Please see details on the poster and contact Lesley to book your place.
Verity Holden and Jessie Humber + You tube hightlights video
POST-MATCH TWICKENHAM INTERVIEWS – PART 2
By Bill Hooper
Having returned from Richmond for their presentation at Twickenham of the Gill Burns Division 3 from the former England Women’s captain herself. I caught up with a beaming Cornwall captain Verity Holden.
I said to her that she must be a very proud captain today. “Proud is probably an understatement, I am over the moon, I could not have asked for any more from my team today. We really didn’t know too much about Notts, Lincs & Derby, them scoring the first try gave us a bit of a wake up call and we began to play our game and settle and we clicked and raced away with the game to be fair.
I put it to Verity that for the first time, Cornwall Women had one four Championship games in one season. “I said to the girls in the post match buffet that they are history makers, we are in uncharted territory and they should be very proud of what they have achieved.
“We could not have done this without the support we have had from the CRFU, our coaches, Jessie (Humber) coming in to organise us as Team Manager, Trelawny’s Army and all our sponsors, whom I thank very much. It felt like the whole of Cornwall was with us today.
I asked her about Amy Bunt’s second try and her cheeky camera pose as she rced in under the sticks. “That’s standard Bunty two wonderful tries from as well as both Tia (Larson) and Emma (Stefanotti) both getting a brace of tries each, their running lines this campaign have been amazing, not to mention their defensive work, the number of tackles they have made is huge. I can’t praise them high enough.
“There has to be a lot of praise for our coaches, Ronan (O’Neill) who always believes in much, Jo (Holden) of course, I know how much she has worked for this, Amy (Warman) as assistant backs coach, they have all been brilliant.
I asked Verity what will come next for this team. “Well I think we have achieved our first objective which was to put Cornwall Women’s rugby on the map. I hope that we can be an inspiration to young girls and drive their desire to come and play rugby in Cornwall and see where they can go on a rugby journey. A few of our players are already doing some age grade coaching we must nurture the young players and give them a pathway to succeed and make it sustainable. Also it would be rather nice if we could play a future final at the home of English rugby!
Verity added, we have come a long way, the days when we had to do it all ourselves and pay our own way are hopefully behind us now, it means so much to us and yes we do get emotional about it all, so many people have put their faith in us to get us where we are today.”
I had a quick word with Jessie Humber. “I am so proud of the girls, what journey we have been on. They have worked their socks off. The support from the CRFU has been amazing, President John Sumnall’s words to us were very encouraging and we now feel part of the rugby family. To have officials know you by name, speak to you, support and encourage you it’s so much appreciated.
Cornwall Women win Gill Burns Division 3 Final
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.
Cornwall Women name side to face NLD in historic final
The Cornwall Women Selectors have named their side to face Notts, Lincs & Derby Women in the Gill Burns Division 3 final this Saturday 2:15 pm at the Richmond Athletic Ground.
At hooker, Nicole Rowland and Emily Carbis reverse their roles from the Somerset game. In the second row, Caitlin Milliken steps up from the bench to partner Alex Gallagher.
At half-back, Holly Williams starts along her Launceston clubmate Amy Warman. On the left wing Lydia Hawkins replaces Chloe Towers who is on the bench.
Both Claire Thompson and Oz Brazier come in to complete the bench.
Entry to Richmond is free on the day, whilst for those unable to travel the game will be shown via the RFU Streaming service. BBC Radio Cornwall will also be providing match commentary.
The Notts, Lincs & Derby Women’s side picked to face Cornwall
NLD Women:1 Lauren Smith – Mellish 2 Natasha Champion – Boston 3 Holly Felton – Ashfield 4 Etilly Pigg – Nottingham Trent University 5 Emily Gallivan – West Bridgford 6 Seren Pepperall – Nottingham Trent University 7 Rebecca Humphreys – West Bridgford 8 Hannah Dennis – Stamford (C) 9 Abigail Lee – Lincoln 10 Hannah Vandersluis – West Bridgford 11 Jess Pearce – Stamford 12 Charlotte Lacy – Lichfield / University of Leeds 13 Paige Baker – West Bridgford 14 Jenna Bierton – Lincoln 15 Cassie Milestone – Scunthorpe (VC), Bench – Georgina Tomlinson – Lincoln Leanne Reeves – Ashfield Matilda Coe – Derby Sarah Driver – West Bridgford Aoife Magee – Nottingham Trent University Harriet Fluck – Lincoln Holly Farrer – Nottingham Trent University TR Annette Zhao – West Bridgford
Post match reaction Cornwall Women’s win
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 4th 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.”
Cornwall Women seal historic win to reach final
GILL BURNS CUP
CORNWALL WOMEN 28 – 27 SOMERSET WOMEN
By Bill Hooper at Hayle RFC
Cornwall Women staged a tremendous second half comeback to secure their place in this season’s Gill Burns Division 3 final, thanks in part to four successful conversions from tries scored close to the posts.
It was Somerset who settled the quicker ably marshalled by their fly-half Holly Edmonds who caught the eye throughout.
Somerset took the lead with a good try from lock Cleo Fawcett converted by Daisy Pearce- Lyons.
Cornwall’s reply was not long in coming, a break by centre Lisa Allin saw her get the ball to wing Emma Stefanotti, who cut a great angle to score at the posts, fly-half Faith Rowe added the extras.
The mid-field collisions were intense on both sides. Somerset got a penalty they kicked to the corner they worked the ball well to set up a try for full-back Lucy Peters.
The visitors then got themselves two score ahead when wing Nina Samocki was put in at the corner. Both scores remained unconverted but Cornwall found themselves trailing 7-17 at half-time.
Cornwall had a good chat at half-time looking to put matters right, however the second half was barely underway when the game was interrupted for a good half an hour following a serious injury to Somerset prop Beckie Glover, which required a trip to hospital.
When the game resumed it was Somerset who got the first score as Peters bagged her second of the game.
Cornwall needed a quick response and it came from classy full-back Amy Bunt who sliced through the cover to dot down under the posts for Rowe to add the conversion.
Cornwall needed a couple of tries and they came from one of the stand out performers during the campaign, centre Tia Larson, she carved a great line to score the first and then calmly took a loose kick to speed in under the bar, both tries were bettered by Holly Williams to put Cornwall 28-22 ahead.
A late try by Fawcett gave Somerset the chance to win the game but the conversion from wide proved too challenging for their kicker. Cornwall secured the ball with time up and booted it into touch confirming their win, to huge cheers from the large crowd.
After the final whistle Cornwall’s forwards coach Jo Holden was so proud of the team. “They put their heart and soul into that game, I am so proud of them, even when we were trailing I felt they could find a way to get back in the game and they did just that.”
Cornwall Women: Bunt, Stefanotti (both Ivybridge), Allin, Larson (both Bude), Towers (Truro), Rowe (Camborne), Warman; Ruby (both Launceston), Carbis (Devonport Services), Upcott (Launceston), Gallagher (Bude), Westgarth (Truro), Roberts (Plymstock AO), Holden (Capt, Ivybridge), Hampton (Penryn).
Replacements: Rowland (Ivybridge), Milliken (Camborne), Eddy (Launceston), James (Bude), Perry (Helston), Hawkins (Penryn), Williams (Launceston).
Cornwall scores: Tries, Stefanotti, Bunt, Larson 2, Cons, Rowe 2, Williams 2
Somerset Women (Bath unless stated): Peters, Shandley-Edwards (N Petherton), Hutchinson (Hornets), Guerrini, Szamocki (Bristolians), Edmonds, Donaghy (N Petherton); Wynne, Stevens (Chew Valley), Glover (Yeovil), Spencer (N Petherton), Fawcett, Burgess, West, Pearce-Lyons.
Replacements: Harding (Yeovil), Foley (St. Mary’s), Wetherall (Bridgwater A), Bamsey (N Petherton), Taylor (N Petherton), Blakely (Hornets).
Somerset scores: Tries, Fawcett 2, Peters 2, Szamocki, Con, Pearce-Lyons
Cornwall Women name side to face Somerset Women
The Cornwall Women’s team selectors needed to check on the fitness of a couple of players following the physical encounter against Middlesex Women last Sunday.
In the pack, front row, Emily Carbis steps up from the bench to start at hooker alongside Kim Upcott at tighthead, as does Sian Westgarth in the second row and Rhian Roberts in the back row.
In the backs, Chloe Towers comes in for a first start on the wing.
On the bench, Vinnie James and Holly Williams come in.
Entry is free at Hayle RFC tomorrow and kick-off is at 2 pm. If you are travelling from east beware of the diversion on the A.30 which will take you via Goonhavern!!
Battling defensive display sees Cornwall Women home
GILL BURNS CUP
MIDDLESEX WOMEN 5 – 10 CORNWALL WOMEN
By Bill Hooper
Cornwall Women made it two wins on the bounce with a gutsy display at Grasshoppers RFC against their hosts Middlesex Women. The old adage that defence wins games was so true in this titanic contest.
A very even first half saw both sides have scoring chances but the defences held firm. It was Cornwall Women who got the important first score some 17 minutes into the half when following a penalty that missed touch, wing Emma Stefanotti hacked the ball into clear space, with the Middlesex defence wrong-footed, she kicked on again before gathering to score at the posts.
Cornwall were unable to convert so it remained 5-0 to Cornwall until half-time.
In the second half Cornwall were under almost constant pressure but their defence was unrelenting with a huge tackle count. Eventually Middlesex got over the line to level the scores thanks to prop Louise Simons.
Cornwall remained unfazed to put in a strong finish which saw full back Amy Bunt pick up a loose ball to run in the winning score from her own half, tackled short of the line she managed to place the ball on the line for the winning try.
Cornwall now face Somerset Women at Hayle RFC next Sunday 2 pm kick-off with a place in the Gill Burns Division 3 final at stake.
Cornwall Women: Bunt, Stefanotti, Allin, Larson, Hawkins, Rowe, Warman; Ruby, Derrante, Rowland, Gallagher, Milliken, Eddy, Holden (Capt), Hampton.
Replacements: Upcott, Ninnis, Carbis, Westgarth, Roberts, Kneale, Towers.
Cornwall Women Scores: Tries, Stefanotti, Bunt.
Cornwall Women make minimal changes to face Middlesex Women
Fresh from their success against Dorset & Wilts Women last Sunday by 30-15 at Polson Bridge, Cornwall Women travel to take on Middlesex Women at Grasshoppers RFC with a 1 pm kick-off.
In the pack both hooker Emily Carbis and flanker Rhian Roberts drop to the bench, with Holly Derrante and Briony Eddy come into the starting pack.
In the threequarters, Lydia Hawkins comes in for Mariella Blanchard. On the bench Emily Kneale comes into the matchday 22.
Middlesex like Cornwall won their opening game when they defeated Somerset last Sunday at Weston Hornets 35-17.
Post match thoughts from Verity Holden and Emma Stefanotti plus video highlights link
POST-MATCH REACTION FROM CORNWALL WOMEN’S WIN
After the final whistle Bill Hooper caught up with Cornwall Women’s captain Verity Holden and try scorer Emma Stefanotti.
I asked Verity how she felt after that tremendous Cornish performance. “I am so proud of all the girls, they really smashed it out there today. They played for the Kernow shirt today and left it all out there on the park.
Despite the hot conditions the girls stuck at it for the full eighty. “They really put everything into it. I thought our backline was tremendous today they put their bodies on the line especially when we had to defend hard in our red zone. In attack they looked sharp and posed a lot of questions. It wasn’t just the fifteen who started but also the replacements who came on and played their hearts out.
With a win in the bag the girls can now look forward to their remaining games with confidence. “We are really up for the challenge this season. Kernow women are here and willing to play and that scoreline today puts us on the map and a few people will take note that we mean business this season.
Turning to Emma, she was over the moon with her great try. “It was called in from the outside, Verity heard the call a little one two with my teammates and I was off, the space opened up so I put my head down and went for it. Having Amy (Bunt) with me helped as we play together at Ivybridge I just went and looked for space and luckily for me it opened up.
“Now the trick is to do it again, we have had a couple of weeks together and built up a great team spirit, I can’t wait for the next game at Middlesex this is a great squad and I am really proud to wear the black and gold and be part of it”.
