Cornwall squad plan 2019 campaign

CORNWALL RFU TEAM BUILDING EVENT

By Bill Hooper, photos Simon Bryant Iktis photo

St. Austell Brewery was once again the venue for this season’s pre Championship get together.

CRFU Chairman Denis Preece welcomed the players and coaches to this important event where the players and coaches have a chance to discuss plans for this season’s campaign.

Cornwall, Head Coach Graham Dawe speaks to the players. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 22/02/19, Cornwall, Team Building, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, St Austell, St Austell Brewery, Cornwall, England

Denis also thanked St. Austell Brewery for laying on the evening and their continued support for the Cornwall team and rugby within the Duchy.

Also present was Peter Kennedy from O’Neill’s kit manufacturers, another major sponsor of the Cornwall side. O’Neill’s on-line shop

Denis thanked both companies for their on-going support. 

Graham Dawe will once again be head coach assisted by Marek Churcher.

Despite the obvious disappointment how last season’s campaign went, Dawe is as ever the optimist. He said. “Well it’s down to the players at the end of the day and how much they want it, I truly believe that there is still a huge thrill for Cornish players to pull on the black and gold shirt. It’s the perennial problem with the way the Championship is situated in the calendar right at the end of a long hard season, for some players they have had enough, for other they are hungry for more and want to pull that shirt on their back. I want every player in Cornwall wanting to play for their county side.

Cornwall, lock and skipper Ben Hilton (Barnstaple). – Mandatory Credit ©Iktis Photo/Simon Bryant

Dawe’s aim is quite simple, to go to Twickenham with his Cornwall side and win the Bill Beaumont Cup. “I am firm believer that if you are in this competition then you have to aim for the top, nothing else will do. We have to have that belief because the Cornish support expects and demands nothing less.     

Dawe knows that a good start is paramount and that means a win on the road against Kent. “A good start is always important as it tends to set the momentum. A couple of years ago we had a good win up there in a close game. We will go up there with a game plan and the players who will deliver that plan.

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

Dawe was delighted that Ben Hilton had agreed to be the Cornwall captain this season. “A player with a lot of experience and a proven leader who gets in people’s faces and won’t take a step back, both Ben and our vice captain Tom Notman have been in great form this season and impressed the county selectors.” 

After a pasty supper the evening concluded with a quiz set by John Martin and a raffle with proceeds going to this season’s chosen charity #Cry4Tom, in memory of Thomas Demaine. Please see the link for further information.   

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