Photo – Last season’s squad in action against Berkshire
Under 20s
Cornwall 33 Devon 19
U20s coaches Mike Rawlings, Bryn Jenkins and Matt Shepherd will have been pleased by the bright start their squad have made to the season prior to the Championship pool matches. With conditions good at Polson Bridge the crowd were able to see the new crop of talented Cornish lads run in five tries against their Devon counterparts.
After three weeks of training the large training squad of over 60 players representing many Cornish clubs brought together by Colin Hatch was reduced to 34 for the game against Devon. The numbers of players available at this age group is quite remarkable and represents the effort that has been invested into developing players out of Colts or College rugby. The coaches had to maintain the tricky balance of giving all the players a good chance to show their skills as the next match day squad will be reduced to 22 with 4 reserves. To come away with a win as well was really fine work and the players were really keen to make sure that the chance to play in the black and gold shirt was a proud moment and a chance not to be missed.
The tries were scored by Ethan Tyler (2) Toby Robinson, Aaron Vinson and Max Duggan but they were down to good continuity and possession and effort by their team mates. Tyler and Boyer added the conversions. Devon for their part scored three tries, (one of those a penalty try) and added two conversions. But the organisation and preparation of the Cornwall squad was very apparent and the players stuck to the plan.
There now follows one more training session at Truro College and then it’s off to Camborne on Sunday 5th February (kick off 2pm) to play Berkshire in the first of the three pool games. The focus and attention to detail will provide the selected squad every opportunity to make Cornish supporters proud.
Cornwall squad picked to play Devon
Forwards:
Lewis Lee, Adam Wright, Matt Healy, Aaron Vincent, Callum Dewson
Four Cornish lads from this season’s Cornwall Under 18s have been picked for the South West squad ahead of the Divisional match against London and the South East at Staines in February. The players are: Jake Clemson (St Ives), Keane Whitaker (St. Austell), Kyle Bradley (Helston) and Jack Old (Wadebridge Camels).
The players will play a warm-up game against Gloucester Academy U.17s at Hartpury College at the end of the month before the game against London and the South East, which will be watched by England selectors looking to pick a squad to travel to Ireland at Easter.
