1. ACTION REQUIRED Men’s RFU League Structure 2023/24 – League Deadline and unplayed fixtures With some teams left with games to play that may take them beyond the scheduled end of season, the RFU Adult Competitions Management Committee have set out a process to manage the situation. Get ready for Adult Player Registration – prizes available To help get ready for Adult Registration next season and to support the health of the game, we are asking clubs to make sure that players’ email addresses are verified on GMS. Age grade rugby 2024/25 playing calendar We are pleased to provide the framework for national competitions and player pathway activity throughout the year. Women’s Fixture Scheduling – Have Your Say We want to hear from Players and Volunteers from the Women’s Game about when you’d most like to play matches and the benefits of Saturday vs Sunday fixtures. READ ONLINE > |
2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Become a member of the RFU National Youth Council The RFU’s National Youth Council (NYC) is helping to grow rugby and is currently recruiting for new members to join the group. Love Rugby Summer Activity Programme The RFU are providing support for clubs to run girls’ activity including a Love Rugby Camp in May followed by four weeks of rugby sessions in June & July. Honda Rugby Grounds Connected National Events 2024 We are delighted to announce our events for 2024, fully loaded with amazing people, great machinery demos, and the opportunity to connect with others in the industry. Have you made use of an AGP yet? Artificial grass pitches supplement good quality natural turf pitches – the enduring surface for rugby union – by providing playing, training and education facilities with a consistent surface throughout the year upon which the game can develop. Padel Tennis – An Opportunity For Rugby Clubs? In order to support rugby clubs who may be looking at Padel as a potential income generator, the RFU has developed some guidance to consider when working with a Padel company. Support available for your club! The RFU provides various ‘off field club support’ services, as well as regular webinars on a range of topics – find them all here. |
3. FOR AWARENESS Community News – monthly round up In case you missed them, check out some of the top community rugby stories over the last month from the England Rugby website. Community Rugby in the news From London EmpowerHER to the Contintental Tyres Schools Cup, it’s been great to see community rugby in the news over the last month, check out some of the highlights here. READ ONLINE > |
SWROC – Role Advert
SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE
SEASON 2024/25
Due to a well-earned retirement, the South West ROC is inviting applications for the role of Co-Ordinating Secretary to replace the current post holder.
We are looking for someone with the following attributes:
- The ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders (Clubs, CB’s & RFU)
- Have a good grasp of RFU Competition regulations
- Be approachable and yet able to make decisions
- Good teamwork ethic
- Have practical knowledge of IT
If you would be interested in talking some more about the role and to find out what commitment is required , or would like to apply, please contact the South West ROC Admin Office on admin@swrugby.co.uk.
Closing date for applications is Friday 19th April 2024.
The South West ROC oversees the England Men’s Leagues, details can be found on
Cornwall lose Leonard Cup opener to Devon
JASON LEONARD CUP
CORNWALL U.20, 7 – 41 DEVON U.20
By Bill Hooper, Recreation Ground, Camborne
Cornwall Under 20s made a disappointing start to this season’s campaign, well beaten by a very good Devon side who dominated the game from start to finish.
The Devon win saw them retain the Brunel Cup, which both sides play for annually.
Head coach Richie Kevern was understandably very disappointed by his side’s performance. “We were second best today, what disappointed me most was the vulnerability of our set-piece. Our lineout never got going, whilst our scrum was OK for sixty minutes, when Devon brought on their replacements we went backwards.
“The lads will need to have a long hard look at themselves, ahead of our next game at Somerset next month.”
Cornwall were awarded an early kickable penalty, sadly Jack Statton’s effort went wide of the posts.
Devon were soon on the offensive, a speculative hack towards the Cornwall line saw flanker Isiah Akinrowo win the race to dot down the try. The Devon back row looked very sharp all afternoon with blind-side Ethan Millard catching the eye.
Cornwall’s scrum was going well during this point of the game, they got a penalty that Statton kicked to the corner from the catch and drive, hooker Pete Harris bagged the try converted by Statton.
Disappointingly for Cornwall that was a good as it got. Devon began to dictate play with fly-half Matt Smale pulling the strings.
They got their reward when prop Dan Butt broke a tackle to score, Smale adding the extras before slotting a penalty shortly after.
Under pressure, Cornwall lost a player to the sin-bin, allowing Devon to pile on the pressure with wing Josef Webber dotting down in the corner, Smale’s conversion giving the visitors a useful 22-7 half-time lead.
Despite Devon also finding themselves down to fourteen men early in the second half, Smale scored and converted Devon’s fourth try.
Cornwall’s woes in the set-piece continued and when Devon brought on their replacement front row, their final semblance of parity vanished.
Further tries from wing Austin Crow, and skipper George Pooley with a conversion from Stark Leighton completed the win for a very worthy Devon side.
Cornwall Under 20s are next in action on Sunday 21st April when they travel to Taunton to play Somerset Under 20s.
Cornwall U.20: Harvey Penhallurick (Falmouth), Ben Roskilly (Penryn), Jack Statton (Launceston), Alfie Hammersley (Falmouth), Jack Keogh (St. Just), Harry Walsh-Newton (Falmouth), Jacob Chapple (Redruth); Rowan Lawrence (Falmouth), Peter Harris (St. Austell), Angus Williams (Penryn), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Will Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), Fin Lister (Penryn), Wes Eddy (Pirates Ams), Dom Ellery (Newquay Hornets).
Replacements: Dan Pope (Camborne SOM), Fin Holt (Redruth), George Oakley (St. Austell), Olly Derry, Will Symons, Ieuan Evans (all Wadebridge Camels), Rhys Richards (Redruth).
Cornwall scores: Try Harris 10, Con, Statton 11
Tamar Cup – Change of Venue
Please note the Tamar Cup match between Devon & Cornwall on Wednesday 27th March will now take place at IVYBRIDGE RFC, kick-off 7:30 pm.
Redruth Albany’s Great Tommy Sleep Out for RBLI
Redruth Albany RFC are currently fundraising for the above event, scheduled to take place on Saturday 9th March 2024. We have a team of 8 of us sleeping out on Trewirgie field, and as this cause is in aid of Homeless Veterans, Albany are signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant (with a couple of Veterans on the team) we thought it only fitting to do what we could.
To that end, we are opening the clubhouse for the Ireland Vs England game, and donating £1 of every pint sold, to this cause.
If the County board could help support/publicise, we would be grateful!
Simon Ferguson
Redruth Albany RFC
Can you help by donating to their JustGiving Fundraising Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/redruth-albany-1705950358517
Cornwall Under 20s to face Devon in Championship opener
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
2024 The Jason Leonard Cup.
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2024 gets underway with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team hosts neighbours Devon for their first pool game of the competition on Sunday 10 March. The game will be played at Camborne RFC with a 2 pm kick off.
CRFU President Andy Reed said “It is great to get this year’s campaign off with a local tie against our neighbours Devon. We thank all our sponsors for their support and assistance with this group of players in this important game representing Cornwall. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played”.
Admission is by programme £5, with Under 16s free.
Cornwall and Devon will also be playing for the Brunel Cup in this fixture.
Cornwall have named Will Perkin (St Ives), pictured above as the captain for the season, alongside him is another player from last season, Jack Statton from Launceston, who is the vice-captain.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “This will be a good test for this new set of young players. We start a fresh with a whole group of new players entering the competition for the first time. Playing Devon is never easy, playing Devon in the very first game of the season will be an even bigger challenge for these guys”.
Cornwall has a new coaching set up this season, so joining well established Rich Kevern is ex U20 player and current Cornish Pirates lock Steele Barker as the forward’s coach. Always keen to encourage young coaches into the game we see ex senior county player David Mankee assisting the backs with Rich, and Jago Sheppard another ex U20 and member of the winning 2022 team and current Camborne player assisting Steele with the forwards.
Cornwall Captain Will Perkin said, – “It is an honour to be asked to be captain the side for this season. I know the guys are up for a tough campaign as always and have trained well in preparation for this game. This is my second season with the 20’s and I know that it is a tough competition, and we will have to perform at our best in every game. We have had great numbers at training, and I know some guys will be disappointed not to be in the team, but this is a squad for the season so keep pushing us for those places, nobody’s shirt is fixed. For those who will run out with me on the 10th, we have a big task ahead of us but I’m confident in our ability”.
Cornwall ‘s second pool game will be Somerset away on Sunday 21st April at Taunton RFC with a 2 pm kick off time and then Gloucestershire at Cheltenham RFC on Sunday 5th May again with a 2 pm kick off.
The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said, -” The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. So, we start to build again with a mixture of players transitioning from the U18’s, new players identified and nominated from clubs around the county. There are a number of these players who will be around for the next two seasons, and we are always on
the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join them over the coming seasons”.
There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Under 20’s team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Tanya Thomas of the CRFU in the first instance, her email is : commercial-development@crfu.co.uk
We will be monitoring the weather this week. If there are any changes regarding the venue of the match this will be advised on the Cornwall RFU website and social media channels.
Cornwall U20 v Devon U20 Sunday 10th March @ Camborne RFC 1400 kick off.
TEAM
1 ROWAN LAWRENCE (FALMOUTH RFC)
2 PETE HARRIS (ST AUSTELL RFC)
25 ANGUS WILLIAMS (PENRYN RFC)
4 CHARLIE KNIGHT (SALTASH RFC)
5 WILL PERKIN (CAPTAIN) (ST IVES RFC)
6 FINN LISTER (PENRYN RFC)
7 WES EDDY (PIRATES AMS RFC)
8 DOM ELLERY (NEWQUAY HORNETS RFC)
9 JACOB CHAPPLE (REDRUTH RFC)
10 DEAN WILLS (REDRUTH RFC)
11 JACK KEOGH (ST JUST RFC)
12 ALFIE HAMMERSLEY (FALMOUTH RFC)
13 JACK STATTON (VICE CAPTAIN) (LAUNCESTON RC)
14 BEN ROSKILLY (PENRYN RFC)
15 HARVEY PENHALLURICK (FALMOUTH RFC)
IMPACT PLAYERS
16 DAN POPE (CAMBORNE SCHOOL OF MINES RFC)
17 FINN HOLT (REDRUTH RFC)
18 GEORGE OAKLEY (ST AUSTELL RFC)
19 OLLY DERRY (WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC)
20 WILL SYMONS (WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC)
21 HARRY WALSH-NEWTON (FALMOUTH RFC)
22 RHYS RICHARDS (REDRUTH RFC)
TRAVELLING RESERVES
TR ALEX WATKINS (CAMBORNE SCHOOL OF MINES RFC)
TR JAMES SUTTON (SALTASH RFC)
TR AYDEN EARNSHAW (PENRYN RFC)
TR AMORI MATANATABU (HELSTON RFC)
Coaches – Rich Kevern, Steele Barker, David Mankee + Jago
Sheppard
Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams
Medical cover – Hen Gard + Ronnie Bartlett
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming
David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop
Cornwall U.20 v Devon U.20
Cornwall Under 20s take on Devon Under 20s in their opening Jason Leonard Cup match this Sunday at Camborne RFC, kick-off 2 pm.
Admission is by programme, £5, with Under 16s free.
Team news will be released later in the week. Meanwhile we look forward to your support for our young players.
The game will also see both sides contest the Brunel Cup.
We are delighted to welcome back for another season our principal shirt sponsor for Cornwall Under 20s.
Cam scoops Tribute Award
Tribute Man of the Match Winner – Cam Taylor – Sponsored by Atlantic Reach.
Cornwall & Royal Navy end honours even under Tregorrick lights
CORNWALL 26 – 26 ROYAL NAVY
By Bill Hooper, Tregorrick Park, St. Austell
Cornwall began their preparations for this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup campaign in an exciting match against a very lively Royal Navy side which ended all square on the night.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause for former referee and St. Austell club stalwart Fred Woods.
After a cagy opening it was the Navy who landed the first salvo when their wing Kane Teear-Bourge plucked a Cornish pass as the Black & Golds looked to play out of their twenty-two, to fly in under the posts, full back Ben Chambers added the simple conversion.
Roared on by the one thousand plus Tregorrick Park crowd, flanker Adam Hughes steamed up to the Navy twenty-two, the ball was re-cycled quickly by the forwards who went through a couple of phases before the ball got to wing Harry Larkins, via a Josh Matavesi pass, the wing darting into the corner to score, full back Matt Shepherd judging the conversion to perfection.
Cornwall kept the momentum going when hooker Luis Powell finished off a great phase of play for the Black & Gold’s second try, which went unconverted.
The nip and tuck of the game continued as Navy skipper Kye Beasley made good ground into the Cornwall twenty-two, from an ensuing maul the Navy got over the line with hooker Jack Wright credited with the score.
Teear-Bourge time and again showed his pace out wide keeping the Cornwall defence on it’s toes.
Just before half-time Wright got his second try, again from a powerful Navy maul, with Chambers adding the extras, Navy turned around at the break 19-12 up.
Shepherd, fly-half Will Hennessy and flanker Cam Taylor had caught the eye for Cornwall in the opening period.
Kickable penalties were ignored by both sides as they looked to their set-piece. From a kick to the corner Cornwall got the drive on for Powell to score his second try of the game, Shepherd adding the extras to tie the scores.
With the game well into the final quarter and both sides emptying their benches, Cornwall’s No.8 Brandon Rowley cut a fine line to dot down a fourth try for the Black & Golds, Shepherd judging his third conversion to perfection.
Navy had a final broadside up their sleeves; a chip over the Cornwall defence was seized upon by Teear-Bourge who steamed in unopposed under the sticks for Danny Ronald to tie the game with his conversion.
Both sides had chances to win it, but a draw was a fair result at the final whistle.
The Tribute man-of-the-match award went to St. Austell’s No.7 Cam Taylor, sponsored by Atlantic Reach.
After the final whistle, Cornwall head coach was satisfied with the result. He said. “Credit to the boys, they played for the shirt tonight, we can look back and perhaps if one or two lineouts had gone our way we could have made more of it. Our scrum went well, thought the reserve front row went well when they came on, overall we missed some chances in that second half.
“Hopefully the lads will go away and train hard, improve their fitness and look to fight their way into the squad come May.”
CRFU Chairman, Dave Saunter thanked St. Austell RFC for hosting the game and thanked the match sponsors for their valuable support.
Cornwall (Launceston unless stated): Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Lewis Thomas (Redruth), Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams), Josh Matavesi (Capt,), Harry Larkins (both Camborne, Will Hennessy (Truro), CJ Boyce (St. Austell); Ethan Pearce-Cowley, Luis Powell (Truro), Declan Prowse (Camborne), Albert Horne, Dan Goldsmith, Adam Hughes (Camborne), Cam Taylor (St. Austell), Brandon Rowley.
Replacements: Peter Harris (St. Austell), Adam Strick (Penryn), James Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Mark Vian (St. Austell), Chris Fuca (Camborne), Adam Powell (Liskeard/Looe), Will Tanswell (Camborne), Freddie Davies (Devonport Services), Cameron Fogden, Ben Bryant.
Tries; Larkins 15, Powell 23, 54, Rowley 67, Cons, Shepherd 16, 55, 68
Royal Navy: Ben Chambers, Kane Teear-Bourge, AJ King, Jesse Lowe, Kristen Dobson, Dan Rutter, Jay Toogoog; Kye Beasley (Capt), Jack Wright, Dom Cleverley, Dan MacAdams, Will Scott, George Wagstaff, Ben Mallet, Chris Mills.
Replacements: Connor Turgood, Harry Wright, Tam Lindsay, Lewis Sutton, Evan Williams, Robbie Hume, Ronald, Ryder, Briggs, Hall, Duncan.
Tries: Teear-Bourge 9, 88, Wright 28, 39, Cons, Chambers 10, 40, Ronald 89
Referee: James Milliner-Woodcock
Crowd: 1,025