John Morgan – R.I.P.
Cornwall RFU were saddened to learn of the passing of former county player John Morgan, who played for the Falmouth club.
John was educated at Falmouth Grammar School going on to play for Falmouth on the wing. He played 21 times for Cornwall, including the 1958 County Final against Warwickshire at Coventry’s old Coundon Road ground, a game lost 16-8.
Having enjoyed a career in education John was living in retirement on the Isle of Mann.
The CRFU extend their sincerest condolences to John’s family and friends at this sad time.
CRFU President John Sumnall’s Christmas Message
Cornwall Rugby Football Union Limited
As we approach the halfway point in the season, I can advise that the Cornwall RFU is in good heart after the ravages of the pandemic and looking forward to the second half where hopes are realised but can also be dashed.
Probably, the most disappointing situation that was realised in the early season was that not all players were returning to rugby with some Clubs suffering more than others. It is sad to report that Stithians RFC, founded in 1890, withdrew from their league and we are not sure whether we will see their maroon shirts on the playing field again. One or two other Clubs have struggled to raise a side but have generally succeeded whereas some Clubs have increased their playing strength and are probably in a better position now than they were before the pandemic. The Cornwall Referees Society report that slowly their numbers are returning but have not been helped by abuse of some of their members and resultantly have lost two of their stalwarts. A very sad and worrying piece to report.
However, it is not all disappointing news as we had a visit from the RFU President Jeff Blackett as part of the 150th Anniversary of the RFU when he and his wife, Sally, undertook a 150 mile walk as part of the celebrations and began one of their days’ walk at Saltash RFC. Fund raising was undertaken for The Injured Players Foundation (IPF) and they were met by members of the CRFU, Saltash RFC and other rugby followers who then accompanied them across the Tamar Bridge to meet the Devon RFC. We, in Cornwall, are carrying out our own celebrations and fund raising for the IPF when our Chairman Dave Saunter (Saunts) also undertook a 150 mile walk. Also Clubs have been given a challenge by myself to carry out 150 laps of their pitch using as many players as they wish. Final fund raising will take place at the County Championship matches.
At long last the County Championship matches are being released and on Sunday 23 January the U20 team play Devon and on 06 February they travel to Dorset & Wilts. Cornwall Ladies are drawn in a pool of Middlesex, Dorset & Wilts and Somerset, dates to be advised. We still wait to hear when we can begin defending our title as holders of the Bill Beaumont Trophy as well as the opponents and structure. For updates on these three Trophies may I suggest you use our web (crfu.co.uk).
We were very honoured to be invited to help celebrate 100 years of Crawshays RFC and we will be hosting this invitational XV on Saturday 30 April at Camborne RFC. Cornwall RFU congratulate Penryn RFC on attaining 150 years and trust they have a successful season.
In the new year we understand that we may learn of our new Patron.
Finally, may I wish you all compliments of the season and hope to see some of you as when I visit a Cornwall Club each Saturday to spend the afternoon with them.
Yours,
John Sumnall
President CRFU
RugbySafe Lead Christmas Newsletter
Dear All
I hope this finds you well and dodging the Omicron!
Covid
Sadly it seems that no sooner than we were establishing a pattern and rhythm to our Rugby than another speed bump is put in our way. As you will have seen in the whatsapp that I sent out, the RFU have adjusted their advice and have also given some supplementary information on the Community Game. Unfortunately, there are no definitive rules on what we can and cannot do in the rugby club environment other than those applying to the hospitality industry, so its down to our common sense and personal appetite for risk. Certainly, some clubs are revising their plans for Mini Christmas ‘gatherings’ and also Rugby Camp providers are adapting their packages to reduce risk of transmission by removing contact and keeping events outdoors.
From a CRFU perspective we can only echo government and RFU advice and I am sure that those clubs with medical professionals among parents and players will seek their advice and opinion and formulate their response accordingly. I just wish we could be more proscriptive as that would reduce ambiguity. If anyone wishes to discuss their plans/ideas or concerns then please don’t hesitate to contact me. Often it is just the conversation that provides the elusive clarity of thought!
First Aid Courses
CRFU have approved the staging of four more courses in 2022 so that demand can be met. The dates as agreed with the provider are:
30 January
27 February
13 March
24 April
I have not nominated particular locations as yet as I wanted to gauge demand so that we can minimise travel, but ideally I would like to have a couple in the west and a couple in the East of the county. I appreciate that one club might not be able to fill all slots so will backfill any spare slots with applicants from adjacent clubs where possible. So, the Christmas challenge is to identify appropriate dates and get your bid in quick – certainly in good time for the 30 Jan!!
As you may be aware, RFU were seeking to mandate EFAs but there has been some pushback from other counties which is leading them to re-examine. From a CRFU perspective this is disappointing as both the CB and clubs have devoted a lot of time and energy to be ready for the rule change at beginning of 2022/23. There is continuing discussion and the RFU council will decide in the New Year. The CRFU stance is support the proposal to mandate it as then there is no ambiguity and everyone can be comfortable that appropriate provision is in place at all levels of the game. The RFU have issued a consultation at https://forms.office.com/r/zhg0zhUnsi Can you please complete this online questionnaire for RugbySafe leads by 7 Jan. Whatever happens, the guidelines will remain, so please take advantage of the First Aid courses which after CRFU rebate work out at £25 per successful attendee. Probably the best Christmas bargain ever!!!
GMS
In the link above it mentions GMS. I know this is a far from ideal administrative tool but it does enable RFU to analyse the functioning of the game. One of their pushes this season has been to ensure that the RugbySafe element of GMS is up to date and that the contents accurately reflect the activities of the club. Ideally, club RugbySafe leads should have the permissions to access this area and update as appropriate. A couple of audits show that as Cornish clubs we are not doing particularly well in this regard. I have not been too bothered for the first half of the season as just getting teams on the pitch has been of more importance. Nonetheless, in the New Year I will be auditing our records. It is not too much of a hardship to complete and certainly the First Aid Risk assessment and associated Medical Emergency Action Plans (MEAPs) are the most important as these are essential for clubs to complete. I am on hand to assist and answer questions but probably the first thing is to ensure you have the necessary permissions to access this part of GMS so please chase up whoever is your GMS guru to allow you to explore the system.
Uploading EFA Qualf and cert on GMS
HEADCASE
Just a reminder that I have some Headcase materials and have sent out a rejigged and more legible Graduated Return To Play (GRTP) table. For info, all CRFU First Aid bags have a laminated copy of this inside the bag along with the RugbySafe toolkit. I have attached both for interest/use. Please continue to educate players, coaches, committee members, supporters and parents (everyone!) on this increasingly significant aspect of the game. Despite a lot of effort, there is still a lot of ignorance based on old wives tales and historical practices which is being highlighted in reports back from matches. Please reinforce that if there is any doubt as a players fitness to play, there is no doubt and they should be removed from play and not allowed to return. Furthermore, supervision should be exercised and post-match beers should be discouraged as well as ensuring that driving after a blow to the head may be impaired.
Anyway, that is enough from me except to wish you all a great Christmas and that you get the gifts you want!!
Kindest regards and see you in the New Year
Bob
Bob Hubble | CRFU RugbySafe Lead
rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk | 07980 600565
Follow the RFU Guidance
Please follow this simple guidance from the RFU for games this weekend and any games being played on Boxing Day or Bank Holiday Monday. Do keep an eye on the RFU site as this is likely to be an ever-evolving situation over the coming days.
Update on Community Game fixtures scheduled for 17/18/19 December
| As Christmas approaches, and concerns continue to grow around the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the RFU has introduced flexibility around this weekend’s Community Game fixtures to give clubs and players options. The below applies to level 3 and below in the men’s game and level 2 and below in the women’s game, for the weekend of 17-19 December 2021. Fixtures scheduled for the weekend of 17/18/19 December • Matches can go ahead as normal this weekend if both teams are happy to play. • Should either club involved in a scheduled fixture this weekend wish to postpone, they can do so without sanction. Both clubs must contact their respective organising committee as soon as possible, and at the latest by 1200 on Friday 17th December. (Clubs must not postpone their fixture via Electronic Matchcard). The postponed fixture must be played on the next available weekend as determined by the Organising Committee. • To postpone a fixture for clubs in the Men’s and Women’s English Club Championship (RFU Leagues) they must adhere to the following process: 1. Submit a Covid declaration form 2. Include ‘concerns about Covid’ as the reason for the postponement 3. For this weekend – 17/18/19 December 2021 – there is no requirement to provide additional supportive information for the Covid declaration. If clubs do decide to play fixtures this weekend, we would advise sensible precautions should be taken to protect members and players. In line with public health advice, we would suggest: • Encouraging players, coaches, members, match officials, to undertake Lateral Flow Tests ahead of attending and to self-isolate if the test is positive, and take a PCR test to verify the result. • Minimising use of changing rooms – encourage players to arrive in kit. If changing rooms or treatment rooms are required, facemasks must be warn and rooms should be ventilated where possible. • Minimising use of social spaces, ventilating where possible and keep spacing within rooms. • Implementing regular cleaning protocols of communal areas and toilet facilities. • Ensuring hand sanitisers are readily available. • Reminding members to follow government and public health guidance on mask wearing. • Minimising travel with other people. Covid-19 Guidance We want to ensure rugby clubs have easy access to guidance over the Christmas period. Alongside government guidance, which can be found here, and Sport England guidance here, you can find information, resources and FAQs on our England Rugby Coronavirus Hub which will be updated if government advice changes. Please check back regularly. If you can’t find the information you are looking for please contact us ClubSupport@RFU.com We will continue to monitor the situation and to work closely with government and public health experts and further guidance will be issued post Christmas. The safety of all players, coaches, officials and volunteers remains the priority. |
Dave Martin’s Headland Centre Appeal
David Martin would like to thank all those who donated to Chloe’s fund for the Headland Cancer Centre at Treliske. It has now reached £575! David still has a number of ties remaining, so, if anyone would like one in return for a donation, they can send David (davecmartin@hotmail.com) their address and he will forward you a tie. The Cornish Rugby Family, far and wide, has “come up trumps” yet again!
Kind regards,
David Martin
Chairman Saunts’ Christmas Tidings
Hi all,
We are now half way through the season, and I’m happy to say after the COVID interruption we are mostly in a strong place. Firstly, I must congratulate Bodmin RFC and St Ives RFC who have both won their respective leagues. Also, I would like to wish Redruth, St Austell and Wadebridge continued success in the New Year, how good would it be if all 3 finished the job and won their leagues.
To all our clubs I wish you a successful second half of the season, to those struggling with numbers keep going we are all here to support and hope the numbers returning continues to build.
Second team rugby has been a real mix bag St Austell and Redruth should be congratulated for winning Tribute Duchy Leagues East and West, and any club managing to get 2 teams out should be proud of the work they do.
Colts’ rugby is struggling and I know Tony Knightsbridge has called a meeting in early January where hopefully some solutions can be ironed out, this is not exclusively a Cornish issue or indeed Rugby. Sport does not seem to be a high priority at this moment in time.
Our ladies’ teams continue to grow, which is great news and the Exeter Chiefs Ladies now have a presence in helping develop our talent.
The County have informed the RFU that we will be taking part in the Bill Beaumont, Gill Burns and Jason Leonard cups, the U20s have started their selection process and look forward to their first competitive game soon.
Tomorrow night we are delighted to field a Cornwall Clubs XV, for the first time in a few seasons, to help Perranporth RFC celebrate their new floodlights, do come along if you can, kick-off is 7:30 pm.
From all on the Management Board we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, also if you have any rugby related issues do not hesitate in giving me a call.
Saunts
Chairman CRFU Mob: 07554010480
Hat-trick for Symonds as Cornwall Clubs win at Perran
Cornwall Clubs XV will be playing their first fixture after a break of a few seasons on Wednesday 15th December against Perranporth RFC to celebrate their new floodlights.
Weds 15 Dec, PERRANPORTH 0 – 22 CORNWALL CLUBS XV (HT 0-5)
Report by Stuart Hood, Team Manager
An evenly contested first quarter led to high scoring Illogan wing Owen Symonds showing his pace and scoring out wide after 22 mins. Stevie Trenoweth (Illogan) missed the conversion and a well contested first half ended 0-5 to Cornwall Clubs.
Early in the second half captain and number 8 Ollie Brooks (Bodmin) barged over under the posts which Stevie Trenoweth duly converted. Cornwall Clubs gradually came together as the second half progressed and again moving the ball wide led to Illogan’s flying winger Owen Symonds scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to complete his hat- trick.
Overall a great showcase for rugby putting Cornwall League 1, 2 and Duchy League players under the spotlight. Hopefully there will be further fixtures during the course of the season.
CORNWALL CLUBS XV
| 15 MAX COWLING | BODMIN RFC |
| 14 BEN CHENOWETH | ROSELAND RFC |
| 13 BILLY O’MEARA | ILLOGAN PARK RFC |
| 12 JOSH TAYLOR | BODMIN RFC |
| 11 OWEN SYMONDS | ILLOGAN PARK RFC |
| 10 STEVE TRENOWETH | ILLOGAN PARK RFC |
| 9 JACK MOORHOUSE-HOYLE | ST. AGNES RFC |
| 1 JONATHON BUDD | ILLOGAN PARK RFC |
| 2 JASON HOUSE | ST. JUST RFC |
| 3 JACOB HAPAN | ST. AGNES RFC |
| 4 ED LLEWELYN | ROSELAND RFC |
| 5 CALLUM ROWE | BODMIN RFC |
| 6 KYLE POINTER | ST. JUST RFC |
| 7 LEWIS EUSTICE | HELSTON RFC |
| 8 OLLY BROOKS (Capt) | BODMIN RFC |
| REPLACEMENTS | |
| DECARLO TRERISE | HELSTON RFC |
| PHIL NICHOLAS | ST. JUST RFC |
| ADAM SMITH | CAMBORNE CRUSADERS RFC |
| MATT PENROSE | CAMBORNE CRUSADERS RFC |
| DAN JANE | LANKELLY-FOWEY RFC |
| JAMES TURPIN | LANKELLY-FOWEY RFC |
| LACHLAN BLACKLAW | BODMIN RFC |
| COACHES | |
| Adrian Trewhella, David Mankee, Chris Bray |
Chloe Dawe – RIP
It is with great sadness that we learned this weekend of the passing of popular young player Chloe Dawe, following a short illness with cancer at the age of just 23.
Chloe began playing rugby at the age of 6 with Launceston minis progressing through the age groups, also representing Cornwall at age group level, before playing for the senior Cornwall Ladies team.
CRFU President John Sumnall, and all involved with Cornwall RFU, wish to express their sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Chloe’s family, friends and teammates, and that our thoughts and prayers are very much with them at this sad time.
