GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINAL

DURHAM WOMEN 25 -17 CORNWALL WOMEN

By Bill Hooper

Two late tries denied Cornwall Women a trip to Twickenham as Durham edged this pulsating yet at times physically brutal game in the final 10 minutes of a match played in very warm conditions.

Cornwall made a good start with Lisa Allin scoring an unconverted try after just 3 minutes to the joy of the vociferous travelling support.

Durham’s speedy winger Laura Wood gave notice of her danger with a good run that set alarms bells ringing in the Cornish defence.

Cornwall continued to harry the home side, whilst the tackle count was mounting, Durham knew they were in a game.

A mistake by Cornwall led to a try from Wood who dotted down under the posts giving skipper Marguerite Julia a comfortable conversion.

The breakdown was fiercely contested by both sides with Liz Langton catching the eye, as did skipper Megan Arnold, there was also great work from Roberta Smith-Scotland.

Cornwall’s cause was not helped with injuries to both Millie Chaston and Georgia Hall in quick succession, which saw the introduction of both Joey Sandercock and Abi Smith much earlier than planned by the coaching staff.

Up front Kim Upcott was putting in her big drives almost getting over the whitewash herself, Durham found her a handful to deal with.

Approaching half-time Cornwall strung some phases together with Tia Larson’s pass finding Sandercock out wide, the winger showed good pace getting in at the corner for an unconverted try and a 10-7 half-time lead.

Cornwall, trying to play out of their twenty-two were pinged by the referee for crossing offering Durham a penalty which Julia kicked to level the scores.

Cornwall obtained good field position, from a tap penalty they moved the ball wide with Becky Bennett making good ground to score near the posts, Megan Okey then kicked a conversion courtesy of the crossbar.

Durham’s bench made a difference as Cornwall tired in the crucial final moments. Two tries from Jess Clubby and Nicole Johnstone sealed their place in the final where they will meet Hampshire Women.

For Cornwall disappointment, but the Women can be proud of their superb campaign, which has confirmed them as force to be reckoned with at this level.

Coach Jo Holden said. “I am so proud of the girl’s performance today they really gave Durham a good hard game. Crucially we needed a score to put us two scores ahead, sadly we couldn’t quite manage it, that doesn’t take anything away from my pride in the squad and the levels of performance we have achieved in a short space of time.”

Cornwall Women: Tia Larson (Bude), Millie Chaston (Ivybridge), Lily Relton (Truro), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Becky Bennett, Meg Okey (both Ivybridge), Lisa Allin (Bude); Caitlin Eddy (Helston), Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold (all Launceston), Caitlin Milliken (Ivybridge), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Elizabeth Langton (Ivybridge), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock).

Replacements: Nicole Rowland (Ivybridge), Zeta Penrose (Truro), Emily Kneale, Abigail Smith, Joey Sandercock, Amy Warman (all Launceston), Amy Bunt (Ivybridge).

Scores: Tries, Allin, Sandercock, Bennett, Con, Okey

GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2 SEMI-FINAL

CORNWALL WOMEN’S SIDE TO PLAY DURHAM WOMEN

Following last night’s training session at Bodmin RFC Cornwall Women wasted no time in announcing their side to travel to Stockton RFC to take on Durham in Sunday’s semi-final, kick-off 1 pm.

Cornwall coach Jo Holden explained how they broke the news to the squad. “The news that we had gone through was only released by the RFU late in the afternoon, so we were keen to make sure that the girls heard it first from us at last night’s training session. As you can imagine they were thrilled and excited to learn the news.

“We now have only a few days not only to prepare the squad but also for our backroom staff to get the logistics of a trip to Durham sorted, the girls are up for the challenge and looking forward to playing against another county in a national semi-final.

“As you would expect we have gone largely with the team that played against Somerset, Emily Kneale (Launceston) and Amy Bunt (Ivybridge) who were both unavailable last time out come back into the match day 22 for this trip.

The winners will meet either Hampshire or Eastern Counties in the final at Twickenham on Women’s finals day, Sunday 16th June.

Cornwall Women: Tia Larson (Bude), Millie Chaston (Ivybridge), Lily Relton (Truro), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Becky Bennett, Meg Okey (both Ivybridge), Lisa Allin (Bude); Caitlin Eddy (Helston), Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold (all Launceston), Caitlin Milliken (Ivybridge), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Elizabeth Langton (Ivybridge), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock).

Replacements: Nicole Rowland (Ivybridge), Zeta Penrose (Truro), Emily Kneale, Abigail Smith, Joey Sandercock, Amy Warman (all Launceston), Amy Bunt (Ivybridge).

Travelling Reserves: Rachel Hicks (Launceston), Emily Carbis (Devonport S)

GILL BURNS CUP

SOMERSET WOMEN 0 – 86 CORNWALL WOMEN

By Bill Hooper, at Veritas Park Taunton

Cornwall Women put in a clinically merciless display against a plucky Somerset side whom to their credit never gave up and battled gamely to the final whistle.

Cornwall knew they had to match Hampshire’s result against Somerset to give them a chance of advancing to the semi-finals, the answer to which remains unclear at the present time as confirmation is awaited from the RFU.

Cornwall got off to a great start when centre Abi Smith (pictured above) crossed for the first try to settle any nerves with Georgia Hall banging over the first of her seven successful conversions.

The play was a joy to watch, the passing was crisp and precise whist the forwards bossed the breakdown and lineout.

Hall sliced through the Somerset to score Cornwall’s second before full back Tia Larson scored the first of her five tries in the game. Larson’s play was top draw throughout, her strength and subtle change of movement opened up space for her as she cut the Somerset defence to shreds.

Amongst the forwards skipper Megan Arnold led by example, whilst Lizzie Langdon, Rosie Ninnis and Roberta Smith-Scotland caught the eye. Mention too for the front row with both props Caitlin Eddy and Zeta Penrose putting in some strong drives as did Kim Upcott when she came on in the second half.

Caitlin Milliken ensured some great lineout ball for the backs to work with.

One player who also deserves particular praise was fly-half Megan Okey, her distribution was quick and accurate, with confidence to make that break when it was on, she fully deserved her try late on which she also converted.

Abi Smith completed her hat-trick of tries with winger Millie Chaston scoring a brace as did Hall with Lisa Allin also dotting down. Heroes all from 1 to 22, they all played a part in a record win for Cornwall Women.

After the game a very happy and proud coach Jo Holden gave her thoughts. “What a game! We asked the girls to give us their all for the full eighty, we had to run up as big a score as possible to give us a chance of making the semi-finals.

“One of the great bonuses this season is the depth we have within the squad, we had a few players out injured or unavailable and the players coming in have maintained the level we have been playing at. This is exactly what we have been working to achieve the past couple of seasons. As an example Abi Smith has come in today and had a storming game all credit to her.

Team captain on the day Megan Arnold was equally pleased with the team’s performance. “We asked them to put it all out there on the pitch and leave all out there. I am incredibly proud of my team and how they represented Cornwall today, that score-line reflects everything we have been working at in training.”

Cornwall Women: Tia Larson (Bude), Millie Chaston (Ivybridge), Abigail Smith (Launceston)  Georgia Hall (Penryn), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Amy Warman (Launceston); Caitlin Eddy (Helston), Jenna Arnold (Launceston), Zeta Penrose (Truro), Megan Arnold (Launceston, Capt), Caitlin Milliken (Ivybridge), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Elizabeth Langton (Ivybridge), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock).

Replacements: Nicole Rowland (Ivybridge), Kim Upcott (Launceston), Paige Clarke (Penryn), Vicki Doidge (Launceston), Lisa Allin (Bude), Beccy Bennett (Ivybridge), Bex O’Reilly (Penryn).

Cornwall Scores: Tries, Smith 4, 57, 79, Hall11, 31 Larson 15, 23, 25, 48, 65, Chaston 19, 44, Allin 61, Okey 75, Cons, Hall 5, 20, 24, 26, 45, 49, 62,  Okey 76.

GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2

HERTFORDSHIRE WOMEN 5 – 42 CORNWALL WOMEN

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall Women put in a tremendous performance at a blustery Tabard to keep their hopes of progress in this season’s competition alive until the final round of matches next Sunday.

It was Herts Women, known as the Stags, who scored first when a stray kick into the Herts half was fielded by their wing Lydia Edwards, she showed a great turn of speed to out flank the Cornish cover and score under the sticks, the conversion however was missed, but Cornwall had been given a warning regarding any loose kicks.

Cornwall levelled matters following great work from skipper Amy Bunt, Millie Chaston  and Emily Kneale before Kim Upcott powered over.

Gradually Cornwall began to get the upper hand through the forwards, the breakdown was much improved from the Hampshire game with good ball secured creating attacking platforms.

Kneale and Upcott kept carrying the ball to good effect, whilst the centre pairing of Lily Relton and Tia Larson were full of running. Lisa Allin at scrum-half was industrious, probing and sniping around the fringes with same again when Amy Warman came on during the second half.

Cornwall took the lead from a tap penalty which saw Megan Okey score by the posts, she also converted her own try.

Herts pressed in the Cornwall twenty-two, the play broke down, suddenly Amy Bunt was on her way charging some 60 meters, evading tackles to dot down a memorable try.

Just before half-time, Allin got her due reward when she spotted a gap to bag the bonus point try for a 22-5 advantage.

Georgia Hall came on after half-time as Cornwall were forced to reorganise the backs and she immediately got on the score-sheet to extend the lead.

Larson put in several of her trademark charges, almost getting her just reward, Okey completed her brace of tries before Joey Sandercock completed the scoring with her own couple of tries to seal a resounding victory.

After the game coach Jo Holden was understandably very pleased. “We have built on the Hampshire game and today we have seen the fruits of the hard work the girls have put in. We will enjoy the trip home and then back to training and preparation for the trip to Somerset. There is still a job to be done, we will roll the dice up at Taunton and see how they land after 80 minutes.”

Cornwall Women travel to Somerset next Sunday knowing that a win could give them a potential semi-final place depending on results elsewhere.

Herts Women: Clare Cranfield (Hitchin), Sarah Bello, Cayla Du Plessis, Livi Grace Hunt (all Welwyn), Lydia Edwards (Hitchin), Ella Whytock (Capt), Anabel Pidgeon (both Harpenden); Sophie Battams (Cheshunt), Heather Holmes (Harpenden), Millie Rennell (Bedford Blues), Emma Powdrell (Harpenden), Mercy Onu, Laura Stephens, (both Hitchin), Abbie Ambrose, Natalie Randall (both Welwyn).

Replacements: Verity Kennett (Cheshunt), Courtnay Burns (Tabard), Nina Wilkinson, Jemimah Orphanou (both Welwyn), Millie Coulbeck (Sudbury), Charli  Knibbs (Welwyn), Amelia Jenkins (RVC).

Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Capt), Millie Chaston (both Ivybridge), Tia Larson (Bude), Lily Relton (Truro), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Lisa Allin (Bude); Jenna Arnold (Launceston), Emily Carbis (Devonport S), Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold (both Launceston),Caitlin Milliken (Ivybridge), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Emily Kneale (Launceston)

Replacements: Nicole Rowland (Ivybridge), Zeta Penrose (Truro), Caitlin Eddy (Helston), Abigail Smith (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn),  Amy Warman, Rachel Hicks (both Launceston),

Cornwall scores: Tries Upcott 12, Okey 22, 59, Bunt 28, Allin 36, Hall 44, Sandercock 66, 79, Cons, Okey 23