Penryn skipper keen to get back to Twickenham

Photo: Borough skipper George Jones

Report by Bill Hooper, photos Simon Bryant Iktis photo

 

Part of Cornwall’s successful squad in 2015 but forced to miss out on last season’s campaign due to injury Penryn’s George Jones hopes to make a return to rugby’s HQ on Sunday week

Speaking ahead of last evening’s training session at Camborne Jones said. “It’s been brilliant to be involved once again this season and be part of a successful team looking to build on it’s recent successes.

Jones was very modest about his try scoring against Devon at Ivybridge. Laughing he said.  “The ball came to me and I tripped over the line, it was nice to get some points but honestly I can’t take too much credit for it.

Asked about the step up in level from playing for Penryn in the Cornwall & Devon league to playing with players from the National Leagues. “I enjoy the challenge, the pace of the game is far higher at County level than that playing for Penryn, the contacts are harder everything is that much more intense, but having been part of the set-up now for a couple of years you know what to expect and what is expected of you as a player.

“You learn a lot as a player being involved with this squad everyone is keen to help and pass on tips to improve your own performance.

Jones also feels that having a fellow “ryner” with him has helped. “Having Grant (Randlesome) in the squad as well has been nice, not forgetting Lewis Vague who has also been involved this season, but it is good for me and especially Grant to have a familiar face in the group, he’s done really well this season and has reaped the rewards with his call up for the championship squad.

 

Photo: Penryn’s Grant Randlesome

 

Despite the changes to some of the squad this season Jones feels that there is still the same buzz around the boys. “I don’t feel that too much has changed this season, the desire to win and perform well is still there, it’s a great bunch of lads and we are all focused on what we have to do.

“I am looking forward to playing at Camborne, I am sure there will be plenty of familiar faces from Penryn there to cheer us on.”

Two try hero from Ivybridge Robin Wedlake was delighted with his move into the centre last week against Devon, his performance on the day sees him reprise his partnership with skipper Jake Murphy against Hertfordshire on Saturday. “I really enjoyed slotting in at centre last week, I’ve spent all season on the wing for Plymouth Albion but played at centre in their last game, I think Marek Churcher saw something he liked and decided to give me a go in the centre and it worked well last Saturday, so I am very happy with that.

Photo: Robin Wedlake stretches away against Cheshire in the 2016 final

 

“I get on well with Jake (Murphy) played with him at Albion before he moved to Barnstaple so we know each other’s style of play.

Asked which position he now prefers. “That’s the question! I am enjoying the challenge in mid-field but I’ll play anywhere as long as I am on the pitch.

Wedlake was happy with both his scores at the weekend. “I am always pleased to dot them down. The first one was a gift but you have to be in the right place to accept it. The second one came from Jack Oulton’s break and then I just stretched away to score the try.

For Wedlake playing for Cornwall is a huge honour. “I get asked about it quite a bit but pulling on that shirt is something very special and to play in front of so many people is something that makes me feel very proud indeed. It’s going to a massive day at Camborne with all the crowd and all your friends being there.”

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