JASON LEONARD CUP
SOMERSET U.20, 22 – 34 CORNWALL U.20
By Bill Hooper
Cornwall Under 20s travelled to Taunton on Sunday determined to put behind them the defeat to Devon last month and they did just that with a bonus point win against the hosts.
Cornwall kicked off in bright sunshine soon earning a penalty which centre Jack Statton pushed wide in the blustery wind
On their first visit to the Cornwall twenty-two, Somerset scored an unconverted try in the corner following a good move from the backs.
Cornwall came under the cosh for a while but some good work from notably skipper Will Perkin kept Somerset at bay.
Statton put in a kick ahead, the bounce fooled the Somerset defence and the ball fell back into the centre’s hands allowing him to run in to open Cornwall’s account.
Cornwall took the lead when full back Alfie MacDonald intercepted a pass near his own line and ran fully 80 meters to score a great try bettered by Statton.
Vice-Captain Statton bagged his brace before half-time again adding the extras for a 19-5 lead.
Cornwall came out fired up and took the game to Somerset, from a scrum the ball was moved through several phases before finding hooker Pete Harris out wide who scored in the corner.
Cornwall, unfortunately fell foul of the referee as two players were sent in quick succession to the bin for stopping the Somerset drives resulting referee Matt Wray finally awarding Somerset a penalty-try.
Thankfully, Cornwall managed the handicap, increasing their lead with a great finish from replacement wing Amori Matanatabu in the corner.
Harris then scored his second try of the game from a catch-and-drive, despite two consolation tries for Somerset Cornwall had done enough for the win.
In the other game Devon defeated Gloucestershire 36-21 at Brixham and look likely to top the group and qualify for the next round.
Coach Richie Kevern was pleased with the result, “The boys showed spirit today and played for the shirt, we certainly played better than against Devon but there are still some areas to work on ahead of our next game against Gloucestershire in May.”
Cornwall U.20: Macdonald (Exeter Saracens), Roskilly (Penryn), Deavin (Falmouth), Statton (Launceston), Keogh (St. Just), Walsh-Newton (Falmouth), Chapple (Redruth); Lawrence (Falmouth), Harris (St. Austell), Williams (Penryn), Knight (Saltash), Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), Lister (Penryn), Eddy (Pirates Ams), Ellery (Newquay Hornets).
Replacements: Pope, Ikete (both Camborne School of Mines), Smith (Redruth), Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Blacklock (Falmouth), Matanatabu (Helston), Penhallurick (Falmouth).
Cornwall scores: Tries, Statton 21, 39, MacDonald 27, Harris 43, 70, Matanatabu 54, Conversions, Statton 28, 40
