Cornwall battle back to earn share of spoils

Photo Dan Barbary: Cornwall’s George Jones, Ben Humber & Jess Tompsett

BILL BEAUMONT CUP

CORNWALL 15 – 15 SURREY (HT 5-15)

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground, Redruth

A new look Cornwall side battled to a creditable draw against Surrey at Redruth on the opening day of this season’s County Championship.

Speaking after the game Cornwall’s backs coach Marek Churcher felt it was a fair result. “Both sides had their moments so a draw is probably a fair result. I think we showed a lot of character to come back after our poor start.

“We have a much-changed side this season, so it’s very much a learning curve for our boys, hats off to Surrey they are a very good side with players playing a much higher level of rugby than many of our lads this season, so huge credit to our boys who raised their game today.”

Jake Murphy Captain of Cornwall (Barnstaple) is tackled by Joe Touma of Surrey (London Irish Wild Geese) during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Surrey at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Redruth Cornwall – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Surrey had a dream start, a mix up at Cornwall line out saw the ball moved wide with former Redruth player, full back Ed Carne carving his way to the line with barely a minute on the clock, fly-half Alex Seers added the extras to leave the packed ranks of Trelawny’s Army in shock.

Cornwall had a chance of points soon after but full back Mitch Vague missed, one of three first half penalties eschewed by Cornwall in the first half, all from different kickers!

Instead, Cornwall were penalised at the breakdown and Seers made no mistake from 25 meters out.

Cornwall continued to make far too many mistakes, so it was no surprise when wing George Owen finished off a fine move in the Piggy lane corner for an unconverted try.

Jess Tompsett of Cornwall (Redruth) on the attack with Jake Murphy Captain of Cornwall (Barnstaple) in support during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Surrey at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Redruth Cornwall – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Cornwall used the bench and it made an immediate impact following good play from the forwards, Penryn’s George Jones looked very sharp for Cornwall when he came on, the ball was moved wide with Vague feeding Jon Dawe to score in the corner an unconverted try.

Surrey contrived to lose two players to the bin just prior to half-time but Cornwall couldn’t ram home the advantage.

Cornwall came much more into the game during the second half, Honey reduced the deficit with a penalty and then converted Tom Notman’s great try following good work in mid-field by centre Duncan Tout, the former Bude player ran strongly into the twenty-two before releasing the flying Notman.

Tom Notman of Cornwall (Redruth) runs in a try during the Bill Beaumont Cup Match between Cornwall and Surrey at the Recreation Ground on May 4th 2018, Redruth Cornwall – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo –

Notman almost had a second soon after denied by a great tackle from James Arbury for Surrey.

Cornwall threw everything at Surrey, roared on by Trelawny’s Army fanatical support, they elected to scrum a succession of penalties down in Hell fire corner with the crowd baying, in an attempt to wrest the win but a combination of good Surrey defence and little too much of Cornish impatience denied them.

Cornwall now take on Devon at Camborne next Saturday and will look to get a win ahead of their final game at Hertfordshire on May 19^th.

CORNWALL SCORES: Tries, Dawe, Notman, Con, Honey, Pen, Honey

Cornwall (Camborne unless stated): M Vague (Penryn), J Dawe (Launceston), D Tout (Juddians), J Murphy (Barnstaple) (Capt), T Notman (Redruth), R Kevern (Redruth), T Peacock; A Zacharovas, M Ballard (Wadebridge Camels), J Drew, D Cook, L Hattam (Redruth), BJ Chapman (Newton Abbot), B Humber (Wadebridge Camels), G Randlesome (Penryn)

Replacements: T-L Southworth, J Tompsett (Redruth), J Hoskin (St. Ives), G Jones (Penryn), D Mankee, F Honey (Bury St Edmunds), J Simmons (Redruth)

SURREY SCORES: Tries, Carne, Owen  Con, Seers, Pen, Seers

Surrey (London Irish Wild Geese unless stated): E Carne (Dorking), K Irving (Esher), S Fieldwick (Dorking), J Reville (Wimbledon), G Owen, A Seers, A Garner (Esher); C Connor, B Harding (Esher, Capt), C Zeiss (Esher), D Flashman (Wimbeldon), J Touma, R Crossland (Barnes), A Mackay, D Laventure (Wimbledon).

Replacements: A Roux (Dorking), D Hope (Esher), J Bayford (Wimbledon), C Raymond, S Sutherland (Esher), B Meeson, J Arbury (Dorking)

Yellow Cards, Irving (37), Mackay (39)

REF: Calum Howard (RFU)

ATT: 815

Other results;

Devon 26 – 38 Gloucestershire

Hertfordshire 59 – 21 Kent

BILL BEAUMONT CUP SOUTH STANDINGS