CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

2020 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship
campaign 2023 gets underway with their first fixture in the Jason
Leonard Cup. The team travel to neighbours Devon for their first pool
game of the competition on Sunday 19 March. The game will be played
at Plymouth Albion RFC with a 1400 kick off time.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “It is great to get this year’s
campaign off with a local tie against our neighbours Devon. We
thank all our sponsors for their support and assistance with this
group of players in this important game representing Cornwall. It is
fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank
them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played”.
Cornwall have named Joss Pascoe (Truro) as the captain for the
season, alongside him is another player from last season Penryn RFC
Freddie Trewin, who is the vice-captain.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “This will be a good test for this new set of
young players. Last season has been and gone, and we start a
fresh with a whole group of new players entering the competition.
Playing Devon is never easy, playing Devon on their home turf will
be an even bigger challenge for these guys”.
Cornwall has maintained the same coaching set with Tyler Gendall, Brad
Howe coaching the forwards and Richie Kevern coaching the backs.
Cornwall Captain Joss Pascoe said, – “It is an honour to be asked to
captain the side for this season. I know the guys are up for a tough
campaign as always and have trained well in preparation for this
game. This is my second season with the 20’s and I know that it is a
tough competition, and we will have to perform at our best in every
game. We have had great numbers at training, and I know some
guys will be disappointed not to be in the team, but this is a squad
for the season so keep pushing us for those places, nobody’s shirt
is fixed. For those who will run out with me on the 19th, we have a
big task ahead of us but I’m confident in our ability”.

Cornwall ‘s second pool game will be Gloucestershire at Camborne RFC
on Sunday April 9th with a 1400 kick off time. A third pool game will be
played on Sunday 23rd April again at Camborne RFC with a 1400 kick
off time where are opponents will be Somerset.
The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said, -” The vagaries of U20 rugby
mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age
qualification. So, we start to build again with a mixture of players
transitioning from the U18’s, new players identified and nominated
from clubs around the county. There are a number of these players
who will be around for the next 2 seasons and the we are always on
the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join
them over the coming seasons”.

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.

Email – hatch0348@btinternet.com
Mob – 07967725368

Bill Hooper
Cornwall RFU Assistant Hon Sec
13/03/2023

Cornwall U20 v Devon U20
Sunday 19th March @ Plymouth Albion RFC 1400 kick off.

Cornwall Squad

1 MAX CARDWELL PIRATE AMATEURS
2 MATT PRITCHARD FALMOUTH
3 MATT BOOTHBY ST. AUSTELL
4 JOE MAUNDER ST. AUSTELL
5 WILL PERKIN ST. IVES
6 GIDEON BLACKLOCK NEWQUAY HORNETS
7 FREDDIE TREWIN (V CAPT) PENRYN
8 JOWAN PECK FALMOUTH
9 BEN ROSEVEAR FALMOUTH
10 NAT DART CAMBORNE
11 LACHLAN SURRIDGE CAMBORNE
12 JAMIE STANLAKE ST. AUSTELL
13 JOSS PASCOE (CAPTAIN) TRURO
14 LEWIS BOSTOCK TRURO
15 HARVEY PENHALURICK FALMOUTH
16 WES EDDY PENZANCE & NEWLYN
17 ANGUS WILLIAMS PENRYN
18 ARCHIE HARRIS ST. JUST
19 ROWAN O’REGAN FALMOUTH
20 JACK STATTON LAUNCESTON
21 JOE WALKER FALMOUTH
22 FIN DEAVIN FALMOUTH
23 ROWAN LAWRENCE FALMOUTH
24 BEN JONES PERRANPORTH
25 HARRY WALSH-NEWTON FALMOUTH
26 ARCHIE DINNIS LAUNCESTON

Coaches – Rich Kevern, Tyler Gendall, Brad Howe
Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams
Medical cover – Neville Curnow + Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming
David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop

Cornwall RFU are delighted that the Tamar Cup fixture against Devon returns to the calendar for the first time since 2019.

The CRFU are also very pleased that St. Austell RFC’s Tregorrick Park Ground has again been chosen to host the fixture, as they did in 2018.

This season’s match kicks off at 7:30 pm. Entry is £5, with Under 16s free.

The last game in the series in 2019, was held at Plymouth Albion’s Brickfields Ground when Cornwall defeated Devon by 28-13, thanks in part to a hat-trick of tries scored by Alex Ducker.

This season both Cornwall and Devon will use the fixture as preparation for their respective County Championship campaigns.

Both sides will be drawing players from level 5 down for this match, with St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd captaining Cornwall from full-back on the night.

This is an ideal opportunity for many in this Tamar Cup side to put their hands up for inclusion in the County Championship squad when that is announced next month.

Cornwall (St. Austell, unless stated): Shepherd (Capt), Kessell (Camborne), Parsons, Semmens (Pirate Ams), Levick (Penryn), Simmonds (Camborne), Boyce; Job, Davey, Prowse (Camborne), Vian, Edwards (Wadebridge Camels), Inch, Nicholls (Camborne), Duncan (Truro).

Replacements: Bentham (Devonport Services), Southworth (Camborne), Heazelton (Camborne), Taylor, Jolly (Camborne), Brownfield (Pirate Ams), Sidwell (Camborne), Tyrrell.

Trelawny’s Army look forward to a good turnout of supporters on Wednesday evening.

We will be sponsoring the match ball, as well as making the presentation to the Cornwall Player of the Match with the Paul Bawden Memorial Trophy.

At Hayle RFC

Wednesday 1st March, kick-off 7:30 pm, entry £2, under 16s free.

Team Manager Colin Hatch had this to say regarding the squad selection. “The coaches have made a number of changes from the last game v Cornwall Clubs to enable them to see as many players on the field as possible before selecting their first championship team in 2 weeks time. This squad represents 11 different clubs, from St Just in the West to Saltash in the East and many in between with a number of players travelling back from university in Cardiff to play in this last warm up game.”

Cornwall U20 v Camborne School of Mines
Hayle RFC Wednesday 1 March 19:30 KO

Cornwall U20 Team

1) Max Cardwell – Pirates Ams
2) Wes Eddy – Pirate Ams
3) Archie Harris – St Just
4) Joe Maunder – St Austell
5) Jowan Peck – Falmouth
6) Rowan O’Regan – Falmouth
7) Giddy Blacklock – Falmouth
8) Connor Triggs – Truro (Vice Captain)
9) Will Tanswell – Penryn
10) Harry Walsh-Newton – Falmouth
11) Fin Deavin – Falmouth
12) Joss Pascoe – Truro (Captain)
13) Ben Jones – Perranporth
14) Ayden Earnshaw – Penryn
15) Harvey Penhalurick – Falmouth
16) Harry Rogers – Pirates Ams
17) Rowan Lawrence – Falmouth
18) Angus Williams – Penryn
19) Will Perkin – St Ives
20) Sunny Staffieri – Wadebridge Camels
21) Max Badman – Newquay Hornets
22) Ben Rosevear – Falmouth
23) Archie Bees – St Austell
24) Tom Hollyman – Saltash
25) Jack Counter – Wadebridge Camels

Coaches Richie Kevern & Tyler Gendall

The Tamar Cup is back. This is the first fixture since 2019.

Cornwall will be looking to defend the Cup against old foes Devon at Tregorrick Park, St. Austell on Wednesday 15th March, kick-off 7:30 pm.

Trelawny’s Army will once again be sponsoring the Match Ball and making the presentation to the Cornwall player of the match with the Paul Bawden trophy.

Squad news will be posted when known.

Cornwall U20’s present montage picture of their season, to kit suppliers O’Neills

Peter Kennedy from O’Neills the official kit supplier of the CRFU visited the county recently and was presented with a montage picture depicting the successful U20 season in which they won the Jason Leonard Cup for the first time.

Colin Hatch U20’s team manager said “It was an honour to present Peter with the montage picture to recognise and thank O’Neills, and Peter for their work and support, not just last season, but since the partnership was formed some years ago” Thanks must also go to Simon Bryant for collating the montage from his images.

Pictured at the presentation, Dave Saunter Chair of the CRFU, Peter Kennedy O’Neills, and Colin Hatch Cornwall U20’s team manager with the cups and shields that the 3 senior Cornwall teams won last season.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20’s Team Manager

Match Report, Cornwall U20 XV v Cornwall Clubs XV at Hayle RFC, Wednesday 8 February
23, 7.30 KO.
The Cornwall U20’s returned to the field last evening for a warm up game against a strong
Cornwall clubs XV,eventually going down 8 -29. Both teams played some entertaining rugby
in from of a crowd of around 200 spectators. The clubs were just a bit too strong in the set
piece for the U20’s, who fielded a number of 18-year-old players. Coach Ritchie Kevern said
that it was about the performance rather than the result.
U20’s had opportunities to cross the try line but during the first half were unable to due so,
they were simply not strong enough to force their way over. Half time saw the teams going
in with the U20’s just 3 points behind, at 0-3.
The second half saw the clubs take a strong lead courtesy of 2 converted tries to make the
score 3 – 17. However, U20’s then hit back with a penalty and an unconverted try to bring
the score back to 8 17.
The final quarter saw the Clubs XV add 2 further tries, with one converted to make the final
score 8 – 29.
Although defeated there were positives for coaches Kevern and Gendall, particularly in the
tackle department. This was a very young team and around 12 players who will feature later
this season, being away at university and unavailable.
Further training sessions will take place on Sunday mornings at Truro College and there will
be one more warm up game at Hayle v Camborne School of Mines.

A further report on the game from Stuart Hood Clubs XV Team Manager.

Cornwall U.20, 8 – 29 Cornwall Clubs XV

On a clear evening at Hayle RFC Cornwall U20s and Cornwall Clubs met as preparation for this years U20s Championship. Cornwall U20s fielded a strong squad giving a number of players their first opportunity to represent current County Champions. 

Cornwall Clubs were forced into and early change with fullback Ollie Roots from Perranporth coming off giving Veor’s Bevin Stone an early start.  Dominant scrummaging from the off put Cornwall U20s under a great deal of pressure with the front row of Akiva Eaton, Axel Nicks and Matt Penrose showing their experience and power. A string of penalties at the breakdown kept Clubs in the U20s 22 leading to fly-half Declan Simmonds scoring the first points after 15 mins. 0-3

Strong defence at the breakdown from U20s limited chances for Clubs however strong carries from Perranporth centre Tommy Job and from Veor’s scrum half Luke Johnson kept Clubs on the front foot. 

Half time brought a raft of changes with a new front row – Callum Looker, Chesney King, Tommy Gape, and Lewis Woolaway in the second row, Kyle Pointer and Billy Bromfield in the back row. 

Stevie Trenoweth stepped in at 9. 

Ar the start of the second half there was a change in fortunes in the scrum with U20s putting Clubs under pressure and their three quarters to the fore taking U20s within 5m of the try line.

However Clubs strong defence ably led by all action Captain Sam Bartle took play back into  U20s half. A lightning break from Luke Johnson carried on by Kris Evans, brought several forward phases before Camborne Crusaders scrum half Stevie Trenoweth dummied and dived over from the base of a ruck, Declan Simmonds converted leaving the score 0-10 after 60 mins. 

Just five minutes later Clubs made a strong break on the left and after a number of phases Billy Bromfield found a gap and popped up to Tommy Gape to crash over. Simmonds duly converted 0-17

Not be outdone Cornwall U20 hit back through Finn Deavin from the restart scoring out wide with the conversion hitting the post 5-17. 

The try of the evening came on 70 minutes with Perranporth winger Kris Evans gathering a kick on the half way and showing a clear pair of heels as he raced through a tiring defence. 

Cornwall Clubs closed the game with Perranporth centres combing as Ben Jones found a gap near the try line to  send Tommy Job over with Luke Johnson converting to leave the final score Cornwall U20s  8- Cornwall Clubs 29 with Harry Walsh-Newton kicking Cornwall U20s penalty. 

Cornwall Clubs were coached by Graham Whitmore and Dan Sanderson. 

1. Akiva Eaton (Veor)

2. Axel Nicks (Saltash)

3. Matt Penrose (Camborne Crusaders)

4. Aaron McPherson (Newquay Hornets)

5. James Harrison- Evans (Camborne Crusaders)

6. Cadan Carne (Redruth)

7. Sam Bartle (Veor) – Captain

8. Brogan O’Keefe (Veor)

9. Luke Johnson (Veor)

10. Declan Simmonds (Camborne Crusaders)

11. Jay Moriarty (Saltash)

12. Ben Jones (Perranporth)

13. Tommy Job (Perranporth)

14. Kris Evans (Perranporth)

15. Ollie Roots (Perranporth)

Reps

16. Callum Looker (Camborne Crusaders)

17. Chesney King (Newquay Hornets)

18. Tommy Gape (Newquay Hornets)

19. Lewis Woolaway (Saltash)

20. Kyle Pointer (St Just)

21. Billy Bromfield (Newquay Hornets)

22. Bevin Stone (Veor)

23. Stevie Trenoweth (Camborne Crusaders) 

CORNWALL U.20, 17 – 31 ROYAL NAVY U.23

By Bill Hooper at Memorial Park, Hayle

Cornwall Under 20s game the Royal Navy Under 23s a good run before eventually being out-gunned by a more physical Navy side in an entertaining game.

The match began in a downpour which made handling difficult. Cornwall suffered a blow with the early loss through injury of lock Toby Osborne.

Cornwall dominated the opening exchanges pinning the Navy back in their twenty-two. They were rewarded with a try from hooker Matt Pritchard converted by full-back Adam Hall.

Much of the play during the first half was in mid-field with Cornwall scrum-half Joe Tanswell trying to create some space and fly-half Joss Pascoe kicking into space, however the Navy defence was very solid.

No.8 Archie Pilcher worked hard all game and was deservedly given the Cornwall-man-of-the-match award by Trelawny’s Army.

Hall increased Cornwall’s advantage with a penalty kick, as the rain began to clear the Navy began to put their game together and just before half-time their pressure was rewarded with a try from No.8 A.J. Hussell converted by fly-half Kieran Manson.

Both sides began to introduce the bench after half-time. The Navy side carried on where they had left off bossing the game. They took the lead with a try from close in from skipper Dom Cleverley.

Try number three again came from the powerful Cleverley out wide. with centre Scott adding the extras. Cornwall looked for a way back but too many errors saw promising chances missed.

The Navy got back downfield to score a fourth try through replacement Oli Raynor as the game moved into the final quarter.

Harry Andrewartha pulled a try back for Cornwall, bettered by replacement Archie Bees, however the Navy had the final say as Scott went over for the final try.

Cornwall U.20: Hall, Bostock, Andrewartha, Stanlake, Statton, Pascoe, Tanswell; Pearce-Cowley (Capt), Pritchard, Leigh, Williams, Osborne, Triggs, Trewin, Pilcher.

Replacements: Hambly, Boothby, Lawrence, Relton, Maunder, Chapple, Bees, Walsh-Newton, Marsden, King.