Rugby Football Union
Dates for the selected players;
Monday 17th Feb: Training at Callywith College, Bodmin, PL31 2GT (Meet at 1800)
Sunday 23rd Feb: Trial match at Callywith College, Bodmin, PL31 2GT (Meet at 1130 for a 1230 Kick Off).
Selected Players
On Saturday 15 February St Agnes RFC play Newquay Hornets RFC in their Kernow League One match and will be using this match to support the Local Cancer Research Group. You are invited to join them when there will be a raffle, auction and activities. The kick off will be at 1430.
The RFU want to hear from players to find out what sort of competitions you want to play in the future.
Click on the link to go to the survey and follow the instructions.
Cornwall U18 SW Counties Trial:
Following the trials held in Bristol last Sunday we are delighted to announce that the following 6 players were selected for SW county 23 man squad:
Tyler Dower – Hooker Camborne
Declan Prowse – Tight-head Prop Penzance and St Just
Finn Richards – Loose-head Prop Truro
Sam Walker – Fly-half Falmouth
Dom Tresidder – Winger Camborne
Eddie Pearce – Full-back Newquay
A further 3 players were selected for the shadow squad:
Huey Campbell – Scrum-half St Austell
Kit May – Centre St Austell
Eli Williams – Back-row Penzance
Congratulations to all players selected, Cornwall had more players selected than any other county.
The CRFU are delighted to give young aspiring journalists the chance to cut their teeth reporting on our county games
Report by Eliott Trotman, Falmouth University Media Student & Falmouth RFC Player
Cornwall suffered their first defeat of the Jason Leonard Cup campaign, as they fell short to Devon at Ivybridge.
Cornwall came out firing in the first 15 minutes and put a significant amount of pressure on Devon, however, a disallowed try due to a forward pass seemed to switch the momentum and saw the green and whites take the first points with a penalty kick.
Cornwall skipper Aaron Simmonds levelled the scores, as he slotted a near halfway line penalty kick to get his team on the board and back in the game.
Both teams had opportunities in the first half to score, but poor hands and a lack of execution was the Achilles heel for the two sides. A 6-6 tie at the half seemed to be a fair result. It was then up to the coaches to spark some wonder.
It was certainly a game of two halves, as Devon saw the opportunity to draw first blood. Their number eight Adam Northcott went over from a pick and go to take the scores to 13-6 with Harry Ottaway adding the extras.
Soon after Devon was in again following a successful driving maul. Cornwall found themselves trailing 18-6 with 13 men on the pitch as both back rowers had been sin-binned.
Cornwall was pinned up against the wall as Devon yet again went over for their third consecutive try and the game very much in their hands. It would require a certain level of character if Cornwall was going to bring it back from 25-6, with 15 minutes to go.
A change of personnel led to Mishka Fibbens barrelling over from the back of the maul to take the score to 25-13, with the captain Simmonds adding the extras. This sparked some more belief in the Cornwall side as Mawgan Osborne the second-rower, found himself with space on the wing. A quick turn of pace and a firm hand-off, Cornwall were back in the game with little time to play. The scores were 25-18, with five minutes to go.
Unfortunately, Devon had the last laugh as second-rower Ethan Pearce scored wide from a miss pass to take the scores to 30-18 and secure the victory for Devon.
Talking to coach Rich after the game, he said:
“We let the gap become too big with Devon and that put all the pressure on us to chase the game.
“It’s not the end of the road for boys, but losing that first game is tough. It certainly makes that job harder!”
Furthermore, Richard spoke about the character of the boys by saying:
“The character we’ve got, I am sure the boys can put on a show at home and get the win we need going into our decider against Gloucestershire.”
The lads take on Berkshire on the 23rd of February in the next round of the cup at Camborne RFC with a 1:30 pm kick-off.
By Bill Hooper
Defeat to Devon’s Under 20s was not the way Cornwall’s coach Richie Kevern had hoped his side would start their campaign in this season’s Jason Leonard Cup. “We were up against it in the second half when we lost both our flankers to yellow cards in the space of a few minutes. Devon took full advantage to score two converted tries to pull out a 20-6 lead.
Kevern felt his side should have made more of their chances in the first half. “We just wern’t clinical enough during the first half when we had opportunities to build pressure, if we had built a lead we could of ridden out the yellows.
Kevern conceded that the lineout had been far from perfect on the day. “We had problems in the lineout all afternoon and that undid a lot of our good approach work, it’s something both Tyler and I will have a look at and look to put right ahead of the next game.
“There were some good positives out there today and I think some of our lads put their hands up to the South West selectors present today.
Kevern though was proud of the fact that the boys didn’t let their heads drop and fought back to score two good tries to put them in a position to salvage something from the game. “The boys showed some good character to come back and score those tries, Mishka showed what a handful he can be, whilst Mawgan did very well to score that try, we had a chance to snatch something from the game but Devon forced back and then took a chance that came their way to seal the game.
Thoughts now turn to the Berkshire game at Camborne on Sunday 23rd February. “We will go back to training next week and look to prepare for that game which now takes on a slightly different perspective; it’s a game that we have to win ahead of our trip to Gloucestershire in March. It’s not the end of road but it makes the task a little bit harder, if we win we can still be in the battle to qualify and I think this group of lads have got the talent to win at Camborne.
JASON LEONARD CUP
UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
DEVON U.20Ss, 30 – 18 CORNWALL U.20 s
By Bill Hooper at Cross-in-Hand, Ivybridge
Cornwall got their campaign off to a disappointing start with this defeat to Devon.
Sadly, Cornwall were the architects of their own demise with indiscipline costing them dear with two yellow cards in the space of 4 second half minutes.
Devon scored two tries during the sin-binning making it a mountain to climb for the Cornish youngsters, who to their credit responded with a couple of tries.
Frustratingly, Cornwall had the better of the first half, enjoying good territorial advantage, but crucially unable to turn it into scores.
Cornwall coach Richie Kevern was naturally disappointed at the final whistle. “Indiscipline cost us today, going down the thirteen men made it very difficult. We really didn’t make the most of our chances in the first half and that was equally frustrating. We will go away now and prepare for the Berkshire game at Camborne in four weeks time.”
There were positives for Cornwall Skipper Aaron Simmonds looked very accomplished at fly-half, Tom Spiers was a handful in the back row, both the Osborne brothers in the boiler house went well, Eliot Salt carried well, whilst Mishka Fibbens made a big impact off the bench.
Simmonds gave Cornwall the lead after 31 minutes with a penalty. This was cancelled out by Harry Ottaway for the hosts. The fly-half then nudged Devon ahead with his second penalty that was matched immediately by Simmonds to leave the scores tied 6- all at the break.
Ten minutes into the second half was when it started to unravel for Cornwall. Open-side flanker Tom Spiers was harshly carded for a ruck offence.
Devon capitalised laying siege to the Cornwall line with eventually hooker Reece Bartlett forcing his way over, Ottaway adding the conversion.
It was then that fellow back row Cameron Taylor was binned, Devon took full-advantage launching an unstoppable forward drive with No.8 Adam Northcott scoring, Ottaway’s conversion putting Devon 25-6 up.
With the clock against Cornwall fresh legs came on, prop Mishka Fibbens made an instant impact ploughing through the Devon defence to crash over, Simmonds on the money with the extras.
Cornwall gave it a good go creating a chance for Mawgan Osborne out wide, the lock danced along the touchline to squeeze in for an unconverted try.
Now trailing by just seven points could Cornwall snatch a draw? They had chances but couldn’t take them, instead Devon made the game safe as lock Ethan Pearce made good ground evading some tired tackle before finding wing Devon Jewsbury who finished well to score Devon’s bonus point try.
Cornwall U.20: Adam Long (Camborne), Guy Brooks (Penryn), Ben Plummer (St. Austell), Isaak Welsh (Truro), Max Bullen (St. Austell), Aaron Simmonds (Capt), Ali Stacey (both Redruth); Callum Looker (Cardiff Met), Rory Mead (Bude), Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met), Mawgan Osborne, Toby Osborne (both Pirates Ams), Cameron Taylor (St. Austell), Tom Spiers (Truro), Aden Brassington (Redruth).
Replacements: James Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Mishka Fibbens (Penryn), Jack Wickham, Devon Bennett-Murray (both Saltash), James Tucker (St. Austell), James Murray (Redruth), Fraser Nottle (St. Austell).
Cornwall scores: Tries, Fibbens, M Osborne, Con, Simmonds, Pens, Simmonds 2
Daubroy Delahunty from the Camels explains. “It’s happening on the 13th of March and I am hoping to get players from all clubs to come together and raise awareness and funds for Its in the bag men’s testicular cancer.
“Rugby against cancer is a charity side made up of players who have battled cancer or have close family members who have battled with the disease these players come together and play charity games. I was lucky enough to have played in the first-ever game in Portsmouth and its something I have been passionate about bringing to Cornwall.
“Please spread the word about this event, even better see you there on the night.”
The Cornwall Rugby Sages invite you to join them on the following dates:
06 February at Camborne RFC, 05 March at St Agnes RFC and 02 April at Falmouth RFC.
Do join them at 1400hrs for liquid refreshment, a pasty and good Cornish singing.
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2020 gets under way, this Sunday 26th January, with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team travel to neighbours Devon for their first pool game of the competition. The game will be played at Ivybridge RFC.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “It is great to get this year’s campaign off with a local tie against our neighbours Devon. We thank all our sponsors for their support and assistance with this group of players in this important game representing Cornwall. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played”
The game kicks off at 14:00 at Ivybridge and will be played on the all-weather pitch.
Coach Rich Kevern said. “This will be a good test for this new set of young players and the experienced guys remaining from last season. Although we have had two warm up games we are in a different ball game now that the Championship is underway. We had a tight game against Devon last season at St Austell and we know the guys in green and white will be up for a tough game again this season”
Cornwall has a new forwards coach this season with ex Cornwall U20, Championship and Premiership player Tyler Gendall who joins Rich Kevern. Rich’s brother Adam has also been assisting especially during his recovery from injury.
Cornwall Captain this season is Aaron Simmonds he said. “It is an honour to be asked to captain the side for this season. I know the guys are up for a tough campaign as always and have trained well in preparation for this game. This is my second season with the 20’s and I know that it is a tough competition and we will have to perform at our best in every game.”
Cornwall‘s second pool game will be home to Berkshire at Camborne RFC with a 13:30 kick off on Sunday February 23. The final pool game will be hosted by Dings RFC in Bristol on Sunday 15 March where the opponents will be Gloucestershire.
The CRFU Representative Rugby Chair Chris Lea said. “The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. This year we have lost even more and so we start to build again with a mixture of players transitioning from the U18’s, new players identified and nominated from clubs around the county. There are a number of these guys who will be around for the next 2 seasons and we are always on the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join them over the coming seasons.”
Cornwall Squad v Devon
| 1 | Callum Looker | Cardiff Met |
| 2 | Rory Mead | Bude |
| 3 | Eliot Salt | Cardiff Met |
| 4 | Mawgan Osborne | Pirates Ams |
| 5 | Toby Osborne | Pirates Ams |
| 6 | Cameron Taylor | St Austell |
| 7 | Tom Spiers | Truro |
| 8 | Aden Brassington | Redruth |
| 9 | Ali Stacey | Redruth |
| 10 | Aaron Simmonds (Capt) | Redruth |
| 11 | Max Bullen | St Austell |
| 12 | Isaak Welsh | Truro |
| 13 | Ben Plummer | St Austell |
| 14 | Guy Brooks | Penryn |
| 15 | Adam Long | Camborne |
| Replacements | ||
| 16 | James Lambourn | Pirates Ams |
| 17 | Mishka Fibbens | Penryn |
| 18 | Jack Wickham | Saltash |
| 19 | Devon Bennett-Murray | Saltash |
| 20 | James Tucker | St Austell |
| 21 | James Murray | Redruth |
| 22 | Fraser Nottle | St Austell |
| Travelling reserves | ||
| 23 | Caden Brownfield | Hayle |
| 24 | Matt Vincent | Hayle |
| 25 | Adam Hall | Redruth |
| 26 | Harry Clemo | Camborne |
Coaches – Rich Kevern + Tyler Gendall, assisted by Adam Kevern
Medical cover – Neville Curnow + Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Colin Hatch
JASON LEONARD CUP (Pool Fixtures)
Sunday 26th January 2020 DEVON V CORNWALL @ Ivybridge RFC kick-off 2 pm
Sunday 23rd February 2020 CORNWALL V BERKSHIRE @ Camborne RFC 1:30 pm
Sunday 15th March 2020 GLOUCESTERSHIRE V CORNWALL @ Dings Crusaders 2:30 pm.
