Players chosen for this Saturday’s fixture against Exeter Chiefs XV.
Cornwall Women name side to face Hants
Cornwall Women have named their side to face Hampshire Women this Sunday at Havent RFC, kick-off 2 pm.
The team will once again be captained by full-back Amy Bunt, who will lead by example.
Last season Cornwall gave the double Division 2 title holders a shock in their game at Truro before the Hampshire side rallied to run out winners.
Head coach Jo Holden had this to say about selection and the picking of the squad.
“We’re really excited about our squad this year. The level of talent we’ve seen has been incredible, and while it means leaving behind some great players, it also shows the strength in depth we have. With two more games left in the group, don’t be surprised to see different players coming through and competing for shirts.
“Training has been at a really high level, and all the coaches have been hugely impressed with the progress every player is making. What’s particularly encouraging is seeing a number of fringe players from previous years now stepping up and seriously fighting for places. The progress has been fantastic.
“We know it will be a big challenge against the reigning champions, Hampshire, but we’re ready for it and have full belief that we can go there and compete.”
Entry at Havant is £5, Under 18’s free.
Cornwall Senior Squad for Bill Beaumont Cup named
Cornwall’s selectors have named a 40 man squad for this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup matches and Saturday’s match against an Exeter Chiefs XV. Let’s get behind the lads!
Note- Declan Prowse should be listed as Camborne RFC
Cornwall Under 17’s to play Devon Under 17’s
Cornwall Under 17’s continue their programme of matches on Wednesday evening at Polson Bridge against Devon.
Cornwall Under 20 battle back for draw
JASON LEONARD CUP
CORNWALL U.20, 33 – 33 SOMERSET U.20
By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground, Redruth
A try by full-back Barney Lewis salvaged a draw for Cornwall Under 20’s against a very good Somerset side whom looked set for a rare win on Cornish soil.
Cornwall trailed their visitors for most of the game, at one point during the second half they found themselves seventeen points adrift as they struggled to get to grips.
That they “stuck at it” and pulled themselves back on the scoreboard has to be commended.
Cornwall kicked-off down the slope but it was Somerset who bagged the first points with a good try from wing Billy Coombes. Fly-half George Nuttycombe banged over a good conversion, the first of his seventeen point tally.
Cornwall struck back with a good try from flanker Will Symons, bettered by fly-half Jowan Kerry who had earlier missed a penalty chance.
Nuttycombe’s try and conversion nudged the visitors ahead before centre Alfie Hodge stretched their advantage further.
Cornwall needed a score before the break and it came through flanker Freddie Jordan by the posts with Kerry adding the extras.
The start of the second half saw Somerset increase their lead with tries from No.8 Aiden Cable and shortly after flanker Will Clapham.
Cornwall needed a quick response and it came thanks to a try scored by Ayden Earnshaw following a good backs move.
Cornwall started to empty the bench with Ola Phillips making some telling charges and putting his side on the front foot. Cornwall finally began to get some good ball which gave centre Billy Jordan the chance to score.
Trailing by just five points Cornwall threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Somerset and with the final play full back Barney Lewis jinked his way to the try line to tie the scores.
Cornwall had a chance to win it but the conversion sailed past the post with a draw being a fair result for both sides.
Devon’s win against Gloucestershire sees them top the group and progress to the next round.
Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis (Newquay H), Ayden Earnshaw (Helston), Lowen Mears-Ollerenshaw (Newquay H), Billy Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay H), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Callum Phillips (Wadebridge C); Rosko Troughton (Helston), Jalal Bennett (Truro), Olly Derry (Wadebridge C), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Jack Jenkin (Helston, Capt), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge C), Will Luscombe (Redruth).
Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Ola Phillips (Truro), Ethan Redondo-Barter (St. Ives), Luke Young (Redruth), Ethan Williams (Falmouth), Harry Rigg (Helston), Ted Kullich (Camborne).
Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Symons 11, F Jordan 39, Earnshaw 57, B Jordan 68, Lewis 79, Cons, Kerry 12, 40, 58, 69.
Cornwall Star Man: Ola Phillips
Cornwall U.17’s head to Somerset
Cornwall Under 17’s begin their county programme this weekend with a trip to Wellington RFC to take on Somerset Under 17’s. Good luck lads.
Cornwall Under 20’s taste defeat at Topsham
JASON LEONARD CUP
DEVON U.20 46 – 21 CORNWALL U.20
By Bill Hooper, at the Bonfire Field, Topsham
Cornwall’s hopes of progressing from the pool stage were dealt a blow with this defeat at Topsham on Sunday against a well-drilled powerful Devon side who proved too clinical.
Coach Richie Kevern was understandably disappointed with the result. “We worked hard to get the score-line back to 20-14 at half-time and I thought we started the second period well but we were crucified when Devon scored four tries in the space of 12 minutes that put the game to bed.
“We will get back to the training paddock and look to put in a much better performance against Somerset in our final pool match on the 11th May at Redruth.”
Following a minute’s silence for former Devon Secretary and President Treve Mitchell the game kicked-off.
Cornwall fell behind in the first minute when they conceded a penalty that the Devon captain Matt Smale kicked.
Cornwall came back into it when centre Billy Jordan intercepted in his own half, he made it almost to the Devon line before being hauled down.
Cornwall recycled the ball went through several phases before skipper Jack Jenkin scored with fly-half Jowan Kerry adding the first of his three conversions.
Devon worked the spaces well allowing wing Kai Kidd to score, Smale again on the money with extras as he was shortly after with a penalty and conversion of Matt Whitlock’s try.
Full-back Barney Lewis pulled a try back for Cornwall to keep them in touch at the break.
Devon made a few changes at half-time and that seemed to give them a greater cutting edge.
Once they scored their bonus point try they turned the screw scoring two further tries to put the game out of reach.
Topsham wing Matt Hammond caught the eye with his strong running as did the Devon No.6 Finlay Crockett.
Cornwall had the final word when Lewis went over for his second try, however the Brunel Cup remains in Devon for another year.
Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis (Newquay H), Ayden Earnshaw, Ben Roskilly (both Helston), Billy Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay H), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Jarvis Lee (Truro); Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Olly Derry (Wadebridge C), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Olli Wells (Redruth), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge C), Jack Jenkin (Capt, Helston).
Replacements: Jalal Bennett (Truro), Rosko Troughton (Helston), Joe Court (Camborne), Will Luscombe, Luke Young (both Redruth), Callum Phillips (Wadebridge C), Harry Rigg (Helston), Lowen Mears-Ollerenshaw (Newquay H).
Cornwall scores: Tries: Jenkin 8, Lewis 35, 79, Cons, Kerry, 9,36,80.
Cornwall Star Player: Barney Lewis
Gill Burns Cup Squad Named
Thirty players have been named in this season’s Gill Burns Cup squad by the coaching team headed by Jo Holden.
Unsurprisingly there are 11 players from Launceston Ladies who this season have won promotion to Championship 2 next season.
Cornwall Women have a challenging pool to navigate commencing with a trips to Hampshire and Gloucestershire before their home game at Polson Bridge against Devon, which will also see a Women’s Tamar Cup competed for for the first time.
“Congratulations to the players who have come through the trials, now we get down to preparing that first game against Hampshire at Havant.”
Jo Holden had this to say. “Once again it’s been a difficult selection process with many players trialling to get into the squad. This shows the progress the Women’s game is making throughout the length and breadth of Cornwall. This will only grow with the Women’s World Cup this summer.
FIXTURES
Sun 18 May, Hampshire Women v Cornwall Women @ Havant RFC, 2 pm
Sat 24 May, Gloucestershire Women v Cornwall Women @ Kingsholm, Gloucester RFC 2 pm
Sun 01 Jun, Cornwall Women v Devon Women @ Launceston RC 2pm
Cornwall Under 20’s to play Devon Under 20’s
PRESS RELEASE
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 The Jason Leonard Cup.
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2025 continues when they play their second pool match in this season Jason Leonard Cup. They travel to Topsham RFC where they will face Devon U20 with a 14:30 kick off time.
CRFU President Andy Reed said “Following the first round of this year’s competition both the hosts and Cornwall won their opening fixture and so both will be out to try and continue in that manner. I know the players will not be sitting on their laurels after the victory over Gloucestershire and know they will face tough opposition across the border in Devon”.
Cornwall have named Jack Jenkin (Helston) as the captain for the season, alongside him is another new player this season, Billy Jordan (Penryn) who is the vice-captain. Cornwall have made one change with Will Luscombe (Redruth) coming onto the bench in place of Ben Smith (Camborne)
Coach Rich Kevern said – “We had a good start to this season’s campaign against a very good Gloucestershire side who performed well. We need now to concentrate on what we have covered in training and put that into practice on the field v Devon. Replace the errors that we made and take the opportunities that we create. Devon has home advantage, and they will be eager to put one over on us and so we must be ready for a tough 80 minutes”.
Cornwall has a new coaching set up this season, so joining well established Rich Kevern is ex U20 player and current Camborne player Brad Howe as the forward’s coach. Always keen to encourage young coaches into the game we see ex senior county player David Mankee assisting the backs with Rich.
Cornwall Captain Jack Jenkin said, – “We have all had time to reflect on the game against Gloucestershire and realise there are areas that we need to work on. We were a virtually new squad this season with 18 of the 23 players playing their first championship game and although we have trained together that was our first competitive game in this year’s championship. There are a lot of players training and no one’s shirt is guaranteed, and we must prove to the coaches we are worthy of selection including myself. I know the effort these guys have put in on Sunday mornings and if we can replicate that v Devon and we put in 100% commitment then hopefully the result will follow”.
Cornwall won their first game against Gloucestershire 32 – 22 and Devon defeated Somerset 57 – 26, with all 4 teams scoring a 4 try bonus point. The other game in the Southwest pool sees Somerset host Gloucestershire. The final pool game of this season sees Cornwall face Somerset at home at Redruth RFC on Sunday 11 May with a 14:30 kick off time.
The CRFU Chair Steve Murley said, -” I know the coaches, players were happy but not over pleased with the performance v Gloucestershire and have been working on areas to correct some parts of their game plan and have worked hard in training to try and make amends when they face Devon. This game is not only for who heads the table, but also for the Brunel Cup, which Devon have held for the last 2 years, and I am sure the team would like to return it to the Duchy!”.
There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Under 20’s team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Tanya Thomas of the CRFU in the first instance. Commercial-development@crfu.co.uk
Email – ljc80@aol.com
Mob – 07967054826
Bill Hooper
Cornwall RFU Assistant Hon Sec
21/04/2025
Devon U20 v Cornwall U20
Sunday 27 April @ Topsham RFC 14:30 kick off.
| 1 | DAN BENNETT | ST AUSTELL |
| 2 | LEO ARMSTRONG-LEVER | HELSTON |
| 3 | OLLY DERRY | WADEBRIDGE CAMELS |
| 4 | CHARLIE KNIGHT | SALTASH |
| 5 | OLI WELLS | REDRUTH |
| 6 | FREDDIE JORDAN | PENRYN |
| 7 | WILL SYMONS | WADEBRIDGE CAMELS |
| 8 | JACK JENKIN (CAPT) | HELSTON |
| 9 | JARVIS LEE | TRURO |
| 10 | JOWAN KERRY | PERRANPORTH |
| 11 | RHYS BOWERY | NEWQUAY HORNETS |
| 12 | BILLY JORDAN (V CAPT) | PENRYN |
| 13 | BEN ROSKILLY | HELSTON |
| 14 | AYDEN EARNSHAW | HELSTON |
| 15 | BARNEY LEWIS | NEWQUAY HORNETS |
| 16 | JALAL BENNETT | TRURO |
| 17 | ROSKO TROUGHTON | HELSTON |
| 18 | JOE COURT | CAMBORNE |
| 19 | WILL LUSCOMBE | REDRUTH |
| 20 | LUKE YOUNG | REDRUTH |
| 21 | CALLUM PHILLIPS | WADEBRIDGE CAMELS |
| 22 | HARRY RIGG | HELSTON |
| 23 | LOWEN MEARS-OLLERENSHAW | NEWQUAY HORNETS |
| TR | OLA PHILLIPS | TRURO |
| TR | ETHAN WILLIAMS | FALMOUTH |
Coaches – Rich Kevern, Brad Howe, David Mankee
Team Manager LJ Collick, Assistant Terry Williams
Medical cover – Ronnie Bartlett + Donna James
Kit – Paul Hurrell + Colin Hatch, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop
Under 20’s match change of venue
Please note Cornwall Under 20’s match against Devon Under 20’s will now be played at TOPSHAM RFC on Sunday 27th April, kick-off 2 pm.
