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

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.

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

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 32 – 22 GLOUCESTERSHIRE U.20

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground, Camborne

A try by Rosko Troughton in the dying moments of the game foiled any hopes Gloucestershire harboured of a miraculous comeback.

It also ensured Cornwall had an opening day bonus point win ahead of their trip to Tiverton next month to take on Devon.

The result, if not always the manner, pleased head coach Richie Kevern. He said post-match. “I am happy to get the campaign off to a winning start and with the bonus point. We stuck at it and showed grit when Gloucestershire had momentum . I thought our defence at times was top draw we knocked their big forwards back time and again.

“We created some very good chances but we failed to finish them off and that almost allowed Gloucestershire back into it. We will need to be more clinical in our next games. We did show that we have some serious gas out wide if we can get it right we will cause sides problems.

Thoughts will now turn to the Devon game on April 27^th at Tiverton in what is likely to be a group decider. “Devon’s win today against Somerset sets up a great encounter next month. We will be working hard between now and then to make sure we go into that game well prepared.”

Cornwall took the lead with a routine penalty from fly-half Jowan Kerry. That lead proved short lived when the visitors kicked for the corner and the rumbling Gloucestershire pack put Reuben Millward over for the try.

Both Billy Jordan and Ben Roskilly went close to scoring before Leo Armstrong-Lever went over from a maul to put Cornwall back in the lead, Kerry adding the extras.

The black and gold back three showed plenty of pace throughout the game.

The Cornish back row of Freddie Jordan, Will Symons and skipper Jack Jenkin ruled at the breakdown as Cornish pressure built. 

Armstrong-Lever then crossed again as Cornwall dominated play before wing Rhys Bowery sped in at the corner with Kerry again on the money with the conversion.

Cornwall’s concentration switched off just before the break when Millward bagged his second fo the visitors to leave Cornwall 22-10 up.

The second half proved cagey, Cornwall took the points from a penalty in front of the posts from Kerry to stretch their lead.

Gloucestershire pressed and were rewarded when Zac Mountfield crossed with Ollie French adding the conversion and when Omar Ly scored his side’s fourth try Cornish nerves jangled as the lead was cut to just three points.

Cornwall redoubled their efforts. A tremendous forward drive in the final moments gave Troughton his chance to score following several phases with Kerry adding the extras to ensure the win. 

Cornwall U.20 (Helston, unless stated): Barney Lewis (Newquay), Ayden Earnshaw, Ben Roskilly, Bill Jordan (Penryn), Rhys Bowery (Newquay), Jowan Kerry (Perranporth), Jarvis Lee (Truro); Dan Bennett (St. Austell), Leo Armstrong-Lever, Olly Derry (Wadebridge), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Oli Wells (Redruth), Freddie Jordan (Penryn), Will Symons (Wadebridge), Jack Jenkin (Capt)

Replacements: Jalal Bennett (Truro), Rosko Troughton, Joe Court, Ben Smith (both Camborne).Luke Young (Redruth), Callum Phillips, Lewis Wiltshire (both Wadebridge), Harry Rigg.

Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Armstrong –Lever 27, 32, Bowery 38, Troughton 78, Cons, Kerry 28, 39, 79, Pens, Kerry 4, 58

Cornwall Star Man: Rhys Bowery

Link is now live on Fan Base to purchase tickets for Cornwall U.20 v Gloucestershire U.20 at Camborne RFC on Sunday 30 March kick-off 2 pm, Fan Base link