This was a pulsating match that went down to the wire and Cornwall can thank whose ever hand was under the ball when the Kent pack rumbled over the line on 79 minutes leading to a goal-line drop out. By such small margins are games won or lost.
Cornwall got off to a dream start and probably couldn’t believe they would be 17-0 up in as many minutes.
Sam Walker (Exeter Uni/Falmouth) of Cornwall U20s runs in a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: �Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 01/05/22, Cornwall U20s, Kent U20s, Jason Leonard Cup Final, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Worcester, Sixways Stadium, Worcestershire, England
Great work from Jack King saw him rampage into the Kent twenty-two forcing Kent to infringe. Sam Walker calmly slotted the penalty from in front of the posts.
Moments later Walker had another pot at goal, but from further out and saw his kick fly to the right of the sticks.
The fly-half was alert as Kent looked to build a move from their twenty-two, he snaffled a pass to run in unopposed under the sticks, his conversion making it 10-0 to the obvious delight of Trelawny’s Army, who had loan for the day of the Falmouth Marine Band Bass Drum!!
Cornwall’s early dominance continued as Walker kicked a penalty into the corner, Toby Osborne took the lineout ball allowing the forwards to set up a drive, Archie Pilcher went close before Declan Prowse powered his way over the line, Walker adding the simple conversion.
The reaction had to come from Kent, it came in the form of the try of the game from Max Halliday who showed his pace and guile to carve his way through the Cornish defence from his own twenty-two. Jack Cohen added the extras and it was game on again.
Cornwall’s lineout was coming under intense pressure as errors crept in.
Halliday was at it again with another strong run that gave Kent good field position, they went through the phases leading to a try near the sticks for Charlie Galligan bettered by Cohen.
There was a small melee after the score that lead to Cornwall’s skipper Ethan Pearce-Cowley spending ten minutes in the sin-bin.
Damilola Dawodu showed his pace on the wing with only a last-ditch tackle from Cornwall keeping him out.
A further blow to Cornwall was the loss of centre Harry Andrewartha with a shoulder injury just before half-time.
After the break both sides were making errors as the game became scrappy, but no less intense.
Kent’s flanker Michael Fankah gave Cornwall a few problems as did the prop Will McColl. The clock continued to tick by with no change to the score, tension amongst the Cornish supporters increased by the minute.
The Kent pressure was building and it paid on 69 minutes as Sonny Trew-Neville forced his way over under the posts for Cohen to convert, Cornwall for the first time in the game trailed!
Now the character of this side would be tested, could they find a way back? Walker kicked a penalty to the corner, they secured the lineout and drove towards the Kent line. Kent infringed with Prowse taking a quick tap, he was brought down short of the line, Cornwall re-cycled and drove again with Pat Walton getting the ball down on the line, Walker banged over the conversion and Cornwall led 24-21 going into the final moments.
Kent threw the proverbial kitchen sink at them, they weathered the storm and then saw the game out keeping the ball amongst the forwards, when given the nod, Walker booted the ball off the park and the celebrations began.
Cornwall’s coach Richie Kevern was delighted with the win. “The boys showed their character today, they had huge pressure on them during the final moments there but showed great maturity to see the game out. Fair play to Kent they showed they are a very good side. We are so sorry our Team Manager Colin Hatch couldn’t be with us today due to illness, this win is as much his as the boys we will get the Cup to him as soon as we can.”
Cornwall played a full part in helping Crawshay’s kick-off their centenary season as both sides put on a show for the appreciative Camborne crowd.
As you would expect from two sides drawn from various clubs it took a little time for them to settle. Crawshay’s were keen to move the ball wide at every opportunity looking to give their young backs a good run.
It was Cornwall who got the opening score, from a catch-and-drive, the Cornish pack drove hard for Matt Ballard to claim the score.
Matt Ballard of Cornwall (Wadebridge Camels) dives over for a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: �Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 30/04/22, Cornwall, Crawhays, Welsh XV, Centenary Tour, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England
Crawshay’s didn’t take too long to strike back, good back play saw wing Jarrod Cushion put in at the corner down by the West Bank. The impressive Evan Lloyd then struck first of his four conversions..
Cornwall showed that they could move the ball with young Ethan Morgan showing good hands, whilst Matt Shepherd and Dan Pearce looked lively.
The Black and Golds then got their second try, another catch and drive with the same result a try for Ballard.
Just before half-time prop Owen Peddle took a quick tap near the Cornish line allowing lock Callum Oliver to dot down by the sticks, Lloyds extras putting Crawshay’s 14-10 up at the break.
Danny Thomas of Cornwall (Wadebridge Camels) throws a pass. – Photo mandatory by-line: �Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 30/04/22, Cornwall, Crawhays, Welsh XV, Centenary Tour, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England
Early in the second half Matt Ballard completed his hat-trick of tries with Morgan adding the extras.
The Cornish lead was short-lived a wicked bouncing ball bamboozled the Cornish defence allowing wing Will Rees to gather and score in the corner, Lloyd was again bang on the money with the conversion.
A further converted Crawshay’s try from flanker Barney Langdon gave the visitors a comfortable cushion.
Eliot Salt pulled a try back for Cornwall following more close quarter work from the forwards, with Morgan drop-goaling the extras.
Elliot Salt of Cornwall (Cardiff Met) is tackled by Morgan Lloyd of Crawhays XV (Cardiff Met) and Evan Lloyd of Crawhays XV (Dragons Rugby). – Photo mandatory by-line: �Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 30/04/22, Cornwall, Crawhays, Welsh XV, Centenary Tour, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England
With two minutes remaining Gwyn Parks ensured the win with a penalty from in front of the Cornish posts.
A fine game of rugby with Crawshay’s deighted to have renewed their Cornish tour and the promise to return in the near future.
Cornwall: Shepherd (St. Austell), Statton (Launceston), Walsh (Darlington), Dawe (Launceston), Pearce (Launceston), Morgan (Cardiff Met Uni), Wilson (W’bridge C); Salt (Cardiff Met Uni), Ballard, Gratrix (both W’bridge C), Whittle (Falmouth), Hazelton (Redruth), Randlesome (Penryn), Blackmore (W’bridge C), Rose (Camborne).
Crawshay’s Welsh: Butler (London Welsh), Rees (Seaford Coll), Bates (Ebbw Vale), Jacobs (Aberystwyth), Cushion (Merthyr), E Lloyd (Dragons Rugby), M Lloyd (Cardiff Met Uni); Griffiths (Cross Keys), Scarfe (Pontypool), Peddle (Swansea Uni), Oliver (Chelthenham), Grey (Ebbw Vale), Langdon (Cardiff Met Uni), Souto (Dragons Acad), Thomas (Blina).
Replacements: Chapman, Thompson (both Cardiff Met Uni), Couch (Coleg Gwent), Phillips (Cardiff Uni), S Butler (Monmouth Boys Sch), Evans (Ebbw Vale), Parks (Swansea Uni), Williams (Neath), Stewart (Swansea Uni)
Cornwall scores: Tries Ballard 3, Salt, Cons, Morgan 2
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 The Jason Leonard Cup Final.
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2022 comes to a finale when they take on Kent in the final of the 2022 Jason Leonard Cup. The team travel to the home of premiership Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium on Sunday 1 May with a 1715 kick off time.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “These young guys had a 7-hour coach journey to play Lancashire in front of a very partisan home crowd at Wigan RUFC. Both teams gave their all in a pulsating match which saw Cornwall emerge as winners following the final whistle. I would like to record my thanks to all our sponsors, and for the effort that the coaches, medics, backroom staff have put in throughout the season which has brought about this appearance in the final. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented over the season, with 12 different clubs represented in the final team, we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played”
Cornwall started their campaign with a narrow win over local rivals Devon 25 – 24, before travelling to Dorset & wilts where they were comfortable winners 7 – 64 which meant they topped their pool and gained a home quarter-final. The quarter-finals were played at Camborne RFC with a home win 36 -17. The semi-final saw a 24 – 28 win over Lancashire which sees Cornwall earn their place in the final.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “This is the culmination of 6 months hard graft, and the boys deserve their place in the final. Following the win against Lancashire we have had one training sessions and the guys need to be ready from the off for this important game. Kent have had some impressive wins, and their semi-final victory over Yorkshire was on paper, an upset. We have played Kent a few times in the last few seasons, and we know they are a strong, well organised outfit. Over the season we have had a squad of between 50 / 60 players and unfortunately only 22 can be in the squad for the final. Everybody who has been involved has played a vital part in getting us to the final and although they will be disappointed, they should also be very proud to be part of an impressive squad. Everybody involved would also like to record our thanks to the CRFU management board for their continued support to enable us to progress within this competition”
Cornwall Captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley said, – “It doesn’t get any bigger than this! Most players will never experience a county championship final yet here we are. As a team we have proved time and time again what we are capable of, and plan to approach the final in the same way we have done the whole campaign. Off the back of an away semi-final win, the team is looking in great form and I’m excited to see what we can deliver at Sixways. As usual I’m backing us, and have full confidence in the team to get this last job done’’
Kent won their away pool game v Hertfordshire 19 – 56 before a home victory v Sussex 36 – 12 to top their pool. Their home game in the quarter-final v Devon saw them emerge as 33 – 29 winners, before winning their home semi-final v Yorkshire 31 – 13 which they won to take them into final.
The CRFU Hon Sec Terry Williams said, -” This is a fantastic achievement for these guys to reach the final of this national RFU competition. It is a real shame they do not get the opportunity to run out at Twickenham, but it is still being held at a premiership ground. The work that goes into organising everything that goes into these competitions at a local level is immense, and although they have been in training since November, planning started back in July. Everybody involved are volunteers who give up their time to support the future rugby stars of Cornwall”
There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Under 20’s team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Colin Hatch in the first instance.
A superb performance up at Wigan saw Cornwall Under 20s book their place in this season’s final of the Jason Leonard Cup where they will face Kent, who yesterday defeated holders Yorkshire 34-13 at Charlton Park.
Goal kicking, in a tricky wind, was to prove crucial in the final analysis and fly-half Sam Walker’s thirteen points from the boot provided a major contribution to Cornwall’s win.
Freddie Trewin Joe Tanswell & Rowan Lawrence, Photo: Colin Hatch
Cornwall got off to a flying start with full-back Harry Larkins flying in after just 5 minutes. Walker couldn’t add the conversion but he was on target soon after with a penalty.
Towards the end f the first quarter Lancashire finally got on the scoreboard with a try from Alex Carson bettered by fly-half Tom Lee.
That was as close Lancashire would get to Cornwall as the Cornish forwards took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck with prop Declan Prowse bagging Cornwall’s second try with Walker adding the extras. No.8 Archie Pilcher was a tower of strength in the back row and got through a lot of work all game.
Cornwall U.20’s post match group photo, Photo: Colin Hatch
Carson scored his second try of the game but the score was not converted and when Cornwall’s Pilcher went over for Cornwall’s third try before half-time with Walker once again on the money with the extras the young black and golds were sitting pretty at half-time 22-12 up.
Cornwall now had to face the wind and the reaction from Lancashire was not long coming after the break as wing Jago Ford nipped in for his side’s third try.
Cornwall pressed their opponents but couldn’t turn their advantage into a score until crucial penalties from Walker after 54 and 72 minutes edged Cornwall further ahead.
A frenetic last ten saw both sides lose a player to the sin-bin and Lancashire scoring a fourth try through Lee that full-back Tom Walker converted but it was too little too late for the home side despite a final flourish saw them knock on near the Cornish line.
The final whistle saw huge celebrations in the Cornish camp and Cornwall back in the final for the first time since 2018. This year’s final will be staged at Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium on Sunday 1st May at 5:15pm, the final game of a number of age grade finals being held that day.
Joss Pascoe & Freddie Trewin Photo Colin Hatch
Coach Richie Kevern was delighted with his side’s performance. “To travel away and get a win up in Lancashire shows what a great group of players we have. They have worked so hard all season to get to the final and fully deserve a shot at the title on May 1st.”
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 The Jason Leonard Cup Semi-final.
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2022 continues as they take on Lancashire in the semi-final of the Jason Leonard Cup on Sunday 17 April. The team face a 750-mile round trip and play the hosts Lancashire at Wigan RUFC at Wingates Road Wigan.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “Following a tremendous performance in the quarter-final v Hertfordshire, Cornwall must travel on Easter weekend to Lancashire. I would like to record my thanks for the effort that the coaches, medics, backroom staff have put in throughout the season which has brought about this semi-final appearance. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented over the season, and we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played”
Cornwall started their campaign with a narrow win over local rivals Devon 25 – 24, before travelling to Dorset & wilts where they were comfortable winners 7 – 64 which meant they topped their pool and gained a home quarterfinal. The quarterfinals were played at Camborne RFC with a home win 36 -17 which sees Cornwall earn an away semi-final.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “We are now one of only four teams left in this competition for this year, and you do not get any second chances, so the guys must perform. Following the win against Hertfordshire we have had a few training sessions and the guys need to be ready from the off for this important game. We know that northern teams normally have big packs and will try to intimidate us, but the guys know what they are up against and must go out there and perform. All the remaining teams have won or been runners up in there qualifying pools as well as won their quarterfinals, so there are no easy games. Everybody involved would also like to record our thanks to the CRFU management board for their continued support to enable us to progress within this competition”
The winner of this game will play the winners of Kent v Yorkshire, a date, location, or time has not been released yet by the RFU!!
Cornwall Captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley said, – “We’re aware as a team of the pressure that we’ll face in this semi-final. That’s just a given considering the competitiveness in the last 4. But I don’t have any doubt that our team is ready to dig in away from home and do what’s required. We’re a strong team and regardless of the home or away turf I’m confident about the ability in our team.’’
Lancashire won their away pool game v Cheshire 17 – 29, their home game against Yorkshire was not played and they therefore had an away quarterfinal v East Midlands which they won again 17 – 29 to take them into the semi-finals.
The CRFU Hon Sec Terry Williams said, -” The competition this year has had some challenges for the CRFU as the RFU have cut funding for the pool stages and have initially said there will be no additional funding to assist in travelling or hotels costs. Therefore, the CRFU management board have had to look very closely at all expenditure, with the rising fuel costs and the game being played on Easter Sunday and with an away draw in the semi-final has certainly added to the pressures we face”
There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Under 20’s team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Colin Hatch in the first instance.
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