We now know that we will face Hertfordshire Under 20s on Sunday 20th March kick-off 2 pm. Entry will be by programme £5, with Under 16s given free entry.
We look forward to your support at Camborne on Sunday 20th March.
XGirl Cup: Knife-edge Knock-outs Await
Report by Ross Tucknott
Newquay & Perranporth U15s will be nervously looking over their shoulders going into the XGirl Cup knock-out finale in April, after momentum proved to be firmly with the chasing pack at Truro RFC on Sunday as the league stages reached completion.
Having led the table all season, the gap between themselves and their rivals all but disappeared as Bude won all four of their matches, with the leaders failing to gain a losing bonus point against both Bude and Camborne, who themselves are finishing the season in fine form.
Also peaking at the right time are St Austell, who have found a strong understanding on the pitch with recent partners Penzance and who put five tries past Bude before defeating Camborne themselves. Truro caused problems for both Bude and St Austell/Penzance, demonstrating their increasing competitiveness, whilst it was a first appearance at the XGirl Cup for Wadebridge’s newly set up girls section who joined in with Launceston to book their involvement in the knock-out finals at the end of the season.
Seedings for the knock-out stage are based on the league table positions, so nothing is decided yet and on current form every team will fancy their chances of causing some upsets on the final day!
Meanwhile on the bottom pitches the standard of play in the U13s was skyrocketing, with the highest quality of team play seen at this level for years providing some exceptional matches. Whereas attacking play was the dominating force at the opening stage, now teams were showing robust defences and good continuity going through the phases with one team conceding only 7 tries across their 4 games.
Redruth Water and Camborne/Penzance drew in the opening fixture of the day, and these pair of teams then remained undefeated throughout. Both overcame an equally impressive Redruth Fire, whose 7-0 win over Bude was one of the most best matches of the event, given that Bude put 16 tries past their other opponents.
Liskeard were a single try versus Launceston from finishing unbeaten themselves; Launceston were the only team to score 4 tries past Camborne; Truro restricted everyone but the free-scoring Bude to just 2 tries; and the new Wadebridge U13s joined the Perranporth girls and held Liskeard to a very creditable draw as well as pushing Camborne all the way as well.
Thanks to Truro RFC for being such excellent hosts, and to all the volunteers both on and off the pitch.
Results
U15s
Camborne 22 – 14 Newquay&Perranporth
Bude 50 – 33 St Austell/Penzance
Launceston/Wadebridge 10 – 29 Truro
Camborne 14 – 19 St Austell/Penzance
Newquay&Perranporth 54 – 0 Launceston/Wadebridge
Bude 33 – 21 Truro
Camborne 42 – 7 Launceston/Wadebridge
Newquay&Perranporth 14 – 26 Bude
St Austell/Penzance 61 – 24 Truro
Camborne 10 – 12 Bude
Newquay&Perranporth 35 – 10 Truro
St Austell/Penzance 47 – 15 Launceston/Wadebridge
U13s
Redruth Fire 34 – 0 Perranporth/Wadebridge
Redruth Water 14 – 14 Camborne/Penzance
Truro/St Austell 12 – 12 Launceston
Bude 28 – 42 Liskeard
Redruth Fire 22 – 26 Redruth Water
Camborne/Penzance 26 – 17 Perranporth/Wadebridge
Bude 40 – 26 Truro/St Austell
Launceston 40 – 33 Liskeard
Redruth Fire 7 – 0 Bude
Camborne/Penzance 26 – 20 Launceston
Redruth Water 12 – 7 Truro/St Austell
Perranporth/Wadebridge 7 – 7 Liskeard
Redruth Fire 10 – 28 Camborne/Penzance
Redruth Water 33 – 0 Launceston
Bude 42 – 0 Perranporth/Wadebridge
Truro/St Austell 12 – 14 Liskeard
Aaron Simmonds finally gets his cap!!
Aaron currently plays for Newquay Hornets RFC was recently presented with his U20’s cap by the CRFU President John Sumnall at his home club on their vice Presidents’ Day.
Aaron earned his tie on his first appearance for the U20’s back in February 2019. He was a regular squad member until the last game when Covid 19 struck in the away victory against Gloucestershire in March 2020. During the 2019/2020 season Arron also captained the Cornwall U20’s.
Had it not been for the pandemic he would have potentially made several further appearances and had his cap presented at one of the games in front of his teammates!
The CRFU President congratulated Aaron on his achievement and wished him well in his future rugby career.
Cornwall Girls U18s Squad Announcement
Storms, traffic jams, floodlight failures, locked-up venues. It’s certainly been a memorable couple of trial sessions, but at the end of it all the following 30 girls have been selected to represent Cornwall this season! Well done to all those who have made the cut: emails will be following regarding what comes next. Congratulations!
Those players who trialled but fell just short of making the squad, we don’t want your involvement to end yet though. In recent years we’ve kept the door open to training sessions for players to continue to train with the squad and improve their skills and game understanding and this year is no different: indeed, as part of a formal Cornwall Development Squad we invite all trialists to all county training sessions, including this Friday’s session at Truro College. The Cornwall coaching team can’t wait to start working with all of you.
A massive thanks to everyone involved in running the trials too: none of this would happen without all your continued support and effort.
County gathers at Eden to plan Cup defence
There was an excellent turnout at the Eden Project on Sunday as the CRFU were guests of the Eden Project. Players and their families were treated to a buffet meal and access to the attraction.
The event also saw some good ground plans put in place ahead of this season’s Bill Beaumont campaign as well as the prestigious friendly game in April against Capt. Crawshay’s XV.
As well as familiar faces from previous campaigns there were also some exciting new players keen to show their talent in the black and gold shirt.
CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter welcomed everyone to the event and his welcome was echoed by David Rowe from the Eden Project, who’s logo will once again feature on the Cornwall shirt this season.
Following the usual housekeeping information for the squad and training plans laid out by Marek Churcher, there was an opportunity to recognise some of the award winners in last season’s Mitsusbishi Volunteer Recognition Awards, namely Ian Grantham (St. Austell RFC) and both Joss Pascoe and Orlando Davies (both Truro RFC), presentations were made by CRFU President John Sumnall.
John went on to say that despite many hurdles to overcome, with some goodwill and hard work we had a county championship to look forward to this season and it was down to us to make a success of it and he felt confident that Cornwall would once again prove to be a shinning light in the Bill Beaumont Cup.
Members of Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club were also present and they are delighted to confirm that they will be sponsoring the match balls for not only Cornwall’s home games this season but also for the home games involving Cornwall Women in the Gill Burns Cup and the upcoming Jason Leonard Cup quarter-final to be played on March 20th.
A raffle , featuring some excellent prizes courtesy of the Eden Project, raised the fine sum of £200:00 for the RFU Injured Players Foundation.
Cornwall mourns the loss of “Benji” Thomas – Funeral arrangements announced.
The following was written by former CRFU President Dave Martin. It is with deep regret that I have to report the sad death of Dave ‘Benji’ Thomas, the former Cornwall County Coach.
83-years old ‘Benji’ passed away, after a short illness, surrounded by his family, on Thursday 10th February 2022.
‘Benji’ will be remembered as the successful Cornwall Coach on that famous day at Twickenham in 1991 when Cornwall defeated Yorkshire by 29 points to 20, after extra time, to lift the ADT County Championship Trophy.
‘Benji’ also pioneered the CRFU Schools of Rugby long before the RFU introduced a similar scheme. He and his team of coaches developed a ready-made pool of talent for clubs at all levels in the County. He also nurtured that large number of excellent coaches, who are now serving Cornwall’s representative teams and many clubs.
His loss will be felt, not only at his club, Penryn, but, throughout Cornwall.
Our condolences go to all his family, particularly his wife, Valerie, and daughter, Helen.
CRFU Press Officer Bill Hooper added the following;
Apart from being the coach of Cornwall in 1991, Benji was in his own right a very fine player. He was part of the fine Penryn side of the 1960’s that dominated local rugby at that time.
Educated at Falmouth Grammar School and Cardiff College of Education, he also played for Berkshire, before taking up a post at Penryn Secondary Modern where he remained until retirement.
He played for Cornwall as a player on 21 occasions from 1959 until 1970, when his playing career finished he turned to coaching and was involved with Penryn, Falmouth and St. Ives.
He had a great affinity with the Cornwall supporters, whom he called “Cornwall’s 16th man.”
A life member of CRFU, in 1994 he was made a bard of the Cornish Gorsedh with the bardic name Map Meler, Son of Mylor.
The President of Cornwall RFU, John Sumnall and the Management Board of the CRFU wish to express their sincerest condolences to “Benji’s” family and friends at this time.
Funeral arrangements are mentioned below;
David THOMAS (Benji) on 10th February 2022, peacefully at home, David (Benji), aged 83 years of Penryn. A 10much loved and devoted husband, father and Bampa, he heard the final whistle after a full 80 minutes, with extra time. Funeral service in Trelawny Chapel, Penmount Crematorium on Friday 25th February at 3.15pm. The cortège will leave the house at 2.10pm proceeding through Penryn and via Pendennis Point, prior to the service, for anyone unable to attend. Family flowers only, but donations in lieu, if desired, for the RNLI may be given by retiring collection or c/o Kingsley Tresidder Funeral Service, Mill Stream Funeral Home, Mill Yard, Ponsanooth, TR3 7EF, 01872 863607. At the family’s request please could any gentlemen attending, who are rugby club members, wear their club blazer and tie, and ladies a brightly coloured scarf.
Afterwards mourners invited to reminisce about Benji at Penryn RFC.
Cornwall win at Dorset & Wilts books home tie
JASON LEONARD CUP
Dorset & Wilts U.20, 7 – 64 Cornwall U.20
By Bill Hooper, Photos Simon Bryant @Iktisphoto
Cornwall took on Dorset & Wilts in their second pool game at Dorchester RFC looking to confirm a place in this season’s quarter-finals.
The Black and Golds made a couple of changes to the side that started against Devon with Harry Andrewartha (Redruth) coming in for the injured Charlie Levick at centre, whilst in the back row Jack King (Camborne) replaced Eli Williams.
On the bench Matt Pritchard (Falmouth), Dillon Newton (Wadebridge Camels) and Adam Hall (Redruth) all came in.
Prior to the kick-off there was a minute’s silence held in memory of Graham Still.
Any nerves that the Cornish lads may have had were quickly dispelled as they took the game by the scruff-of-the-neck from the off building a 45-0 lead by half-time.
Truro wing Lewis Bostock got the try feast going as he bagged the first of his brace, with fly-half Joe McCarthy, Camborne School of Mines kicking the first of his five conversions. McCarthy was on the money soon after with a successful penalty.
The forwards then got amongst the try-scoring with the Camborne pair Tyler Dower and Declan Prowse crossing whilst Pirates Amateurs No.8 Archie Pilcher scored his second try in two games.
The backs got back into the scoring with vice-captain Joss Pascoe scoring with his centre partner Redruth’s Harry Andrewartha also dotting down just before half-time.
In the second half Cornwall looked to the bench to give all the lads a run. Skipper Ethan Pearce-Cowley completed the front-row try scoring, whilst McCarthy bagged a try to give him an eighteen point haul for the game. Hall added the extras as he did for the final try scored by Pritchard, in between Bostock got his second.
Dorset & Wilts did cross for a converted try near the end but it was no more than a consolation.
Coach Richie Kevern was delighted with the win. “We couldn’t of asked more from the lads today, they played their hearts out and got their reward of a home tie in the last eight. We will be back training next weekend preparing for that game.”
The win confirms Cornwall as group winners and they can now look forward to a home quarter-final against either Hertfordshire or Kent on Sunday March 20th
Cornwall U.20: Larkins, Bostock, Andrewartha, Pascoe, Surridge, McCarthy, Anderson; Pearce-Cowley (Capt), Dower, Prowse, Walton, Osborne, King, Trewin, Pilcher.
Replacements: Pritchard, Leigh, Newton, Triggs, Hall, Tanswell, Davies
Cornwall scores: Tries, Bostock 2, Dower, Prowse, Pilcher, Pascoe, Andrewartha, Pearce-Cowley, McCarthy, Pritchard, Cons: McCarthy 5, Hall 2, Pen, McCarthy
Sam finally gets his shirt.
The CRFU were proud to present Sam with a Cornwall shirt following the bad news that his World Cup shirts had been stolen from his car in 2019.
‘Due to Covid we had not been able to get the purpose made shirt to Sam, but Colin Hatch was meeting him this week so it seemed an opportune time.’ Said Cornwall Chairman Dave Saunter.
Sam was pleased to receive it and added;
‘It was a huge honour to receive the Cornwall shirt and wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone involved at the CRFU.
“It was not many years ago I was wearing the “Black and Gold” at Twickenham, and then lucky enough to play in the Championship, Royal Navy, Premiership, Top 14 and of course in the World Cup with Fiji.
The Black and Gold shirt still holds a massive place in my heart.’
Cornwall Under 20s look to build against Dorset & Wilts
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2022 continues with their second and final pool game to be played on Sunday 6 February. Cornwall travel to Dorchester RFC where they will take on Dorset and Wilts with a 13:00 kick off.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “Following a fantastic fightback from these young guys v Devon two weeks ago they are now on the road to play Dorset + Wilts. In their first game they certainly displayed plenty of grit and passion to come back and record a bonus point win. A big thanks to everyone who came to Camborne to support the team last week, our sponsors, and to all involved in the planning to ensure the U20’s are as prepared as they can be for their next game.”
This is Cornwall’s second and last pool game in the competition, whilst Devon play Dorset and Wilts at home on Sunday February 28th.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “Cornwall guys will have learnt a lot from the game v Devon, it was tough, and hard fought throughout the game. The guys displayed true fighting spirit and will need to show that again on Sunday against an unknown Dorset and Wilts team who have won promotion into this division of the Jason Leonard Cup”
Cornwall owe a big debt to the people behind the scenes, the medical team, kit man Paul Hurrell, along with match video David Burrows, photographer Simon Bryant and multimedia Kevin Bishop along with the support of the CRFU management board.
Cornwall Captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley said, – “It was certainly a very big tester for us last weekend against Devon. With the score so close I must give credit to all the lads to eventually come out on top through all their tough work. This was the first opportunity we had to play a competitive game in this competition and the coaches had warned us of the pressure we would experience. The selection of this second team will again mean some guys will be disappointed not to be in the mix, but as already said, nobody’s shirt is fixed. For those who will run out with me on the 6th, we have a big task ahead of us, I’m confident in our ability but we need to perform from the off. There’s a good atmosphere off the back of our win over Devon and we’re up for this next match too”
Depending on this result, and the game on the 28th of February Devon v Dorset + Wilts will determine the quarter-finals placings.
The CRFU Hon Sec Terry Williams said, -” The last game saw 18 ties awarded to players who played their first senior game in the black and gold shirt. It is also difficult when a number of these players are involved with their own clubs on a Saturday and then turn out for training or games for us on a Sunday. We are fortunate that players have the will and desire to be involved and turn up and put themselves in the mix for selection.”
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 Colin Hatch in the first instance.
Email – hatch0348@btinternet.com
Mob – 07967725368
Bill Hooper
Cornwall RFU Assistant Hon Sec
31/01/22
Cornwall U20 v Dorset & Wilts U20
Sunday 6 February @ Dorchester RFC 13:00 kick off
Cornwall Squad
| 1 | Ethan Pearce-Cowley (Captain) | Cinderford |
| 2 | Tyler Dower | Camborne |
| 3 | Declan Prowse | Camborne |
| 4 | Pat Walton | Penryn |
| 5 | Toby Osborne | Pirates Ams |
| 6 | Jack King | Camborne |
| 7 | Freddie Trewin | Helston |
| 8 | Archie Pilcher | Pirates Ams |
| 9 | Josh Anderson | Truro |
| 10 | Joe McCarthy | Camborne School of Mines |
| 11 | Lachlan Surridge | Camborne |
| 12 | Joss Pascoe ( V Captain) | Truro |
| 13 | Harry Andrewartha | Redruth |
| 14 | Lewis Bostock | Truro |
| 15 | Harry Larkins | Camborne |
| 16 | Matt Pritchard | Falmouth |
| 17 | Cameron Leigh | Redruth |
| 18 | Dillon Newton | Wadebridge Camels |
| 19 | Connor Triggs | Truro |
| 20 | Adam Hall | Redruth |
| 21 | Joe Tanswell | Penryn |
| 22 | Jack Davis | Royal Navy + Camborne |
| Travelling reserves | ||
| 23 | Max Cardwell | Pirates Ams |
| 24 | Eli Williams | Pirates Ams |
| 25 | Oliver Minnis | St Austell |
| 26 | George Hutchinson | St Austell |
Coaches – Rich Kevern, Tyler Gendall, Adam Kevern, Brad Howe
Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams
Medical cover – Nev Curnow + Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop
Graham Still – R.I.P. -Funeral Details
Cornwall RFU were saddened to learn this morning of the passing of former county player and county selector Graham Still.
Graham was a formidable back row forward and played for Redruth, Ebbw Vale, the Royal Air Force and Combined Services. He also played for England Colts in 1975.
CRFU President John Sumnall and all the officials wish to express their sincerest condolences to Graham’s family and friends at this sad time.
Funeral will be at Treswithian Downs crematorium, TR14 0BL, on Wednesday 16th February at 3.30 pm. We will be having the celebration of his life afterwards at the Miners Arms, Plain-an-Gwarry, Redruth, TR15 1JB, where everyone is welcome to attend. For those not able to make the service we are also planning to be at the Railway Club, Redruth, TR15 2AB, on Thursday the 17th Feb from 6.30 pm as one of Graham’s rituals was to go there for a quiet Guinness every Thursday.
