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