Pirates Amateurs young lock Mawgan Osborne was presented with his Under 20s Cornwall Cap, having made 7 appearances in the Jason Leonard Cup for his county by CRFU President John Sumnall. Photo by Simon Bryant Iktisphoto.
Cornwall dig deep to earn Gloucestershire win
JASON LEONARD CUP NATIONAL UNDER 20’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
GLOUCESTERSHIRE U.20s 27 – 31 CORNWALL U.20s
By Bill Hooper at Shaftesbury Park
A late try from skipper Aaron Simmonds gave Cornwall Under 20s a deserved win against fancied Gloucestershire Under 20s.
Cornwall’s hearts were in their mouths as referee Julian Rainford at first appeared unsure of the grounding, happily for the Cornish lads his assistant saw the Simmonds score. The win sees Cornwall top their group to earn a home quarter-final in two weeks time against Hertfordshire.
Whether that game goes ahead remains to be seen, for now the Cornwall squad can reflect on a job well done.
Cornwall got off to a cracking start, pressing in the Gloucestershire twenty-two, lock Steele Barker charged down an attempted clearance, gathered the ball before passing inside to fellow lock Mawgan Osborne who scored. Simmonds added the first of his four conversions.
The Gloucestershire boys, rattled, then conceded a penalty in front of the posts that Simmonds calmly popped over to stretch the lead.
Eventually the home side settled with their fly-half Tom Price getting them on the board with a penalty.
A searing break from Charlie Levick set up Cornwall’s second try that led to the Osborne brother combining to send Toby over for another converted try.
Flanker Tom Spiers again caught the eye with his work at the breakdown turning ball over and dangerous with the ball in hand.
Gloucestershire were starting to get some momentum at scrum time, they pressurised the Cornwall line and from a 5-metre scrum their powerful No.8 Adam Hopkinson drove over for Price to convert.
Cornwall will be disappointed in the manner they saw their lead disappear, attacking in the opposing twenty-two, a stray pass was hacked on by Gloucestershire’s Tim Andrew, the wing showed his speed hacking on again to win the race to the line, Price’s conversion tying the scores at half-time.
Cornwall started to use their bench, Mishka Fibbens and Joe Best came on putting in some big drives.
Spiers’ good work was temporarily halted when he appeared to be harshly sin-binned. Price took the chance to put his side ahead from the kicking-tee for the first time.
Under the cosh Cornwall conceded another try from a close-range scrum with Hopkinson once again the scorer, Price’s conversion giving Gloucestershire a 27-17 advantage with the clocking ticking down.
Prop Eliot Salt, who had a fine game, took a heavy knock that stunned him for several minutes, it gave Cornwall the chance to refocus.
Cornwall had to throw the dice, they piled on the pressure, Spiers was held up over the line, suddenly the home side saw yellow.
Following several concerted drives near the Gloucestershire line Cornwall got their lifeline thanks to Cameron Taylor, Simmonds calmly slotted the extras to make it game on once more.
Back came the Cornish lads, patience being their watchword, the calmly went through the phases that led up to Simmonds try, a dramatic comeback!
It wasn’t over, Cornwall had to withstand a final Gloucestershire surge near their line, but when they knocked on Cornwall had their win.
After the final whistle Cornwall coach Richie Kevern was delighted with his side’s never say die attitude. “We showed some character out there today, to have made that good start and then find yourself ten points down nearing the end the lads could have cracked, but they showed a mature attitude, were patient and forced the errors from Gloucestershire, they earned that win the hard way.”
Cornwall U.20: Charlie Levick, Guy Brooks (both Penryn), Aaron Simmonds (Capt, Redruth), Ben Plummer, Max Bullen, James Tucker (all St. Austell), Ali Stacey (Redruth); Callum Looker (Cardiff Met), Mackenzie Oliver (Redruth), Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met), Steele Barker (Penryn), Mawgan Osborne, Toby Osborne (both Pirates Ams), Tom Spiers (Truro), Jack Wickham (Saltash).
Replacements: Cameron Taylor (St. Austell), Mishka Fibbens (Penryn), Devon Bennett-Murray (Saltash), Joe Best (St. Just), Liam Stoddern (Camborne), James Murray (Redruth), Harry Clemo (Camborne).
Cornwall scores: Tries. M Osborne, T Osborne, Taylor, Simmonds, Cons, Simmonds 4, Pen, Simmonds.
Cornwall Women announce squad for Gill Burns Cup
Cornwall Women have named thirty ladies for this season’s Gill Burns Cup campaign and also for their pre-championship friendly against Devon Women.
Jo Holden will captain the side this season.
CORNWALL WOMEN FIXTURES
FRIENDLY
Sunday 5th April CORNWALL WOMEN V DEVON WOMEN @ Penryn RFC 2 pm
GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2 POOL 3
Sunday 26th April DORSET & WILTS WOMEN V CORNWALL WOMEN (Venue & kick off tbc)
Sunday 10th May CORNWALL WOMEN V SOMERSET WOMEN @ Hayle RFC 2 pm
Sunday 17th May CORNWALL WOMEN V HAMPSHIRE WOMEN @ Penryn RFC 2 pm
Should Cornwall top their pool they will have a home semi-final.
Sunday 24th May Semi-final Pool 3 Winners v Pool 4 Winners
Saturday 30th May Gill Burns Div 2 Final @ Twickenham
Cornwall name side to face Gloucs in final pool game-updated.
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship team, play their final fixture in the pool stage of the 2020 Jason Leonard Cup. The team play Gloucestershire away at Dings RFC with a 1430 kick off on Sunday 15th March.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “This is another must win game if Cornwall wish to progress in this year’s competition. The guys came back from the defeat against Devon to record a superb victory over Berkshire. This has given them a chance to progress, however the pool is very tight and a number of outcomes are still possible”
The game kicks off at 1430 at Dings RFC in Bristol and will be played on the astro-pitch surface.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “The guys performed well at a wet and windy Camborne but this will be another step up for these players. Gloucestershire are always tough opponents especially on their home turf but I know the guys will be up for the contest. A number of guys have performed well in both games and we are hopeful they will represent Cornwall at the South West trials in April.”
Cornwall has made one change to the starting line up with Callum Looker starting at loose head prop and James Lambourn going onto the bench. For the replacements the coaches have gone with a 4 / 3 split with Joe Best earning his first call up and Mishka Fibbens becoming a travelling reserve. For the backs Liam Stoddern makes his first appearance on the bench.
Guy Brooks is named on the wing in place of Fraser Nottle.
Cornwall Captain Aaron Simmonds said; – “We needed to produce a performance at our only home pool game and put behind us the game against Devon. The guys stuck to the game plan and played some good rugby although there are areas we still need to work on to continue that momentum”
Cornwall lost their first game 30-18 away to Devon before picking up a bonus point win against Berkshire, winning 42-7. Gloucestershire won away at Berkshire 24 – 30 before drawing away to Devon in their last pool game 29 -29. The pool standings at present have Devon and Gloucestershire both on 8 points, Cornwall are third with 5 points, and Berkshire are fourth on 1 point. Devon will travel to Berkshire on the same day as Gloucestershire host Cornwall. A win for Cornwall will see them earn another quarterfinal place in the competition, but a loss will be the end of the season for the team.
The Representative rugby chair Chris Lea said; -“It is testament to the players to bounce back after the Devon game but now need another performance to guarantee they remain in the top tier of the Jason Leonard Cup next season. There has been a number of months hard work put in not only by the players but the coaching, medical, backroom staff and the guys who provide the game analysis, multi-media and photographs to support the players and our thanks go to each and every one of them. ”
Gloucestershire U20 v Cornwall U20
Sunday 15 March @ Dings RFC 14:30 kick off
Cornwall Squad
| 1 | CALLUM LOOKER | CARDIFF MET |
| 2 | MACKENZIE OLIVER | REDRUTH |
| 3 | ELIOT SALT | CARDIFF MET |
| 4 | STEELE BARKER | PENRYN |
| 5 | MAWGAN OSBORNE | PIRATES AMS |
| 6 | TOBY OSBORNE | PIRATES AMS |
| 7 | TOM SPIERS (V. CAPT) | TRURO |
| 8 | JACK WICKHAM | SALTASH |
| 9 | ALI STACEY | REDRUTH |
| 10 | JAMES TUCKER | ST AUSTELL |
| 11 | MAX BULLEN | ST AUSTELL |
| 12 | BEN PLUMMER | ST AUSTELL |
| 13 | AARON SIMMONDS (CAPT) | REDRUTH |
| 14 | GUY BROOKS | PENRYN |
| 15 | CHARLIE LEVICK | PENRYN |
| REPLACEMENTS | ||
| 16 | CAMERON TAYLOR | ST AUSTELL |
| 3* | MISHKA FIBBENS | PENRYN |
| 18 | DEVON BENNETT-MURRAY | SALTASH |
| 25 | JOE BEST | ST JUST |
| 20 | LIAM STODDERN | CAMBORNE |
| 21 | JAMES MURRAY | REDRUTH |
| 22 | HARRY CLEMO | CAMBORNE |
| Travelling Reserves | ||
| 23 | HARRIS EDDY | PIRATES AMS |
| 24 | CONNOR GEORGE | UNATTACHED |
Coaches – Rich Kevern + Tyler Gendall, assisted by Adam Kevern
Medical cover – Neville Curnow + Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Colin Hatch
Cornwall Girls Under 18s compete well at Devon Festival
Cornwall U.18’s travelled to Okehampton College for their second inter – county festival.
First game against Gloucestershire saw a tight first half, Gloucestershire showing up strongly in second stanza, the girls stuck to the task in heavy conditions.
In the second game against Somerset the girls started to hit their straps putting up an improved performance all round with a try being scored by Paige Clarke.
The third game was against the old enemy Devon. Our forwards dominated the first half owning scrums, rucking and mauling. They battled on throughout the game nearly getting a deserved score right at the death but they were sadly just denied. Devon winning by just a 5-0 margin.
Ronan getting his first taste of girls county matches aided by John Paul and first aiders.
Fantastic play from all the girls today looking forward to carrying it forward for our Cornwall festival in two weeks.
Unfortunately couple injuries wishing those a speedy recovery.
Bob Kennedy Memorial Match to take place this Saturday
Legendary Last England International from Camborne School of Mines to be remembered!
Over the years Camborne Rugby Club has enjoyed close links with the Camborne School of Mines and in 1980 the annual Bob Kennedy Cup match began.
The game takes place in memory of Bob Kennedy an England international who played for both clubs just after the 2nd World War and who tragically died in his native Rhodesia in 1979.
The fixture is being revived on 14th March 2020 after several years absence with a suitable celebration planned to mark 40 years since the inception.
The match will be played between Camborne Presidents XV and Camborne School of Mines with an 11.30 am kick off at Camborne’s Recreation Ground.
This is the first time the fixture has been played for more than 15 years and it is taking place thanks to the foresight and support of Dr Pat Foster, Director of Education Camborne School of Mines, Simon Griffiths, Chairman of the CSM Rugby Club and the Camborne Rugby Club’s President Bill Hussey & Vice Chairman Terry Williams,
Camborne RFC are also indebted to a number of past Camborne SOM students, lecturers and supporters who have generously donated funds towards the game and a post match celebration for more than 100 guests.
Bob Kennedy came to the Duchy shortly after the end of the 2nd World War as a 20 year old to study at the Camborne School of Mines. As an extremely talented player his prowess was soon recognised and more than a dozen appearances for Cornwall followed over the next three seasons that culminated in him winning three full caps for England in 1949.
Kennedy also turned out regularly for Camborne RFC and Club stalwart Ted Williams recalls vividly the elusive winger’s debut for the Cherry & Whites and the repercussions it caused.
Bob played his first match for Camborne against Redruth in front of a crowd of more than 4,000 on Feast Monday 1947. Two other CSM players, T.G.Williams and Peter Malan also featured in the home back division in what was a unique game being the first match to be broadcast on the radio post war, on what was then known as the West of England BBC.
Kennedy is pictured 2nd right back row in the team photo taken that day (see above).
Camborne won 13- 0 much to the consternation of their local rivals and the story goes that Redruth later complained to the Cornwall Rugby Football Union about the ‘School’ players turning out for ‘Town’. A bye law was subsequently introduced that CSM players could only play for other clubs out of term time.
Cornwall U.17s name squad to face Dorset & Wilts U.17
This Sunday, 1st March, Cornwall Under 17s will play Dorset & Wilts Under 17s at Callywith College, Bodmin.
There will be two games played with the first game kicking off at 12:30 pm.
The selected squad is listed below.
Report on the Cornwall Girls U.18s festival at Cheltenham
Cornwall under 18’s girls (pictured above) made an early and long journey to Cheltenham Tigers RFC for the inter County festival against Gloucestershire, Somerset and Devon, writes Team Co-ordinator Melissa Rowe.
We might not have won a game but we made some history by putting points on the board in every single game.
With our first game being Gloucestershire, as this being the first game we all played together as a team and as one, I believe our first game was brilliant with the speed of the defensive line pushing them back over the game line with a score from Nadine Vincent putting points on the board.
Well into the second half keeping the ball in our possession when we had it. Keeping the opposition at a distance from their try line.
Going into the second game we know it would be hard due to it being Devon, as heads dropped knowing that it was a rivalry between the teams getting a penalty over the post as 3 point on the board by Betty Mathews so not leaving the pitch with nothing gave the girls a bit of a boost.
Within the game the defensive line could have been better working as a line slowing the ball when in our possession.
Last but not least the last match up against Somerset, knowing that’s it’s been a long trip and a long day the girls left everything on the pitch, with the first half of the game one way come onto the second half with the big talk by the coach JP the girls went back out and had a smash.
Putting in the winger Ella Havey-Brock in at the corner. With the girls working hard throughout the day in every match. Work-ons defensive line, being able to keep the speed and intensity and rucks, the support runners just an arm length away. Needing the passes to be consistent.
All the girls had a good run out Coach Jonpaul Shrosbree and both captains were very very proud.
Well done to the whole squad and good luck in the remaining festivals.
Cornwall U18s Girls Squad: Megan Moriarty, Lakia Granger, Paige Clarke, Gertie Burton, Chloe Shrosbree, Louise Daniel, Kelsey Barnard, Ella Henry-Brock, Sasha Friggens, Mia Abbott-Smith, Lucie Mills, Emily Joyce, Megan Clifford, Teigan Holden, Josie Ninnis, Holly Derrante, Louisa Meehan, Ellie Smith, Rosie Ninnis, Cree Willis-Gregory, Ellie Beynon, Lucy Rendle, Georgia McKenny, Anna Garman, Chelsea Heidstrom, Catherine Old, Faith Rowe, Kacey Rowe, Betty Matthews, Izzy Holmes, Nadine Vincent.
Cornwall back in business following Berkshire win
JASON LEONARD CUP
CORNWALL U.20, 42 – 7 BERKSHIRE U.20
By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne.
Cornwall put in a much improved performance defeating a useful Berkshire side by six tries to one to keep their hopes of making the last eight in this season’s Leonard Cup competition.
The Camborne pitch was heavy after all the rain in recent weeks, but Cornwall made light of the difficult conditions.
Cheered on by members of Trelawny’s Army, skipper Aaron Simmonds opened the scoring after just 3 minutes with a well-struck penalty.
Truro flanker Tom Spiers gave a Berkshire forward an almighty hand-off sending him sprawling in the Camborne mud to set the tone, Spiers went on to have an outstanding game.
Cornwall continued to capitalise profiting from a Berkshire error, St Austell centre Ben Plummer intercepting to slide in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Saltash No.8 Jack Wickham made a strong break off the back of a scrum gaining good ground; he was another who made a good impression.
The continued Cornish pressure soon led to another try, good work from the St. Austell wings Fraser Nottle and Max Bullen combined to put lock Mawgan Osborne away, the Pirates Amateurs player ran hard towards the line before shipping a pass to hooker Mackenzie Oliver to score, Simmonds adding the extras.
A third try was not long in the offing, a kick through saw Penryn’s lock Steele Barker gleefully take full advantage to score an unconverted try.
Towards half-time Berkshire got some territory making the most of a catch and drive to score through hooker Harry Wayne Branch, fly-half Jack Grapper kicked a good conversion to leave the score 20-7 to Cornwall at half-time.
Cornwall made another fast start with barely two minutes of the second half played, the outstanding Spiers put away Barker for his second try, the lock sliding in under the posts to give Simmonds a routine conversion.
Simmonds then kicked a second penalty to put the game well and truly out of Berkshire’s reach.
Further scores came from Penryn’s Charlie Levick, from his own kick ahead to win the chase, then to cap his fine performance a deserved final try for Spiers under the sticks that Simmonds bettered.
Speaking after the game Cornwall coach Richie Kevern was delighted with the team’s performance. He said. “It was a good performance in tough conditions, we told them in no uncertain terms that if they lost today then that would be the end of the road for this season, they took it on board and put in a tremendous performance.
Kevern was delighted with the side’s sound defence and good discipline. “There were times when we had to defend and all credit to the lads they put in the hits, this week our discipline was good and that made a big difference.
Kevern also had words of praise for Tom Spiers. “He has had two big games for us, his defence is top draw and when he has the ball in hand he is a real handful to deal with, he has got a very bright future.”
Cornwall now travel to play Gloucestershire Under 20s in their final pool game on Sunday 15th March at Dings Crusaders, with all to play for.
Cornwall U20: Charlie Levick (Penryn), Fraser Nottle (St. Austell), Aaron Simmonds (Redruth, Capt), Ben Plummer, Max Bullen, James Tucker (all St. Austell), Ali Stacey (Redruth); James Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Mackenzie Oliver (Redruth), Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met), Mawgan Osborne (Pirates Ams), Steele Barker (Penryn), Toby Osborne (Pirates Ams), Tom Spiers (Truro), Jack Wickham (Saltash).
Replacements: Cameron Taylor (St. Austell), Mishka Fibbens (Penryn), Callum Looker (Cardiff Met), Caden Brownfield (Hayle), Connor George (Unattached), James Murray, Jordan Sidwell (both Redruth).
Cornwall scores: Tries, Plummer, Oliver, Barker 2, Levick, Spiers, Cons, Simmonds 3, Pens, Simmonds 2
Cornwall Girls begin festival program on Sunday
Cornwall’s girls U18s and U15s representative sides kick off their 2019/20 county festival campaigns this Sunday, although a home encounter is now being hosted the other side of the Tamar!
The U18 girls squad hit the road early on their long trip up to the home of Cheltenham Tigers, where they’ll be playing a simplified format of three 40-minutes matches against Devon, Gloucestershire and Somerset, led by coaches Ronan O’Neill (Penryn Ladies/Camborne Girls) and Jonpaul Shrosbree (Penzance & Newlyn Girls).
Meanwhile after the recent storms led to a hunt for a new venue, the U15s girls will be playing their home festival in the well-known Cornish town of… Okehampton! Despite the new location it is still a home fixture.
Coached on the day by Gavin Mountjoy (Newquay Girls) and Ross Tucknott (Penryn Girls), the girls will be playing three 30-minute matches of 15-a-side and three subsequent matches of 7s or XRugby against the same opponents as the U18s, and after a season blighted by cancellations for some of the squad it’ll be only the first, second or third 15-a-side matches they’ve ever played!
With two more identical festivals for each age group over the coming four weeks, that’s a total of 27 matches of rugby for our girls in the Black and Gold! Good luck to those involved, one and all.
Cornwall U18s Girls Squad: Megan Moriarty, Lakia Granger, Paige Clarke, Gertie Burton, Chloe Shrosbree, Louise Daniel, Kelsey Barnard, Ella Henry-Brock, Sasha Friggens, Mia Abbott-Smith, Lucie Mills, Emily Joyce, Megan Clifford, Teigan Holden, Josie Ninnis, Holly Derrante, Louisa Meehan, Ellie Smith, Rosie Ninnis, Cree Willis-Gregory, Ellie Beynon, Lucy Rendle, Georgia McKenny, Anna Garman, Chelsea Heidstrom, Catherine Old, Faith Rowe, Kacey Rowe, Betty Matthews, Izzy Holmes, Nadine Vincent.
Cornwall U15s Girls Squad: Maeya Mason, Ellie Bardoe, Charlotte Picton, Keeley Cann, Lara-Quinn Laugharne, Poppy Pentecost, Farrah Searle, Josie Plant, India Williams, Bethany Tryner, Daisy Munns, Charlotte Martin, Maeve Turley, Amy McHardy, Tamsin Rookes, Rhianna Brisley, Tecca Ford, Chloe Samways, Millie Osman, Tia Hatch, Lily Relton, Millie Brown, Hannah Statton, Kerris Luke, Chiana A’Lee, Ellen Armstrong, Zara Turner, Jade Turner, Becky Bennett, Charlie Pennicott.
