CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

2026 The Jason Leonard Cup.

CORNWALL U.20, 29 – 35 BERKSHIRE U.20

By Bill Hooper at Recreation Ground, Redruth

Cornwall Under 20’s run in this season’s Jason Leonard Cup was brought to an end by a very good Berkshire Under 20’s side whom it has to be conceded deserved to qualify for the semi-finals where they will next play Hertfordshire Under 20’s for a place in the Twickenham final.

Conditions proved treacherous with heavy showers both prior and during the match making the ball slippery.

Berkshire soon gave us a glimpse of their strength in the forwards, notably the back row of Charlie Burton, Aaron Preston and Olly Marsh, whilst at half-back Louis Roumignac and Will Hibberdeane marshalled their backs.

Cornwall had issues at lineout time which limited their attacking options, however they opened the scoring with a penalty from in front of the posts by Oli Roberts.

Berkshire stormed back taking the lead with a well-worked try by wing Ethan Bassett, converted by Hibberdeane. Bassett’s fellow wing David Ajisafe also caught the eye with his change of pace and footwork.

Further pressure from the visitors on the half-hour mark saw Roumignac dart in from close range under the sticks, Hibberdeane on the money with the extras.

Cornwall needed a score and duly delivered following another good run from Barney Lewis set up field position which saw Dan Kent driven over with Roberts adding the conversion to leave it at the break 14-10 to Berkshire.

Playing down the slope, Berkshire again started the half strongly when Liam Thomas burrowed over for a converted try for a crucial first score of the half.

The mountain became even stepper when Ollie Ireland scored to put Berkshire more than two scores ahead.

Into the final quarter, Cornwall needed a break, it came when Lewis put Bracken Headland away the winger was denied by some foul play which led to the awarding of a penalty-try and saw the influential Hibberdeane yellow carded.

Cornwall, cheered on by the grandstand crowd, tore back at Berkshire, a big hit by skipper Oscar Marr dislodged the ball allowing Headland this time to finish off a flowing move to raise hopes.

The chaos suited Cornwall and shook the visitors, but the momentum was stopped dead when Cornwall playing out of their twenty-two gifted a pass to Bassett who ran in his second try, Hibberdean’s conversion kissed both uprights before going over to run salt into the wound.

A big carry by Jack Jenkin set up lock Kent’s second try for Cornwall converted by Tom Tanswell leaving Cornwall six points adrift on the final whistle.

Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis, Bracken Headland (both Newquay Hornets), Marley Johns, Robbie Paul (both Redruth), Oli Roberts (Camborne), Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn), Alfie Brooksbank (Camborne); Rosko Troughton (Helston), Ted Hocking (Penzance & Newlyn), Callum Johns (Launceston), Dan Kent (Wadebridge Camels), Ed Boaden (Helston), Oli Wells, Joel Pryor, Fin Robinson (all Redruth).

Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Archie Beetles (Wadebridge Camels), Riley Raikes, Dan Bennett (both St. Austell), Jack Jenkin (Helston), Jake Walker (Camborne), Tom Tanswell (Penryn), Sam Blake (Truro).

Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Kent (2), Penalty-try, Headland, Cons, Roberts, Tanswell, Pen, Roberts

Somerset U20 v Cornwall U20

By Colin Hatch at Burnham-on-Sea RFC

On a bright sunny afternoon Cornwall U20’s took on Somerset at Burnham to decide the winners of South-west pool 2 in the 2026 Jason Leonard Cup.

It was Somerset who started the fastest scoring their first converted try after 3 minutes. Somerset went further ahead in the 14^th minute with another converted try! With just over 20 minutes gone a penalty led to Somerset kicking deep into our 22, from the resulting lineout and catch and drive saw them get another converted try. Somerset 21 – 0 Cornwall!!!

Somerset had their tails up, the crowd behind them who were shouting and cheering at every Cornwall mistake, a turnover or break from their team.

Something had to change and change fast, it looked as if we were still on the coach travelling up the M5!!! Things did start to change and good work between No2 Ted Hocking (Penzance & Newlyn) saw No 18 Riley Raikes (St Austell) crash over to be converted by No 11 Oli Roberts (Camborne) to make the score Somerset 21 – 7 Cornwall.

Somerset fought back strongly and with just over 30 minutes gone a good run down the wing by their No 14 saw him score and their No 10 covert again to put the home side 28 – 7 ahead, and secure a 4 try bonus point. With half time approaching a break from N0 17 Archie Beetles (Wadebridge Camels) saw No 6 Oli Mount (Penryn) cross the line and Oli Roberts (Camborne) once again converting.

Half time Score Somerset 28 – 14 Cornwall

The halftime team talk from coaches Rich Kevern and Jack Hazelton, left no stone unturned and laid bare a few home truths!! They also left the players in no doubt what kind of reaction would be required and needed to turn this game around and cheer up the large travelling support.

It was vital we made the first score in the second half and this was duly delivered when No 11 Oli Roberts (Camborne) scored to put us within 9 points!! Cornwall now started to dominate and get the upper hand although still making the odd silly mistake that kept Somerset in the game. 20 minutes into the second half saw No 18 Riley Raikes (St Austell) cross the line for his second try and converted by No 11 Oli Roberts (Camborne).

This not only put us within 2 points of the opposition but also gave us our 4 try bonus point. This meant if the result remained the same we would still be pool winners and qualify for the quarterfinals. However, 1 point was not what anybody in the Cornwall side wanted, they needed a strong final 20 minutes, show their true potential and the ability to come back from a poor start to earn the win and establish some credibility.

Things do not always go to plan, but on this occasion 2 further tries first scored by captain No 10 Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn) and secondly No 14 Bracken Headland (Newquay Hornets) both converted by Oli Roberts (Camborne) saw the score Somerset 28 – 40 Cornwall. Somerset were down but not out and with 5 minutes to go crashed over for a converted try to be behind by 5 points!!

A penalty awarded to Cornwall saw the captain immediately point to the post, his thinking 3 points gives us a 2-score advantage going into the final minutes. However, and intervention by the assistant referee saw not only the penalty reversed but a yellow card for Cornwall!! The wait for the final whistle could have been uncomfortable, but stout defence and aggressive tackling subdued any attack from Somerset. No 19 Joel Pryor (Redruth) making a decisive crunching tackle which eventually led to No 22 Tom Tanswell (Penryn) crossing the line and No 11 Oli Roberts making his 6^th conversion of the afternoon making the final score; –

Somerset 35 – 47 Cornwall

Cornwall now have a home quarterfinal on Sunday 3 May against South-West pool 1 Winners Berkshire, further details to follow.

Scorers

Tries Riley Raikes (St Austell) 2, Oli Mount (Penryn) Oli Roberts (Camborne) Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn, Bracken Headland (Newquay Hornets), Tom Tanswell (Penryn)

Conversions Oli Roberts (Camborne) 6

JASON LEONARD CUP UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

CORNWALL U.20, 46 – 15 DEVON U.20

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground Redruth.

Cornwall Under 20s produced a storming second half performance to shock last season’s finalists in this competition and in the process reclaim the Brunel Cup played for between the two sides.

In front of a packed grandstand Cornwall began playing up the slope.

Devon looked the stronger side early on taking the lead through a try scored by Rob Hennessy, who also added the conversion.

A penalty kicked to the corner by skipper Oscar Marr put Cornwall 5 meters out, from the catch and drive Ted Hocking went close. Devon gave away a penalty and from a tap man-of-the-match Jack Sherratt crashed over for an unconverted try.

Hennessy nudged Devon further ahead with a penalty before Alfie Brooksbank intercepted a Devon pass on half-way making good ground before his well-timed pass put Marr in for the try, which was bettered by Robbie Paul.

Cornwall defended just before keeping Devon out as they stormed the line, Hocking seeing yellow for an infringement. The score remained 12-10 to Cornwall at the break.

Cornwall came out fired up for the second half, Barney Lewis put in a great run following turnover ball from Sherratt.

A Cornish scrum 5 meters out saw a big drive from the black and gold pack with Fin Robinson scoring on his home ground, Paul missed the conversion but he made up for it moments later with a penalty to put Cornwall two scores ahead.

Devon weren’t finished back they came with a superb try in the corner finish off acrobatically by Nyakallo Makate.

That was as close Devon would get as Cornwall scored twenty-six unanswered points during the final quarter. Sherratt bagged his second, with Lewis Riley Raikes and Bracken Headland all crossing the line. Conversions from Paul and two from Headland completed the scoring.

Cornwall Under 20’s head coach Richie Kevern was delighted with his side’s showing. “I am delighted with this win, Devon have been finalists for the last two seasons, so to beat them is a feather in our cap. We knew this was going to be a tough one. We have worked hard the last few weeks and I was pleased the boys stuck to the game plan giving us the reward at the end.

“First half I thought our half-backs Alfie Brooksbank and Oscar Marr controlled the game well, Oscar put us in good positions. The pack also put in a huge effort, second half our forwards really put us on the front foot, the whole squad fully contributed today with the replacements bringing energy at the right time.”

Cornwall U.20s: Barney Lewis, Bracken Headland (both Newquay H), Sam Blake (Truro), Robbie Paul (Redruth), Jack Jones (Penryn), Oscar Marr (Penzance & N), Alfie Brooksbank (Camborne), Rosko Troughton (Helston), Ted Hocking (Penzance & N), Callum Johns (Launceston), Ed Boaden (Helston), Oli Wells (Redruth), Jack Sherratt (Helston), Oli Mount (Penryn), Fin Robinson (Redruth)

Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Archie Beetles (Wadebridge C), Riley Raikes (St. Austell), Dan Kent (Wadebridge C), Joel Pryor (Redruth), Jake Walker (Camborne), Ethan Taylor (Redruth), Dan Navas (St. Austell).

Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries Sharratt 16, 69 Marr 26, Robinson 49, Lewis 71, Raikes 73, Headland 78, Cons, Paul 27,72, Headland 74,79 Pen Paul 64

Cornwall Under 20’s look forward to your support in both their warm up fixtures ahead of this season’s Jason Leonard Cup games.

match kicks-off at 7:30 pm.

Camborne School of Mines game is cancelled