Gloucestershire U.20, 33 – 27 Cornwall U.20

By Terry Williams at Stow on the Wold RFC

The cruellest of blows saw a valiant Cornwall U20’s XV go down 33 – 27 to Gloucestershire at Stow on the Wold RFC.

With the clock in the red Cornwall were leading 26 -27, but then with the referee signalling the final play of the game, Gloucestershire went through a number of phases for a try in the left corner, which was converted. Jubilation from Gloucestershire players and supporters and disbelief on the Cornish side. However, to take a positive , this was the best the team had played throughout the season. Lessons were learnt from the Devon game, and the away win to Somerset was a good one, and truly they deserved a win yesterday. No excuses, but the long journey to Stow on the Wold did not help, it’s almost in Worcestershire. Perhaps a trip to St Just next season might restore the balance!

The game was entertaining for the supporters, and there were a number of Cornish there who made their presence felt. Gloucestershire opened the scoring on 5 minutes with a converted try, but Cornwall struck back 9 minutes later with a try by hooker, Pete Harris (pictured above in a previous game), the first of 3 for the afternoon. He has had an outstanding season for the under 20’s.

In a free flowing game, during which both teams made mistakes, Cornwall kept their noses in front. Winger Jack Keogh getting on the score sheet interrupting Harris’s run of tries. Jack Statton made a contribution with the boot, 2 conversions and a penalty. Congratulations to him on his selection for the senior county squad.

The game was tight and at half time the score was 14 – 15 to Cornwall but they were never able to put a lot of daylight between the scores, and Gloucestershire rallied with 2 late tries as the Cornwall team showed signs of tiredness towards the end.

To sum up, a somewhat disappointing Jason Leonard Cup campaign, but as the die hards say: there is always next season to look forward to!

Cornwall U.20: Macdonald (Exeter Saracens), Penhallurick, Deavin (both Falmouth), Statton (Launceston), Keogh (St. Just), Walsh-Newton (Falmouth), Chapple (Redruth); Williams (Penryn) Harris (St. Austell), Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Lister (Penryn), Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), Smith (Redruth), Eddy (Pirates Ams), Ellery (Newquay Hornets).

Replacements: Pope (Camborne School of Mines), Holt (Redruth), Knight (Saltash), Watkins (Camborne School of Mines), Matanatabu, Logan (both Helston), Paul (Redruth).

Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Harris 14, 32, 57, Keogh 45, Cons, Statton 15, 58, Pen, 40

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2024 concludes the pool stage with an away fixture to Gloucestershire in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team travel to Stow in the Wold RFC Sunday 5^th May with a 1400 kick off time.

CRFU President Andy Reed said “This final pool stage game means a trek for the young Black and Golds as we are travelling to Stow on the Wold. The result against Somerset was a boost for the guys and well deserved on a hot and sunny day at Taunton RFC. The errors and nerves from the first game seem to dwindle away and the team began to grow in confidence, and the result followed”.

Cornwall lost their first game away to Devon 7 – 41, so Sunday’s win v Somerset this result sees them move up the table. In the other pool game Devon beat Gloucestershire 36 – 21 to go top of the table.

Coach Rich Kevern said – “We know that any Gloucestershire side will be a strong test, they always have a big pack that will try and bully us. We need to play to our strengths and have some fast and exciting backs as well as an established pack. Playing any Gloucestershire side at home is never an easy task and this will be the first exposure to that element for some of these guys”.

Cornwall Captain Will Perkin said, – “After the Devon game we came away and did a lot of soul searching! That was not the way we had trained, or been expected to play, and we owed the Somerset result to the travelling supporters of Trelawny’s Army, and our families to put that right. The players know what is expected, what is needed, and we must as a group perform against what will be a strong Gloucestershire side. For some guys including myself this is their second year and last year playing for the U20’s, for others this is their first and only year of being eligible and we need to put in a performance”.

The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said, -” The team needed to learn from their performance and move forward following the Devon game. The performance against Somerset was much improved, although not perfect, and I am sure the coaches will be working on those areas before they face Gloucestershire. We as a county know that they have trained hard and like Cornwall players at all levels can and will give 110% to wear that Black and Gold shirt, this year’s set of players are no different.”.

There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Under 20’s team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Tanya Thomas of the CRFU in the first instance. 

We are grateful for the support of Kelsall Steel Investment Services and Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club for our Under 20 side.

                            Gloucestershire U20 v Cornwall U20

Sunday 5^th May @ Stow on the Wold RFC 1400 kick off.

Coaches – Rich Kevern, Steele Barker, Jago Sheppard, David Mankee

Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams

Medical cover – Hen Gard + Sam West

Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop