CORNWALL V GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Cornwall make just two changes to the side that defeated Devon at Penryn for this Sunday’s County Championship Under 20’s quarter-final against Gloucestershire at Camborne kick-off 2-30 pm.
Both changes are in the backs where Tom Holdsworth (Truro College) comes in at centre, whilst Connor Swan (Truro College) who played against Dorset & Wilts but missed the Devon game steps back in at scrum-half in place of the injured Sam Fox.
The pack is unchanged from the Devon game with Todd Prisk (St. Ives) again leading the side in the second row.
Pic – Action from Cornwall’s recent win over Devon
On the bench last season’s skipper Neil Broadbank has seen his season ended with an Achilles injury, so there are call ups for Robbie Kessell (Redruth) and Tony Pellow (Penryn), whilst prop Tommy Phillips (Truro College) also returns after South West 18 group duties.
CRFU President Ken Plummer said “This will be a tough test for these youngsters who fought bravely to record 2 wins in their pool stage.” He went on to say “I am sure Captain Todd Prisk and his team will be striving for a win to take us further in this competition.”
The quarter-final place was earned following an away victory against Dorset and Wilts by 37 – 35 and then a hard fought win against local rivals Devon 18 – 15. The Devon victory was helped by tries from Brad Janes and Rhys Brownfield who also added a conversion and two penalties.
Coach Ian Morgan said – “This squad has come through two very tough tests to rightly earn their place in the quarter-finals. This is a relatively young squad which bodes well for the future with twenty players earning their first ever under 20’s tie in our first two games. Our opponents are runners up in a very tough pool, but now face the long journey to face us at Camborne.”
A victory for Cornwall will see them earn a semi-final against an unknown opposition at present but a home venue!!
Cornwall team Manager Chris Lea said; – “These guys have worked their socks off for the team, many of them playing for their clubs on the Saturday and then either training or playing for us on the Sunday. They know they have a difficult task but do have home advantage and hopefully a large and supportive crowd to cheer on the young Black and Gold’s.”
CRFU Chair Denis Preece said “The lads, coaches, back room staff and everybody involved have done a fantastic job so far this season but now need to concentrate on a very tough match. The game being at Camborne we hope to get a very vocal and enthusiastic crowd to support the lads in this vital game!!”
Entry is via programme at a cost of £2, which will be sold on the gate on match day. The CRFU also thank our hosts Camborne RFC and the match officials who all represent the South West Group.
Cornwall U.20: J Kessell (St. Ives), L Tidball (Truro), T Holdsworth (Truro College), S Chapman (Cornish All Blacks), A Taylor (St. Austell), R Brownfield (Pirates Amateurs &Bath Uni), C Swan (Truro College); J Martin (Truro) J Innard, (Truro College), T Gendall (St Ives), T Prisk (St. Ives) (Capt), H Baker (Wadebridge Camels), N Stenleick (St. Ives), J Haines (Cornish All Blacks), B Howe (Cornish All Blacks &Truro College).
Replacements: T. Phillips (Truro College), R Kessell (Redruth), L Hattam (Redruth & Truro College), T Pellow (Truro College & Penryn), J Duke (Cornish All Blacks), J Willey (Truro College & Penryn), B Janes (Truro College)
Reserves (to attend): S Rodda (Newquay Hornets), D Marsh (Truro)
Below is the Gloucestershire squad that faced Berkshire in their last game. Their line up to face Cornwall is yet to be finalized.
Gloucestershire: Jack Skelton (Weston-Super-Mare); Jacob Unwin (Hartpury College), Sam Hanks (Cinderford), Daniel Spencer-Tonks (Old Centralians), Ryan Woodhouse (Matson); Ollie Locke (Old Centralians), Sam Watkins (Cinderford); Dean Brooker (Ealing), Finlay Sinclair (Cinderford), Lyon Kent (Gordon League), Lance Randall (Cinderford) (capt), Jake Holcombe (Dings Crusaders), Joe Dancer (Dings Crusaders), Max Woodward (Old Redcliffians), Will Hodgetts (Cinderford).
Replacements: Ryan Roach (Cleve), Luke Panting (Thornbury), Ewan Bulger (Hartpury College), Ben Charlton-Hibbert (Filton College), Ben Large (Drybrook), Ed Sheldon (Thornbury), Ollie Young (Cheltenham)
