CORNWALL 45 – 0 DEVON
By Bill Hooper at Tregorrick Park.
Cornwall defended the Tamar Cup in style last night at a wet and windy Tregrorrick Park in front of a four figure crowd who braved the elements.
Star of the show was unquestionably St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd who captained Cornwall on the night scoring three tries and kicking five conversions not only that his kicking from hand was top draw as were his line breaks.
Cornwall were forced into a late change as Tom Duncan had to withdraw. Andy Inch moved to No.8, whilst Cameron Taylor stepped up from the bench into the backrow. James Lambourn coming in on the bench.
Cornwall kicked off and immediately set about their task with some strong carries by forwards and backs.
Play was at times scrappy in the conditions; slowly Cornwall began to get the upper hand.
Shepherd slipped through the Devon cover to score the opening try after 11 minutes to get the scoreboard ticking over.
Good work by wing Jack Kessell helped set up Shepherd’s second try which he finished off in the corner for an unconverted try.
Cornwall’s forward drove hard with both props Dan Job and Declan Prowse making hard yards whilst both Inch and Camel’s lock Rupert Edwards worked hard all night.
Devon came more into it has half-time approached. Cornwall lost lock Mark Vian to the sin-bin. Centre Jake Smith almost got in for Devon but Cornwall’s defence held firm. Cornwall got to half-time with a 12-0 advantage.
Josh Semmens for Cornwall seemed to be in thick of the action as was fellow centre Sam Parsons. Eventually Cornwall got the third try when fly-half Aaron Simmonds squeezed over.
Soon after Pirate Amateur’s Rhys Brownfield, who had been busy since coming on, spied a gap to cut through for Cornwall’s fourth try of the night.
Despite both sides emptying their benches, Cornwall maintained the tempo with Shepherd completing his hat-trick of tries, having again cut through the defence.
The biggest cheer of the night was for St. Austell’s replacement wing Dan Tyrrell who bolted into the corner off a Semmens pass to score with aplomb.
The final try for Cornwall came from one of Camborne’s heroes of the season, flanker Jordan Nicholls to score under the posts.
Skipper Shepherd stepped up after the final whistle to receive the Tamar Cup from Cornwall RFU President John Sumnall.
Cornwall (St. Austell, unless stated): Shepherd (Capt), Kessell (Camborne), Parsons, Semmens (Pirate Ams), Levick (Penryn), Simmonds (Camborne), Boyce; Job, Davey, Prowse (Camborne), Vian, Edwards (Wadebridge Camels), Taylor, Nicholls (Camborne), Inch.
Replacements: Bentham (Devonport Services), Southworth (Camborne), Heazelton (Camborne), Lambourn (Pirate Ams), Jolly (Camborne), Brownfield (Pirate Ams), Sidwell (Camborne), Tyrrell.
Cornwall scores: Tries, Shepherd 11, 25, 62, Simmonds 52, Brownfield 59, Tyrrell 76, Nicholls 79, Cons: Shepherd 12, 53, 60, 77, 80.
Dave Burrows match footage can be viewed on Youtube
