Cornwall advanced to the quarter-finals of this season's Tetley Bitter County Championship with this comprehensive victory over Berkshire.
If this had been a boxing match the referee would have stopped the fight long before half time! Cornwall will be the first to admit that not everything was perfect in this performance, and that fact alone tells you how much Berkshire were overwhelmed by the Cornish side in this one-sided contest.
Cornwall probably found the elements more of a challenge than the opposition. A stiff wind blew across the Recreation Ground, making goal kicking, line out throw-ins, and any long passes a lottery.
Cornwall kicked off playing towards the scoreboard end with the wind in their favour. Steve Larkins had an early penalty chance but missed in the tricky conditions. Cornwall had to wait until 13 mins for their first points when Larkins was successful with a penalty kick. The Cornish boys kept up the high tempo and play remained in the opposition's half. Cornwall's first try came after 17 mins when scrum-half Ricky Pellow capitalised on a mistake in the Berkshire 22. He collected the loose ball and managed to roll over the line to claim the score. Larkins' conversion stretched Cornwall to a 10 point lead.
Pellow once again was the instigator of Cornwall's second try, scored almost immediately after the re-start, when he ran a penalty in the Berkshire 22 and fed winger Craig Bonds who ran in the try. The score remained un converted. Cornwall continued to dominate. However, some misunderstanding and lack of cohesion spoilt the Cornish play. On 30 mins Berkshire made their first incursion into the Cornish 22. With half time approaching, Larkins kicked another penalty goal to put Cornwall 23-0 up. Cornwall were then reduced to 14 men after Lakalaka Waqanivere was yellow-carded for throwing a punch. Despite this Cornwall were rarely threatened, and the score remained the same to the break.
Cornwall turned around and now faced the stiff breeze. Berkshire enjoyed their best period of the game for about 5 mins, and Craig Bonds had to get back to deal with a kick in goal. Rocky Newton was starting to get some of his mazy runs under way, no doubt impressing England Counties selector Terry Pryor with his fluid movement and pace. Newton was involved again with Waqanivere as they set up Larkins for the opening try of the half on 53 mins. Larkins missed the conversion. However, the Cornish were soon back on the attack after the Berkshire re-start went out on the full. Cornwall earned a penalty on the Berkshire 22 and kicked to the corner. From the resulting catch and drive the ball was recycled and skipper Steve Evans scored another try for Cornwall. Larkins' conversion took Cornwall to 35-0.
The game was now entering the final quarter and the pace of the match was beginning to tell on the Berkshire forwards. Cornwall brought on Joe Bearman in place of James Lancaster, and he was immediately involved in the action, setting up another Newton surge out wide. The flood gates were soon to burst as Cornwall ran in four tries in the final stages with hooker Viliami Ma'asi, replacement No 8 Joe Bearman, winger Craig Bonds, and centre Paul Gadsdon all going over as Cornwall racked up a record score in the Championship of 59-0. Coach Nick Brokenshire brought on the entire bench during the final quarter, in preparation for next week's match at Launceston against Sussex, who beat Kent by 30 -23.
In all the years I have watched County Championship rugby, I cannot remember such a one-sided contest as this one. A worrying note for the organisers of this competition, the RFU. Perhaps the CRFU will have to cut its admission prices to attract more spectators to these 1st Round matches! Finally, this win confirms that Cornwall will still be a Top 16 county next season and that whatever happens in the next match they will play in the main County Championship competition once again next year.
Cornwall now face Sussex in the quarter-final, next Saturday at Launceston, K.O. 3:00 p.m.
Cornwall team:
15) S. Larkins
(Redruth), 14) C. Bonds (Redruth), 13) P. Gadsdon (P&N), 12) B. Brown
(Redruth), 11) R. Newton (P&N), 10) S. Evans (P&N,capt) 9) R. Pellow
(Manchester), 8) L. Waqanivere (P&N), 7) K. Penrose (P&N), 6) J.
Lancaster (Redruth), 5) R. Carroll (P&N), 4) J. Wilce (Launceston) 3) J.
Wright (Redruth), 2) V. Ma'sai (P&N) 1) M. Rice
(Launceston)Replacements: 16) M. Richards (Redruth), 17) I.
Hambly (P&N), 18) A. Harris (Exeter), 19) J. Bearman (P&N), 20) N.
Corin (Redruth), 21) A. Morcom (P&N), 22) M. Harper (Plymouth
Albion)
Scorers for Cornwall: 9 tries: Pellow, Bonds (2), Evans, Newton, Larkins, Ma'asi, Bearman Gadsdon. 3 cons & 2pens, Larkins. Yellow card L. Waqanivere, 38 mins.
For the first time a County Championship match was held at Launceston's Polson Bridge Ground, where Cornwall took on Sussex in this quarter-final tie, with the winners being at home in the semi-final to the winners of the Roses match at Otley between Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Cornwall were looking to build on their initial outing against Berkshire, when, despite scoring 59 points without reply, there was still room for improvement.
Cornwall coach Nick Brokenshire was forced to make a couple of changes to his original choice against Berkshire. James Hawken, who missed the first match, and Rocky Newton both had hamstring injuries. Joe Bearman, who came on at Camborne to such a good effect, started at No 8 with Lakalaka Waqanivere reverting to the bench. Lee Soper, back from active service, and Richard Siveter came on to the bench in place of Neil Corin and Ashley Morcom.
A dry breezy afternoon, with Cornwall playing towards the scoreboard or town end, saw Sussex begin purposefully, giving notice that they would pose more of a threat than Berkshire did the week before. Cornwall took time to settle; indeed it was the visitors who posted the first score of the match when wing Ben Coulsen kicked an early penalty goal. Cornwall, urged on by the good-sized crowd at Polson, tore into the visitors. Turnover ball came the Duchy's way and Sussex were caught infringing. Cornwall kicked into the Sussex 22 to set up a platform from the ensuing lineout. Cornwall drove the visitors back, earned another penalty, and continued in the same vein, kicking to the 22m and setting up another maul from the ensuing lineout. At first the Sussex defence held firm but from yet another drive the Cornish pack drove over for Richard Carroll to claim the opening try, just rewards for Carroll, who once again had another storming game in the Cornish pack. Terry Pryor, once again present as a selector for the England Counties XV, could not have failed to notice. Steve Larkins badly hooked this conversion attempt.
Sussex were now causing a few problems to the Cornish scrum. But Cornish No 8 Joe Bearman appeared to be everywhere on the field during the opening period, ripping back possession and mixing it in the three quarter line. What a motor this guy has! Cornwall were still a little loose and one Barbarian-style move near their own line could have cost them dear as it broke down!
The game moved into the second quarter with Cornwall still only 5-3 up. However, the Cornish back line was beginning to get its passing together and another try was not long in the offing. Sussex were penalised for collapsing a good driving maul from Cornwall in mid-field. Cornwall again kicked to the 22m. From the lineout, Cornwall spun the ball out at speed and the flying Reds winger Craig Bonds was on hand to score a fine try. Larkins successful conversion put Cornwall 12-3 up.
The Duchy were then dealt a double blow. First their influential skipper and playmaker Steve Evans was yellow-carded for a high tackle. Fortunately for Cornwall, Coulsen missed the kick at goal. Then the ever-present Bearman was forced to leave the field, to be replaced by club mate Lakalaka Waqanivere. Shortly after, Sussex had their second row Damien Lyal yellow-carded after intervention from the touch judge.
With half time fast approaching Cornwall began to cut loose. A flowing move with backs and forwards interchanging passes brought play close to the Sussex line once again. From the resulting scrum, Sussex were turned and Lakalaka Waqanivere picked the ball up and calmly ran over the line to claim Cornwall's third try. Larkins conversion cannoned off the upright, but he made amends shortly after when he scored Cornwall's fourth try after yet another flowing move in which his club coach James Lancaster featured. Larkins converted his own try and suddenly Cornwall appeared to be out of sight at 24-3.
It seemed to be a long road back for Sussex. The road was to prove even longer as Cornwall began the second half where they left off. Before long Craig Bonds was on hand to score his second of the match following a long pass from his skipper. Bede Brown was not be left out of the scoring and soon he too was dancing his way over the Sussex line. Then fellow centre Paul Gadsdon out sprinted the cover to claim a score and Larkins conversion stretched Cornwall to 43-3. 19 points in the third quarter proved a hammer blow to Sussex hopes. The singing in the clubhouse corner was beginning to rise in celebration. Still the visitors kept plugging away and their endeavours were rewarded with a fine try for replacement Simon Bradford, which centre Jack Smallman converted to make the score 43-10. However, Cornwall would have the final say. Exeter's Adam Harris, on for Carroll, and hooker Viliami Ma'asi scored tries, both of which Larkins converted to complete the scoring at 57-10.
So Cornwall had scored 9 tries, just like last week at Camborne, and Craig Bonds had grabbed a brace again. Overall it was a much better performance from Cornwall, who were given more of a test this week than last. That said, Cornwall will have to tighten up their play for the semi-final next Saturday at Redruth, where Lancashire (who won the Roses match against Yorkshire away at Otley 32-30) will provide Cornwall with a formidable hurdle on their quest for another Twickenham appearance. Cornwall will be punished for any lapses of concentration against the Northen side. That carrot alone should focus the Cornish minds to the task ahead this week in training.
Cornwall team:
15. Steve Larkins
(Redruth), 14. Craig Bonds (Redruth), 13. Paul Gadsdon (Penzance & Newlyn),
12. Bede Brown (Redruth), 11. Ian Hambly (Penzance & Newlyn), 10. Steve
Evans (Penzance & Newlyn, Captain), 9. Ricky Pellow (Manchester), 1. Martin
Rice (Launceston), 2. Viliami Ma'asi (Penzance & Newlyn), 3. Jonathon
Wright (Redruth), 4. Julian Wilce (Launceston), 5. Richard Carroll (Penzance
& Newlyn), 6. James Lancaster (Redruth), 7. Kevin Penrose (Penzance &
Newlyn), 8. Joe Bearman (Penzance & Newlyn).
Replacements:16. Mark Richards (Redruth), 17. Mark Harper
(Plymouth Albion), 18. Richard Siveter (Coventry), 19. Adam Harris (Exeter),
20. Lee Soper (Launceston), 21. Laka Laka Waqanivere (Penzance & Newlyn).
Cornwall scorers: Tries: Carroll, Bonds (2), Waqanivere, Larkins, Brown, Gadson, Harris, Ma'asi. Conversions: Larkins (6).
Sussex scorers: Try: Bradford. Conversion: Smallman. Penalty: Coulsen.
There were two changes from the Cornwall team that faced Sussex in the quarter-final last week. Rocky Newton came back on the wing after injury to replace his fellow Pirate Ian Hambly, who must have been disappointed at not even making the squad. And Lee Soper of Launceston (who many people expected to come on at lock at some stage during last week's game) came in at number 8 in place of the injured Joe Bearman. The main concern for Cornish supporters was the lack of both Bearman and Laka Laka Waqanivere, those equally-dynamic number 8s who complement each other so well.
The Lancashire squad was drawn from a diverse set of clubs, including Sedgley Park, Waterloo, Preston Grasshoppers, Liverpool St. Helens, Fylde, Orrell, and Manchester. Everyone knew that Lancashire, who edged out a strong Yorkshire side last week, would be a tough nut to crack.
The Falmouth Marine Band marched into the ground twenty minutes before kickoff and marched around the ground to huge applause from the large crowd. Another roar went up as the giant pasty was hung from the crossbar.
Lancashire kicked off, playing towards the Camborne end of the ground. Cornwall, playing down the slope, were playing into a strongish wind. Almost immediately, Lancashire went ahead after being awarded an early penalty after a high tackle by James Lancaster. From the restart, Cornwall charged into Lancashire. Villi Ma'asi charged down a kick and grounded the ball under the Lancashire posts but was adjudged to be offside. Then Cornwall were awarded a penalty after Lancashire played the ball on the ground, but the decision was reversed.
Lancashire were looking strong in the scrums and dangerous outside. After 10 minutes, Cornwall conceded another penalty just inside their own half but Lancs full back Chris Glynn slid the ball outside the posts.
Cornwall threatened the Lancashire line after good interaction between the forwards and backs. However, the game was turning ugly, and the referee seemed unable to get a grip on it. Lancashire were clearly guilty of playing the ball on the ground, and seemed to be targeting Richard Carroll for "special treatment". Cornwall were awarded the penalty, but both James Lancaster and Lancs player Sean Casey were sin-binned. Larkins slotted the penalty to level the scores on 16 minutes.
Then Cornwall started to run the ball and began to look dangerous. On 21 minutes, after a wonderful move Rocky Newton beat two men to score in the corner. Larkins' attempted conversion from the touchline just failed, so the score was 8 - 3 to Cornwall. Another long Cornwall move just failed to end in a score.
The game then became scrappy, with Lancashire having the better of it. Lancashire fullback Glynn failed with another penalty attempt. A Lancashire drive was held up on the Cornwall line.
The Cornish forwards and backs started to combine well, with Rocky Newton coming in from his wing and getting involved. Cornwall were recycling the ball well and Lancs found it difficult to clear their lines. Cornwall were awarded a penalty after deliberate handling on the ground by the Lancashire forwards. Larkins' kick was bang on target but the tricky wind pushed it short of the posts. Both sides then had good passages of play. The referee, however, was having a nightmare. He missed several blatant professional fouls by the Lancashire forwards. After 46 minutes, he inexplicably reversed a kickable Cornish penalty, so at half-time the score remained 8 - 3 to Cornwall.
Cornwall started the second half well, throwing the ball around and pressing the Lancashire 22. Again, Cornwall used the ploy of Newton coming inside. Casey, the Lancs forward who had been sin-binned in the first half, was guilty of a high tackle, one of many offences missed by the referee.
Lancashire were being to disrupt the Cornish scrum. Cornwall did well to defend a scrum 10 meters from their line. Soon afterwards, Pirates' Alan Paver came on at prop for "Oggie" Wright. However, 13 minutes into the second half Lancashire made a period of pressure pay by scoring a converted try and taking the lead for the second time in the match. 10 - 8 to Lancashire.
Lancashire were looking dangerous and were held up on the Cornish line. Still Lancashire looked dangerous. They were putting pressure on the Cornish scrum and their backs were starting to run the ball. After 23 minutes of the second half, Lancashire scored a deserved try, unconverted, to extend their lead to 7 points.
Cornwall came back, recycling the ball and attacking from their own half, but the Lancashire defence held. James Hawken came on for Rocky Newton, who had taken quite a battering from the Lancashire defence. Cornwall were spending more time in the Lancashire half but the Lancashire defence looked solid. Cornwall were trying everything, but on 32 minutes an interception led to a breakaway try for Lancashire. At 20 - 8 to Lancashire with only 8 minutes to go, things seemed to be all over for Cornwall.
John Navin came on for Lee Soper. Another high tackle by Lancashire's Casey went unpunished by the referee. On 37 minutes, Cornwall's efforts were rewarded with a try by Hawken, who went over in the corner with three Lancashire tacklers hanging on to him. Larkins failed with the touchline conversion.
In injury time, Larkins put a penalty into touch just outside the Lancashire 22. Cornwall tried everything, recycling the ball time after time. Cornwall were awarded another penalty inside the Lancs 22 and a Lancs forward was sin-binned. A penalty being no good at this stage, Cornwall took the scrum, but lost the ball going forward.
The last word went to Lancashire when they scored a penalty on 47 minutes.
Cornwall team:
15. Steve Larkins
(Redruth), 14. Craig Bonds (Redruth), 13. Paul Gadsdon (Penzance & Newlyn),
12. Bede Brown (Redruth), 11. Richard Newton (Penzance & Newlyn), 10. Steve
Evans (Penzance & Newlyn, Captain), 9. Ricky Pellow (Manchester), 1. Martin
Rice (Launceston), 2. Viliami Ma'asi (Penzance & Newlyn), 3. Jonathon
Wright (Redruth), 4. Julian Wilce (Launceston), 5. Richard Carroll (Penzance
& Newlyn), 6. James Lancaster (Redruth), 7. Kevin Penrose (Penzance &
Newlyn), 8. Lee Soper (Launceston).
Replacements:16. Mark
Richards (Redruth), 17. James Hawken (Penzance & Newlyn), 18. Alan Paver
(Penzance & Newlyn), 19. Mark Harper (Plymouth Albion), 20. Sam Heard
(Redruth), 21. Neil Corin (Redruth), 22. John Navin (Redruth).
Cornwall scorers: Tries: Newton, Hawken. Penalty: Larkins.
Lancashire team:
15. Chris Glynn
(Sedgley Park), 14. Jalo Van de Venter (Waterloo), 13. Paul Bailley (Preston
Grasshoppers), 12. Sean Casey (Liverpool St. Helens), 11. Neil Kerfoot
(Orrell), 10. Rob Hitchmough (Waterloo), 9. Dave Mc.Cormack (Sedgley Park), 1.
Martin O'Keefe (Orrell), 2. Martin Scott (Fylde), 3. Alan Yates (Fylde), 4.
Paul Arnold (Sedgley Park), 5. Dave Mercer (Waterloo), 6. Richard Senior
(Sedgley Park), 7. Dan Wilkes (Manchester), 8. Tim Fourie (Sedgley Park,
Captain).
Replacements:16. Matt Pinnick (Sale Jets), 17.
Chris Timms (Waterloo), 18. Pete Levans (Liverpool St. Helens), 19. Ben Fisher
(Vale of Lune), 20. John Broxson (Manchester), 21. Oliver Vinney (Preston
Grasshoppers), 22. Arno de Jager (Sedgley Park).
On the wettest day in the Duchy for weeks, Cornwall gained a well-deserved revenge win over the county that defeated them in last season’s final at Twickenham.
Cornwall got off to the best possible start, playing up the slope with the driving wind and rain behind them. The initial kick-off was knocked on by Hampshire into touch, deep in their own 22. From the resulting scrum, Cornwall drove the visiting pack back over their own line for No 8 Sam Hocking to claim the try.
In the difficult conditions it was going to be a forward-orientated game and Cornwall, with the heavier pack and taller forwards, looked set to dominate. However, it was to be Hampshire’s No 8, Matthew Morgan, who squared up the score on 14 minutes. Cornwall regained the lead 3 minutes later when prop forward Sam Heard crashed over near the posts. This time centre James Tresize slotted the conversion.
Nathan Pedley was looking lively on the wing and a charged down clearance by the Reds flier almost brought another Cornish try. Second row Gavin Boak went over under the posts for the third Cornish try of the half, which Tresize converted. The score remained the same until half time.
Would it be enough? The first score in the second half would be crucial. Cornwall, with the elements abating slightly, were now playing down the slope and they obtained a touch from a penalty deep in Hell Fire Corner. After several phases of play, Marek Churcher crossed for the crucial opening score of the half. The conversion failed but Cornwall now led 24-5.
Hampshire were reduced to 14 men when lock Matthew Allen was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle. Cornwall maintained the pressure and Churcher dropped a goal to stretch the Cornish lead once more.
Cornwall also found themselves reduced to 14 when skipper Botterill was sin-binned. Hampshire, who never gave up, scored a well-worked try through wing Neil Mc Govern, which the other wing Keith Molinieux converted. However, Cornwall were soon back down field and Tresize kicked a penalty goal to bring up the 30 mark for Cornwall. In injury time Hampshire scored their third try from a pushover but by then it was Cornwall’s day.
Cornwall 4 tries Hocking, Heard, Boak and Churcher 2 cons & 1 pen Tresize 1 drop Churcher.
Cornwall Team:
Scott Martin (Launceston); Matt Jess
(Mount's Bay), Stephen Yates (Launceston), James Tresize (Mount's Bay), Nathan
Pedley (Redruth); Marek Churcher (Redruth), Martin Strick (Penryn); Ashley
Lawton (Penryn), Mario Massimino (Falmouth), Sam Heard (Redruth); Guy Botterill
(capt, Redruth), Gavin Boak (Mount's Bay); Richard Tucker (Bath and Truro),
Victor Norman (Falmouth), Sam Hocking (Liskeard-Looe).
Replacements: Mark Lea (Truro), Ryan Westren (Mount's Bay),
Peter Webster (Penryn), Scott Langdon (Redruth), Gareth Bilkey (Truro), Wim
Baars (Truro), James Comber (Bude).