Photo – Centre Rhys Brownfield will again be looking for points against Devon
Cornwall travel to Ivybridge in good heart for Sunday’s pool decider in this season’s Under 20 County Championship against old rivals Devon at Ivybridge RFC kick-off 2:30 pm.
The winners of this game can look forward to a home quarter-final against either Hertfordshire or Berkshire on Sunday 15th February, whilst for the losers a long trip to Kent beckons on the same date.
Cornwall do have a one point advantage going into the game so a draw would also suffice for a home quarter-final.
As expected the squad has a familiar look with the majority of players who faced Gloucestershire retaining their places.
Speaking on behalf of the CRFU, President John Grindle said, “This is the second game in a tough west country pool. I want to thank the coaching team of Ian Morgan, Mike Rawlings, Bryn Jenkins, team manager Chris Lea and the back room staff and medics for their work in preparing the team for this important game.”
Coach Ian Morgan is under no illusions as to what the Cornish lads will face. He said, “The squad has gelled into a tight group but know they face a tough cross the Tamar game against Devon.”
Coaches will be monitoring their phones on Saturday evening hoping that the players come through their league matches unscathed for Sunday’s showdown.
Fellow coach Mike Rawlings said, “We have had to make a few enforced changes to the team after losing both Locryn Williams and Jake Woodward through injury. This season we have managed to get a number of guys into the squad and therefore selecting replacements is not difficult although there will be one or two disappointed guys.”
CRFU Chair Denis Preece said, “The team had a superb result against Gloucestershire but know they cannot rest on their laurels as Devon will be a tremendous test for these players especially after they defeated Gloucestershire away from home!”
Cornwall Under 20 team manager Chris Lea said, “The squad this season is a real mix of guys some with National League experience others now making the break into senior rugby. What we are trying to build is a continuous stream of players who can represent Cornwall at this level. For some, this is their last season at this level, others have one and some two / three seasons ahead of them and should not be disappointed if they are not in the starting XV.”
Cornwall U.20: Tom Eley (Truro), Lewis Thomas (Redruth), Jack Simmons (Hartpury Coll), Rhys Brownfield (Pirates Ams), Tom Sandercock (Launceston), Sam Fox (Wadebridge Camels), Dan Rutter; Tommy Phillips (both Redruth), Joe Martin (Truro), Jay Tyack (St. Ives), Todd Prisk (Redruth, Capt), Dan Marsh (Truro), Adam Hughes (Penryn), John Haines (Launceston), Neil Stanleick (Camborne).
Replacements: Sam Furse (Newquay Hornets), Adam Smith , Tommy-Lee Southworth (both Redruth), Tony Pellow (Penryn), Ashley Taylor (St. Austell/Cardiff Met), Zac Noeda (Truro), John Tyler (Penzance & Newlyn Colts).
Travelling Reserves: Joe Bradford (Newquay Hornets), Kieran Down (Saltash), Russell Stevens (Hayle), Ryan Burley (Stithians).
STOP PRESS – Devon side announced
Devon Under 20’s vs Cornwall U20’s
15 Fellows, Sam Teignmouth
14 Whane, Corey Newton Abbott
13 Squire, Dean Brixham
12 Massingham, Billy Ivybridge
11 Bond, Jack (Capt) Newton Abbott
10 Castleton, William Newton Abbott
9 Murphy, Keir Tavistock
1 Crouch, Ashley Barnstaple
2 Daley, Joe Devonport Services
3 Cole, William (V Capt) Newton Abbott
4 Edbrooke, Christian Sidmouth
5 McDonald, Ben Old Reds
6 Rouse, Jack Exmouth
7 Fergusson, Jack Kingsbridge
8 Hawley, Ben Exmouth
16 Harrison, Sean Exeter Saracens
17 Allen, Matt Kingsbridge
18 Hull, Richard Sidmouth
19 Walker, Joe Ivybridge
20 Grievson, Matt Ivybridge
21 Stannard, Luke Devonport Services
22 Wheale, Tim Devonport Services
