Cornwall’s U20 coach Rich Kevern has just been awarded his RFU Advanced Coaching Award.
The award is the culmination of a 12-month assessable course in which candidates must meet a number of criteria. Apart from several trips to Bristol for regional workshops, it involved E learning, webinars, on site assessment of coaching techniques and compiling a portfolio for assessment by the RFU.
Rich joins a small group of coaches in Cornwall who hold this level of coaching which was formerly the RFU Level 3 coaching award. Rich was part of the coaching team who oversaw Cornwall U20’s winning the Jason Leonard Cup the County Championship for U20’s in May 2022 for the first time.
The CRFU supported Rich in applying and completing the award. Rich said; – “I am delighted to have gained this further coaching award and would like to thank the CRFU for their invaluable support in the process and in paying the cost of the course”
Cornwall U20 Team Manager Colin Hatch said; -” Rich has put in a huge amount of work to gain this award, in addition to his coaching roles with Cornwall U20’s and Redruth, he has work and family commitments. It is vitally important that the representative teams have high class coaches to help develop players that come through the system. We are fortunate to have Rich as one of the U20 coaches for a number of years. He rightly deserved the support of the CRFU through the process and he has repaid that support by gaining this high-level coaching award.
Rich has played representative rugby for Cornwall at U20 and Senior level and replaced Matt Shepperd on the coaching team during the 2018 / 2019 season.
Also gaining the Advanced Coaching Award was Tom Kessell, not only a player at the Cornish Pirates but also the backs and attacks coach at Camborne RFC.
The CRFU President John Sumnall said; – “It is tremendous to see that Rich has gained this award and it is well deserved for the time and commitment he has put into the U20’s over the past few years. This award of coaching is not given lightly by the RFU, but it is important that we help develop high level coaches in Cornwall to keep our game progressing in the years to come and the total funding, by the CRFU of £1100, for this level demonstrates our commitment. A big well done too Rich on achieving this award”
Cornwall retained the Bill Beaumont Cup to cap an unprecedented season that sees them hold three county cup titles from their representative sides. For the Black and Golds this was a 7th Championship title.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for Bernie Shepherd, Matt Shepherd’s father who sadly passed away shortly after the Hertfordshire game. There were thoughts also for former Cornwall player Neil Douch who passed away this week. Also it was a poignant moment to remember Dave “Benji” Thomas, on this of all days.
Roared on by Trelawny’s Army, Cornwall kicked off and within a minute had opened the scoring. The Black and Golds secured the ball with fly-half Fraser Honey firing out a long pass to Alex Ducker, the winger slipped the ball to his full-back Will Trewin, who still had work to do, but he scored in the corner, with Honey adding the touchline conversion.
Soon Cornwall cut loose again, centre Duncan Tout carved through the centre with his partner Jack Simmons in support, an inside ball to Jack Oulton saw the scrum-half in under the posts, no trouble for Honey with the extras and Cornwall were in dreamland.
Cheshire re-grouped and put Cornwall under long periods of pressure but once again the Cornish defence proved up to the mark.
The Cornwall back row of skipper Kyle Marriott, Sam Stevens and Ben Fox were getting through a lot of hard work at the breakdown, whilst at the coalface props Tommy Phillips, Jess Tompsett along with hooker Ben Priddey battled hard against the formidable Cheshire front three.
Honey missed with a penalty kick attempt but he was back on song to convert Cornwall’s third try, great work from the forwards saw hooker Ben Priddey in space, his pass to Oulton put him in at the corner scoring with aplomb.
Cheshire ended the half knocking on the Cornwall door, as the penalty count against the black and gold mounted with Trewin taking a yellow for the team.
The men from the North got their reward early in the second half when their captain No.8 Josiah Dickinson powered over for the first of his three tries, James Robbins added the conversion.
The same combination doubled the Cheshire tally soon after as they began to creep closer to Cornwall on the scoreboard, the black and Golds lost Simmons to the sin-bin, now was the time for the supporters to get behind the team. Nerves were soothed as Honey kicked a penalty to nudge Cornwall two scores ahead, but that was short-lived as Cheshire’s wing Tom Walsh exploited an overlap to score an unconverted try in the corner.
Cornwall’s bench was emptied as they looked for fresh legs to see them home
Good work from replacement scrum-half Mikey Austin and wing Alex Ducker brought another penalty for Cornwall in front of the posts, which Honey slotted.
It was all set for a dramatic finale, Dickinson got his third try from a catch and drive, crucially unconverted, before another Tout snipe set up a penalty for Honey that gave Cornwall a six point buffer.
With the game in the final minute and the Cornish crowd nervously awaiting the final whistle, skipper Kyle Marriott broke from a scrum on his twenty-two and found Austin, who went through the gears right up the middle of the pitch, eluding some desperate Cheshire tackles, his momentum took him to the line to confirm Cornwall’s win with Honey administering the coup de grace sending the Cornish supporters into full party mode.
After the game Cornwall assistant coach Marek Churcher was delighted with his side’s performance. “We weren’t complacent after our fast start, we knew this Cheshire side would come back strongly and ask us questions, but I was pleased with the way we managed the game and took our opportunities to keep our noses ahead. “
Cornwall Women made it an historic day for Cornish rugby with this deserved win in the inaugural Gill Burns Division 3 final. There was a brace of tries each for Amy Bunt, Tia Larson and Emma Stefanotti
It’s a win that will hopefully have a positive effect on Women’s rugby in the Duchy as young girls will see that they too can wear the black and gold and emulate the women who have astonished even their most ardent supporters this season.
It was the three counties that got the opening score when their full-back Cassie Milestone crossed in the corner, with fly-half Hannah Vandersluis landing a very good touchline conversion.
However, Cornwall soon got their opening try when centre Larson made a superb break to dance her way to the corner for an unconverted try.
The back row of Beth Hampton, Rhian Roberts and skipper Verity Holden were carrying well and working hard at the breakdown, whilst both props Mel Ruby and Kim Upcott put in a lot of work.
Further good play from the forwards and backs saw centre Lisa Allin put full back Amy Bunt in for a try and a 10-7 lead. Bunt’s strength when she stepped inside her opponent to dot down was sheer class.
With half-time approaching scrum-half Amy Warman fired out a pass to Bunt who saw space behind, using her speed to outwit the defence she strolled in from 55 meters to plant he ball under the sticks, with a cheeky smile at the camera from some 35 meters out!! Holly Williams conversion putting Cornwall in a strong position at the break 17-7.
Cornwall began the second half with a bang, wing Emma Stefanotti went off on a speculative run, saw the gap to sidestep the cover and streak straight to the try-line under the posts, Hawkins duly obliged with the extras.
NLD pulled back three points with a penalty from in front of the posts by Vandersluis, before Larson again showed her silky skills with solo run that sliced through the opposition from half-way to dot down under the bar, Faith Rowe on as a replacement bettered the try.
Stefanotti then completed her brace of scores taking a good pass from Holden. NLD completed the scoring with a short-range effort from the forwards that Vandersluis converted.
Cornwall earned a final penalty and were able to boot the ball off the park to start the celebrations.
Cornwall’s selectors have chosen their side to face Cheshire in the County Championship Final at Twickenham on Saturday 3 pm.
Will Trewin (Redruth) returns at full-back, whilst St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd reverts to the wing in place of Kyle Bradley, who is on the bench following the late withdrawal of Connor Gilbert due to injury.
On the bench Redruth’s Edd Pascoe returns following Naval duties prohibited his playing against Hertfordshire in place of Torin Clarke.
The Cornwall team will travel up on Friday and will be arriving at Twickenham Stadium at 1:30 pm, ahead of the team photograph outside the Spirit of Rugby at 1:55 pm. Cornwall supporters are asked to congregate on the West concourse to cheer the lads off the coach.
RFU will be streaming the match live, whilst BBC Radio Cornwall are providing live match commentary.
Cornwall team to play Cheshire at Twickenham Stadium Saturday 4th June 3 pm.
The Cornwall Women Selectors have named their side to face Notts, Lincs & Derby Women in the Gill Burns Division 3 final this Saturday 2:15 pm at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
At hooker, Nicole Rowland and Emily Carbis reverse their roles from the Somerset game. In the second row, Caitlin Milliken steps up from the bench to partner Alex Gallagher.
At half-back, Holly Williams starts along her Launceston clubmate Amy Warman. On the left wing Lydia Hawkins replaces Chloe Towers who is on the bench.
Both Claire Thompson and Oz Brazier come in to complete the bench.
Entry to Richmond is free on the day, whilst for those unable to travel the game will be shown via the RFU Streaming service. BBC Radio Cornwall will also be providing match commentary.
The Notts, Lincs & Derby Squad for the Final
1 Lauren Smith – Mellish
2 Natasha Champion – Boston
3 Holly Felton – Ashfield
4 Etilly Pigg – Nottingham Trent University
5 Emily Gallivan – West Bridgford
6 Seren Pepperall – Nottingham Trent University
7 Rebecca Humphreys – West Bridgford
8 Hannah Dennis – Stamford (C)
9 Abigail Lee – Lincoln
10 Hannah Vandersluis – West Bridgford
11 Jess Pearce – Stamford
12 Charlotte Lacy – Lichfield / University of Leeds
Just to let you know, Saturday’s Cornwall appearance was Ben’s 50th, confirmed by Terry Carter Chairman of Selectors. As you will understand to reach 50 caps in this era is very unusual. Graham Dawe was his Marjon coach at Plymouth University. He has also played 18 times for England Counties, captained the team on the Georgia tour. Besides his club appearances for London Irish, the Cornish Pirates, Mounts Bay, Launceston and now Barnstaple. He was Alan Mitchell’s man of the match in Redruth Colts v Penzance Newlyn colts final at Truro, when Kevin Mosley offered him a Pirate contract as he left the field. That season he played over 28 games and was young player of the season. The following season he played along side former Bath and England International Martin Haag . A member of the Mounts Bay team to win the Intermediate Cup at Twickenham. After his match for England Counties v Irish Clubs XV at Darlington, Bill Beaumont presented a full England cap to him. He was also invited to play for the Mickey Steele Bodger XV v Cambridge University in their final warm up game before the Varsity match, Bodger’s XV won . Ben has just accepted a deputy head teachers post at Millfield School , Somerset. Starting in September. I hope this is of interest to you and Trelawny’s Army supporters.
We were devastated to learn this morning that our much loved and respected Vice-Chairman Bernie Shepherd passed away last night following a short illness.
As we come to terms with this sad news, we offer our condolences and deepest sympathies to Bernie’s family at this difficult time.
Bernie was always a great friend on the sidelines as he followed the playing career of his son Matt.
Funeral details, when known, will be shared on here.
Cornwall Women staged a tremendous second half comeback to secure their place in this season’s Gill Burns Division 3 final, thanks in part to four successful conversions from tries scored close to the posts.
It was Somerset who settled the quicker ably marshalled by their fly-half Holly Edmonds who caught the eye throughout.
Somerset took the lead with a good try from lock Cleo Fawcett converted by Daisy Pearce- Lyons.
Cornwall’s reply was not long in coming, a break by centre Lisa Allin saw her get the ball to wing Emma Stefanotti, who cut a great angle to score at the posts, fly-half Faith Rowe added the extras.
Cornish forwards putting in the hard graft
The mid-field collisions were intense on both sides. Somerset got a penalty they kicked to the corner they worked the ball well to set up a try for full-back Lucy Peters.
The visitors then got themselves two score ahead when wing Nina Samocki was put in at the corner. Both scores remained unconverted but Cornwall found themselves trailing 7-17 at half-time.
Cornwall had a good chat at half-time looking to put matters right, however the second half was barely underway when the game was interrupted for a good half an hour following a serious injury to Somerset prop Beckie Glover, which required a trip to hospital.
Faith Rowe looks to get her line going forward
When the game resumed it was Somerset who got the first score as Peters bagged her second of the game.
Cornwall needed a quick response and it came from classy full-back Amy Bunt who sliced through the cover to dot down under the posts for Rowe to add the conversion.
Cornwall needed a couple of tries and they came from one of the stand out performers during the campaign, centre Tia Larson, she carved a great line to score the first and then calmly took a loose kick to speed in under the bar, both tries were bettered by Holly Williams to put Cornwall 28-22 ahead.
A late try by Fawcett gave Somerset the chance to win the game but the conversion from wide proved too challenging for their kicker. Cornwall secured the ball with time up and booted it into touch to confirm their win, to huge cheers from the large crowd.
Tia Larson celebrates one of her two tries
After the final whistle Cornwall’s forwards coach Jo Holden was so proud of the team. “They put their heart and soul into that game, I am so proud of them, even when we were trailing I felt they could find a way to get back in the game and they did just that.”
Three tries during the third quarter gave Cornwall the platform to earn another trip to Twickenham on 4th June to play Cheshire in a repeat of the dramatic 2019 final.
Hertfordshire gave early notice that they might pose Cornwall a few questions with their strong backs and it showed when the hosts went ahead thanks to a try from centre Josh Rudling.
Cornwall struck back almost immediately, good play between wing Alex Ducker and full-back Matt Shepherd saw Shepherd score with fly-half Fraser Honey adding the extras.
Ducker then turned from provider to scorer as he weaved his way to the try-line with Honey again on cue with the extras.
Try number three wasn’t long in arriving, a kick to the corner by Honey saw lock Tony Whittle secure the lineout ball and from the drive hooker Ben Priddey score with Honey again adding the extras.
Credit to Hertfordshire, they stormed back impressively , flanker Alex Banna made good ground before full-back Nick Foster skipped through some poor Cornish tackling to score. Then centre Sam Jones scored both tries converted by Dan Watt to make the half-time score 19-21 to Cornwall.
There can be no doubt that Cornwall had a good talking to at half-time because they emerged a different team after the break. Within a minute of the re-start Shepherd made a break with centre Jack Simmons on hand to score.
Honey having added the conversion to Simmons’ try, then slotted a penalty from 35 meters to stretch the Cornwall lead.
Lock Toby Freeman then broke away from a maul on the twenty-two to romp under the posts, before some close quarter work was finished off by prop Jess Tompsett, Honey added a conversion to Freeman’s score to make it 43-19.
Cornwall looked to the bench with Torin Clarke coming on to make his senior county debut in place of Whittle.
Cornwall hadn’t finished, a scrum in the Cornwall twenty-two saw the ball go loose with replacement Connor Gilbert slipping the ball to Mikey Austin who ran 80 meters to score Cornwall’s final try, Honey’s conversion brought up the 50 points.
Hertfordshire had the final say when Jamie Hoyes got their fourth try.
Shepherd booted the ball off the park and the referee’s final brought huge cheers from the Cornish faithful.
Speaking after the game Cornwall’s assistant coach Marek Churcher said. “I was pleased with the performance, we finally got into our stride early in the second half, which snuffed out Herts’ hopes of a comeback. It was a bit of physical wave we had to ride out during the first half, but a good half-time chat re-focused the lads and they bossed the second half. We got a little bit sucked in to the way Herts wanted to play and we said at half-time let’s get back to the Cornish way and that saw us through.
“Getting to Twickenham is a great boost to the players and supporters after all people have gone through these last couple of years, but now we must focus on our next game and prepare accordingly.”
Cornwall’s selectors have been forced to make a couple of changes to the Cornwall side that enjoyed a fine win against Hampshire last Saturday by 78-12.
Matt Shepherd has switched to full-back in place of the injured Will Trewin, who suffered concussion near the end of Saturday’s game.
Redruth’s Kyle Bradley comes in on the wing for his county debut, Kyle has impressed during his maiden season at the Reds.
On the bench Edd Pascoe is unavailable due to Naval duties, so former Cornwall captain Ben Hilton returns to the match day 22. The other change is Torin Clarke, the former Cornwall Under 20 captain who comes in on the bench in place of Brad Howe.
Kick-off at Hertford RFC is 3 pm with BBC Radio Cornwall providing live match commentary.
Cornwall team to play Hertfordshire at Hertford RFC Saturday 21st May 3 pm.
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