It is with great sorrow that we have been informed of the passing of Cornish rugby legend Richard Sharp who passed away on 3rd November.

CRFU President, Andy Reed a fellow British & Irish Lion, expressed his sadness at the news, on behalf of the CRFU he extended his condolences to Richard’s family and many friends.

The following is by Steve Murley CRFU Chair.

It is with deep sadness that we record the passing of Richard Sharp OBE, the former England and British & Irish Lions fly-half whose fine sporting talent was matched by a quiet dignity and unwavering sportsmanship. He died on 3 November 2025 at the age of 87.

Born on 9 September 1938 in Bangalore, India, to a mining engineer father educated at the Camborne School of Mines and a mother born in Redruth, Cornwall, Richard’s early life was rooted in the South West. After the family moved to England, he was educated at Montpelier School and then at Blundell’s School in Devon, before reading at Balliol College Oxford, where he won three rugby Blues between 1958 and 1961.

From his Cornwall heritage he developed a lifelong loyalty to his home county’s sporting life, both in rugby and cricket.

Richard began his club career with Redruth RFC in Cornwall, representing the club and his county with commitment and flair. At county level he played 28 times for Cornwall between 1957 and 1966. He also played for Wasps and Bristol. He also played for the famed Barbarians RFC.

Internationally, he earned 14 caps for England between 1960 and 1967, and captained the side, most notably leading England to the 1963 Five Nations title. In 1962 he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa, playing in two Test matches.

His style on the field was celebrated for its elegance and precision — one contemporary described him as “probably the most elegant fly-half England ever had”.

Richard also made his mark in cricket representing Cornwall County Cricket Club in the Minor Counties Championship between 1957 and 1970, qualifying as an all-round sportsman of the Duchy.

Across his many roles—clubman, county stalwart, international captain—Richard Sharp was widely admired for the manner in which he carried himself. His conduct both on and off the field was marked by humility, fairness and respect for opponents. Many in Cornwall still recall not only his brilliance at fly‐half, but his generosity of spirit, his willingness to mentor younger players, and his steadfast loyalty to his roots. He was made an O.B.E. in 1986.

Though the records seldom quantify such attributes, those who encountered him remember him as a gentleman in every sense of the word.

Richard will be remembered not simply for the tries scored, the caps won or the tours undertaken—but for the person he was: quietly assured, respectfully modest, unwavering in his support for Cornwall and his sporting communities.

His passing will be mourned by his family, his many friends in Cornish and English sport, and all who valued not only his athletic talents but his character.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and to the communities—rugby, cricket, Cornwall—that he enriched so deeply.

Further details when known.

Cornwall Presidents XV 50 v Royal Navy U23s 12

Report by Paul Hayes, at Tregorrick Park

The Cornish rugby world came together to commemorate the memory of John Sumnall following the sad news of the passing of the former CRFU President. John was a true champion of the community game who embodied the traditional values of rugby. He would no doubt have approved of the minute silence in his honour before the kick-off impeccably observed by the players and a large crowd at Tregorrick. John was also an inherently modest and humble man who would have been embarrassed by the fuss being made and flushed at the many glowing tributes recollecting his immense contributions to the game. One thing is for sure; he would have been delighted at the match that followed – a fiercely competitive contest between two young sides determined to run the ball at every opportunity.

Despite being drawn from ten different Clubs the Cornwall squad quickly clicked into gear to put the Navy under pressure from the start. The high tempo was stretching the Navy to the edges, but it was the powerful forward surges that delivered the first points. Hooker Pete Harris finished a lineout maul that moved almost 20m at a rate of knots. Number Eight Finn Wolstencroft repeated the routine in the opposite corner, and the pack soon added another with flanker Hector Bright dotting down under a pile of bodies. Archie Bees added the conversion, and this was quickly followed by a penalty try to make it 24-0 after a ruthless opening quarter from Cornwall.

The Navy finally enjoyed some good possession on in dangerous areas but found the Cornish as adept in defence as they had been in attack. Another surge up field instigated by full back Archie Bees laid the foundations for a fifth Cornish try of the half with Finn Wolstencroft going over for his second of the evening. Pete Harris completed his brace and the final score of the half to make it 36-0 at the interval.

It was a rejuvenated Navy side that came out for the second period to show great heart and determination to stem the tide of Cornish scores. They dominated the third quarter to score two tries and one conversion to get themselves on the scoreboard. Both benches were now being emptied which broke the flow of the game as the changes took time to settle. Cornwall were being forced to defend for prolonged periods but did enough to prevent the Navy from adding to their two tries.

As the game entered the final ten minutes the Cornish team regained their earlier high tempo with the forwards providing quick ball for live wire scrum half Will Tanswell to spin out to an eager backline. With a penalty advantage being played, an astute cross field kick found winger Ollie Bebbington out wide who finished superbly in Apples Corner.

There was still time for Finn Wolstencroft to complete his hat-trick from a catch and drive in the same area. Ben Rosevear converted both tries to make the final score 50-12 to complete a great win for Cornwall and a good workout for the Navy ahead of their Inter-Services tournament. Above all else the match and the occasion was a fantastic tribute to former CRFU President John Sumnall.

The Tribute Player of the Match was Finn Wolstencroft selected by Vice Admiral Andy Burns. The hat-trick hero was pushed hard for the accolade by strong running prop Olly Derry, scrum half Will Tanswell who kept the Cornish team ticking, and hooker Pete Harris who was a constant thorn in the Navy side.

Cornwall President’s XV: Archie Bees (St. Austell), Rhys Williams (Exeter Uni & Helston), Jamie Stanlake (St. Austell), Harris Eddy (Penzance & Newlyn), Ollie Bebbington (Launceston), Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn), Will Tanswell (Camborne); Declan Prowse (Penzance & Newlyn), Pete Harris (St. Austell), Olly Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Mark Vian (St. Austell, Capt), Hector Bright (St. Austell), Will Symons (Wadebridge Camels), Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth).

Replacements: Rob Walsh (Saltash), Cam Leigh (Redruth), Rohan Ewels (Redruth), Will Perkin (St. Ives), Charlie Tumon (Launceston), Ben Rosevear (Helston), Jack Sander (Wadebridge Camels), Ben Wragg (Penzance & Newlyn).

Scorers

5 mins Pete Harris (St Austell RFC)

14 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC)

18 mins Hector Bright (St Austell RFC), Con: Archie Bees (St Austell RFC)

20 mins Penalty Try

22 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC), Con: Archie Bees (St Austell RFC)

33 mins Pete Harris (St Austell RFC)

HT 36-0

41 mins Charlie Over (RN)

45 mins RN try, George Edson (RN) 36-12

69 mins Ollie Bebbington (Launceston RC), Con Ben Rosevear (Helston RFC)

78 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC), Con Ben Rosevear (Helston RFC)