Cornwall U20 XV 8 – 29 Cornwall Clubs XV

Report by Terry Williams at Hayle RFC

The Cornwall U20’s returned to the field last evening for a warm up game against a strong
Cornwall clubs XV,eventually going down 8 -29. Both teams played some entertaining rugby
in from of a crowd of around 200 spectators. The clubs were just a bit too strong in the set
piece for the U20’s, who fielded a number of 18-year-old players. Coach Ritchie Kevern said
that it was about the performance rather than the result.

U20’s had opportunities to cross the try line but during the first half were unable to due so,
they were simply not strong enough to force their way over. Half time saw the teams going
in with the U20’s just 3 points behind, at 0-3.

The second half saw the clubs take a strong lead courtesy of 2 converted tries to make the
score 3 – 17. However, U20’s then hit back with a penalty and an unconverted try to bring
the score back to 8 17.
The final quarter saw the Clubs XV add 2 further tries, with one converted to make the final
score 8 – 29.

Although defeated there were positives for coaches Kevern and Gendall, particularly in the
tackle department. This was a very young team and around 12 players who will feature later
this season, being away at university and unavailable.

Further training sessions will take place on Sunday mornings at Truro College and there will
be one more warm up game at Hayle v Camborne School of Mines.

A further report from Stuart Hood Cornwall Clubs XV Team Manager

On a clear evening at Hayle RFC Cornwall U20s and Cornwall Clubs met as preparation for this years U20s Championship. Cornwall U20s fielded a strong squad giving a number of players their first opportunity to represent current County Champions. 

Cornwall Clubs were forced into and early change with fullback Ollie Roots from Perranporth coming off giving Veor’s Bevin Stone an early start.  Dominant scrummaging from the off put Cornwall U20s under a great deal of pressure with the front row of Akiva Eaton, Axel Nicks and Matt Penrose showing their experience and power. A string of penalties at the breakdown kept Clubs in the U20s 22 leading to fly-half Declan Simmonds scoring the first points after 15 mins. 0-3

Strong defence at the breakdown from U20s limited chances for Clubs however strong carries from Perranporth centre Tommy Job and from Veor’s scrum half Luke Johnson kept Clubs on the front foot. 

Half time brought a raft of changes with a new front row – Callum Looker, Chesney King, Tommy Gape, and Lewis Woolaway in the second row, Kyle Pointer and Billy Bromfield in the back row. 

Stevie Trenoweth stepped in at 9. 

At the start of the second half there was a change in fortunes in the scrum with U20s putting Clubs under pressure and their three quarters to the fore taking U20s within 5m of the try line.

However, Clubs strong defence ably led by all action Captain Sam Bartle took play back into  U20s half. A lightning break from Luke Johnson carried on by Kris Evans, brought several forward phases before Camborne Crusaders scrum half Stevie Trenoweth dummied and dived over from the base of a ruck, Declan Simmonds converted leaving the score 0-10 after 60 mins. 

Just five minutes later Clubs made a strong break on the left and after a number of phases Billy Bromfield found a gap and popped up to Tommy Gape to crash over. Simmonds duly converted 0-17

Not to be outdone Cornwall U20 hit back through Finn Deavin from the restart scoring out wide with the conversion hitting the post 5-17. 

The try of the evening came on 70 minutes with Perranporth winger Kris Evans gathering a kick on the half way and showing a clear pair of heels as he raced through a tiring defence. 

Cornwall Clubs closed the game with Perranporth centres combing as Ben Jones found a gap near the try line to  send Tommy Job over with Luke Johnson converting to leave the final score Cornwall U20s  8- Cornwall Clubs 29 with Harry Walsh-Newton kicking Cornwall U20s penalty.