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Cornwall name team for first County Championship game

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CORNWALL NAME SIDE FOR COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP OPENER

By Bill Hooper

The selectors have announced the Cornwall side to face Somerset on Saturday May 6th at Redruth, kick-off 3 pm.

The side shows 13 players from last year’s Cup winning squad, amongst them new captain Fraser Honey.

As expected Redruth players make up the bulk of the side, with healthy contributions from both Camborne and St. Austell.

Chairman of Selectors Kevin Thomas said. “Training sessions have gone well, players have looked sharp and have all given the selectors and coaches a range of choice with most positions.

“It’s a big ask for players to commit to almost another full month of competitive rugby off the back of a long hard season.

“Cornish rugby is special, that’s why our players are so keen to commit, they can add to the Cornish legacy and help write their own bit of history.

He went on to add. “It’s a bit of a challenge bringing together players from all over the Country. We have filmed the sessions and sent videos to some players that couldn’t get to all sessions.

“Representative rugby is very different to club rugby, a bunch of players selected from different clubs thrust together to play competition rugby. It’s about if you are willing to fit in as much as your raw talent.” 

Scrum-half Mike Austin, a product of Falmouth RFC, who scored the clinching try in last year’s final, makes the starting line up, whilst young Freddie Stevenson (Bude) comes in to partner Camborne’s Jack Heazelton in the second row.

Trelawny’s Army Player of the Year last season St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd, who has been in stellar form this season with the promotion winning Saints, starts at full-back.

The bench has experience; none more so than former captain Ben Hilton and prop Craig Williams. Sam Walker, another who began his playing with Falmouth and was pivotal in Cornwall Under 20’s Jason Leonard Cup win last season has a very good kicking game if required. Speed also from St. Austell wing Konnor Ewudzi, whilst Josh Semmens had a good outing in the Tamar Cup in March.

Ahead of Saturday’s game skipper Honey had this to say. “Training has gone very well over the past couple of weeks and the boys are chomping to get out on the pitch and put into practice the moves we have been learning. Hopefully, that will put us in a great place going into the game.

“We don’t know too much about the Somerset side, that allows us to concentrate on our own game, if we implement that then we will be in a good place.

“The squad are buzzing to be playing at Redruth in front of our supporters; we hope there is a good crowd to give us that extra 16th man to drive the boys on.”

Cornwall travel to Havant next week to play Hampshire before rounding off their group games at Camborne against Kent on May 20th.

Entry on the gate is £10 with Under 16s free.

Cornwall: Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Jack Kessell (Camborne), Jack Simmons (Redruth), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), Sam Parsons (St. Austell), Fraser Honey (Redruth, Capt), Mike Austin (Cinderford); Luke Barnes, Richard Brown, Jess Tompsett (all Redruth), Jack Heazelton (Camborne), Freddie Stevenson (Bude), Edd Pascoe, Sam Stevens, Ben Fox (all Redruth).

Replacements: Tommy-Lee Southworth (Camborne), Craig Williams (Redruth), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Sam Walker (Exeter Uni), Konnor Ewudzi (St. Austell), Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams). 

Cornwall Women name side to face Oxfordshire Women in Gill Burns opener

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By Bill Hooper

As expected Cornwall Women have gone with a strong contingent from Launceston Ladies for their opening Gill Burns Division 2 game against Oxfordshire Women on Sunday May 7th at Polson Bridge Launceston RC kick-off 2 pm.

There are eight survivors from last season’s Gill Burns Division 3 final in Sunday’s match day squad, including Captain Amy Bunt.

Coach Jo Holden had this to say ahead of Sunday’s game. “After last year’s triumph, I am unbelievably proud to still be part of this amazing process. The buy in we have had from all the women this year has been incredible and they are constantly raising the bar. Our aim will always be to elevate women’s rugby and from the amount of women now involved across the county, I hope we are on the right track and can play this campaign with the same amount of passion we showed last year”.

Entry to the game at Polson Bridge on Sunday is £5 by programme, a first for a Cornwall Women’s match, a special souvenir in itself, with Under 16s free.

The ladies will appreciate a good crowd to come along and cheer them on, so don the black and gold and cheer like mad for Cornwall.

With Somerset Women having withdrawn from the competition a win on Sunday will see Cornwall Women through to the Division 2 semi-finals.

Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Lydia Hawkins (Falmouth), Jo Roberts (Plymstock AO), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Amy Warman (Launceston); Mel Ruby (Launceston), Jenna Arnold (Launceston), Josie Ninnis (Penryn), Megan Arnold (Launceston), Sian Westgarth (Truro), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Rhiannon Thomas (Launceston), Katherine Wherry (Ivybridge).

Replacements: Kim Upcott (Launceston), Lara Wallace (Camborne), Caitlin Milliken  (Camborne), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO), Lisa Allin (Bude), Rebecca Bennett (Truro), Bryher Freight (Truro).

Travelling Reserves: Oz Brazier (Truro), Laura Outten (Camborne)

Cornwall make one change for Dorset & Wilts

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Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2023 continues as we enter the knock-out stages of this seasons Jason Leonard Cup. Cornwall travel to North Dorset RFC on Sunday 7th May to take on Dorset and Wilts who were SW regional pool 1 winners.

CRFU President John Sumnall said “This is an opportunity for these guys to progress within this year’s competition. Last week the table showed us second after a fantastic victory over Somerset which meant that we were out of this season’s competition however, with several counties being deducted points included our neighbours Devon, it means Cornwall top Southwest pool 2”.

Cornwall narrowly lost their first game away to Devon 35 – 29 but came away with 2 losing bonus points. The second game Cornwall earned maximum points with a 38 – 28 victory over Gloucestershire whilst denying them a losing bonus point. Cornwall won handsomely in their last pool game 79 – 19 over Somerset.

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. We now must travel to Dorset and Wilts who topped Southwest pool 1 on Sunday and need another big performance. We are now into knock-out rugby, win and we progress or lose and end of season”.

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

Cornwall Captain Joss Pascoe 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, but we also know some face a club v county dilemma. 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”.

Cornwall make one change with Joss Pascoe moving to the bench and Jack Statton who had a powerful performance from the bench on the last outing earning the starting 13 shirt. Will Perkin (pictured above) takes over the captaincy role whilst Matt Pritchard at hooker takes up the vice captains’ role for this game. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Essex v Hampshire game and will be played on Sunday 21 May.

CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said. ” Logistically this causes all teams some headaches, with the senior men playing on the Saturday the senior women and the U20’s playing on the Sunday and of course this is the same day as the Papa John’s finals, which several Cornish could be involved in! A big thank you to all our supporters and sponsors, the players, coaches, and backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support all our teams”.

Cornwall U.20: H Penhallurick (Falmouth), L Bostock (Truro), J Statton (Launceston), J Stanlake (St. Austell), L Surridge (Camborne), N Dart (Camborne), J Walker (Falmouth); M Cardwell (Pirates Ams), M Pritchard (Falmouth), M Boothby, J Maunder (both St. Austell), W Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), W Eddy (Pirates Ams), B Jones (Perranporth), C Triggs (Truro).

Replacements: P Harris (St. Austell), A Harris (St. Just), R Lawrence, J Peck, B Rosevear, F Deavin (all Falmouth), J Pascoe (Truro).  

Age Grade Out-of-Season Summer Activity Guide

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Summer age-grade framework

The RFU Council has also approved a regulation amendment to allow a framework for age grade rugby activity over the summer, enabling appropriate contact activity to take place. This builds on the summer framework as used in the last few years and replaces the previous age grade out of season regulations.

Cornwall U20 through to the Quarter-finals.

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Cornwall U20 progress to the quarter-final of the Jason Leonard Cup after local rivals Devon
were deducted 7 points. Devon narrowly beat Cornwall 35 – 29 in the pool stage of the
competition to initially top the table.


Several changes to the regulations this year seems to have caught counties out and 9 of
them have had points deducted by the RFU disciplinary panel. All counties were informed
many times about the level from which they could select players with no player registered at
a level 4 club or above being eligible for selection. Counties also had to supply not only their
team list, which contains name, date of birth and club at which the player is registered but
also the individual RFU player registration numbers.


The RFU Competitions-Development committee also informed all counties that they would
be checking these lists to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Sadly 9 counties
have fallen foul of this regulation and have subsequently had point deducted.


Cornwall now go on to face south-west 1 pool winners Dorset and Wilts in the quarter-finals.
The game will take place on Sunday 7 may at North Dorset RFC with a 1400 kick off time.
Unfortunately, this weekend also clashes with the coronation, the senior men’s first match in
the Bill Beaumont Cup and the senior women’s first match in the Gill Burns Cup, and of
course the finals of the Papa John’s Cup!!

Colin Hatch, Cornwall Under 20 Team Manager

From St Agnes under 5’s to representing England in the deaf World Cup 7’s in Argentina!

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By Colin Hatch, Cornwall Under 20 Team Manager

Nat Dart is the current U20’s flyhalf and has featured in 2 of the 3 pool games this season. He missed the game v Gloucestershire as he was selected to represent England deaf 7’s in the World cup in Argentina.
Nat was born deaf and has had to learn how to play and adapt with the condition. He wears hearing aids and lip reads to assist him in his game play, and a scrum cap to protect the hearing aids.
Nat started his career in his home town of St Agnes with their Under 5’s. He then played at Falmouth colts, Truro College and is currently register with Camborne RFC.

Nat had a call to go for the trials and travelled to Moulton College in Northamptonshire along with several others hoping to make the final 12 players selected to travel to Argentina. His skills and personality shone through, and he was selected in the final 12 to represent England. He was also the youngest member of the squad so as is tradition he had the honour of carrying and guarding the team
mascot throughout his time away!


Argentina was a great experience being played in its second city Córdoba, with a population of about 1.4 million and is the capital of Cordoba province. Nat said the weather was hot, the steaks fantastic and he managed to find some liquid refreshments to keep himself hydrated.


England came third in the competition losing in the semi-final to the eventual winners Wales. He did receive a trophy but more importantly an England shirt and Cap. This is his first season playing with the U20’s and several other players he has played with in different age groups, Joe Walker, Wes Eddy, and Jack Statton, and it is great to be able to play with them competitively in the Jason Leonard Cup this
season. It is an enjoyable learning environment and a great way to finish the season says Nat.

Nat in action for England Deaf 7s


Nat is studying Sports and Exercise Science at Cardiff Met University which is a 3-year course, and he hopes to put to good use in his future career. Nat would like to play rugby at the highest level his skills will allow and of course one day add a senior Cornwall tie to his collection.

Nat would like to put a big thanks out to both St Agnes and Perranporth rugby clubs who raised money to fund his trip to represent the England deaf squad.


In total he had to raise £1500 which is a considerable amount of money in these current times and from one of the poorest areas in the country. The thanks must also go to all the people who assisted Nat during his career and encouraging him to go for it, that starts from at home to all the teams mentioned above.

It just shows how from humble beginnings with a disability it is no bar to what you can achieve if you believe, make sacrifices, and are prepared to put in the work. Nat has certainly proved he has all those attributes and joins a long list of Cornwall players who have earned international honours.


The whole Cornwall U20 squad and the wider rugby community salute Nat for his achievements.

Tackle Height Hub – Resources now available

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Last week the RFU Council voted to adopt law changes to lower the tackle height in community rugby to below the base of the sternum to improve player safety by reducing the risk of head-to-head contact and concussion.

To support players, coaches, referees, volunteers and CBs with these changes ahead of the 2023/24 season, a comprehensive range of online resources, guidance documents, training videos and face-to-face training opportunities are being created by the RFU to run from May throughout the summer and into next season.

All resources, informed by community feedback provided through the consultation process, will be made available via the England Rugby Tackle Height Hub.

New resources available on the Tackle Height Hub today include:

Tackle height roadmap
Responsibilities of the tackler graphic*
Responsibilities of the ball carrier graphic*
Legal tackle height examples
Tackle height picture quiz
Tackle height law information pack
Law application guidance
Sanction framework
Tackle height information video
Tackle height guidance video

*Please note, physical poster versions of the Tackler and Ball Carrier graphics have today been sent to RFU Affiliated clubs.

These resources and training materials will also be supplemented by existing RFU guidance and training, including an updated RFU Headcase toolkit.

Summer age-grade framework

The RFU Council has also approved a regulation amendment to allow a framework for age grade rugby activity over the summer, enabling appropriate contact activity to take place. This builds on the summer framework as used in the last few years and replaces the previous age grade out of season regulations.

Age-grade summer framework for 2023

On top of the age-grade summer framework there are further updates for the age-grade game on the Tackle Height hub:

Regulation and Playing Updates
Game On Adapted Contact Format U14 to 18
Activity Overview
Read More

Cornwall Under 20s shirt & cap presentations

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Billy Searle was present at Camborne RFC on Sunday to make the shirt presentations to the players ahead of their game against Somerset Under 20s.

Former Cornwall Senior and Premiership player Billy Searle presents the shirt to Joss Pascoe (Truro) Captain of Cornwall U20s. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Following the game CRFU President John Sumnall made cap presentations to the following players;

Matt Pritchard, Connor Triggs, Lachlan Surridge and skipper Joss Pascoe.

Matt Pritchard (Falmouth) of Cornwall U20s presented his U20s cap by Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England
Conner Triggs (Truro) of Cornwall U20s presented his U20s cap by Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England
Lachlan Surridge (Camborne) of Cornwall U20s presented his U20s cap by Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England
– Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

As this was John’s final Under 20’s home game under his Presidency of the CRFU, the Under 20s made a framed shirt presentation to John as well as a good bottle of red wine, to thank him for his support during his term of office.

Retiring Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall presented a Frames Cornwall U20s shirt by Joss Pascoe (Truro) Captain of Cornwall U20s with Cornwall U20s vice-captains Will Perkins (St Ives) and Freddy Trewin (Penryn). – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

R.J. Honeywell – R.I.P.

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Cornwall RFU regret to announce the death of Dick Honeywell (pictured above as captain of Camborne) aged 99 years and believed to have been the oldest former Cornwall player at the time of his death.

Born in Mevagissey, he served in the RAF during World War II, before working for ESSO for his working life. He continued to have a lifetime interest in flying.

Before playing for Cornwall, he was capped by Devon when playing for Paignton in 1948.

Dick played No.8 or in the second row and at 6′ 3” was a handful to deal with. He joined Bristol in 1950 and made his Cornwall debut that same year against British Police at the Mennaye Field, a game Cornwall won 22-6.

He made his County Championship debut for Cornwall in the home game against Somerset at Camborne, which Cornwall lost 9-20. He kept his place in the side for the remainder of that season. In all Dick played 13 times for Cornwall. It also led to him being invited to the first England trial that season, he impressed and was invited for the second trial. Sadly, injury precluded his participation and hopes of an England cap.

Upon returning to Cornwall, Dick played for Camborne and was their captain during the 1953-54 season.

The President of Cornwall RFU, John Sumnall, along with the Officers of the CRFU wish to express their sincerest condolences to Dick’s family and friends at this time.

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