South West played the Midlands and lost, however Declan Matthews scored a try for the South West. Sadly Torin Clarke was injured verry early in the game. A sixth player selected Jack Hodge was unable to attend the weekend.

At the conclusion of the two games, the North played London and South East, the touring squad to Georgia was selected, sadly none of our lads made the cut, but congratulations for getting so far.

Photo Marina Trevarton: Cornwall Ladies on the attack

On Sunday, Cornwall Ladies completed their program in this season’s Gill Burns Cup Division 2 when they went down at Polson Bridge to Hertfordshire Ladies 48-10. Well done to all the squad as this was their first season competing in the competition.

 

Posted in Bill's Blog


Cornish Twickenham dreams dashed by Devon

BILL BEAUMONT CUP

CORNWALL 19-20 DEVON

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne

The dream of a sixth successive trip to Twickenham for the Cornwall team was brutally scattered to the four corner of the Recreation Ground as Devon beat Cornwall for the first time in the County Championship in eight years.

Edd Pascoe of Cornwall (Redruth) on the attack during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Devon at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Camborne Cornwall- Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Speaking after the game Cornwall backs coach Marek Churcher said. “It’s always disappointing to lose, especially against Devon, but you have to give them credit for their game plan today. It’s always hard when you trying to play catch up and I thought we did well to come back in the second half, we had a chance to win it at the death but it didn’t go our way.

“In the final analysis we made too many errors both collectively and individually, as I said last week these guys are young and playing at a higher level than they have, full credit to them they have come back into the game and just fallen short they will learn and take that into the final game at Hertfordshire.”

Once again, as they did at Redruth the week before, Cornwall were slow off the blocks, guilty of far too many errors as the pressure told during the opening half.

Playing down the slope first half, Devon gave notice they hadn’t travelled to make up the numbers. Despite missing with his initial attempt at the posts fly-half Tom Putt was on cue moments later from the 10-metre line.

Barry John Chapman of Cornwall (Newton Abbot) catching the ball at the line-out during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Devon at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Camborne Cornwall- Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Cornwall had chances in the first quarter but having kicked for touch, the Duchy’s line-out didn’t function as three good opportunities went begging.

Cornwall suffered a blow when fly-half Fraser Honey, who this week signed for Plymouth Albion, was forced off with his leg in a brace.

Moments later Cornwall fell further behind as Devon’s Matt Crosscombe hacked the ball down the touchline, the bounce proved awkward for the covering Cornish defence and Cornwall’s Mitch Vague was adjudged to have held back the flying Crosscombe. Referee Veryan Boscawen trotted under the posts awarding Devon a penalty-try and Vague 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

From the clever re-start, wing Tom Notman had a good kick chase down the wing, resulting in a Cornwall penalty, Dave Mankee, on for Honey, kicked for the corner but again the line-out was lost and Devon broke clear through centre Tom Palmer.

Just before half-time Cornwall conceded another try when Devon skipper Nathan Hannay was driven over and Putt added the extras for a 17-0 advantage to stun the ranks of Cornish supporters.

Cornwall needed a good start in the second half, they got it after 49 minutes, when they secured good line-out ball and the pack drove over the Devon line with Penryn’s George Jones getting the touchdown.

Sadly, Mankee’s conversion attempt veered away from the far post and the try went crucially unconverted.

Cornwall lost another player as centre Duncan Tout went off with a collarbone injury, Redruth’s Jack Simmons coming on.

Cornwall had more of the play, a good driving burst from prop Andrius Zacharovas took play into the twenty-two, Cornwall went through the phases before skipper Jake Murphy cut back to take a scoring pass and go over under the posts, Mankee’s conversion made it game on!

Jake Murphy Captain of Cornwall (Barnstaple) dives in for a try during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Devon at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Camborne Cornwall- Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Crucially for Devon they enjoyed a period of pressure in the Cornwall twenty-two and from it milked a penalty that Putt slotted to put them two scores ahead.

Cornwall struck back, Murphy kicked a penalty into the West Bank corner, the line-out was secured by BJ Chapman and the maul set up with Notman getting in amongst the forwards to claim a try for the second game running, Mankee’s conversion making it a one point game.

 

Tom Notman of Cornwall (Redruth) scores the try during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Devon at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Camborne Cornwall- Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Despite good runs from Richie Kevern, Murphy and No.8 Grant Randlesome, Devon held firm, the ball went wide with wing Jon Dawe going close in the scoreboard corner before bundled into touch and with it Cornwall’s last chance had gone.

Cornwall will head to Bishop’s Stortford next Saturday looking to end their campaign on a positive note against Hertfordshire.

Cornwall: M Vague (Penryn), J Dawe (Launceston), D Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), J Murphy (Barnstaple, Capt), T Notman (Redruth), F Honey (Bury St. Edmunds), T Peacock; A Zacharovas, T-L Southworth, J Drew (all Camborne), L Hattam, E Pascoe (both Redruth), BJ Chapman (Newton Abbot), G Jones, G Randlesome (both Penryn).

Replacements: M Ballard (Wadebridge Camels), J Tompsett (Redruth), D Cook (Camborne), B Humber (Wadebridge Camels), D Mankee (Camborne), R Kevern, J Simmons (both Redruth).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Jones, Murphy, Notman, Cons, Mankee (2).

Yellow Card: Vague (31)

Devon: C Briant (Ivybridge), K Browne (Newton Abbot), R Palmer (Okehampton), M Crosscombe (Plymouth Albion), J Bond (Barnstaple), T Putt (Brixham), B Watts (Ivybridge); G Snell (Bideford), A Crouch (Barnstaple), T White (Newton Abbot), N Hannay (Honiton, Capt), T McGratton, D Abrams (both Okehampton), W Sprangle (Tiverton).

Replacements: A Taylor (Plymstock AO), W Vermingle (Ivybridge), T Coats (Okehampton), B King (Ivybridge), K Munslow (Topsham), C Bedwell (Brixham), B Pinkus (Ivybridge).

Devon scores: Penalty-try, Hannay, Cons, Penalty-try, Putt, Pens, Putt (2)

Referee: Veryan Boscawen (RFU)

Crowd: 1515

 

 

BILL BEAUMONT CUP SOUTH STANDINGS 2018

     P   W  D  L  F  A  PTS
GLOUCS    2   2  0  0  69  55  10
HERTS    2   1  0  1  88  52   7
DEVON    2   1  0  1  46  57   5
KENT    2   1  0  1  43  74   4
CORNWALL    2   0  1  1  34  35   3
SURREY    2   0  1  1  30  37   3
Posted in Bill's Blog


Cornwall v Devon live video stream

Jake Murphy Captain of Cornwall (Barnstaple) is tackled by Joe Touma of Surrey (London Irish Wild Geese) during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Surrey at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Redruth Cornwall – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

 

 

 

Cant’t get to Camborne tomorrow, no worries, follow the game live on this video link from 3 pm

Thanks to Dave Burrows.

Posted in Bill's Blog


Few changes in Cornwall side to face Devon

Photo: Penryn’s George Jones starts against Devon

 

Cornwall have made a few changes ahead of the game against Devon tomorrow at Camborne RFC kick-off 3 pm.

Into the side comes Redruth lock Edd Pascoe who partners his clubmate Luke Hattam in the second row. Pascoe featured for the Royal Navy last week against the Army at Twickenham. Jamie Hoskin (St. Ives) a replacement last week drops out of the match day squad.

Other changes see, Tommy-Lee Southworth starting at hooker in an all Camborne front row,  with Camel’s Matt Ballard reverting to the bench, whilst in the backrow Penryn’s George Jones starts at openside with Camel’s Ben Humber dropping to the bench.

In the backs there is just the one change with Fraser Honey starting at fly-half with Richie Kevern reverting to the bench.

15 VAGUE MITCH PENRYN
14 NOTMAN TOM REDRUTH
13 TOUT DUNCAN TONBRIDGE J
12 MURPHY JAKE (Capt.) BARNSTAPLE
11 DAWE JON LAUNCESTON
10 HONEY FRASER BURY ST EDMUNDS
  9 PEACOCK TARON CAMBORNE
  1 ZACHAROVAS ANDRUIS CAMBORNE
  2 SOUTHWORTH TOMMY LEE CAMBORNE
  3 DREW JON CAMBORNE
  4 PASCOE EDD REDRUTH
  5 HATTAM LUKE REDRUTH
  6 CHAPMAN BARRY JOHN NEWTON ABBOT
  7 JONES GEORGE PENRYN
  8 RANDLESOME GRANT PENRYN
16 BALLARD MATT WADEBRIDGE
17 TOMPSETT JESS REDRUTH
18 COOK DAMIEN CAMBORNE
19 HUMBER BEN WADEBRIDGE
20 KEVERN RICHARD REDRUTH
21 MANKEE DAVID CAMBORNE
22 SIMMONS JACK REDRUTH
Posted in Bill's Blog


Devon travel to Camborne confident of success

 

Former Cornwall player Lewis Paterson (pictured above) reckons that Devon are playing Cornwall at the right time and will travel to Camborne on Saturday confident of getting a result.

Paterson, interviewd on the Devon RFU site, who now plays his club rugby at Ivybridge following a spell at Launceston when he played for Cornwall, believes Cornwall will be under intense pressure to win in front of their own supporters.

“We are targeting Cornwall,” said Paterson. “They are vulnerable and we are on the rise. We are playing some really good rugby. It is important we go down there with the right mind-set.

Sadly, Paterson, a former winner of the Bill Osborne Shield as Cornwall Player of the Year, will miss the game as he is due to have an operation on a thumb injury. He added. “Last week we improved from the Tamar Cup and it was a winnable game against Gloucestershire. It was just a flip from being on their try line and only two points behind to six minutes later losing by 12 points. It was gutting, but again it was a massive building block.

“We have to go to Cornwall with the mindset that we are going to win and take a scalp.

“They must be a little bit agitated at only drawing at Redruth so I’m sure they are going to be fired up.

“As an ex-Cornwall player you know the support they get down there is invaluable. But Devon had cracking support at Brixham and I’m sure we’ll take a good following down on Saturday.

“It’s going to be really exciting again that Devon are playing Cornwall in the County Championship, but from our side we are going down there to win. I think we are going down with a really strong and in-form Devon team.”

DEVON SIDE TO FACE CORNWALL

Devon: Charlie Briant (Ivybridge), Jack Bond (Barnstaple), Rhys Palmer (Okehampton),  Matt Crosscombe (Plymouth Albion), Kyle Browne (Newton Abbot), Tom Putt (Brixham),  Ben Watts (Ivybridge); George Snell (Bideford), Ashlee Crouch (Barnstaple), Tom White (Newton Abbot), Nathan Hannay (Honiton, Capt), George Wilson (Ivybridge), Tom McGratton (Newton Abbot), Dean Abrams (Okehampton), Wayne Sprangle (Tiverton)

Replacements: Aiden Taylor (Plymstock Albion Oaks), Wes Vermingle (Ivybridge), Tim Coats (Plymstock Albion Oaks), Ben King (Ivybridge), Kye Munslow (Withycombe), Connor Bedwell (Brixham), Billy Pinkus (Ivybridge)

Posted in Bill's Blog


Six Cornish lads in South West squad for Under 20s festival

Torin Clarke Captain of Cornwall U20s (Launceston) chips ahead during the Jason Leonard Cup Final between Cornwall U20s and Yorkshire U20s Twickenham Stadium on May 5th 2018, Twickenham London – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

 

 

Five Cornish players were originally selected, however their has been a late call up for Camborne’s Luke Barnes.

Games will be played this weekend from which the England Counties Under 20 squad for Georgia will be picked.

Torin Clarke – Launceston RFC
Jack Hodge – Redruth RFC
James Tucker – Redruth RFC
Declan Matthews – Camborne RFC
Jake Penprase – Bath University
Luke Barnes – Camborne RFC
 
 
Posted in Bill's Blog


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