Shep kicks Cornwall to Cup Glory

BILL BEAUMONT CUP FINAL

CORNWALL 14 – 12 CHESHIRE

By Bill Hooper at Twickenham Stadium

Matt Shepherd, held his nerve to split the uprights with the conversion of Seti Raumakita’s game-saving try to win Cornwall the Bill Beaumont Cup to the delight of the Cornish fans who went beserk at the final whistle.

Matt Shepherd of Cornwall (Plymouth Albion) kicks the winning conversion. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Credit to the crest-fallen Cheshire boys who must have thought they had the game won, but this Cornish side never gives up, despite playing the second half with fourteen men, got their just rewards for an outstanding campaign.

Huge praise to the players, selectors and coaching staff, especially Marek Churcher, who perhaps doesn’t always get the credit he deserves, but who’s contribution is massive.

Jess Tompsett of Cornwall (Redruth) is tackled by Nathan Rushton of Cheshire (Sedgley Park). – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Prop Jess Tompsett travelled up on the supporters bus on the morning of the game as his partner had given birth to a daughter just hours earlier.

Cornwall arrived at the West Car Park to be greeted by the hordes of black and gold clad fans from Trelawny’s Army, One & All, united behind our boys. The reception the team got off the bus was truly inspiring.

Brad Howe of Cornwall (Redruth) charges at Tom Morton of Cheshire (Macclesfield). – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Despite the lateness of the hour there was a good crowd packed into the lower tier of the West Stand, with the Cornish crowd in full voice as the teams entered the pitch.

Conditions were nigh on perfect at kick-off despite the usual swirling breeze at Twickenham.

Cornwall had the better of the opening exchanges, but couldn’t breech the Cheshire defence. That set the scene for much of the first half, dogged defence.

Grant Randlesome of Cornwall (Penryn) strides forward. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Cheshire then had a long period of territory and possession with wings Rory Hardman and Sam Stelmaszek looking lively.

The Cornish back row of Sam Stevens, Edd Pascoe and Brad Howe got through a lot of work, whilst Tony Whittle had his usual all action game.

The deadlock was finally broken, by guess who? Alex Ducker. Taking a pass from centre Richie Kevern, Ducker burst through a pair of Cheshire defenders to speed to the line, Fraser Honey kicked the conversion and Cornwall were 7-0 up as the fans cheered like mad.

Alex Ducker of Cornwall (Camborne) runs in a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Cheshire roared back at Cornwall, but once again the Cornish defence was outstanding, tackle after tackle knocked the big Cheshire forwards back, with Cornwall winning turnover ball.

In the lead up to half-time, Cornwall had a penalty on the Cheshire 10 metre line, in front of the posts, Honey elected to kick for goal, his kick rebounding off the Twickenham posts.

Richard Kevern of Cornwall (Redruth) throws a pass. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Following a ruck there was an altercation near the touchline involving scrum-half Jack Oulton, after the officials deliberation, referee Phil Davies brandished a red card at Oulton, Cornwall would have to play the whole of the second half with just fourteen men.

Cornwall need to re-organise, Shepherd moved to scrum-half, and Craig Williams came on for the excellent Dan Job, who had carried well as well as Tompsett.

Jack Simmons of Cornwall (Redruth) tries to secure the ball after the tackle. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Cheshire sensed blood and went for it. Pressure eventually told when fly-half Tom Morton squeezed over in the corner for a try he couldn’t convert.

Both sides looked to the bench to find that extra lift, both George Jones and Grant Randlesome had the Penryn contingent on their feet as they surged up field.

But it was Cheshire who now exerted the greater pressure, they drove at the Cornwall line and despite heroic defence by the black and gold, they finally mauled over for a try from Tom Sanders, Morton slotted the conversion and it was Cheshire ahead as the clock ticked down.

Cornwall, Head Coach Graham Dawe watches the match at close quarters. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

Cornwall had a penalty with Shepherd kicking to the corner, three times Cheshire were penalised and thrice Shepherd went for the same, try-scorer Sanders was the first dispatched to the bin for cynical play, followed by Jack Collister.

Seti Raumakita of Cornwall (Plymouth Albion) dives in for the try. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

From a scrum five-meters out Shepherd saw Raumakita running hard from deep, the pop pass was perfect and the giant Fijian burst the tackle to score, as Twickenham went mad.

Ben Hilton Captain of Cornwall (Barnstaple) holds the Bill Beaumont Cup aloft. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 02/06/19, Cornwall, Cheshire, Bill Beaumont Cup Final, County Championship, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Twickenham Stadium, London, England

It was left to Shepherd to put the icing on the cake and cue the celebrations as skipper Ben Hilton lifted the cup.

Cornwall (Redruth unless stated): Matt Shepherd (Plymouth Albion), Jon Dawe (Plymouth Albion) (Dean Bonds 74), Jack Simmons, Richie Kevern, Alex Ducker (Camborne), Fraser Honey (Plymouth Albion) (Seti Raumakita, Plymouth Albion 60), Jack Oulton; Dan Job (Lanner) (Craig Williams h/t), Rob Elloway (St. Ives) (Matt Ballard, Wadebridge Camels 38), Jess Tompsett, Tony Whittle (Camborne), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple, Capt) (Edd Pascoe 73), Edd Pascoe (George Jones, Penryn 52), Sam Stevens (Taron Peacock, Camborne 52) , Brad Howe (Grant Randlesome, Penryn 52).  

Cornwall scores: Tries, Ducker, Raumakita, Cons, Honey, Shepherd.

Red Card: Oulton (40)

Cheshire (Caldy unless stated): Rhys Hayes, Sam Stelmaszek (Macclesfield) (Christopher Speed, Wirral 23) , Jack Moorhouse (Sale FC), Michael Barlow, Rory Hardman (Chris Crowley, Wirral h/t) , Tom Morton (Macclesfield), Nicholas Allsop (Sandbach); Nathan Rushton (Sedgley Park) (Brendan Berry, Macclesfield 60) , Neil Briggs (Sale FC) (Josh Brown, Sandbach 46), Derek Salisbury (Daniel Matthews Macclesfield 37), Martin Gerrard (Tom Sanders 60), Jack Collister, Harrison Crowe, Callum Ridgway (David Jones 55), Josiah Dickson (Capt). 

Cheshire scores: Tries, Morton, Sanders, Con, Morton

Yellow Cards: Sanders (76), Collister (80)

Referee: Phil Davies (RFU)

Crowd: 3000

Man-of-the-match: Tony Whittle (Cornwall)

Posted in Bill's Blog

Older posts