Cornwall President’s XV, 27 – 19 Crawshay’s Welsh

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground

In an entertaining game the President’s XV got the better of their Welsh visitors on a heavy, sticky Camborne pitch.

Playing up the slope first half the President’s XV enjoyed early pressure, however as is often the case in games when players come together at short notice the error count was high.

Eventually the President’s XV got the first try scored by Redruth’s Finn Wolstencroft from a short-range drive.

A sweeping move from the President’s XV deserved a score with centres Cam Fogden, Jamie Stanlake and scrum-half Ben Rosevear all involved, only desperate Crawshay’s defence denying the try.

Crawshay’s came more into the game, a fine run down the grandstand touchline by Kristian Jones led up to their opening try scored by skipper Matt Jacobs. Joseph Scrivens adding the extras for the lead.

Crawshay’s continued to press President’s full-back Ben Wragg had to be alert to prevent a Crawshay’s try touching down in goal.

Just before half-time Crawshay’s got their second try through wing Ben Evans, Scrivens again on the money with the conversion. 14-5 to Crawshay’s at the break.

The President’s XV got off to a great start at the beginning of the second half. Fine play from Ben Plummer and Stanlake set up Rosevear for an unconverted try.

A yellow card for Crawshay’s put them under further pressure, Ben Hancock went close for the President’s XV before Hector Bright having just come on powered over for an unconverted try and regain the lead for the President’s XV.

Bright then managed to exploit some confusion in the Crawshay’s line to bag his second try of the game before the industrious Hancock completed the President’s haul of tries which Oscar Marr converted.

Crawshay’s had the final say when Evans went in at the corner late in the game. St. Austell’s centre Jamie Stanlake was named man-of-the-match.

Cornwall PresidentsXV: Ben Wragg, Ben Plummer, Cam Fogden, Jamie Stanlake, Ollie Bebbington, Oscar Marr, Ben Rosevear; Declan Prowse, Rory Mead, Olly Derry, Tom Daniel, Mark Vian (Capt), Charlie Tummon, Ben Hancock, Finn Wolstencroft.

Replacements (all used): Levent Bulut, Ethan Pearce-Cowley, Archie Rolls, Rupert Edwards, Hector Bright, Dan Tyrrell, Ed Cooke.

Crawshay’s Welsh: Lewis Bates, Ben Evans, Matthew Jacobs (Capt), Kristian Jones, Dan Dunmore, Joseph Scrivens, Jakob Williams; Lewis Pryce-Jones, Aneurin Jenkins, Josh Gay, Seth Butler, Jake Duffy, Will Gregory, Shaun Tennant, Evren Ozbilen.

Replacements (all used): Archie Ivens, Efan Passmore, Michael Van den Berg, Logan Woskett, Dylan Roberts, Reuben Lynch, Kallum Rosser, Jake Lloyd.

Referee: Will Williams (Cornwall RRS)

With many Cornish rugby pitches unplayable following the recent horrendous weather the CRFU hired all weather pitches to allow some clubs who had been worst affected to play rugby on 31st January. There was no charge to the clubs who played.

Four games took place at Callywith College while Truro College staged two games. At Callywith two Colts games took up the morning session whilst two senior games were played in the afternoon. It was only possible to play one Colts game and one Senior game at Truro.

Teams ranging from St Just to Launceston, Saltash to Bude and all points in-betwen took part. In total with six games taking place we think something like 500 of our rugby community comprising players, coaches, physios, touch judges and supporters enjoyed their fix of rugby. In addition Will Hancock a recent graduate of the recent Ready2Ref course held at St Austell made his senior refereeing debut.  

Many thanks to all who made this possible and in particular Dave Saunter (pictured above with Bodmin RFC players) and Lee Maher for their sterling work on and off the field