We now know that we will face Hertfordshire Under 20s on Sunday 20th March kick-off 2 pm. Entry will be by programme £5, with Under 16s given free entry.
We look forward to your support at Camborne on Sunday 20th March.
Rugby Football Union
by Bill Hooper
We now know that we will face Hertfordshire Under 20s on Sunday 20th March kick-off 2 pm. Entry will be by programme £5, with Under 16s given free entry.
We look forward to your support at Camborne on Sunday 20th March.
by Bill Hooper
Aaron currently plays for Newquay Hornets RFC was recently presented with his U20’s cap by the CRFU President John Sumnall at his home club on their vice Presidents’ Day.
Aaron earned his tie on his first appearance for the U20’s back in February 2019. He was a regular squad member until the last game when Covid 19 struck in the away victory against Gloucestershire in March 2020. During the 2019/2020 season Arron also captained the Cornwall U20’s.
Had it not been for the pandemic he would have potentially made several further appearances and had his cap presented at one of the games in front of his teammates!
The CRFU President congratulated Aaron on his achievement and wished him well in his future rugby career.
by Bill Hooper
JASON LEONARD CUP
Dorset & Wilts U.20, 7 – 64 Cornwall U.20
By Bill Hooper, Photos Simon Bryant @Iktisphoto
Cornwall took on Dorset & Wilts in their second pool game at Dorchester RFC looking to confirm a place in this season’s quarter-finals.
The Black and Golds made a couple of changes to the side that started against Devon with Harry Andrewartha (Redruth) coming in for the injured Charlie Levick at centre, whilst in the back row Jack King (Camborne) replaced Eli Williams.
On the bench Matt Pritchard (Falmouth), Dillon Newton (Wadebridge Camels) and Adam Hall (Redruth) all came in.
Prior to the kick-off there was a minute’s silence held in memory of Graham Still.
Any nerves that the Cornish lads may have had were quickly dispelled as they took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck from the off building a 45-0 lead by half-time.
Truro wing Lewis Bostock got the try feast going as he bagged the first of his brace, with fly-half Joe McCarthy, Camborne School of Mines kicking the first of his five conversions. McCarthy was on the money soon after with a successful penalty.
The forwards then got amongst the try-scoring with the Camborne pair Tyler Dower and Declan Prowse crossing whilst Pirates Amateurs No.8 Archie Pilcher scored his second try in two games.
The backs got back into the scoring with vice-captain Joss Pascoe scoring with his centre partner Redruth’s Harry Andrewartha also dotting down just before half-time.
In the second half Cornwall looked to the bench to give all the lads a run. Skipper Ethan Pearce-Cowley completed the front-row try scoring, whilst McCarthy bagged a try to give him an eighteen point haul for the game. Hall added the extras as he did for the final try scored by Pritchard, in between Bostock got his second.
Dorset & Wilts did cross for a converted try near the end but it was no more than a consolation.
Coach Richie Kevern was delighted with the win. “We couldn’t of asked more from the lads today, they played their hearts out and got their reward of a home tie in the last eight. We will be back training next weekend preparing for that game.”
The win confirms Cornwall as group winners and they can now look forward to a home quarter-final against either Hertfordshire or Kent on Sunday March 20th
Cornwall U.20: Larkins, Bostock, Andrewartha, Pascoe, Surridge, McCarthy, Anderson; Pearce-Cowley (Capt), Dower, Prowse, Walton, Osborne, King, Trewin, Pilcher.
Replacements: Pritchard, Leigh, Newton, Triggs, Hall, Tanswell, Davies
Cornwall scores: Tries, Bostock 2, Dower, Prowse, Pilcher, Pascoe, Andrewartha, Pearce-Cowley, McCarthy, Pritchard, Cons: McCarthy 5, Hall 2, Pen, McCarthy
by Bill Hooper
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2022 continues with their second and final pool game to be played on Sunday 6 February. Cornwall travel to Dorchester RFC where they will take on Dorset and Wilts with a 13:00 kick off.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “Following a fantastic fightback from these young guys v Devon two weeks ago they are now on the road to play Dorset + Wilts. In their first game they certainly displayed plenty of grit and passion to come back and record a bonus point win. A big thanks to everyone who came to Camborne to support the team last week, our sponsors, and to all involved in the planning to ensure the U20’s are as prepared as they can be for their next game.”
This is Cornwall’s second and last pool game in the competition, whilst Devon play Dorset and Wilts at home on Sunday February 28th.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “Cornwall guys will have learnt a lot from the game v Devon, it was tough, and hard fought throughout the game. The guys displayed true fighting spirit and will need to show that again on Sunday against an unknown Dorset and Wilts team who have won promotion into this division of the Jason Leonard Cup”
Cornwall owe a big debt to the people behind the scenes, the medical team, kit man Paul Hurrell, along with match video David Burrows, photographer Simon Bryant and multimedia Kevin Bishop along with the support of the CRFU management board.
Cornwall Captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley said, – “It was certainly a very big tester for us last weekend against Devon. With the score so close I must give credit to all the lads to eventually come out on top through all their tough work. This was the first opportunity we had to play a competitive game in this competition and the coaches had warned us of the pressure we would experience. The selection of this second team will again mean some guys will be disappointed not to be in the mix, but as already said, nobody’s shirt is fixed. For those who will run out with me on the 6th, we have a big task ahead of us, I’m confident in our ability but we need to perform from the off. There’s a good atmosphere off the back of our win over Devon and we’re up for this next match too”
Depending on this result, and the game on the 28th of February Devon v Dorset + Wilts will determine the quarter-finals placings.
The CRFU Hon Sec Terry Williams said, -” The last game saw 18 ties awarded to players who played their first senior game in the black and gold shirt. It is also difficult when a number of these players are involved with their own clubs on a Saturday and then turn out for training or games for us on a Sunday. We are fortunate that players have the will and desire to be involved and turn up and put themselves in the mix for selection.”
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 Colin Hatch in the first instance.
Email – hatch0348@btinternet.com
Mob – 07967725368
Bill Hooper
Cornwall RFU Assistant Hon Sec
31/01/22
Cornwall U20 v Dorset & Wilts U20
Sunday 6 February @ Dorchester RFC 13:00 kick off
Cornwall Squad
1 | Ethan Pearce-Cowley (Captain) | Cinderford |
2 | Tyler Dower | Camborne |
3 | Declan Prowse | Camborne |
4 | Pat Walton | Penryn |
5 | Toby Osborne | Pirates Ams |
6 | Jack King | Camborne |
7 | Freddie Trewin | Helston |
8 | Archie Pilcher | Pirates Ams |
9 | Josh Anderson | Truro |
10 | Joe McCarthy | Camborne School of Mines |
11 | Lachlan Surridge | Camborne |
12 | Joss Pascoe ( V Captain) | Truro |
13 | Harry Andrewartha | Redruth |
14 | Lewis Bostock | Truro |
15 | Harry Larkins | Camborne |
16 | Matt Pritchard | Falmouth |
17 | Cameron Leigh | Redruth |
18 | Dillon Newton | Wadebridge Camels |
19 | Connor Triggs | Truro |
20 | Adam Hall | Redruth |
21 | Joe Tanswell | Penryn |
22 | Jack Davis | Royal Navy + Camborne |
Travelling reserves | ||
23 | Max Cardwell | Pirates Ams |
24 | Eli Williams | Pirates Ams |
25 | Oliver Minnis | St Austell |
26 | George Hutchinson | St Austell |
Coaches – Rich Kevern, Tyler Gendall, Adam Kevern, Brad Howe
Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams
Medical cover – Nev Curnow + Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop
by Bill Hooper
Many thanks to Kevin Bishop and Dave Burrows for the making of this, much appreciated.
by Bill Hooper
RICHIE KEVERN’S THOUGHTS POST MATCH
By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne
It turned out to be a very satisfying weekend for Cornwall Under 20 Coach Richie Kevern, not only did he score Redruth’s opening try in their National League 2 South win against Hinckley on Saturday, he oversaw, along with fellow coach Tyler Gendall, the Under 20’s dramatic win against old foes Devon 25-24 in the opening Jason Leonard Cup pool game.
After the game at Camborne on Sunday, Richie had a big smile on his face. “That was a tight one. At half-time we realised we needed to get back to the basics, keep the ball in-hand, use our forwards and look to make Devon force the errors, fair play they got their rewards.
Richie was full of praise for the pack. I thought our forwards carried well, both locks Pat Walton and Toby Osborne, whilst in the back row Freddie Trewin put in a lot of work and was a real menace at the breakdown. Both props skipper Ethan Pearce-Cowley and Declan Prowse made a lot of meters.
Richie was also full of admiration for the performance of fly-half Joe McCarthy, “I thought he had a stand out game, his kicking from hand, passing and breaks really put us on the front foot. Also our full-back Harry Larkins had a great game creating something from nothing, a beautifully balanced runner with a step to die for. I think that final flourish at the end summed the confidence the lad has, he really enjoys his rugby.
“Playing an expansive game is our goal, we tried some good things today, it didn’t always come off, but with just one warm-up game under our belts I think next time out we will be that much better from the experience of today. You learn only so much on the training pitch, it’s by playing the game that you truly learn to better yourself.
Richie’s thoughts now turn to their second game against Dorset & Wilts. “The lads will have learned a lot from today, we will fine tune some aspects and look to build on this result next time out.”
by Bill Hooper
JASON LEONARD CUP
CORNWALL U.20’s 25 – 24 DEVON U.20’s
By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne
Three tries during the second half saw Cornwall Under 20’s overturn an 8-17 half-time deficit and become the inaugural holders of the Brunel Cup, a trophy that they and Devon Under 20’s will compete for on an annual basis.
Cornwall began the game well and were quickly into their stride with the forwards making some big carries, whilst outside the backs looked sharp, notably full-back Harry Larkins.
Sadly, Cornwall had to re-shuffle the backline when centre Charlie Levick went off with a muscle pull after just 6 minutes.
It got worse when Devon wing Cameron Grizzle-Johnson sliced through the Cornish defence before linking with his full-back Fred Smale who romped in for the opening try, converted by fly-half Bradley McKee.
Helston’s Freddie Trewin at flanker was a constant thorn in Devon’s side, a huge workrate.
Cornwall got on the scoreboard with a penalty struck by School of Mines fly-half Joe McCarthy, but Devon soon extended their lead when a bouncing ball bamboozled the Cornish defence allowing Devon centre Sam Plumer to snap up the ball and score his side’s second try, McKee was once more on the money with the extras.
Cornwall needed a swift response, it came as the forwards drove, notably locks Toby Osborne, Pat Walton and prop Declan Prowse before McCarthy put in a cross-field kick that Camborne wing Lachlan Surridge gleefully accepted to dive in at the corner for an unconverted try.
A Mckee penalty before half-time gave Devon their half-time advantage, but Cornwall would have the slope and the wind second half.
The forwards would prove key during the second half as Cornwall kept it tighter, a powerful maul just four minutes in saw Pirates Amateurs No.8 Alfie Pilcher stretch and score. Moments later another powerful maul saw Cornwall head for the Devon line this time hooker Camborne’s Tyler Dower dotted down and astonishingly Cornwall now led!
Cornwall pressed for the bonus point try deep in the Devon twenty-two, suddenly the ball was intercepted by the menacing Grizzle-Johnson, there was no stopping the flyer as he sped to the Cornish line, McKee’s conversion put Devon 6 points up, all to do again!
There was still time for a final twist, Cornwall roared back, McCarthy’s deft kick through bounced up kindly for the on-rushing replacement Camborne’s Jack Davis, who gathered to dot down.
McCarthy picked the right moment to land his first conversion of the match to regain the lead for Cornwall to huge roars from the crowd to huge cheers from the West Bank.
Devon threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Cornwall during the dying minutes, but Cornwall’s defence would not yield, Devon attempted a drop-goal that fell short, gathered by Larkins he set off on a memorable run up-field that ran down the clock and the relief of the referee’s final whistle.
In two week’s time Cornwall travel to Dorchester to take on Dorset & Wilts in their final group game.
Cornwall U.20: Larkins (Camborne), Bostock (Truro), Levick (Penryn), Pascoe (Truro), Surridge (Camborne), McCarthy (CSOM), Anderson (Truro); Pearce-Cowley (Cinderford)(Capt), Dower, Prowse (both Camborne), Walton (Penryn), Osborne, Williams (both Pirates Ams), Trewin (Helston), Pilcher (Pirates Ams).
Replacements: Leigh (Camborne), Cardwell (Pirates Ams), Minnis (St.Austell), Triggs (Truro), King (Redruth), Tanswell (Penryn), Davis (Camborne & R.N.)
Referee: Donald Swart (Dorset&Wilts)
by Bill Hooper
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2022 gets underway with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team host neighbours Devon for their first pool game of the competition. The game will be played at Camborne RFC with a 1400 kick off time.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “It is great to get this year’s campaign off with a local tie against our neighbours Devon. We thank all our sponsors for their support and assistance with this group of players in this important game representing Cornwall. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played.”
Cornwall have named Ethan Pearce-Cowley (Cinderford) as the captain for the season, Ethan came through the ranks at St. Austell RFC and was capped by England Counties U.18’s alongside him is Truro RFC’s Joss Pascoe who is the vice-captain.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “This will be a good test for this new set of young players. Having missed all last season with covid this is virtually a start from scratch team and a big step up for them all. Although we have had only one warm up game, we are in a different ball game now that the Championship is underway. 2 years ago, we were beaten by Devon at Ivybridge, and we know the guys in green and white will be up for a tough game again this season.”
Cornwall has maintained the same coaching set again with Tyler Gendall, Brad Howe coaching the forwards and Adam Kevern and Richie Kevern coaching the backs.
Cornwall Captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley said, – “It is an honour to be asked to captain the side for this season. I know the guys are up for a tough campaign as always and have trained well in preparation for this game. This is my first and only season with the 20’s and I know that it is a tough competition, and we will have to perform at our best in every game. We have had great numbers at training, and I know some guys will be disappointed not to be in the team, but this is a squad for the season so keep pushing us for those places.”
Cornwall ‘s second pool game will be away to Dorset & Wilts at Dorchester RFC on Sunday February 6. As Gloucestershire have not entered this year’s competition, we only have the 2 pool games and so results are important if we want to progress.
The CRFU Hon Sec Terry Williams said, -” The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. This year due to Covid we have lost 2 years’ worth of experience and knowledge. So, we start to build again with a mixture of players transitioning from the U18’s, new players identified and nominated from clubs around the county. There are a number of these guys who will be around for the next 2 seasons and we are always on the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join them over the coming seasons.”
Entry on the day will be by programme costing £5 on the gate with Under 16’s entering free.
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 Colin Hatch in the first instance.
Email – hatch0348@btinternet.com
Mob – 07967725368
Cornwall Squad
1 | Ethan Pearce-Cowley (Captain) | Cinderford |
2 | Tyler Dower | Camborne |
3 | Declan Prowse | Camborne |
4 | Pat Walton | Penryn |
5 | Toby Osborne | Pirates Ams |
6 | Eli Williams | Pirates Ams |
7 | Freddie Trewin | Helston |
8 | Archie Pilcher | Pirates Ams |
9 | Josh Anderson | Truro |
10 | Joe McCarthy | Camborne School of Mines |
11 | Lachlan Surridge | Camborne |
12 | Joss Pascoe ( Vice Captain) | Truro |
13 | Charlie Levick | Penryn |
14 | Lewis Bostock | Truro |
15 | Harry Larkins | Camborne |
16 | Cameron Leigh | Redruth |
17 | Max Cardwell | Pirates Ams |
18 | Oliver Minnis | St Austell |
19 | Connor Triggs | Truro |
20 | Jack King | Redruth |
21 | Joe Tanswell | Penryn |
22 | Jack Davis | Royal Navy + Camborne |
Travelling reserves | ||
23 | Matt Trehair | St Austell |
24 | Lewis Woolaway | Saltash |
25 | Adam Hall | Redruth |
26 | George Hutchinson | St Austell |
Coaches – Rich Kevern, Tyler Gendall, Adam Kevern, Brad Howe
Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams
Medical cover – Dr John Garman, Sam West + Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop
by Bill Hooper
Please find attached the team sheet for tomorrow nights game v Redruth XV.
For obvious reasons there are no Redruth players in our squad but a number of U20’s will be playing against us so we can see as many players as possible.
Eleven different clubs represented as well so good spread from the clubs who have supported the nominations process.
We have selected Ethan Pearce-Cowley as the captain for tomorrow night, he has already shown good leadership skills, commitment and has a wealth of experience in rugby.
Cornwall U20’s v Redruth XV
Wednesday 8 December Hayle RFC 1930 kick off
Replacements
Tyler Dower – Camborne
Matt Boothby – St Austell
Matt Trehair – St Austell
Lewis Woolaway – Saltash
Connor Triggs – Truro
Dillon Newton – Newquay Hornets
Joe Maunder – St Austell
Dominic Tresidder – Camborne
Jack Counter – Wadebridge Camels
Kai Sale – Penryn
Ethan Knight – Truro
Andrew Walsh – Saltash
Team Manager – Colin Hatch
Coaches – Rich Kevern, Tyler Gendall, Adam Kevern.
Medical – Dr John Garman, Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell
Photographs -Simon Bryant
Match Filming David Burrows
Multi-media – Kevin Bishop
by Bill Hooper
Over 50 players assembled at Truro RFC last Sunday as the Cornwall Under 20 squad launched their preparations for this season’s Jason Leonard Cup campaign that will commence in January.
Everyone was welcomed by CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter.
Once again Tyler Gendall and Richie Kevern head up the coaching staff with Adam Kevern assisting.
Part of the day was given to the President’s Challenge, team manager Colin Hatch takes up the story. “
As part of the 150 anniversary of the RFU, both the RFU President and our own President John Sumnall challenged individuals and teams to raise money for the Injured Players Foundation with the theme of “150”.
He added. “50+ players attended and each completed 3 laps of the Truro pitch making a total of 150 laps completed. All of the players and the back room staff were also required to donate 100 pennies this was then enhanced so that for every 100 pennies a further 50 pennies was donated making a total of 150 form everybody attending. The total raised was £100 pounds for the injured players foundation which is an excellent commitment from these young players.
“Thanks to one and all for participating”.
The squad will now meet up on a regular basis with a couple of warm up games programmed ahead of the championship.