Photo: Tom Sandercock one of four Launceston players in the Cornwall squad on Sunday
Cornwall Under 20s travel to play Hampshire this Sunday knowing nothing less than a win will do to keep them in this season’s competition.
It will be a tough task against a Hampshire side that has won both opening games, but one the Cornish lads will relish.
CRFU President Peter James said “This will be another test for these young guys; having won one and lost one it is all to play for. Having watched them at Redruth and Camborne I know they have the spirit and ability to put in a good performance and get a result!”
For Cornwall and Hampshire it is all to play for on the day along with Gloucestershire in the other match, results will determine the quarter finalists from the three teams.
Cornwall have once again shuffled the pack for this game with no less than eight changes to the starting XV from the Gloucestershire game.
There is a completely new front row with St. Ives’ James Bishop at loose-head teaming up with hooker Luis Powell and tight-head Jack Hodge both from Redruth and with National League experience.
Dan Reed comes in to partner Hugo Culverhouse in the second row with another Camel Harry Smith coming into the back row.
In the backs fit again Fraser Honey comes in at fly half whilst there are recalls for both Ethan Tyler (wing) and Toby Robinson full-back.
Coach Mike Rawlings said. “The result against Gloucestershire was disappointing, they out scrummaged us and conditions on the day led to a forward orientated game and they rightly took advantage. On the day they deserved the win and will take the fight to Berkshire to try to claim a quarter-final spot.”
Cornwall Captain Will Gilder said. “The guys were disappointed to lose against Gloucestershire but on the day they were the better team and played to their strengths. We have had two further training sessions and look forward to what will be a hard trip up to Overton to face Hampshire in our final pool game of the season.
“Having the conditions in our favour in the first half and with the score only 9 – 12, meant the final 40 minutes was always going to be a tough ask. However, to lose the second half by only the 6 points, showed true guts and determination from the guys.”
Team manager Chris Lea said. “It’s real shame after the first game of the season, but they are still in with a chance, but it is a must win game. The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. There are a number of these guys who will be around next season and we will be looking at new talent who can come into the squad and join them next season.”
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 TEAM V HAMPSHIRE SUNDAY 19 MARCH 2017 @ OVERTON RFC 1 PM KO
1) JAMES BISHOP St IVES RFC
2) LUIS POWELL REDRUTH RFC
3) JACK HODGE REDRUTH RFC
4) HUGO CULVERHOUSE WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC
5) DAN REED WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC
6) HARRY SMITH WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC
7) WILL GILDER (CAPT) St. AUSTELL RFC
8) MAX DUGGAN St AUSTELL RFC
9) NOAH NASH BRIXHAM RFC
10) FRASER HONEY LAUNCESTON RFC
11) CAVAN BOYER St AUSTELL RFC
12) MATT BLEE CAMBORNE RFC
13) DECLAN MATTHEWS REDRUTH RFC
14) ETHAN TYLER TRURO RFC
15) TOBY ROBINSON St AUSTELL RFC
REPLACEMENTS;
16) MATT HEALY PENRYN RFC
17) AARON VINCENT LANKELLY FOWEY RFC
18) JACK OSBORNE LAUNCESTON RFC
19) CAMERON SAYER CAMBORNE RFC
20) REUBEN EDWARDS LAUNCESTON RFC
21) TOM SANDERCOCK LAUNCESTON RFC
22) HARVEY JONES UNATTACHED
TRAVELLING RESERVES:
23) HECTOR BRIGHT St AUSTELL RFC
24) CALLUM BOYCE St AUSTELL RFC
25) CALLUM DEWSON LAUNCESTON RFC
26) KIERON VINSON PENRYN RFC
Coaches – Mike Rawlings, Bryn Jenkins, Matt Shepherd
Team Manager – Chris Lea
