See how Falmouth Eagles enjoyed a great Saturday afternoon with Ready4Rugby. Thanks to Kevin Bishop for producing this video.
Ray Plummer – R.I.P.
The CRFU were saddened to learn of the passing of Ray Plummer, a stalwart of Cornish rugby both with Penryn R.F.C. and as an esteemed county official, passed away on Tuesday morning aged 86. County President John Sumnall spoke fulsomely of Ray."He gave an enormous amount of his time to Rugby. He was Cornwall RFU Representative to the RFU Council from 1995 - 2002 and when standing down was made a Distinguished Member, Treasurer of Cornwall RFU 1986-1998, Treasurer and later Chair of the Cornwall Referees Society in the 1980s and of course a life long member of Penryn RFC." At present funeral arrangements have not been announced but we will keep you advised although the present covid restrictions will be in place. A sad loss to Cornwall. A Tribute to Ray via Penryn RFC UPDATE Ray's funeral will take place at Penmount crematorium, Trelawny Chapel on Tuesday 22nd September 2 pm. Afterwards at Penryn RFC, but due to numbers only those attending the funeral. Covid restrictions apply. Further details T Cooke Funeral Directors, Falmouth.
CRFU looking to appoint coaches for Cornwall Girls U.18s & U.15s
Openings: Cornwall Girls U18s and U15s coaches for 2020/21
Whatever twists and turns the coming season has in store for us, we’re looking to make sure that the opportunity to pull on the black and gold for this year’s players is still available, even if it’s for one or two friendlies rather than the big festival format that we’ve become accustomed to.
To that end we need coaching applicants for both the U18s and U15s head coach, forwards coach and backs coach roles. As well as working to select and coach the county girls team, successful applicants will also help deliver coaching at the county girls Development Days as well.
Anyone who fancies getting involved with these very rewarding and enjoyable roles need simply send a rugby CV and cover letter to Ross Tucknott, e-mail:womensandgirls@crfu.co.uk by the 15th September.
T.K. Vivian – R.I.P.
The C.R.F.U. were saddened to learn of the passing of former county player Keith Vivian aged 94.
Keith played for Camborne before and after attending Cambridge University. A powerful lock he played for Cornwall 14 times between 1945-53 and for the South West against the 1953 All Blacks at Camborne, a game lost 0-9.
The President and everyone at the C.R.F.U. wish to covey their condolences to Keith’s family and friends at this time.
For a fuller appreciation please see the article by Ted Williams on the Camborne RFC website.
Joint Statement from the CRFU regarding the latest RFU community game cuts
You will all by now have read in the press that our 3 County RFU employees Jonny, Phil and Neil are under serious threat of redundancy. The RFU in their wisdom, have decided the Community game should take the brunt of this current cost saving exercise.
Our thoughts are along the same lines as many messages we have received from the clubs, a great shame for rugby in Cornwall. All three have worked tirelessly to help our clubs in all manner of ways, always on call to help. An example would be the coaching work done with both St Just and Stithians last season. To say we are grateful for their work would be an understatement.
The RFU have taken the opportunity to totally overall current support with all RDOs and CRC roles now gone. These will be replaced with 2 new roles Club Development Officer and Coach Development Officer with a total of 44 in these new roles. Should the guys apply for these roles they will have a one in four chance of success.
Looking at the new roles it likely that we will share our newly appointed officers with our friends across the Tamar, although that is yet to be confirmed.
We have met with our RFU team and offered all support we can as a grateful County and will catch up with them again next week as part of a continual review.
On behalf of the CRFU we wish to pass our sincere thanks to the three not only for their hard work but also for their attitude and approach in setting the high standard of rugby in Cornwall.
Our best wishes go to them all and wish them luck over the coming weeks.
On other matters and in relation to the above:
We wish to assure all our Clubs, especially those with age group teams, that whatever the outcome of these change in job roles the CRFU is committed to supporting the Clubs to the level that they have received in the past and we will keep you advised of proposed developments.
The RFU have reduced the grant they give to each of the Counties down to 30% of the 2019/2020 award and as the Management Board we will be discussing at our next meeting what the implications of these are.
Can we also take this opportunity to remind you that we are at level B on the pathway back to play and yesterday it was announced that there will be no rugby in September level 3 and below.
Scotland RFU have moved to level C which allows for touch rugby but still no contact, so hopefully this will be announced soon for us.
Finally a lot of work is going on in the background to support both our Clubs and the County, we are both available to help if required.
Just last week we were in contact with Lancashire RFU who are very keen to visit Cornwall at the end of next season to play a match. This together with the visit of Crawshays Welsh and our discussions with other Counties in the South West to play County Rugby at most levels provides something positive for us all to look forward to.
We wish you well.
John Sumnall. Dave Saunter
President CRFU. Chairman CRFU
01872 572788 07554010480
Cornwall delighted to renew Crawshay’s link
Cornwall RFU are delighted that Crawshay’s Welsh will be visiting the Duchy in 2022 for a fixture against the county side in what will be their centenary season.
A post on the Crawshay’s website summed the excitement for this fixture held by both camps.
We are delighted that Cornwall County, the current English County champions, have agreed to a fixture in our Centenary Year in 2022. The fixture will be played at Camborne RFC, with the exact date yet to be decided.
Both sets of Committee’s are really excited about renewing our traditional rivalry, and it is hoped the fixture can be elevated to be part of a Mini Tour to Cornwall.
More details will follow shortly.
Dave Martin of the CRFU wrote the following about the history of Crawshays and their tours to Cornwall;
Captain Geoffrey Crawshay was invited to take a team of Welsh players to play Devonport Services in 1922. The following year the now annual touring party crossed the Tamar to play Camborne. These tours continued into the 1960s, when in the 1965-66 season, Cornwall took over the fixture and defeated Crawshays at Camborne by 17 points to 10. This became an annual fixture, always played at Camborne, with one exception, in 1969-70, it was played at Redruth.
In the 1980s visits became spasmodic, but Crawshay’s XV played a part in Cornwall’s Centenary celebrations on 1983 and they returned in 1997 celebrating their 75th Anniversary.
Crawshays entertained Cornwall at Cardiff Arms Park in 1984 when the County went on a rare tour, also playing the South Wales Police.
In the 1990s leagues had been introduced, the County Championship was moved to May and the game went “open”! Crawshays tours became more ambitious and for Cornwall read Spain, Portugal, France, Poland, South Africa, Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia, Romania. Our paths crossed in 2003 when both Cornwall and Crawshays were in the Dubai Sevens, although not in the same section.
Amongst the illustrious Welsh Internationals to tour with Crawshays in Cornwall have been Phil Bennett, Eddie Butler, Terry Cobner, Tommy David, Gerald Davies,
John Dawes, Gareth Edwards, Ieuan Evans, Steve Fenwick, Norman Gale, Terry Holmes, Arthur Lewis, Allan Martin, John Oshea, Graham Price, Delme Thomas, Brynmor Williams and ‘JJ’ and ‘JPR’ Williams.
Crawshay’s Welsh XV will celebrate it’s Centenary in 2022 and a return visit to Cornwall will be welcomed by rugby followers far and wide.
Paddy McGovan – R.I.P.
Cornwall RFU were saddened to learn of the passing of former county player Paddy McGovan who was 84 years of age.
Paddy, a formidable flanker with Redruth, played 30 times for Cornwall between 1957-65.
He played for the South West Counties against South Africa at Camborne in 1960 and New Zealand at the old county ground in Exeter in 1963.
He was also an England trialist on 4 occasions.
The President, and everyone involved with Cornwall RFU wish to convey their sincerest condolences to Paddy’s family and friends.
Cornwall Under 20s justly proud of season’s achievements
Cornwall U20 Season & South West trials selection
Sadly Cornwall’s U20’s season ended with them unable to play their home quarter-final v Hertfordshire due to the coronavirus which led to the stoppage of all rugby by the RFU.
Cornwall’s season started in November with a team building afternoon kindly hosted by Truro RFC. This was followed by a number of training sessions and two warm up games before the Jason Leonard Cup the RFU’s U20 County Championship competition began in late January.
The first game’s result was a disappointment, losing to local rivals Devon at Ivybridge RFC. This was a reality check for the players with them being told in no uncertain terms by the coaches that lose the next game and we could face relegation for the first time from the top tier of this competition!
This rallied the players and after training in storm Ciara and Dennis it was on to face Berkshire at a wet and windy Camborne RFC. A great performance saw them win with a bonus point. Due to the other game in the pool ending in a draw, all 4 outcomes were possible from the last game.
The final pool game was all to play for and being Gloucestershire away at Dings RFC it was always going to be a hard fought game!! The lead swapped and momentum swung one way then another. With 15 minutes to go Cornwall were losing by 10 points and Berkshire were beating Devon, which if the results stood would result in Cornwall being relegated. The squad of 22 showed true grit, passion and pride in wearing the “Black and Gold” shirt to overcome the 10 point deficit to win by 4 points, earning a try bonus point to boot. The other game saw a win for Berkshire so Cornwall had gone from 3rd in the table to winning the pool and the right to a home quarterfinal v Hertfordshire. Unfortunately as they say the rest is history!!
South West trails selection
Every game is recorded and observed by selectors and of course the coaches. At the end of every game they get together and name a “team of the day” from 1 to 15. These teams and the match recordings are then sent to the South West management team and England counties management team. They collate all the information and watch the games before inviting players to the South West trials which can ultimately lead to England trials and the potential of an England counties shirt. This week the South West released the names and positions of players who would have attended the South West trials. Sadly due to the circumstances neither the South West nor the England trials will take place this season but it is great for the players to know they made the grade at that level.
11 Cornwall players from 7 different clubs were selected for the South West trials;-
3) Eliot Salt – Cardiff Met
4) Steele Barker – Penryn
5) Mawgan Osborne – Pirates Ams
6) Toby Osborne – Pirates Ams
7) Tom Spiers – Truro
8) Jack Wickham – Saltash
9) Ali Stacey – Redruth
10) James Tucker – St Austell
12) Isaak Welch – Truro
13) Ben Plummer – St Austell
13) Aaron Simmonds – Redruth
Congratulations to all of the players on their selection, but also commiserations, as they unfortunately are not able to display their skills at the next level. However 7 of the players are eligible next year so!
As the season ended abruptly it is also fitting to say a big thank you to everyone involved with the U20’s this season and of course the clubs and spectators who have supported us. Especially;-
All of the players who have been part of the enlarged squad
Coaches – Rich Kevern (Backs) Tyler Gendall (Forwards) assisted by Adam Kevern
Medical team – Dr John Garman, Sam West, Graham Ashton & Neville Curnow
Kit man – Paul Hurrell
Press & PR – Simon Bryant, David Burrows, Kevin Bishop, Elliot Trotman and Benjamin Eyriey
Management Board – For their support and guidance
Sponsors – O’Neills, Kelsall Steele Investment Services Ltd, Biffa, Booths Print, Brooks Macdonald, Trelawny’s Army.
2020 – 2021 Season begins
Work has already started to collate the 2020 – 2021 with regards to players. We have a number of players who are eligible from this season, a number transitioning from the U18’s. We will also write to all clubs in September asking for them to nominate suitable players and of course the management team will be out observing matches and players during the season to identify potential players.
The criteria for a player being eligible;-
- Must be over the age of 18 before they can either train or play for the U20’s. (Any player who attains the age of 18 during the season but is involved with the U18’s section must complete their season before being considered for the U20’s)
- Must be under the age of 20 on the 1st September 2020
- Was either born in Cornwall, lives in Cornwall, is registered with a Cornish club or has played for Cornwall at an earlier age grade.
Anybody who meets the criteria and wishes to be considered should initially contact the team manager Colin Hatch 07967725368 or hatch0348@btinternet.com
Finally everyone involved with the Cornwall U20’s would like to thank them for their support and encouragement and look forward to seeing you next season. In the meantime and during these difficult times please follow the government guidelines and “Stay Safe”
Colin Hatch Cornwall U20 Team Manager
Footnote. Colin Hatch, who wrote this article, also deserves a big thank you for all the hard work he does on behalf of the Under 20s. The CRFU are indebted to him.
CRFU Operation Support
In these testing times when our actions must be to follow government advice and stay in whenever possible rugby is probably not top of our priorities, however when the lockdown is lifted it will be part of the healing process. Our clubs will need to be ready to get back in action as soon as possible so that all our players, from Taggers through to first teams, can get back on the turf.
With this in mind both the RFU and now CRFU have been working on rescue packages for any of our clubs with financial worries. I would like to announce one of these, with the RFU allowing us to use the final tranch of LRP to directly help clubs, a sum of £13k, the CRFU are going to add £12K to this, making £25k in total available to any clubs who need our help.
For CRFU grants in the first instance please contact the county secretary Terry Williams at terry344@sky.com and he will set out the criteria clubs will need to meet to qualify for help. Criteria in PDF file in link. The RFU have also have other loans, schemes etc available, and this information can be found at www.englandrugby.com .
These are tough times for us all above all else stay safe follow advice and I look forward to seeing you all when we come out the other side.
Regards Saunts Chairman CRFU
Terry Pryor – RIP
It is with great saddness that Cornwall RFU has learned of the passing of former county captain Terry Pryor.
Pryor (pictured above when captaining Cornwall) played for Cornwall on 55 occassions, captaining the Duchy during the 1977-78 season.
Pryor, a fine prop, played in a front row containing Stack Stevens and John Trevorrow at hooker, through the mid to late seventies.
A Redruth man, he captained his club in their centenary year in 1975.
An England trialist and replacement, Pryor captained England B on their tour to Romania in 1978.
He was also a Barbarian and played for the South West Counties in 1975 against Australia on the old County Ground in Exeter. Pryor and Stevens proped whilst Devon’s John Lockyer hooked.
Pryor went on to be an outstanding coach, mentoring the likes of Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman.
Apart from Redruth he coached at Penryn and St. Austell and was involved with the county side.
A charming man, always had time for a chat, he will be sadly missed.
Everyone at the CRFU will wish to express their most sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Terry’s family and friends.
Funeral details will be published on the website when known.
