JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 33 – 33 SOMERSET U.20

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground, Redruth

A try by full-back Barney Lewis salvaged a draw for Cornwall Under 20’s against a very good Somerset side whom looked set for a rare win on Cornish soil.

Cornwall trailed their visitors for most of the game, at one point during the second half they found themselves seventeen points adrift as they struggled to get to grips.

That they “stuck at it” and pulled themselves back on the scoreboard has to be commended.

Cornwall kicked-off down the slope but it was Somerset who bagged the first points with a good try from wing Billy Coombes. Fly-half George Nuttycombe banged over a good conversion, the first of his seventeen point tally.

Cornwall struck back with a good try from flanker Will Symons, bettered by fly-half Jowan Kerry who had earlier missed a penalty chance.

Nuttycombe’s try and conversion nudged the visitors ahead before centre Alfie Hodge stretched their advantage further.

Cornwall needed a score before the break and it came through flanker Freddie Jordan by the posts with Kerry adding the extras.

The start of the second half saw Somerset increase their lead with tries from No.8 Aiden Cable and shortly after flanker Will Clapham.

Cornwall needed a quick response and it came thanks to a try scored by Ayden Earnshaw following a good backs move.

Cornwall started to empty the bench with Ola Phillips making some telling charges and putting his side on the front foot. Cornwall finally began to get some good ball which gave centre Billy Jordan the chance to score.

Trailing by just five points Cornwall threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Somerset and with the final play full back Barney Lewis jinked his way to the try line to tie the scores.

Cornwall had a chance to win it but the conversion sailed past the post with a draw being a fair result for both sides. 

Devon’s win against Gloucestershire sees them top the group and progress to the next round.

Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis (Newquay H), Ayden Earnshaw (Helston), Lowen Mears-Ollerenshaw (Newquay H), Billy Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay H), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Callum Phillips (Wadebridge C); Rosko Troughton (Helston), Jalal Bennett (Truro), Olly Derry (Wadebridge C), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Jack Jenkin (Helston, Capt), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge C), Will Luscombe (Redruth).

Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Ola Phillips (Truro), Ethan Redondo-Barter (St. Ives), Luke Young (Redruth), Ethan Williams (Falmouth), Harry Rigg (Helston), Ted Kullich (Camborne).

Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Symons 11, F Jordan 39, Earnshaw 57, B Jordan 68, Lewis 79, Cons, Kerry 12, 40, 58, 69.

Cornwall Star Man: Ola Phillips

JASON LEONARD CUP

DEVON U.20 46 – 21 CORNWALL U.20

By Bill Hooper, at the Bonfire Field, Topsham

Cornwall’s hopes of progressing from the pool stage were dealt a blow with this defeat at Topsham on Sunday against a well-drilled powerful Devon side who proved too clinical.

Coach Richie Kevern was understandably disappointed with the result. “We worked hard to get the score-line back to 20-14 at half-time and I thought we started the second period well but we were crucified when Devon scored four tries in the space of 12 minutes that put the game to bed.

“We will get back to the training paddock and look to put in a much better performance against Somerset in our final pool match on the 11^th May at Redruth.”

Following a minute’s silence for former Devon Secretary and President Treve Mitchell the game kicked-off.

Cornwall fell behind in the first minute when they conceded a penalty that the Devon captain Matt Smale kicked.

Cornwall came back into it when centre Billy Jordan intercepted in his own half, he made it almost to the Devon line before being hauled down.

Cornwall recycled the ball went through several phases before skipper Jack Jenkin scored with fly-half Jowan Kerry adding the first of his three conversions.

Devon worked the spaces well allowing wing Kai Kidd to score, Smale again on the money with extras as he was shortly after with a penalty and conversion of Matt Whitlock’s try.

Full-back Barney Lewis pulled a try back for Cornwall to keep them in touch at the break.

Devon made a few changes at half-time and that seemed to give them a greater cutting edge.

Once they scored their bonus point try they turned the screw scoring two further tries to put the game out of reach.

Topsham wing Matt Hammond caught the eye with his strong running as did the Devon No.6 Finlay Crockett.

Cornwall had the final word when Lewis went over for his second try, however the Brunel Cup remains in Devon for another year.

Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis (Newquay H), Ayden Earnshaw, Ben Roskilly (both Helston), Billy Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay H), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Jarvis Lee (Truro); Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Olly Derry (Wadebridge C), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Olli Wells (Redruth), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge C), Jack Jenkin (Capt, Helston).

Replacements: Jalal Bennett (Truro), Rosko Troughton (Helston), Joe Court (Camborne), Will Luscombe, Luke Young (both Redruth), Callum Phillips (Wadebridge C), Harry Rigg (Helston), Lowen Mears-Ollerenshaw (Newquay H).

Cornwall scores: Tries: Jenkin 8, Lewis 35, 79, Cons, Kerry, 9,36,80.

Cornwall Star Player: Barney Lewis