CORNWALL SELECT SIDE TO FACE CHESHIRE IN SUNDAY TEA-TIME FINAL
By Bill Hooper
Cornwall selectors have stuck by the same tried and tested squad for Sunday’s Bill Beaumont Cup Final against Cheshire at Twickenham.
It will be the third time the two counties have faced each other in the final, Cheshire won the first final in 1998, 21-14, whilst Cornwall won the second final three years ago, 35-13, Matt Shepherd notching twenty points in a memorable performance with a try, three penalties and three conversions.
There are just a couple of positional changes for the final. Jon Dawe moves to the wing whilst Richie Kevern moves from full-back to the centre to partner club mate Jack Simmons with Shepherd having recovered from injury that forced him to miss the Devon game.
In the back row, Edd Pascoe retains his place with fit again Sam Stevens returning having also missed out against Devon.
Disappointingly, there is no place for Bude winger Kyle Speare who is named as a travelling reserve.
The replacements bench will supply plenty to the team’s performance when they get their chance. Penryn pair George Jones and Grant Randlesome are bound to play a full part at rugby HQ, as will Wadebridge’s Matt Ballard.
The whole squad at training joined in with the congratulations to Alex Ducker and Jack Oulton on their selection for England Counties tour to Georgia, which departs immediately after the final.
While there are still 80 minutes of rugby to be played, this Cornwall team will give everything and more in this final game of their season and be a credit to their families, their clubs and their county. They have played with pride and passion wearing the black and gold and that has always been a hallmark of great Cornwall sides of the past.
The selected squad will be travelling up to Twickenham on Saturday and will arrive at the ground at approximately 3.30 pm on the Sunday and look forward to being greeted by the Cornish crowd as they step off the coach.
There may be many in the Cornwall rugby community who will be baffled by the RFU decision to move the 5.30pm kick-off to 5.45pm
Cornwall team to play Cheshire at Twickenham on Sunday 2nd June. Kick off 5.45pm
15. Matt Shepherd Plymouth Albion
14. John Dawe Plymouth Albion
13. Jack Simmons Redruth
12. Richie Kevern Redruth
11. Alex Ducker Camborne
10. Fraser Honey Plymouth Albion
9. Jack Oulton Redruth
1. Dan Job Lanner
2. Rob Elloway St. Ives
3. Jess Tompsett Redruth
4. Tony Whittle Camborne
5. Ben Hilton (captain) Barnstaple
6. Edd Pascoe Redruth & Royal Navy
7. Sam Stevens Redruth
8. Brad Howe Redruth
16. Matt Ballard Wadebridge Camels
25. Craig Williams Redruth
18. George Jones Penryn
19. Grant Randlesome Penryn
20. Taron Peacock Camborne
21. Dean Bonds Redruth
22. Seti Raumakita Plymouth Albion
Travelling Reserves: Rikki Bentham, Kyle Speare, Rhys Brownfield, Charlie Nicholson or Greg Thomas
