Please note, the Women’s Tamar Cup match against Devon Women due to take place on Sunday 21st April at Bodmin RFC has been CANCELLED.
It is hoped to play this fixture next season.
Cornwall Women announce 2024 squad
The selectors and coaches have announced their squad for this season’s Gill Burns Cup Division 2 campaign as well as the forthcoming Women’s Tamar Cup match against Devon.
Following a couple of open trials and the recent Women’s Cornwall Cup tournament held at Truro RFC the coaches have selected a squad of 31 players with 16 having been involved last season.
High-flying Launceston Ladies provide nine players to this season’s squad, amongst whom are live-wire scrum-half Amy Warman and powerful prop forward Kim Upcott
There are welcome returns for centre Tia Larson (Bude Ladies), as well as prop Zeta Penrose and back Lauren Chenoweth both from Truro Women.
There is a good sprinkling of experience in the squad, notably Captain Amy Bunt, along with aforementioned Warman and Upcott.
There are some familiar names absent due to injury, namely forwards Mel Ruby, Briony Eddy and Rhiannon Thomas all three from Launceston Ladies.
Coach Jo Holden explained that this year had again proved challenging in picking the squad. “We have had good numbers coming forward during the trials and the county cup games. It’s been very hard to nail down the final squad as the level keeps improving year on year.
“I think we have a very good mix of experience and emerging young talent that will gel well under the captaincy of Amy Bunt.
“I am excited to see what this squad can achieve in the coming weeks; we have the Tamar Cup game against Devon and then three tough Gill Burns Cup games against Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Somerset. It would really encourage the squad to see a big crowd, especially for our home game at Truro RFC on Sunday 12th May when we take on Hampshire Women.
“As ever we are extremely grateful to our valued sponsors, without their generous support we could not compete at this level.”
The Women’s Tamar Cup match against Devon Women due to take place at Bodmin RFC on Sunday 21st April is likely to change date, please check the CRFU website for updates on the new date.
The 2024 Cornwall Women’s squad
Forwards: Jenna Arnold, Megan Arnold, Vicki Doidge, Kim Upcott, Emily Kneale (all Launceston Ladies), Caitlin Milliken, Elizabeth Langton, Nicole Rowland (all Ivybridge Women), Caitlin Eddy (Helston Vixens Women), Stephanie Nicholas (Camborne Women), Sian Westgarth, Zeta Penrose (both Truro Women), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO Women), Emily Carbis (Devonport S Ladies), Rosie Ninnis, Paige Clarke, Fern-Daisey Cumine (all Penryn Ladies)
Backs: Ellen Armstrong, Amy Warman, Joey Sandercock, Abgail Smith (all Launceston Ladies), Amy Bunt, Rebecca Bennett, Millie Chaston, Megan Okey (all Ivybridge Ladies), Lauren Chenoweth, Lily Relton (both Truro Women), Lisa Allin, Tia Larson (both Bude Ladies), Georgia Hall, Rebecca O’Reilly (both Penryn Ladies).
Gill Burns Cup Matches;
Sunday 12th May v Hampshire Women @ Truro RFC 2:30 pm
Sunday 19th May v Hertfordshire Women @ Tabard RFC 2:30 pm
Sunday 26th May v Somerset Women @ Taunton RFC 2:30 pm
Cup Joy for Launceston Ladies
Launceston Ladies stormed to an impressive Cornwall Women’s Clubs Cup win at Truro RFC on Sunday.
Five teams entered this inaugural competition, joining Launceston Ladies were host club Truro Women, Helston Vixens Women, Penryn Ladies and a Cornwall Barbarians side, that saw players from various other clubs compete under the Barbarian banner.
The tournament was played as a round-robin with games lasting 20 minutes.
Launceston Ladies won all 4 of their games to claim the cup, with Truro Women runners-up.
Thanks to Jo Holden for her hard work in organising the event and to both Olivia Jenkins & Rachel Miller from the RFU.
Thanks also to Lee Maher and Cornwall Rugby Referee’s Society.
CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter was delighted by the way the afternoon went. “Fantastic to see over 120 women playing for their clubs today, women’s rugby is going from strength to strength and events like this can only raise the profile. Congratulations to Launceston Ladies on their win and to Jo Holden for her hard work organising the event. Thanks also to Tribute Ales for their valuable support.”
Amy Warman & Mel Ruby lift the Cup.
CRFU launch Cornwall Women’s Cup
A new Cup competition for Cornwall’s Women’s Cup is set to be launched next month.
Teams will compete in a Super 20 format with the whole competition taking place on Sunday 24th March at Truro RFC.
Further details to be released nearer the date.
Cornwall Women 2024 – Key Dates & Fixtures
It’s time to get involved.
If you want to play for Cornwall Women this season then express your interest by completing the online form below.
Cornwall Women & Girls Rugby Forum 2023/24
Wednesday 19th July at 7 pm.
On Zoom, to register please click on the link below.
Hampshire prove too strong for brave Cornwall Women.
GILL BURNS DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINAL
CORNWALL WOMEN 0 – 38 HAMPSHIRE WOMEN
By Bill Hooper, at Polson Bridge
Under a blistering hot sun and a hard pitch, it proved not to be this season for a brave Cornwall Women’s side who found Hampshire just a little too hot to handle.
The visitors, seasoned campaigners at this level will play Eastern Counties in next Sunday’s final for the Division 2 title at Ealing Trailfinders.
Cornwall, never gave up they fought valiantly and tackled fearlessly until the final whistle, bruised and battered they showed the scars of a good fight.
Cornwall began promisingly, a good early run from skipper Amy Bunt took the game to Hampshire, however it soon became evident that Hampshire was wise to her threat closing her down well.
Hampshire began to dominate the breakdown, and always seemed to have that extra player in support to take any offload. They began to string good phases of play with their back row of Emelia Green, Natasha Bullock and Chardonnay Wilson catching the eye with their forceful runs.
Cornwall did well to soak up the pressure, eventually the pressure told when prop Ash Robertson found space to charge over. Full-back Abi Pearson kicking the first of her four successful conversions.
Cornwall continued to defend well, frustrating the visitors at every turn, in the end numbers out wide saw Hampshire exploit the space allowing centre Jariya Sime to dot down a converted try.
Just before the break Hampshire lost a player to the sin-bin as Cornwall looked to cut the deficit, sadly unforced errors and the Hampshire defence denied the home side.
Cornwall needed to get the next score, but due to an unkind bounce, Katie Wadeson profited, whilst Cornwall got back to tackle the wing, good support play from Green saw her on-hand to score.
That was the try that sealed Cornwall’s fate. Further tries from hooker Thea Kilby, scrum-half Hannah Kemish and Wadeson put the polish on the Hampshire win.
Despite the score-line there were some very good performances from Cornish players. Mel Ruby put in some big charges, whilst in the backrow Rhiannon Thomas again showed her class as did No.8 Kath Wherry.
Fly-half Georgia Hall, kicked well from hand and looked to get her line going, scrum-half Amy Warman battled away as ever and took charge when skipper Bunt had to leave the field with an injury. Bunt strong and determined in the tackle again showed what an all round player she is.
At the final whistle the crowd of some 600 showed their appreciation to the players and their never-say-die attitude.
After the match coach Jo Holden was philosophical in defeat. She said. “I am incredibly proud of the squad, we have been punching above our weight at this level, today we lacked the intensity and we will learn from this. We have now seen what level we must aspire to so we can be competitive at this level, this season was a massive learning curve for us and we will come back stronger next season.
“My one disappointment was our speed around the ruck area, we were well beaten there, but we will learn from that.
“The girls love playing for Cornwall and I think despite the score-line you saw that, near the end we were pushing for a score and showed great heart, but it just wasn’t to be.”
Cornwall Captain Amy Bunt congratulated Hampshire on their win but was also incredibly proud of her team. “Fair-play to Hampshire, but we battled well against a team drawing their side from players who play at least a couple of divisions higher than the majority of our girls. Defeat is never nice, but we will take it on the chin and go again next season and look to improve to take our game to another level
Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Rebecca Bennett (Truro), Shannon Foster (Plymstock AO), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Amy Warman; Mel Ruby, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold (all Launceston), Sian Westgarth, Sam Whitfield (both Truro) Rhiannon Thomas (Launceston), Katherine Wherry (Ivybridge).
Replacements: Josie Ninnis (Penryn), Caitlin Milliken (Camborne), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO), Oz Brazier (Truro), Caitlin Hancock (Launceston), Bryher Freight (Truro), Megan Tucker (Launceston).
Hampshire Women: Abi Pearson (Havant), Nina Hoadley (Ellingham & Ringwood), Jariya Sime (Havant), Samantha Wharton, Katie Wadeson (both Portsmouth), Sarah Butler (CC), Hannah Kemish (both Trojans); Keeta Rowlands (Portsmouth), Thea Kilby, Ashleigh Robertson (both Trojans), Tessa Down (Ellingham & Ringwood), Eloise Shrimpton, Natasha Bullock (CC) (both Havant), Emelia Green, Chardonnay Wilson (both Trojans).
Replacements: Ciera Forry (Portsmouth), Louise Weinfeld (Trojans), Natsha Davison (Portsmouth), Carol Tennant (Trojans), Emma Andrews (Southampton), Emmie-Lou Cooper (Portsmouth), Lauren Gillingham (Havant).
Hampshire scores: Tries, Robertson, Sime, Green, Kilby, Kemish, Wadeson, Cons, Pearson 4
(CC) = co captain
Referee: Lucy Smith (Somerset RRS)
Crowd: 600
Cornwall Women name side for semi-final
CORNWALL WOMEN SELECT TEAM FOR SEMI-FINAL
By Bill Hooper
Nine players from the Launceston club are in the match day squad for Sunday’s Gill Burns Division 2 semi-final against Hampshire Women at Polson Bridge, kick-off 2 pm.
Last Saturday Cornwall Women had a warm up game against Ivybridge Ladies, which gave the coaches the chance to view their options.
Cornwall coach Jo Holden had this to say. “Last Saturday was really useful for us to review the squad. So many players put their hands up for selection which again gave us selectors a headache, but again shows the strength in depth we are now developing.
In the front row Kim Upcott steps up from the bench and starts at tight-head prop in an all Launceston front row.
The other change in the pack is Sam Whitfield from Truro who comes into the back row in place of Penryn’s Rosie Ninnis.
The half backs remain the same with Amy Warman and Georgia Hall retaining their shirts.
Shannon Foster comes in for her Plymstock clubmate Jo Roberts, who is unavailable as are both Lisa Allin and Lydia Hawkins. Truro’s Rebecca Bennett gets a start on the wing following a good game against Ivybridge Ladies last Saturday.
On the bench, Josie Ninnis drops from the starting XV, whilst Truro’s Oz Brazier, along with the Launceston duo Caitlin Hancock and Meg Tucker come on to the bench.
Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Rebecca Bennett (Truro), Shannon Foster (Plymstock AO), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Amy Warman; Mel Ruby, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold (all Launceston), Sian Westgarth, Sam Whitfield (both Truro) Rhiannon Thomas (Launceston), Katherine Wherry (Ivybridge).
Replacements: Josie Ninnis (Penryn), Caitlin Milliken (Camborne), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO), Oz Brazier (Truro), Caitlin Hancock (Launceston), Bryher Freight (Truro), Meg Tucker (Launceston).
Stop Press: Hampshire Women’s side is as follows;
Hampshire Women: Abi Pearson (Havant), Nina Hoadley (Ellingham & Ringwood), Jariya Sime (Havant), Samantha Wharton, Katie Wadeson (both Portsmouth), Sarah Butler (CC), Hannah Kemish (both Trojans); Keeta Rowlands (Portsmouth), Thea Kilby, Ashleigh Robertson (both Trojans), Tessa Down (Ellingham & Ringwood), Eloise Shrimpton, Natasha Bullock (CC) (both Havant), Emelia Green, Chardonnay Wilson (both Trojans).
Replacements: Ciera Forry (Portsmouth), Louise Weinfeld (Trojans), Natsha Davison (Portsmouth), Carol Tennant (Trojans), Emma Andrews (Southampton), Emmie-Lou Cooper (Portsmouth), Lauren Gillingham (Havant).
Cornwall Women’s semi-final confirmed at Launceston 2 pm
Cornwall Women’s semi-final against Hampshire Women, will take place at Polson Bridge, Launceston RC on Sunday 28th May.
Kick-off time 2 pm.
Women’s County Caps presented at Launceston
Cornwall RFU President John Sumnall was present at Polson Bridge on Sunday and was delighted to make cap presentations to the following players from last season;
Verity Holden, Amy Bunt, Mel Ruby, Nicole Rowland & Amy Warman.
To qualify for a cap players must play in 7 Gill Burns Cup games for Cornwall.
Congratulations to you all and well done.
Also congratulations to all the players who received their county badges for making their Cornwall debut.
