Brave Cornwall come up short against Dorset & Wilts

Dorset and Wilts U.20, 27 – 23 Cornwall U.20


Cornwall U.20’s travelled to North Dorset RFC to face D+W in the quarter-final of the Jason
Leonard Cup.
A good crowd with lots of black and gold on display from Trelawny’s Army joined the players
in a minute’s silence at the start of the game to recognise the tragic events that occurred in
Bodmin earlier in the month.
Cornwall pegged the twin counties in their own half for the first 20 minutes and led 0 – 9 thanks to

3 Nat Dart penalties.

Nat Dart (Camborne) of Cornwall U20s kicks for the corner. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 07/05/23, Cornwall U20s, Dorset/Wilts U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, Quarter Final, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Gillingham, Slaughtergate, North Dorset RFC, England

Just before the half hour mark D+W No 13 Fin Raworth broke the Cornwall defensive line and scored a try which was converted by their No 9 Connor Moore.


Five minutes later a powerful run by D+W No 5 Oliver Wills saw him pass to No. 6 Stan Vincent to
score their second try with again Connor Moore adding the conversion 14 – 9.

Matt Pritchard (Falmouth) Vice Captain of Cornwall U20s in the pink scrum cap drives over for a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 07/05/23, Cornwall U20s, Dorset/Wilts U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, Quarter Final, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Gillingham, Slaughtergate, North Dorset RFC, England


With the first half drawing to a close, D+W No 9 Moore was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes and Cornwall took advantage when Cornwall hooker Matt Pritchard charged through for a try which Nat Dart converted. Half-time Dorset & Wilts 14 – 16 Cornwall.


The second half commenced, and Cornwall were caught cold after 4 minutes when replacement No 20 Rhys Godling scored a try which was converted by No 10 Jamie Foskett.


D+W took charge for the next period and Cornwall gave away 2 penalties which D+W put over the crossbar to lead 27 – 16 with just over a quarter of the game to go.

Will Perkin (St Ives) Captain of Cornwall U20s catches the line-out ball. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 07/05/23, Cornwall U20s, Dorset/Wilts U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, Quarter Final, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Gillingham, Slaughtergate, North Dorset RFC, England

Indiscretion again by D+W saw No 5 pick up a yellow card and Cornwall tried to get into the ascendancy.
Cornwall were dominating the lineouts. And set up several powerful driving mauls with D+W
trying to disrupt them. By strong defensive work and a bit of cunning play they held up Cornwall
over their line 4 times in 10 minutes. With 2 minutes to go Cornwall’s No 23 Joss Pascoe
crashed over the line which Nat Dart dropped kicked the conversion. 2 minutes left 4 points
behind, a cautious slow restart from D+W helped to run down the clock and when Cornwall
knocked on the referee from Somerset blew the final whistle to break Cornish hearts!

Peter Harris (St Austell) of Cornwall U20s drives for the try-line. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 07/05/23, Cornwall U20s, Dorset/Wilts U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, Quarter Final, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Gillingham, Slaughtergate, North Dorset RFC, England


D+W were a big mobile side and now go on to represent the SW in the Southern final
against Hampshire on the 21 May.


For Cornwall U20’s the season is over, as in previous years we say goodbye to several the
players, but we look forward to welcoming new players’ next season. A massive thanks to
the CRFU and Trelawny’s Army for their support over the season. A big thanks to all the
players including those who have trained but not been selected along with the coaches,
medics, and back-room staff who all contribute to make the team and the season function.
Special thanks to Jo Holden, Kevin Bishop, Simon Bryant, and Dave Burrows for the
multimedia items.


Colin Hatch
Cornwall U20 Team Manager

Both sides line up to observe a minute’s silence regarding the tragic events in Bodmin the previous weekend.

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