By Phil Westren Cornish Pirates’ media officer

When rugby starts again at the Mennaye Field on Friday 30th August, the already well-publicised match between the Cornish Pirates and a Cornish Clubs XV (ko 7.30pm) promises to be part of a celebratory festival weekend.

Popular ‘Kernow King’ will entertain at the Mennaye Field

Not only rugby on Friday, there is also a triangular tournament on the Saturday (ko 5pm) involving the Cornish Pirates, Cinderford and St. Austell, and it has been decided that one ticket (1 two day festival pass) will cover admission to both days – see ticket information below.

The special game scheduled for the Friday evening takes place as part of a more collaborative and inclusive approach towards Cornish Rugby and will celebrate the opening of the Pirates’ new floodlights and hospitality facilities.

The Cornish Clubs squad will be drawn from all Cornish clubs, thus providing a great opportunity for one player from each and every club to take the field against professional players who will this season be competing in the Greene King IPA Championship and British & Irish Cup competitions.

All Cornish clubs are being asked to nominate three players from whom the final squad will be selected, and the chosen squad will then be coached by ‘Benji’ Thomas, Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver.

The Cornish Clubs XV will also be provided with a specially designed and cleverly impressive playing shirt, displaying the county of Cornwall image and incorporating names of the clubs. The players are also being asked to wear their club shorts and socks (Barbarians-style!), and each player representing their clubs will also be invited to bring along their club’s mascot, suitably attired in their club colours and/or flag, if possible.

It is envisaged that all of the clubs will help make this a truly festive rugby occasion, displaying all that is best in Cornish Rugby, with a big crowd expected.

Besides the new floodlights, a new PA System, plus a new and upgraded Marquee hospitality facility, the immensely popular ‘Kernow King’ will be in attendance throughout, with other entertainment also provided by popular band ‘Blue Horizon’ and others. There will also be face painting and a Hog Roast.

Ticket information: As mentioned above, one ticket will cover the matches being played on both the Friday and the Saturday. Tickets priced £15 for Adults & Concessions and £1 only for children under 16 (under 5s are free), can be purchased on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com and from the Cornish Pirates ticket office 01736-331961, open Monday to Friday from 9am – 12 noon.
They will also be available at the gates on the match days.

Season Ticket holders should note that their season ticket covers their admission to the games but for stand season ticket holders it does not guarantee them their chosen seat. The advice is to arrive early – note the gates and hospitality tent on each day will be open two hours before kick-off.

20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Honouring the Cornwall Rugby Squad
May 2013

At
Lostwithiel Golf Club
Saturday 24th August 2013
8.00pm for 8.30 pm

Come along and meet the players, coaches and C.R.F.U officials for a get-together.

Guest of Honour is BENJI THOMAS, who will be presented with a T.A.S.C. 20th Anniversary award.

We are putting on a buffet including dessert, and are offering T.A.S.C. members and partners a special anniversary price of £6.00.

If possible we will arrange a mini-bus from the west—contact Bryan Llewellyn, and from the east contact Paul Ferris. The fare will be £5 providing each bus has 15+ passengers.

Those wishing to stay at the golf club please ring 01208 873550. Bed and Breakfast will cost £75 per couple.

Those who would like to attend the event please contact me, Ian Gordon, with a cheque payable to T.A.S.C. at my home address. Please remit by 15th August as I’ll need numbers for catering. My home address is as on the back pages of this newsletter. Any queries please ring 01579 32060.

I look forward to seeing you there,

Ian Gordon, Hon. Sec.

Once again two Cornishmen were in an England rugby team that lifted a world championship.

Just as Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman featured for England on that memorable night in Sydney in 2003 when they defeated Australia to lift the Rugby World Cup, both Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie, products of Penzance & Newlyn RFC mini-juniors and Truro College, played a major role in England U.20’s second half comeback to defeat Wales 23-15 at the stade de la Rabine in Vannes.

Both players are now with Exeter Chiefs and along with fellow Chief’s Sam Hill, who last season featured at the Cornish Pirates in the RFU Championship, and Henry Slade made it a night to remember for southwest rugby as all England’s points were scored by players from the Exeter club. Nowell and Hill with both the tries, whilst Slade’s boot kicked the conversions and three penalties.

A few seasons back Nowell enjoyed a spell with Redruth playing in National League 1scoring some memorable tries, so his success at this level comes as no surprise to those who have been following his progress ever since. During the second half of the last Aviva Premiership campaign he was commanding a starting berth in the Chiefs match day squad.

Luke Cowan-Dickie playing at hooker has been one of the revelations of the whole tournament with no less a player than former All Black skipper Sean Fitzpatrick paying him a glowing tribute on Sky TV.

Well done lads, you are both the toast of Cornwall.

England Counties rounded off their short tour to Belgium with a comfortable win over the national side, nicknamed the Black Devils, at the Stade Leburton in Tubize on Sunday.

Belgian rugby has made great progress over the last few seasons, they now compete in the top tier of the FIRA-AER European Nations cup against the likes of Georgia and Romania.

Having already won in mid-week against a Belgian President’s XV by 78-0 at the Kituro club ground in Brussels, Counties went into the “test match” as firm favourites.

Cornwall’s skipper and Cornish All Black Ben Hilton started the match in the second row, whilst Redruth prop Darren Jacques had to be content with starting from the bench having started the mid-week match.

Sadly, Cornish All Black Nielson Webber had to miss the match against Belgium having picked up an injury against the President’s XV.
Despite weathering an early spell of Belgian pressure, Counties soon took command with fly-half and former Cornish Pirate Ollie Thomas kicking a penalty after 10 minutes.

Counties then ran in two tries through full back Chris Harris, and winger Sean Taylor before Italian referee Guiseppe Vavarini awarded Counties a penalty-try as the Belgian scrum buckled with hooker Julien Massimi in the bin.

Just on the half hour mark Taylor bagged his second try and with three conversions from Thomas Counties had a commanding 29-0 lead.
Counties didn’t let up before the break with further touchdowns arriving via Chris Johnson and flanker Tom Stradwick with winger Jim Wigglesworth involved in both scores. Thomas added the extras to leave England Counties 43-0 up at the break.

The Black Devils, got some reward at the start of the second half as flanker and captain Andrew Neill scored an un-converted try.
However, it was to prove just a minor blip for the Counties as they continued to dominate though they didn’t trouble the scoreboard again until the final quarter by which time Redruth’s Darren Jacques was on the field in place of Robbie Kalbraier.

Wigglesworth finally got reward for his endeavours with a fine try and then with the last play of the game Caldy’s Harry Broadbent scored Counties final try. Thomas added both conversions for a final score of 57-5.

Counties Team Manager Michael Old said: “We’re really pleased with how the week has gone, the boys deserve enormous credit for not only buying into collective goals, but also for putting in two very good performances at the end of a long domestic season.

“We knew that Belgium were going to want to take us on up front but we managed to match their physicality and create space for the guys out wide who played some excellent rugby. The Belgians have been wonderful hosts and its been another very successful trip both on and off the field.”
The final word went to Preston and Lancashire winger Sean Taylor, whose two tries saw him take his tour total to four.

“It’s been absolutely amazing to come out here and play for a national team, and I will certainly be doing everything I can to try and put myself in the frame for next year,” he said.

“The rugby we have played highlights the serious amount of quality in the National Leagues, and it’s been a learning curve for the younger guys, as well as a reward for the experienced campaigners.

“Belgium are a good team, with recent exposure at a high level, so we knew we’d be made to work hard. To score tries as a winger is always nice, but some of the boys have been incredible since we got together, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two go on to bigger things.
“From a personal point of view, the rugby has pushed my game on but the activities off the field have been just as special – no one’s ever asked for my signature after a game, so that’s something I will always remember!”

Belgium 5 pts
Try – Neil
Yellow Card – Massimi (30)

England Counties 57 pts
Tries- Harris, Taylor (2), Johnson, Stradwick, Wigglesworth, Broadbent, Penalty – Thomas, Conversions – Thomas (7)

BELGIUM 15.Paul-Henri Nghangué (Gennevilliers FRA), 14.Eliott Van Trappen (Boitsfort), 13.Thibaut André (Soignies), 12.Guillaume Brebant (Boitsfort),11.Frédéric Rongé (Kituro), 10.Sébastien Guns (Boitsfort), 9.Simon Marote (ASUB), 1.Norman Wende (La Voulte FRA), 2.Rahaël Olive (Périgueux FRA), 3.Jérôme Wey (Châlon FRA), 4.Mathieu Verschelden (ASUB), 5.Pierre Hendrickx (Boitsfort), 6.Andrew Neil (Tournefeuille, Capt), 7.Julien Morelli (Bastia FRA), 8.Thomas De Molder (Lyon FRA),

Replacements : 16.Maxime Jadot (Pau FRA), 17.Nicolas Fernandez (ASUB), 18.Julien Massimi (Arras FRA ), 19.Cyrilla Nana (Anderlecht), 20.Mika De Molder (Boitsfort), 21.Denis Eppe (Boitsfort), 22.Kevin Williams (Kituro), 23.Antoine Duchenne (Boitsfort)

ENGLAND COUNTIES:15 Chris Harris (Tynedale & Northumberland) 14. Sean Taylor (Preston & Lancashire) 13. Chris Johnson (Fylde & Lancashire) 12. Rhys Owen (Loughborough & North Midlands) 11. Jim Wigglesworth (Cambridge & Yorkshire) 10. Ollie Thomas (Moseley & North Midlands) 9. Matt Heeks (Rosslyn Park & Eastern Counties); 1. Robbie Kalbraier (Blaydon & Northumberland) 2. Matt Hall (Blaydon & Northumberland, CAPTAIN) 3. Mark George (Stourbridge & Gloucestershire) 4. Chris Wearmouth (Blaydon & Durham) 5. Ben Hilton (Launceston & Cornwall) 6. Tom Stradwick (Blackheath & Kent) 7. James Lindfield (Blackheath & Kent) 8. Adam Kettle (Doncaster & Cheshire)

Replacements:16. Darren Jacques (Redruth & Cornwall) 17. Mike Hill (Birmingham Bees and North Midlands) 18. Brett McNamee (Old Albanian & Hertfordshire) 19. Royce Cadman (Hull Ionians & Yorkshire) 20. Harry Broadbent (Caldy & Cheshire) 21. Chris Hallam (Doncaster & Yorkshire) 22. Heath Stevens (Plymouth & East Midlands) 23. Nevaro Codlin (Cinderford & Gloucestershire)

Referee: Giuseppe Vivarini (FIR)

Crowd:2,000

Photos – by Simon Bryant Top Darren Jacques, middle skipper Ben Hilton, bottom Cornwall coach Dave “Benji” Thomas

TWICKENHAM REACTION
By Bill Hooper from the pitch side at Twickenham

At the end of a fantastic game of rugby and following the players receiving their medals from Bill Beaumont, I managed to catch up with Cornwall’s head coach Dave “Benji” Thomas and some of the players for their take on the day.

Despite losing once again against a very good Lancashire side, Benji wanted to look at the positive moments from the day. “Yes I am gutted to have lost, but I am really gutted for all the fantastic support that Cornwall had here this afternoon. It was phenomenal to see the number of Cornish people in the stands and all the messages of support we had from all over Cornwall and all over the country from expatriate Cornish men and women wishing us the best of luck.”
“The boys gave it 120% but today it just wasn’t quite enough. The Lancashire boys play in higher leagues than most of our players and I think that showed in much of what happened today. We made a mistake and they capitalised and scored points either with the boot or tries. You can’t afford to make those mistakes and they immediately profit from it.”

“I thought our forwards played really well, we out-scrummaged them our mauls worked really well. Sam Hocking had a fantastic game for us as he has all the way through the campaign, but all the players have stepped up, I think we have again raised the bar of county rugby and it augers well for next season.
Despite the fact that the Cornwall scrum was in the ascendancy throughout “Benji” was perplexed by the referee’s interpretation especially during the first half. “We didn’t get any favours there despite being the dominate scrum, we could have had a number of penalties as we destroyed their scrum, instead he penalises us! Then in the second half he gave us the penalty-try!”

When reflecting on his time as county coach stretching on and off back to 1975. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it working with some exceptional players finishing off with the great squad of players we had here today.”

“However, I will be continuing working with the development of younger players, so hopefully I will unearth a few more gems for Cornwall yet!”
Cornwall’s skipper Ben Hilton couldn’t hide his disappointment having collected his runners-up medal from the RFU president’s box.

“I am very disappointed. A great occasion, a great performance to a degree. All for the bounce of the ball or an off-load we would have been right there. Right now the disappointment is very raw, I am running through in my mind all the decisions in the game and asking myself did we do the right thing. Naturally I am devastated for our marvellous supporters who have made a great effort to come here today to support us. If anyone needed a win it was us today without them we would never have got here.”

Hilton was also perplexed by some of the referee’s interpretations. “I kept asking him for his reasons, but all kept saying was that we were not doing things for him in the right way! I think it was very clear to the spectators what was going on. On another day we would have got those key scores.

Also Hilton agreed that Cornwall hadn’t helped themselves by allowing Lancashire to pick up scores as Cornwall had themselves scored points. “That was a big problem we got a little over zealous in our 22 making breaks and trying to finish off in first phase very risky in a final. The ball goes loose and we are in trouble.”

Did he hoped to return to Twickenham with Cornwall. “I hope so I will do everything I can to come back and win this.”

Redruth’s Darren Jacques was disappointed with the final result but full of praise for the fantastic Cornish support.

“We knew we were strong up front and they looked to match us, they tackled well and counter-rucked well but it seemed every time we made a mistake their backs capitalised on it. They had some very sharp operators in their back-line fair play to them.”

“It’s very disappointing, we wanted to do it for the fantastic support, all the boys did. The Cornish support has been terrific all the way through the championship.”

“I was disappointed with the way the ref penalised us in the scrums during the first half. He pinged me twice for scrummaging when we were the dominant scrum and turned the ball over on their put in! They take their prop off as they are struggling and then at the next scrum he gives us a penalty because they can’t take the pressure. I thought the referee did a good a job but at times they are baffling!

“I don’t want to take anything away from Lancashire because they did play some fine rugby.”

“That second half performance from us was based on our team spirit. I’ve never played in front of such a great crowd as today.”

“I am looking forward to going on tour to Belgium with England Counties. I’ve got into the side thanks to the performances of the Cornwall squad so I am very thankful to all the boys.” Darren will be joined on the tour by Cornwall skipper Ben Hilton and centre Nielson Webber.

“I do feel I still have some unfinished business after today’s result, but whether I can commit to a full county program after a long hard league season I am not sure, I have got a young family and need to spend time with them, but if Cornwall need a prop for a one off game I will not let Cornwall down.”

By Bill Hooper at Twickenham

Lancashire’s fly-half Chris Johnson, who kicked fifteen points, masterminded his side’s Bill Beaumont Cup triumph over a courageous Cornwall side that almost pulled off a remarkable comeback only to see the Red Rose county finally secure their 22nd County Championship title as young winger Ben Rath sped in for his side’s fourth try with just three minutes left on the clock.

When Johnson kicked the final conversion to put Lancashire nine points up at 35-26, Cornwall knew the game was up and that there would be no 4th title to add to the Duchy’s successes of 1908, 1991 and 1999.

Disappointingly, Cornwall committed far too many errors, especially during the first half. They were left playing catch up rugby for most of the game compounding their frustration by conceding points soon after scoring themselves.

However, the Cornish forwards were tremendous, the front row of Darren Jacques, Richard Brown and Craig Willimas had their opposite numbers in all sorts of bother, whilst locks Damian Cook and skipper Ben Hilton were in the thick of the action, however it was flanker Sam Hocking who once again stood out with some huge carries, no tries this time but a massive work rate and contribution to Cornwall’s cause.

With Twickenham bathed in glorious sunshine, and England and the Barbarians having provided a fitting warm-up game, it was Cornwall who registered the opening points as Lancashire were penalised just inside their own half. Paul Thirlby took on the kick and sent it between the uprights to huge cheers from the massed Cornish crowd.

Cornwall’s advantage was short-lived as they were penalised for going off their feet. Johnson stepped up to level the scores.

The warning signs were evident for Cornwall every time Lancashire moved the ball wide; it came as no surprise when winger Nick Royle finished off a blistering attack in the corner following some good back play from Rath and Sean Taylor. Johnson was on cue with the conversion for a useful 10-3 lead.
Thirlby having missed moments earlier with a penalty attempt, kicked his second of the game to cut the deficit.

Almost immediately Lancashire had scored a second try as further fine back play put No. 8 Dominic Moon in the clear.

Cornwall brought Tom Rawlings into the back row in place of Ashley Lawton. Scrum-half Greg Goodfellow set off on one of his trademark breaks that saw him almost up to the Lancashire 22, sadly the ball was lost forward as looked to off-load.

Cornwall despite exerting tremendous pressure in the set-piece were falling foul of referee Mr Falla who continued to penalise them.

To make matters worse Cornwall conceded a third try as they looked to move the ball from their own half saw a pass intercepted with Royle the happy recipient galloping in for his second score. Johnson’s conversion putting his side 22-6 up and Cornwall were facing a mountain with just over thirty minutes played.

Cornwall got a penalty from a scrum, which Jake Murphy kicked to the corner. From the catch and drive Cornwall got another penalty that was taken quickly with centre Nielson Webber, though tackled short, able to plant the ball over the try-line. Thirlby couldn’t add the extras but that score gave Cornwall heart as half-time approached.

Cornwall looked fired-up at the beginning of the second half; the forwards looked to dictate play. Penalties came Cornwall’s way with Murphy kicking for the corner. Another driving maul was heading for the Lancashire try-line until it was halted illegally by Lancashire prop Daniel Birchell. Mr Falla ran under the posts to award the penalty-try with Birchell invited to spend ten minutes in the bin. Thirlby’s conversion brought Cornwall right back into the game at 18-22.
Johnson and Thirlby swapped penalties as the game moved into the final quarter. But once again Johnson gave his side some breathing space with a neat drop-goal for a seven point margin.

With the clock ticking down, Cornwall needed a try; it came from a catch-and-drive with Goodfellow slipping the ball to Lewis Vinnicombe, the Redruth flyer crossed in the corner. Thirlby’s conversion would have tied the scores but he miss-cued his attempt to leave Lancashire with a slim advantage.
Johnson again turned provider to set up the title clinching score for Rath and crush Cornish hopes.

Despite the loss the huge Cornish crowd at Twickenham cheered their heroes in appreciation of their efforts over the past month to get Trelawny’s Army back to rugby HQ.

Cornwall 26 pts
Tries – Webber, Penalty-try, Vinnicombe, Conversion – Thirlby, Penalties – Thirlby (3)

Lancashire 35 pts
Tries – Royle (2), Moon, Rath, Conversions – Johnson (3), Penalties – Johnson (2), Drop-goal – Johnson
Yellow Card – Birchell (53)

CORNWALL: Jake Murphy, Richard Bright (both Cornish All Blacks), Steve Johns (Coventry), Nielson Webber (Cornish All Blacks), Tom Notman, Paul Thirlby, Greg Goodfellow; Darren Jacques, Richard Brown, Craig Williams, Damian Cook (all Redruth), Ben Hilton, Capt, (Cornish All Blacks), Chris Fuca (Redruth), Sam Hocking (un-attached), Ashley Lawton (Camborne)
Replacements (all used): Neal Turner, Jon Drew, Luke Collins (all Redruth), Tom Rawlings (Cornish All Blacks), Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Steve Perry (un-attached), Lewis Vinnicombe (Redruth)

LANCASHIRE: Sean Taylor (Preston Grasshoppers), Nick Royle (Vale of Lune), Chris Briers (Fylde), Jack Ward (Preston Grasshoppers), Ben Rath (Fylde), Chris Johnson (Fylde), Steve Collins (Sedgley Park); Dan Birchall (Fylde), Jon Matthews (Otley), Simon Griffiths (Fylde), Paul Arnold (Fylde), Louis McGowan, Capt, (Sedgley Park), Jon Nugent (Stade Dijonnais), Steve McGinnis (Fylde), Dominic Moon (Preston Grasshoppers)

Replacements (all used): Pete Altham (Fylde), Gareth Gore (Preston Grasshoppers), Phil Mills (Preston Grasshoppers), Evan Stewart (Fylde), Phil Baines (Preston Grasshoppers), Tom Webb (Fylde), Andy Riley (Sedgley Park)

Referee: Wayne Falla (RFU)

Crowd: 20,000 plus

Cornwall–man-of-the-match: Sam Hocking

Lancashire–man-of-the-match: Chris Johnson

McAtee in action for Redruth against Clifton in November 2011

McAtee in action last Saturday for Cornwall against Hertfordshire – Photos Simon Bryant

Former Cornish Pirate Rhodri McAtee has signed for National League 2 South Redruth for next season.

McAtee who last season played for Plymouth Albion in the RFU Championship has signed for the Reds on a player/coach basis.

McAtee has previously spent periods on loan at the Redruth club and has always thrilled the Redruth crowd with his pace and play. The Welsh Whippet is a crowd pleaser and his pace has brought Rugby World Cup 7’s honours with Wales.

McAtee, 29, says “I’ve been looking forward to signing a lot – I came for a couple of game before and really liked it here, and the other players are great, so I’m very happy to be back.”

Regarding his coaching role, Rhodri is looking to tap into his long experience of professionalism. “I’ll be hoping to help move the team on, bringing with me what I’ve picked up over the last 10 years or so.”

McAtee’s has been enjoying playing for Cornwall this month, being part of the team who defeated Hertfordshire to book a place at Twickenham on Sunday, but he won’t be joining the 12 other Redruth players at the headquarters of English rugby.

Redruth’s Director of Rugby Adrian Edwards is delighted at McAtee’s arrival, saying “He complements the excellent squad we already have and he’ll bring his skills from a professional environment to Redruth Rugby.”

A firm favourite at the Mennaye many Pirate supporters were sorry to see Rhodri depart the far south west at the end of last season.

McAtee’s wealth of experience will be invaluable to the young Redruth backs as the side looks to build on last season’s encouraging fourth place finish in the league.

England Counties bound Nielson Webber, Sam Hocking and the cany Scot Greg Goodfellow at training on Wednesday evening

Cornish Pirates’ Gavin Cattle chatting to Cornwall’s Lewis Vinnicombe

Camborne’s Ashley Lawton starts at No.8 for Cornwall – Photos Bill Hooper

Cornwall held their final training session at Redruth’s Recreation Ground on Wednesday evening in front of numerous members of the press and media.

Cornwall’s head coach Dave “Benji” Thomas announced his County Championship Final team to take on Lancashire at Twickenham on Sunday afternoon kick-off 3-15 pm.

With Launceston’s Barrie-John Chapman forced to miss the final having picked up an eight week playing ban for foul play in a league game against Worthing, Camborne’s Ashley Lawton, who has bided his time on the bench during Cornwall’s three pool games, comes into the starting XV.

Understandably, Lawton was delighted to have been given the nod by the selectors. “I am over the moon, delighted to be starting on Sunday and very much looking forward to it”, remarked the Cherry and White.

Recalls are also seen on the bench as Redruth duo Lewis Vinnicombe and Neal Turner are back in the match day 22, whilst fellow Red lock Luke Collins comes onto the bench for his first county call up of the season. Collins has found memories of Twickenham having scored a try at rugby HQ for England Counties against France Fédérale in 2009.

Paul Thirlby, Steve Perry, Lewis Vinnicombe Darren Jacques, Ben Hilton, Sam Hocking and Chris Fuca are survivors from Cornwall’s last appearance at Twickenham, in the 2008 County Shield Final lost to Northumberland 25-11.

CORNWALL: Jake Murphy, Richard Bright (both Cornish All Blacks), Steve Johns (Coventry), Nielson Webber (Cornish All Blacks), Tom Notman, Paul Thirlby, Greg Goodfellow; Darren Jacques, Richard Brown, Craig Williams, Damian Cook (all Redruth), Ben Hilton, Capt, (Cornish All Blacks), Chris Fuca (Redruth), Sam Hocking (un-attached), Ashley Lawton (Camborne).

Replacements: Neal Turner, Jon Drew, Luke Collins (all Redruth), Tom Rawlings (Cornish All Blacks), Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Steve Perry (un-attached), Lewis Vinnicombe (Redruth)

LANCASHIRE: Sean Taylor (Preston Grasshoppers), Nick Royle (Vale of Lune), Chris Briers (Fylde), Jack Ward (Preston Grasshoppers), Ben Rath (Fylde), Chris Johnson (Fylde), Steve Collins (Sedgley Park); Dan Birchall (Fylde) Jon Matthews (Otley) Simon Griffiths (Fylde) Paul Arnold (Fylde) Louis McGowan (Sedgley Park) (Captain) Jon Nugent (Stade Dijon) Steve McGinnis (Fylde) Dominic Moon (Preston Grasshoppers)

Replacements – Pete Altham (Fylde) Gareth Gore (Preston Grasshoppers) Phil Mills (Preston Grasshoppers) Evan Stewart (Fylde) Philip Baines (Preston Grasshoppers) Tom Webb (Fylde) Andrew Riley (Sedgley Park)

Cornwall skipper Ben Hilton commiserates with Herts Stef Liebenberg – Photo John Beach

Dave “Benji” Thomas Cornwall’s inspirational head coach – Photo Simon Bryant / Iktisphoto. Mobile: 07990592945

At a RFU Disciplinary Hearing held in Bristol on Tuesday evening Cornwall skipper Ben Hilton was cleared of an incident of foul play during the game between Worthing and the Cornish All Blacks in National League 2 South.

However, there was not such good news for fellow All Black Barrie John Chapman who was found guilty and suspended for eight weeks. He will be free to play again on October 14th.

Also it has been confirmed that Cornwall coach Dave “Benji” Thomas will be standing down from his post after the final against Lancashire. “Benji” first coached Cornwall in a county championship match away back in 1975 when Cornwall lost at Redruth to the then reigning champions Gloucestershire 9-6. St. Ives’ Peter Hendy captained Cornwall that day.

Said Thomas.“I am absolutely delighted, instead of finish my time as head coach with a defeat against Hertfordshire at Camborne, I a bowing out at Twickenham, and I think that is brilliant. I feel I have been in this position long enough. I am sure there are younger men who can come in and do it. I have enjoyed every minute, but I just think it’s time for me to stop.

“With all the youth rugby coaching I do in Cornwall, it’s time to let someone else have a go with the county team, but what a way for someone to come in and take the job, off the back to a trip to Twickenham.

Damian Cook takes no prisoners!

Darren Jacques on the charge

When the news filtered through that Lancashire, despite their loss to Cheshire by 20-13, had qualified for the Bill Beaumont Cup Final, memories flooded back of the two previous occasions that Cornwall played Lancashire in a County Final, 1969 at Redruth an 11-9 defeat, also in 1992 at Twickenham when the Red Rose won again 9-6.

After two narrow defeats against Lancashire in finals, can Cornwall make it third time lucky this Sunday?

In 1969, Cornwall, despite leading at half-time 9-0 thanks to two penalty goals kicked by Roger Harris and Raymond George along with a drop-goal from scrum-half David Chapman, and with a crowd of some 21,000 squeezed into Redruth’s Recreation Ground, couldn’t contain the second half comeback from a Lancashire side lead by skipper Dick Greenwood.

Tries from No.8 Eric Lyon and winger Tony Richards together with a penalty from centre Chris Jennins tied the scores at 9-9 (remember a try in those days was only worth three points).

With the crowd having to be cleared to allow Jennins to take the conversion, the Lancashire centre kicked what proved to be the winning conversion.
George had a penalty chance for Cornwall, but the ball toppled over just as the flanker was to put boot to ball.

Cornwall had no complaints at the final whistle as Lancashire had proved to be the better side on the day and fully deserved their win.

Cornwall: G Bate, Capt, (Penryn), K Plummer (Bristol & Penryn), V Parkin (Bristol & Penryn), G Jones (U.S. Portsmouth), D Prout (Northampton & Redruth), T Palmer (Gloucester & Truro), D Chapman (Hayle); B Stevens (Penzance & Newlyn), R Harris (Penryn), C. Johns (Redruth), B Ninnes (St. Ives), C Kneebone (Penryn), R George (Redruth), R Hosken (Harlequins & Penryn), G McKeown (Penryn)

In 1992 Cornwall returned to Twickenham, supported by well over 40,000 fans, as defending champions and favourites to retain their crown against a Lancashire side that was without many of their Orrell players who had shone in their semi-final win against Hampshire.
The favourites tag has always sat uneasily on Cornish shoulders and so it was to prove once more.

They couldn’t replicate their marvellous semi-final win against Yorkshire at Redruth 22-3, with tries from wingers Tony Mead and David Weeks and goals kicked by full back Kevin Thomas. It was for me the finest playing performance by a Cornwall side during this golden period of Cornwall county rugby.
Matters were not helped when fly-half Billy Peters was forced to leave the field after just four minutes.

Thomas gave Cornwall a 22nd minute lead with a penalty, however Lancashire struck back with an extraordinary try. Lancashire full back Mike Jackson fielded a kick before launching a high speculative kick towards the Cornwall goal-line, the ball bounced wickedly in-goal right into the welcoming hands of the up-rushing Jackson! Paul Grayson kicked the conversion and Lancashire led 6-3.

Grayson then extended Lancashire’s lead with a forty metre penalty goal for 9-3.

Thomas replied with a second penalty goal and Cornwall then threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Lancashire as they stormed their line, but they couldn’t get another score.

Cornwall: K Thomas (Redruth), A Mead (Redruth), C Laity (Neath), M Brain (Clifton), D Weeks (Camborne), W Peters (Bath) (S Whitworth, Redruth 4mins), R Nancekivell (Northampton); J May, B Andrew, R Keast (all Redruth), A Reed (Bath), T Cook, G Williams , Capt, (both Redruth), A Bick (Penzance & Newlyn), J Atkinson (St. Ives)

Replacements (not used) M Gomez, C Whitworth, A Ellery, M Phillips, J Mortimer (all Redruth)