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

PRESS RELEASE

CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

2026 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship home campaign 2026 continues as we enter the knockout stages of this season’s Jason Leonard Cup. Cornwall host Berkshire RFU who werethe Southwest pool 1 winners. The game will take place on Sunday 3rdMay with a 1400 kick off time at Redruth RFC.

CRFU President Andy Reed said “This is an opportunity for theseguys to progress within this year’s competition. Last week the table showed us first after a fantastic victory over Somerset and Southwest pool 2 winners. The guys had to work hard to overcome a first half deficit, showed real grit and determination to overcome a strong Somerset team to earn this home quarterfinal”.

Cornwall won their first game at home to Devon by 46 – 15 and more importantly denied Devon any points in what proved to be a tight pool.
The second game Cornwall earned maximum points with a 35 – 47 victory over Somerset who had also lost their first game against Devon.

Coach Rich Kevern said – “We asked for a massive performance against Somerset and the boys certainly put in a great shift and produced a superb win after a shaky first 30 minutes. We now must
prepare for Berkshire on Sunday who topped southwest pool 1 and need another massive performance. We are now into knockout rugby, win and we progress or lose and end of season”.

The game will be played at Redruth RFC with a 1400 kick off time.

Cornwall Captain Oscar Marr said, – “Every game we play now is crucial and we will not get another second chance. For several players including myself this is our last season with the U20 and so we must perform on the day. I know the boys are up for the challenge. At the end of the day, we will put out the best team available to us and give 110% whilst wearing the black and gold shirt. As a group we really have appreciated the support at home and especially away last week at Burnham on Sea and hope the Black and Gold army will be out in force on Sunday to lift us and cheers us on”.

The winner of this game will face the winner of the Hertfordshire v Kent game and will be played on Sunday 17th May.

The CRFU Chair Steve Murley said, -” Logistically this causes teams some headaches, with the senior women also playing on the Saturday at Falmouth RFC. These are challenges that the support staff deal with to ensure both teams get the same level of support they need and deserve. As most leagues fixtures have now ended hopefully club v county dilemma will be avoided and a fully firing team will be put out to face Berkshire. A big thank you to Redruth RFC, all our supporters and sponsors, the players, coaches, and backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support
all our teams”.

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 the CRFU in the first instance.
Commercial-development@crfu.co.uk

Email – ljc80@aol.com
Mob – 07967054826

Cornwall U20 v Berkshire

Sunday 3rd May @ Redruth RFC 1400 kick off.

TEAM
1 Rosko Troughton Helston
2 Ted Hocking Penzance & Newlyn
3 Callum Johns Launceston
4 Dan Kent Wadebridge Camels
5 Ed Boaden Helston
6 Oli Wells Redruth
7 Joel Pryor Redruth
8 Fin Robinson Redruth
9 Alfie Brooksbank Camborne
10 Oscar Marr (Captain) Penzance & Newlyn
11 Oli Roberts Camborne
12 Robbie Paul Redruth
13 Marley Johns Redruth
14 Bracken Headland Newquay Hornets
15 Barney Lewis Newquay Hornets

Impact Players
16 Leo Armstrong-Lever Helston
17 Archie Beetles Wadebridge Camels
18 Riley Raikes St Austell
19 Dan Bennett St Austell
20 Jack Jenkin Helston
21 Jake Walker Camborne
22 Tom Tanswell Penryn
23 Sam Blake Truro

TR Harry Derry Wadebridge Camels
TR Callum Phillips Wadebridge Camels

Coaches – Rich Kevern, Brad Howe, David Mankee, Jack Hazelton
Team Manager LJ Collick, Colin Hatch
Medical cover – Ronnie Bartlett + Hen Gard
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant,

Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop, Bethan Jones

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