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 20^th

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

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 28^{th 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 

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

RICHIE KEVERN’S THOUGHTS POST MATCH

By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne

It turned out to be a very satisfying weekend for Cornwall Under 20 Coach Richie Kevern, not only did he score Redruth’s opening try in their National League 2 South win against Hinckley on Saturday, he oversaw, along with fellow coach Tyler Gendall, the Under 20’s dramatic win against old foes Devon 25-24 in the opening Jason Leonard Cup pool game.

After the game at Camborne on Sunday, Richie had a big smile on his face. “That was a tight one. At half-time we realised we needed to get back to the basics, keep the ball in-hand, use our forwards and look to make Devon force the errors, fair play they got their rewards.

Richie was full of praise for the pack. I thought our forwards carried well, both locks Pat Walton and Toby Osborne, whilst in the back row Freddie Trewin put in a lot of work and was a real menace at the breakdown. Both props skipper Ethan Pearce-Cowley and Declan Prowse made a lot of meters.

Richie was also full of admiration for the performance of fly-half Joe McCarthy, “I thought he had a stand out game, his kicking from hand, passing and breaks really put us on the front foot. Also our full-back Harry Larkins had a great game creating something from nothing, a beautifully balanced runner with a step to die for. I think that final flourish at the end summed the confidence the lad has, he really enjoys his rugby.

“Playing an expansive game is our goal, we tried some good things today, it didn’t always come off, but with just one warm-up game under our belts I think next time out we will be that much better from the experience of today. You learn only so much on the training pitch, it’s by playing the game that you truly learn to better yourself.

Richie’s thoughts now turn to their second game against Dorset & Wilts. “The lads will have learned a lot from today, we will fine tune some aspects and look to build on this result next time out.”