GILL BURNS DIVISION 3 FINAL

CORNWALL WOMEN 36 – 17 NOTTS, LINCS & DERBY WOMEN

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall Women made it an historic day for Cornish rugby with this deserved win in the inaugural Gill Burns Division 3 final.

It’s a win that will surely have a positive effect on Women’s rugby in the Duchy as young girls will see that they too can wear the black and gold and emulate the women who have astonished and thrilled even their most ardent supporters this season.

It was the three counties that got the opening score when their full-back Cassie Milestone crossed in the corner, with fly-half Hannah Vandersluis landing a very good touchline conversion.

However, Cornwall soon got their opening try when centre Tia Larson made a superb break to dance her way to the corner for an unconverted try.

The back row of Beth Hampton, Rhian Roberts and skipper Verity Holden were carrying well and working hard at the breakdown, whilst both props Mel Ruby and Kim Upcott put in a lot of work.

Further good play from the forwards and backs saw centre Lisa Allin put full back Amy Bunt in for a try and a 10-7 lead.

With half-time approaching scrum-half Amy Warman fired out a pass to Bunt who saw space behind, using her speed to outwit the defence she strolled in from 55 meters to plant he ball under the sticks, Holly Williams conversion putting Cornwall in a strong position at the break 17-7.

Cornwall began the second half with a bang, wing Emma Stefanotti went off on a speculative run, saw the gap to sidestep the cover and streak straight to the try-line under the posts, Hawkins duly obliged with the extras.

NLD pulled back three points with a penalty from in front of the posts by Vandersluis, before Larson again showed her silky skills with solo run that sliced through the opposition from half-way to dot down under the bar, Faith Rowe on as a replacement bettered the try.

Stefanotti then completed her brace of scores taking a good pass from Holden. NLD completed the scoring with a short-range effort from the forwards that Vandersluis converted.

Cornwall earned a final penalty and were able to boot the ball off the park to start the celebrations.

Cornwall Women: Bunt, Stefanotti (both Ivybridge), Allin, Larson (both Bude), Hawkins (Penryn), Williams, Warman; Ruby (all Launceston), Rowland (Ivybridge), Upcott (Launceston), Gallagher (Bude), Milliken (Camborne), Roberts (Plymstock), Holden (Ivybridge, Capt), Hampton (Penryn).

Replacements: Carbis (Devonport Services), Ninnis (Camborne), Eddy (Launceston), Thompson (Penryn), Brazier (Truro), Rowe (Camborne),Towers (Truro).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Larson 2, Bunt 2, Stefanotti 2, Cons, Williams 2, Rowe.

POST MATCH INTERVIEWS CORNWALL WOMEN 28 – 27 SOMERSET WOMEN

By Bill Hooper, at Hayle RFC

Following their dramatic win against Somerset Women 28-27, which saw them through to the Gill Burns Division 3 final at the Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday 4^th June against Notts, Lincs, & Derbyshire Women, I caught up with some of the coaches and players for their reaction and thoughts on the game.

First up was forwards coach Jo Holden, I asked her what more could she have hoped for. “Well a better first half, my heart was racing during the first 40, but to comeback and end up winning is just…..so unbelievable.

Asked how she felt when Cornwall went a couple of scores down. “It was the first time this season we found ourselves in that position and I knew it was going to be a big test of character for the girls, we train hard and practice these situations, but I do feel that our defence was a little slack first half, but they ended up bossing the game, they knew what they had to do.

“They just dig deep and find a way they play for that shirt and badge more than any other group I have been involved with. I am just so proud of them all.

Jo had fulsome praise for the Cornish props Mel Ruby and Kim Upcott. “They absolutely slaughtered them, as a forward coach I couldn’t have asked for any more from them, they really helped us boss the game.

I then caught up with head coach Ronan O’Neill. “It was a marvellous performance we’ve been trying to get the girls going forward all week, I think they a little bit of what the men’s side had yesterday at Hertfordshire, after half-time they came out and worked their socks off, I couldn’t be prouder.

Asked about the stoppage early in the second half and the effect it might have had on the girls. “First and foremost we must send our best wishes for speedy recovery to the Somerset player. During that period the game was stopped we pulled together and kept the focus.

“We are going to give the squad a bit of a rest before we start preparing for the final, we go again on Wednesday see how the girls have come through this game. We have got a big headache trying to pick the squad because they all chomping to be part of it.

I then spoke with skipper Verity Holden. Asked how she felt. “I am over the moon, I can’t put into words how I feel right now. Half-time I felt we had our backs against the wall, then we had the early stoppage due to the injury and fell further behind, but wow, what a reaction from the girls they dug so deep to earn that win they have left me in pieces.

Asked about the half-time chat. “There were a lot of words and to be fair a lot of the girls stepped up, they all knew what they had to do and what needed to be done, hats off to the pack they smashed the scrums in the second half and won a lot of turnover ball, whilst the backs tackled like demons yet again. The tackle count again today was in the high numbers.

I then spoke with centre Tia Larson scorer of two of Cornwall’s tries but who also had an outstanding all round game. I asked about her two tries. She said. “The first one, the space just opened up in front of me, Holly Williams got the ball out to me, but it was a team effort try. The second try was bit lucky a miss-kick from them under pressure went high and it fell towards me I just took it and the backfield was clear, I just went and got to the line.

I asked how she was looking forward to the final. “It’s what we have all worked for, it’s going to be epic, we have made history as the first Cornwall Women’s team to reach a final and I am so proud of that. We have proven what we are about and we are here to stay.

Finally I caught up with prop Mel Ruby. “We were a little bit under the cosh first half, but we really got it together second half and drove them back, this is just so unreal!

“Everybody brought in to the second half everyone was onboard giving their all, we really jackled the ball well at ruck time. When Somerset had the ball our defence was awesome as it’s been all campaign. “I am buzzing for the final now, I never been part of something like this. Jo (Holden) will make sure our feet are on the ground next week when we get back to training.”         

GILL BURNS CUP

CORNWALL WOMEN 30 – 15 DORSET & WILTS WOMEN

By Bill Hooper, at Polson Bridge. Photos Izzy Ninnis

Cornwall Women got their campaign off to the best possible start with a bonus point win against Dorset & Wilts Women on a gloriously warm day at Launceston.

Prior to the kick-off there was a minute’s applause to remember Chloe Dawe who was part of the squad prior to the pandemic but who sadly passed away earlier during the season.

Cornwall kicked off playing towards the town end and immediately established good field position, Beth Hampton at No.8 putting in the first of some big drives. Cornwall worked the phases and it was flanker Rhian Roberts who dotted down behind the whitewash for an unconverted try.

Cornwall continued to boss the early stages with Tia Larson in the centre putting in some huge tackles as well as looking dangerous on the attack.

It came as no surprise when Cornwall doubled their score with a superb try from full-back Amy Bunt who showed her pace to out-stretch the cover.

Dorset & Wilts rolled their sleeves up and got some territory in the Cornwall twenty-two, from a tap and go lock Kathy Hancock powered over  in the clubhouse corner to cut the deficit.

The same player repeated the trick before half-time to see both sides level at the break 10-10.

Cornwall again began the half in dominant mood with prop Nicole Rowland showing her strength to get over from a pick and go.

Cornwall then scored the try of the game, Bunt combined with wing Emma Stefanotti who set off on a mazy run of some 50 meters breaking tackles, keeping her balance to score a memorable try under the sticks, fly-half Faith Rowe adding the extras.

Cornwall weren’t finished, centre Lisa Allin skipped out of a tired tackle to score Cornwall fifth try to the delight of the crowd.

There were a few hold up for injuries as both sides tired, Rowe pushed Cornwall to the thirty point mark with a penalty from in front of the posts with just a couple of minutes to go.

However, the visitors had the final say when prop Lucy Brewer got over for their third try.

After the final whistle, Cornwall Captain Verity Holden spoke of her pride in the team and praised her side for their hard work both in preparing for the season and during the game. “I couldn’t have asked for more the girls played for the shirt today I am over the moon with our result today.

“The girls put their bodies on the line today, they defended like demons to keep out Dorset & Wilts.

“I think today was a big statement that Cornwall Women can play rugby and have the heart and the passion for it.”

Cornwall Women are on the road next Sunday against Middlesex at Grasshoppers RFC.

Cornwall Women: Bunt, Blanchard, Allin, Larson, Stefanotti, Rowe, Warman; Ruby, Carbis, Rowland, Gallagher, Milliken, Roberts, Holden (Capt), Hampton.

Replacements: Upcott, Ninnis, Thompson, Westgarth, Perry, Brazier, Towers.

Cornwall Women scores: Tries, Roberts, Bunt, Rowland, Stefanotti, Allin, Con, Rowe, Pen, Rowe.