Good luck to all the squad for this Sunday’s game.
Cornwall Under 18s team to face Oxon U.18s
Tommy Adams R.I.P.
The CRFU are saddened to hear of the passing of Tommy Adams.
We extend our sincerest condolonces to Tommy’s family and friends and to all at Camborne RFC.
The following statement was released by Camborne RFC
On behalf of the Club, it was with great sadness that we heard of the passing earlier today of Tommy Adams at the age of 60.
He was a true ‘One Club’ man serving as 1st XV captain for two seasons from 1992-94 and also winning 8 caps for Cornwall.
Tommy was not only one of the Cherry & Whites finest players but also a larger than life character known throughout the rugby world.
He was a giant of a 2nd row forward and both talisman and enforcer of the ‘Town’ pack for many years. His try scoring exploits were legendary and he was always wonderful company off the field.
Tommy faced his health challenges in later life with characteristic fortitude and humour.
Condolences to all of Tommy’s family and friends.
Martin Symons
Club Chairman
Pete Joyce appointed Clubs XV Team Manager
New Cornwall Clubs XV Team Manager and Head Coach
Cornwall RFU are delighted to announce the appointment of Pete Joyce as the Cornwall Clubs XV Team Manager and Head Coach.
Pete is incredibly well known and respected within the Cornish rugby community. His stella playing career took him to some of the top clubs in the south west, these included Cornish Pirates, Taunton and Redruth. Apart from playing for Cornwall, Pete also played for England Counties.
Over recent years Pete has built a very strong personal reputation for helping to develop players and supporting the community game. He still regularly plays at Redruth Albany.
Kevin Thomas, Chair of Representative Rugby said “The CRFU are delighted to appoint Pete into the Cornwall Clubs role. He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience and he will provide real leadership to the Clubs XV squad”
For information: The Cornwall Clubs XV is selected from players playing at level 8 & 9 (Counties 2 Cornwall, Counties 3 Cornwall).
Community Game Update November
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| 1. IMPORTANT UPDATES Club Engagement – Have Your Say! As part of the member pledges we made earlier this year, we committed to enhancing engagement opportunities with our member clubs. We’re running local and national engagement sessions between January and April 2026 – find out how you can get involved and help shape the future of community rugby in this piece! Age Grade Updates – Prize Draws and Love Rugby! If you’ve got more age grade players than you did a year ago, there’s just a month to go to enter our age grade and girls registration prize draws! Also, find out more about our Love Rugby series for U9-U11 girls – with more than 40 events taking place between now and next summer – as well as details of the Try Love Rugby 4-week programme. How did RWC 2025 help your club? With the Women’s Rugby World Cup recently concluded, it’s been brilliant to already hear stories about how the tournament influenced interest and activity across the game. We would like to hear more about how the tournament impacted your club, from registration numbers to people trying our sport for the first time, and if you fill in the form you’ll be entered into a draw for tickets for your team to see the Red Roses play at the Allianz Stadium in April! READ ONLINE > |
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| 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST Regulation 15 Update – Consultation The RFU is reviewing Regulation 15, Age Grade Rugby and would welcome the input of coaches, teachers, team managers, volunteers and more to ensure all views are considered as part of any update. England Rugby Advanced Coaching Workshop 2026-27 From 17 November the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Workshop will be open for booking via GMS. The completion of the Workshop is essential to be able to book onto Part 1 of the England Rugby Advanced Coaching Award – Developing Advanced Coaching Practice. Subject Access Requests We have been made aware that many clubs have received Subject Access Requests from members and we will be running a webinar to give clubs the information and guidance that is needed to deal with such requests. Upcoming webinars and support available for your club! Find details and registration information for our upcoming webinars and support here. |
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| 3. FOR AWARENESS Digital Improvement Update – Ecal is live! Ecal is widely used by elite sports teams, and now you can follow our England International teams directly through it. Even better, we’re proud to be one of the first National Governing Bodies to offer this calendar feature to the community game, covering a wide range of teams and fixtures. Saving VAT on fundraising events With Bonfire Night just come and gone clubs are reminded that they can potentially save material levels of VAT by treating certain events as fundraising events. The relief enables all income, including bar income, generated at qualifying events as exempt from VAT. Community News – monthly round-up Read this month’s roundup of the best community rugby stories – and find out how to submit your own story. READ ONLINE > |
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Penryn Ladies, Women’s Team of the Month for October
A new monthly award by the CRFU.
Women’s Team of the Month…..
Training delayed slightly this evening whilst the Women’s Team were informed that they are our Team for October.
Penryn Ladies are reguarily fielding two sides with the first team playing in NC1 South West and the second team part of the Inner Warriors league.
The award is kindly sponsored by The Cornish Wine Company represented this evening by Josh Geary one of the company Directors.
Wishing Penryn all the best for this weekend.
Looking forward to selecting next months Womens Team.
Richard Sharp – R.I.P.
It is with great sorrow that we have been informed of the passing of Cornish rugby legend Richard Sharp who passed away on 3rd November.
CRFU President, Andy Reed a fellow British & Irish Lion, expressed his sadness at the news, on behalf of the CRFU he extended his condolences to Richard’s family and many friends.
The following is by Steve Murley CRFU Chair.
It is with deep sadness that we record the passing of Richard Sharp OBE, the former England and British & Irish Lions fly-half whose fine sporting talent was matched by a quiet dignity and unwavering sportsmanship. He died on 3 November 2025 at the age of 87.
Born on 9 September 1938 in Bangalore, India, to a mining engineer father educated at the Camborne School of Mines and a mother born in Redruth, Cornwall, Richard’s early life was rooted in the South West. After the family moved to England, he was educated at Montpelier School and then at Blundell’s School in Devon, before reading at Balliol College Oxford, where he won three rugby Blues between 1958 and 1961.
From his Cornwall heritage he developed a lifelong loyalty to his home county’s sporting life, both in rugby and cricket.
Richard began his club career with Redruth RFC in Cornwall, representing the club and his county with commitment and flair. At county level he played 28 times for Cornwall between 1957 and 1966. He also played for Wasps and Bristol. He also played for the famed Barbarians RFC.
Internationally, he earned 14 caps for England between 1960 and 1967, and captained the side, most notably leading England to the 1963 Five Nations title. In 1962 he was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa, playing in two Test matches.
His style on the field was celebrated for its elegance and precision — one contemporary described him as “probably the most elegant fly-half England ever had”.
Richard also made his mark in cricket representing Cornwall County Cricket Club in the Minor Counties Championship between 1957 and 1970, qualifying as an all-round sportsman of the Duchy.
Across his many roles—clubman, county stalwart, international captain—Richard Sharp was widely admired for the manner in which he carried himself. His conduct both on and off the field was marked by humility, fairness and respect for opponents. Many in Cornwall still recall not only his brilliance at fly‐half, but his generosity of spirit, his willingness to mentor younger players, and his steadfast loyalty to his roots. He was made an O.B.E. in 1986.
Though the records seldom quantify such attributes, those who encountered him remember him as a gentleman in every sense of the word.
Richard will be remembered not simply for the tries scored, the caps won or the tours undertaken—but for the person he was: quietly assured, respectfully modest, unwavering in his support for Cornwall and his sporting communities.
His passing will be mourned by his family, his many friends in Cornish and English sport, and all who valued not only his athletic talents but his character.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and to the communities—rugby, cricket, Cornwall—that he enriched so deeply.
Further details when known.
Sponsorship Workshop
Check above for details of this workshop which we feel sure will be of benefit to clubs in Cornwall.
President’s XV haul down Navy Under 23 colours
Cornwall Presidents XV 50 v Royal Navy U23s 12
Report by Paul Hayes, at Tregorrick Park
The Cornish rugby world came together to commemorate the memory of John Sumnall following the sad news of the passing of the former CRFU President. John was a true champion of the community game who embodied the traditional values of rugby. He would no doubt have approved of the minute silence in his honour before the kick-off impeccably observed by the players and a large crowd at Tregorrick. John was also an inherently modest and humble man who would have been embarrassed by the fuss being made and flushed at the many glowing tributes recollecting his immense contributions to the game. One thing is for sure; he would have been delighted at the match that followed – a fiercely competitive contest between two young sides determined to run the ball at every opportunity.
Despite being drawn from ten different Clubs the Cornwall squad quickly clicked into gear to put the Navy under pressure from the start. The high tempo was stretching the Navy to the edges, but it was the powerful forward surges that delivered the first points. Hooker Pete Harris finished a lineout maul that moved almost 20m at a rate of knots. Number Eight Finn Wolstencroft repeated the routine in the opposite corner, and the pack soon added another with flanker Hector Bright dotting down under a pile of bodies. Archie Bees added the conversion, and this was quickly followed by a penalty try to make it 24-0 after a ruthless opening quarter from Cornwall.
The Navy finally enjoyed some good possession on in dangerous areas but found the Cornish as adept in defence as they had been in attack. Another surge up field instigated by full back Archie Bees laid the foundations for a fifth Cornish try of the half with Finn Wolstencroft going over for his second of the evening. Pete Harris completed his brace and the final score of the half to make it 36-0 at the interval.
It was a rejuvenated Navy side that came out for the second period to show great heart and determination to stem the tide of Cornish scores. They dominated the third quarter to score two tries and one conversion to get themselves on the scoreboard. Both benches were now being emptied which broke the flow of the game as the changes took time to settle. Cornwall were being forced to defend for prolonged periods but did enough to prevent the Navy from adding to their two tries.
As the game entered the final ten minutes the Cornish team regained their earlier high tempo with the forwards providing quick ball for live wire scrum half Will Tanswell to spin out to an eager backline. With a penalty advantage being played, an astute cross field kick found winger Ollie Bebbington out wide who finished superbly in Apples Corner.
There was still time for Finn Wolstencroft to complete his hat-trick from a catch and drive in the same area. Ben Rosevear converted both tries to make the final score 50-12 to complete a great win for Cornwall and a good workout for the Navy ahead of their Inter-Services tournament. Above all else the match and the occasion was a fantastic tribute to former CRFU President John Sumnall.
The Tribute Player of the Match was Finn Wolstencroft selected by Vice Admiral Andy Burns. The hat-trick hero was pushed hard for the accolade by strong running prop Olly Derry, scrum half Will Tanswell who kept the Cornish team ticking, and hooker Pete Harris who was a constant thorn in the Navy side.
Cornwall President’s XV: Archie Bees (St. Austell), Rhys Williams (Exeter Uni & Helston), Jamie Stanlake (St. Austell), Harris Eddy (Penzance & Newlyn), Ollie Bebbington (Launceston), Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn), Will Tanswell (Camborne); Declan Prowse (Penzance & Newlyn), Pete Harris (St. Austell), Olly Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Mark Vian (St. Austell, Capt), Hector Bright (St. Austell), Will Symons (Wadebridge Camels), Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth).
Replacements: Rob Walsh (Saltash), Cam Leigh (Redruth), Rohan Ewels (Redruth), Will Perkin (St. Ives), Charlie Tumon (Launceston), Ben Rosevear (Helston), Jack Sander (Wadebridge Camels), Ben Wragg (Penzance & Newlyn).
Scorers
5 mins Pete Harris (St Austell RFC)
14 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC)
18 mins Hector Bright (St Austell RFC), Con: Archie Bees (St Austell RFC)
20 mins Penalty Try
22 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC), Con: Archie Bees (St Austell RFC)
33 mins Pete Harris (St Austell RFC)
HT 36-0
41 mins Charlie Over (RN)
45 mins RN try, George Edson (RN) 36-12
69 mins Ollie Bebbington (Launceston RC), Con Ben Rosevear (Helston RFC)
78 mins Finn Wolstencroft (Redruth RFC), Con Ben Rosevear (Helston RFC)
Cornwall President’s XV – Result
Cornwall President’s XV 50 – 12 Royal Navy Under 23s
Report to follow
John Sumnall RIP
It is with great sadness that the CRFU have been informed of the death of our past President John Sumnall.
At this stage we await further information and will post on here when we are able to.
Our President Andy Reed and all members of the CRFU Management Board offer their sincerest condolonces to John’s family and many friends.
There will be a minute’s silence in his memorary ahead of tomorrow night’s game at St. Austell when Cornwall President’s XV play the Royal Navy U.23s.
The following was written by our Chair Steve Murley.
It was with great sadness that the CRFU was told of John Sumnall’s recent passing.
John was a respected and dedicated past President of Cornwall RFU, a position where his
leadership helped shape the future of rugby across the county. His impact, however, reached beyond the administrative offices and onto the very heart of community rugby.
In 1993 he was the one of the founders and a driving force behind the Bolingey Barbarians,
serving as their inaugural Chair. This unique club, which raises vital funds for children’s
charities in Cornwall, perfectly encapsulated John’s blend of good humour, community spirit, and love for the game.
In addition, in 1999, John, along with others helped to form the Cornish branch of the
Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby. Their mission is to transform the lives of
disadvantaged and disabled children and young people through the power of rugby.
For many years, he was also a key and highly valued member of Perranporth RFC, where
his wisdom and commitment were instrumental to the club’s success and spirit. John was
Honorary Secretary for many years and helped to move the club from a small village team to the expanding network of youth and senior teams that flourishes today.
John acted as both Bolingey Barbarians and Perranporth RFC’s representative on the
CRFU. He sat on many CRFU committees, was meticulous in his preparations and
contributions and always gave wise and considered counsel.
In addition to his administrative and club roles, John was an accomplished ex-rugby referee.
His dedication to the whistle was such that he officiated not only across the UK but also in
South Africa, giving him a broad perspective and deep respect for the game’s global
community.
Over a 30 year involvement from 1997 to 2007 he took on many roles within the Cornwall
Rugby Referees Society ( CRRS ). He acted as Exchange Secretary, Secretary, Chairman,
RFU Assessor as well as representing the CRRS on CRFU Committees including
Disciplinary. During this time he was also asked to serve on the Executive Committee of the
CRFU and SW Society of Referees.
John became CRFU President in 2019, a well deserved recognition of the years of selfless
service he had given to Cornish rugby in many capacities. His involvement spanned local
community rugby to Senior County rugby, from refereeing the game to administering our
game and ensuring that rugby was utilised to make a contribution to those less fortunate.
John’s legacy is one of unwavering service, camaraderie, and a genuine desire to use rugby
as a force for good. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the entire Cornish rugby community whose lives he touched.
CRFU Handbook 25/26 season
The current handbook can be accessed here.
Important Information Ahead of New Season
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| MEN’S PRE-SEASON BRIEFING DOCUMENT With the new season fast approaching, this RFU Competitions pre-season briefing document has all the guidance you need on key information, including Adult Player Registration, League Competitions, and the Counties Community Cup Competitions. Information on the new playoff system for National and Regional Clubs can also be found. READ NOW > |
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| WOMEN’S PRE-SEASON BRIEFING DOCUMENT This document provides key updates on regulation changes, playoffs, the community cup and adult player registration for the women’s game. READ NOW > |
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| RFU COMMUNITY CUP DRAW The draw has been made for all clubs from Counties 1 and below, unless a team opted out of the competition. VIEW DRAW > |
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RFU Coaching Courses in Cornwall
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Book via GMS.
Vacancy for Youth & Education Lead
We have a vacancy within the CRFU for a Youth & Education Lead.
Please note this is a voluntary role.
This position is an important part of the Management Board structure, which administers rugby union within the county.
To register your interest, please submit your details by the 31st May and include the qualities and experience that you would bring to the particular role:
Jane Bell, Hon Secretary, Email: janebellcornishrugby@gmail.com ‘
Role discription below
Youth & Education Lead
Composition of Committee:
Chairs of following sub committees:
- Mini Junior Group
- 17/18 Group
Representatives from: - Girls U12/14/16/18
- Tertiary Colleges
- Schools’ 6th Form
- Administrator School of Rugby & Young Player Development
Remit: - Overarching responsibility for all rugby played to the age of 18 years.
- Encourage and support player centred rugby
- Reintroduce age-grade education days to ensure players, coaches & parents are in tune with Rugby’s
core values and any new rules of play that are applicable. - To submit written Reports to the Management Board (via Honorary Secretary)
- To support coaches at Club level to gain qualifications
- Support Clubs to increase number of qualified referees including young players as well as adults
(parents). - Ensure that coaching techniques across all representative sides is standardised so that player
transition across the age groups is seamless. - To create and maintain good relationships with schools and colleges.
- Promote attendance at CRFU Coaching functions/Advertise.
- Continuous review of players at club age grade
- Support the RFU Player Developer and Club Developer to garner good relationships with community
clubs and encourage the implementation of playing development courses across the CB. - Ensure that each Group responsible for arranging Representative rugby matches meets the conditions
laid down in RFU Regulation 9.2 (Player Safety) - Ensure the smooth transition from youth to senior rugby
- To create and maintain good working relations with Representative Managers
- To recommend to the Management Board persons suitable to fill the following posts:
o Team Managers for the following Representative XVs:
➢ U17 (Boys)
➢ U18 (Boys)
➢ U18 (Girls)
o Coaches for the following Representative XVs
➢ U17 (Boys)
➢ U18 (Boys)
➢ U18 (Girls)
Match Official Abuse from 1st January 2024
The RFU Head of Judiciary has issued new guidelines in respect of Match Official Abuse cases as and from 1st January 2024.
The CRFU policy of adding 1 week aggravation to proven cases has now been replaced by a national aggravation policy, which CRFU Disciplinary will be implementing immediately. The aggravation sanctions are now much more severe!
These new regulations DO NOT apply to Age Grade rugby. Therefore the CRFU 1 week aggravation for cases of Match Official Abuse will continue to be applied in any Age Grade cases.
Please read and take note of the new guidance in the link
Bill Hooper
CRFU Discipline Secretary
