PRESS RELEASE

CORNWALL U20 v ROYAL NAVY U23

Sunday 23 October @ Hayle RFC with a 1400 KO time Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) are delighted to confirm the teams for their match v the Royal Navy U23, on Sunday 23 October at Hayle RFC with a 1400 kick off time.
As the U20 County championship campaign will not commence until early in 2023, the Cornwall team will consist of several players who played in the final at Worcester Warriors back in May.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “It is great to get this year’s county rugby kicked off with this prestigious fixture against the Royal Navy U23. We thank everyone at Hayle RFC for hosting us
and allowing us to use their facilities. We also 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 this fixture to be played”
Cornwall have named Ethan Pearce-Cowley (Plymouth Albion) as the captain for the game, alongside him is Pirates Ams Toby Osborne who is the vice-captain.

Cornwall coach Rich Kevern said – “This will be a massive test for this set of young players, some have experience from last season whilst others have come into the squad from scratch. With the change in dates for the Jason Leonard Cup, we will not start training for the new season until the New Year, so we need to blow away the cobweb’s early doors, against an older age group team, and one who have already been training together.”
Cornwall has maintained the same coaching set again with Tyler Gendall, Brad Howe coaching the forwards and Adam Kevern and Richie Kevern coaching the backs.

Owen Salmon Royal Navy U23 ADoR said, – The Royal Navy U23’s are excited to travel to Kernow to play Cornwall U20’s in what is expected to be a very competitive fixture in the build up to this season’s Inter-service Competition. There has been a long and proud history between the 2 clubs, this game presents a great opportunity to renew those links and look to the future. With RNAS Culdrose located in Helston, there have been many Navy players who have represented Cornwall, indeed current RN U23 coach Ben
Priddey pulled on the black and gold jersey for last season’s winning County Championship side. The Navy know they will face a tough young Cornish side but are looking forward to the challenge.”
Cornwall U20 preparations for the new season are well in hand, with training planned for Sunday mornings at Truro College between 1000 –1200 starting in the New Year. An extended squad list is being complied and if you are eligible and want to be considered then please contact the team manager in the first instance.

Criteria: – must be over 18 before training or playing, under 20 years of age on the 1 September 2022,
registered for a Cornwall Club, born, or are living in Cornwall, or represented Cornwall at a younger age group.
The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said, -” This has the makings of a very exciting game between two young age group teams. It would be great if we can get good support for them on Sunday afternoon at
the memorial ground at Hayle RFC”
Entry fee on the day will be £2 on the gate, with Under 16’s entering free.
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

Cornwall U20 V Royal Navy U23

Hayle RFC Sunday 23 October 1400 kick off.

Cornwall U20 face their first game of the new season with a tough challenge versus the Royal Navy U23 team, at Hayle RFC on Sunday 23 October with a 1400 Kick off time.

The new seasons fixtures and opponents for the U20 have not been confirmed yet by the RFU but the opportunity to play this fixture was too good to turn down. The Cornwall squad will be most of the Championship winning team that won the Jason Leonard Cup back in May. However, some of the players will be unable to play due to other commitments and so potential players for the new season will be drafted in to introduce them to this level of rugby.

Entry will be charged at £2 per adult with children under the age of 16 gaining free admission.

This will be an opportunity for the championship winning team to play one last game together in Cornwall before the new season commences.

Further details to follow, but book the date in your diaries, and come along and support the young “Black and Golds”.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20 Team Manager

TASC will be providing the match ball and doing a Cornwall Man-of-the-Match Award in memory of Tom Prout.

Cornwall U20 – 2022/2023 – Expressions of interest

Cornwall U20 build up to the new season has commenced. We are awaiting fixtures and dates from
the RFU but expect to commence training in early 2023.
In preparation the CRFU has written to all clubs asking for them to nominate potential players, in
addition we have players transitioning from the U18 group along with existing players from last
season.
Players must be over the age of 18 to train / play and must be under 20 years of age on the 1st of
September 2022. You must either live in Cornwall, be born in Cornwall, be registered with a Cornish
club, or have played for Cornwall in a previous age group.
We will train on Sunday mornings at Truro college on the Astro pitch between 10-12.
Any body interested in being considered for the squad or requires any further information should
initially contact the team Manager Colin Hatch on either 07967725368 or
hatch0348@btinternet.com.

Colin Hatch
Cornwall U20 Team Manager

An unprecedented season of success for Cornish Representative sides, which saw them bring back across the Tamar 3 National Cups, gave rise to an interesting poll for the various player of the year awards amongst the members of Trelawny’s Army.

The Presentations took place at St. Austell Brewery Visitor Centre at the conclusion of Trelawny’s Army A.G.M.

The Bill Osborne Memorial Shield, for the Cornwall Senior Player, went for the second time to St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd. Matt previously won the trophy in 2015 when playing for Launceston, the year Cornwall won their first Bill Beaumont Cup. He is only the second player to be awarded the trophy more than once, the other player being three-times winner Richard Carroll 2003,04 & 05.

The Jess Humber Shield, for the Cornwall Women’s Player went to full-back Amy Bunt of Ivybridge Ladies RFC. Amy scored in every game for Cornwall this season and proved a constant threat to the opposition with her strong runs from deep. Amy came through the ranks at Liskeard-Looe RFC and is destined for greater things in the Women’s game. 

The Tony Mead Memorial Shield for the Cornwall Under 20 player went to the skipper of the Jason Leonard Cup winning side, Ethan Pearce-Cowley, Ethan proved an inspirational leader of his side guiding them through a tough campaign that saw them defeat Kent at Worcester’s Sixways to become the first Cornish side to win at this level. Ethan came through the youth set-up at St. Austell RFC and is currently playing for National League1 side Plymouth Albion.    

In other presentations Colin Hatch received a case of Tribute from TASC President Sean Jarvis.

Hon. Treasurer Viv Broadhurst presented Lee Maher with a £500 cheque to assist Colts rugby this season.

Finally retiring Press & Media Officer Bill Hooper was made a presentation for his services.

PRESS RELEASE

TRELAWNY’S ARMY SUPPORTERS CLUB NAME THEIR PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

An unprecedented season of success for Cornish Representative sides, which saw them bring back across the Tamar 3 National Cups, gave rise to an interesting poll for the various player of the year awards amongst the members of Trelawny’s Army.

The Bill Osborne Memorial Shield, for the Cornwall Senior Player, goes for the second time to St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd. Matt previously won the trophy in 2015 when playing for Launceston, the year Cornwall won their first Bill Beaumont Cup. He is only the second player to be awarded the trophy more than once, the other player being three-times winner Richard Carroll 2003,04 & 05.

The Jess Humber Shield, for the Cornwall Women’s Player went to full-back Amy Bunt of Ivybridge Ladies RFC. Amy scored in every game for Cornwall this season and proved a constant threat to the opposition with her strong runs from deep. Amy came through the ranks at Liskeard-Looe RFC and is destined for greater things in the Women’s game. 

The Tony Mead Memorial Shield for the Cornwall Under 20 player goes to the skipper of the Jason Leonard Cup winning side, Ethan Pearce-Cowley, Ethan proved an inspirational leader of his side guiding them through a tough campaign that saw them defeat Kent at Worcester’s Sixways to become the first Cornish side to win at this level. Ethan came through the youth set-up at St. Austell RFC and is currently playing for National League1 side Plymouth Albion.    

Our award winners will be presented with their shields at the TASC A.G.M. which will be held at St Austell Brewery’s Visitor Centre on Wednesday 21^st September at 7:45 pm.

Cornwall U20 – Good luck messages for the semi-final and final of the

Jason Leonard Cup 2022

Back in April and May 2022 Cornwall U20 were involved in the semi-final and final of the
Jason Leonard Cup.
The semi-final: was an arduous 750 round trip to Lancashire to be played in front of a
partisan home crowd. The management team thought it would be a nice idea to compile a
video of messages wishing the player’s good luck. Cornwall are fortunate to have British &
Irish Lions, International, Premiership and Championship players who have played for
Cornwall, and a number are ex U20 players. We set about contacting them and asking for a
good luck message and we were overwhelmed with the results.
The following clip was played at the team hotel prior to our departure for the game.

Cornwall won the semi-final and then faced a strong Kent side in the final. The final was to
be played at Worcester Warriors home ground Sixways a few weeks after. So, a call went
out again to put together a good luck messages for the final. The following clip was played at
Clifton Rugby club before the final leg of our journey to Sixways.

Everybody involved with the Cornwall U20 would like to say a massive thank you to
everyone who contributed to the making of the video messages, it certainly played a big part
in our build up to those two massive games. The thanks must also go to Kevin Bishop
(kevinbishop media) who compiled and edited the presentations for the squad, and the
Oggymen who’s song “Cornwall My Home” was used to accompany the videos.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20 Team Manager

It is with a heavy heart that we have learned today of the passing of Thelma Sweet, who for many years was our Membership Officer.

Thelma, with her famous hat, was a fixture in the crowd, home and away when the Black & Gold played.

She loved all the players, but ‘Deano’ Dean Shipton was her hero.

RIP Thelma, your beloved Kernow is a poorer place without you.

To celebrate both Platinum Jubilees of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Charles
becoming the Duke of Cornwall, various events are being held throughout the
country.

One such event took place on the 18 July at Boconnoc House near Lostwithiel. The
invitees were current leaders, up-and-coming leaders, those who have made a
particular contribution to the vibrant life of Cornwall and those who have been put
forward by their communities.
Ethan was the captain of the successful Cornwall U20’s team that won the Jason
Leonard Cup for the first time in May 2022 and was nominated to attend the event
and was subsequently invited to attend.

Ethan said “It was an absolute honour to have been involved with the Cornwall
U20’s this season, and to lead the team to win the Jason Leonard Cup was an
amazing experience. To then receive this invitation to celebrate the Platinum
Jubilees of Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Cornwall at Boconnoc, as a

young leader in Cornwall, was incredible. I want to thank the CRFU, all the
players, coaches, and back-room staff for their work over the season who all
contributed to make the season happen, and ultimately led to me receiving this
invitation to Boconnoc”

Colin Hatch
Cornwall U20 Team Manager

Cornwall U20’s Sponsors presentation

A recent presentation of a montage photograph of the final at Worcester Warriors and an opportunity for the sponsors to see and have photographs taken with both the Jason Leonard and the Brunel cups has taken place.

Kelsall Steele Investment Services Ltd have been long standing sponsors of both the senior men and the U20’s where their logo is proudly displayed on the front of the U20’s playing shirts. Lucien Trathen Chairman, and Chris Blackmore Director are seen receiving the framed photograph from Colin Hatch the CRFU Under 20 Team Manager.

Another long-standing supporter of the U20 are Booths Print based in Penryn who publish the match day programmes. Colin Hatch Cornwall U20 Team Manager presented a montage photograph of the final, too owner Steve Booth Also in the picture are Sqeez and Peter who work at Booths Print.

The Under 20 section and the CRFU, greatly appreciate the support given by all of our sponsors, without such assistance the successful running of the season would be far more difficult.

Colin Hatch

Cornwall U20 Team Manager