Cornwall RFU

Rugby Football Union

RFU Logo
Jewson Logo
Tribute Logo
Ann's Pasties Logo
MSB Group Logo
You are here: Home / cornwall rugby

Eden team building event hailed a great success

by

By Bill Hooper, at the Eden Project                                                             

Cornwall RFU held on Sunday it’s pre-championship team building day at new team co-sponsor the Eden Project.

Despite being bruised and battered from their games the previous day, players and their families came along for a specially arranged day that was also family orientated.

We were welcomed by Head of Media Relations at Eden, David Rowe, who reminded us that Eden had been involved with the county side some 18 years ago.

County Chairman Dave Saunter then welcomed everyone on behalf of the CRFU.

Cornwall RFU Chairman, David Saunter speaks to the audience. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo , St Austell, Eden Project, Cornwall

There followed presentations to the players about the program for this season along with the unveiling of the new county shirt which this season features a white collar and a passing nod to the 1991 shirt.

New Cornwall shirt for the 2020 County Championship Campaign with the Bill Beaumont and Tamar Cups. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo , Eden Project, Cornwall

County President John Sumnall thanked everybody for attending and paid tribute to all the county sponsors, St. Austell Brewery, Kelsall Steele, Brooks Macdonald, Eden Project and Trelawny’s Army.

Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall speaks to the players. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 09/02/20, Eden Project, Cornwall

Trelawny’s Army members then led the audience in the singing of Trelawny before everyone tucked into an excellent buffet provided by the Eden Project.

Last season’s county skipper Ben Hilton was delighted with the turnout. He said. “It’s wonderful turnout given the weather conditions that are prevailing across Cornwall, around 150 people here today just to launch our campaign is amazing.

Cornwall player Ben Hilton presents a team photo from the Twickenham Final to David Rowe Media Manager for the Eden Project. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo. Eden Project, Cornwall

Hilton feels that there is always a special buzz on these occasions. “It’s a great communal feeling, the coming together of the clans, it doesn’t matter if you are playing at Redruth or Liskeard-Looe or wherever you come together for a common cause.

“I am really excited to see Eden coming onboard as a partner this season alongside some of our more established sponsors, it’s great that they have a belief in us and listening to David Rowe speaking I feel sure that this partnership will endure well past my playing days.

Hilton’s enthusiasm for playing for Cornwall remains undiminished. “Playing for Cornwall has been and remains a big part of my playing career. If I can transmit some of my passion to the young players coming into the squad then I am delighted. Everybody here today wants to be part of it, but to succeed you must put in the hard work at training and buy into our ethos.

“Once again we will go into games as underdogs, but our belief and the support from Trelawny’s Army will motivate us and push us to give our best.”   

Cornwall Selector Trevor Spargo, Cornwall RFU Chairman, David Saunter, Cornwall Team Manager Julian Wilce and Cornwall, Head Selector Terry Carter. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo , Eden Project, Cornwall

Thanks must also be expressed to St. Austell Brewery who provided us with the video presentation and also their excellent beer.

Dave Burrows captures the highlights from 2019 campaign

Kick Cancer into touch

by

Two more Cornish Clubs are using their match day to support this local initiative. Can you help them to kick cancer into touch?

Redruth vs. Tonbridge Juddians kick-off 2 pm

Wadebridge Camels vs St Austell kick-off 2 pm, as this game is also a Tribute Cornwall Cup semi-final there maybe extra time played if sides level after 80 mins.

Ray Hunt – R.I.P.

by

It is with great sadness I have to share the news that Ray Hunt, President of Bodmin RFC has passed away.

Ray died peacefully on Sunday in Bodmin Hospital. Bodmin RFC is in its 50s season and Ray has been part of the club for 49 of those years.

Holding many offices within the club and a permanent fixture in the club dug-out.

Dave Saunter County Chairman paid tribute to Ray. “It’s a very sad time for both Ray’s family and the club, Ray has been a part of so many players lives within not only Bodmin RFC but the county as a whole. He was the perfect gentleman, always welcomed the opposition and referees. also happy to give advice to young players. Our thoughts go out to Mary and his family”.

Details of the funeral arrangements;

St. Petroc’s Church Bodmin on Wednesday 19th February 2:30 pm

Please wear a club tie, if you can.

Followed by refreshments at Bodmin RFC.  

Training squad for county U.17s

by

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

St Agnes RFC supports local cancer initiative.

by

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.

Six Cornwall Under 18s picked for South West side

by

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.

Devon take down Cornwall in under ’20s derby

by

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.

Despite loss, Cornwall still have all to play for

by

Richie Kevern’s thoughts following Devon defeat

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.   

Cornwall go down in Leonard Cup opener

by

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.

Ben Plummer (St Austell) of Cornwall U20s is tackled by Josh Woodland of Devon U20s (Crediton). – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo

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.” 

Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met) of Cornwall U20s is tackled by Toby Turner of Devon U20s (Devonport Services) and Adam Northcott of Devon U20s (Ivybridge). – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo

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.

Tom Spires (Truro) of Cornwall U20s is tackled by Ethan Pearce of Devon U20s (Crediton). – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo

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.

Mishka Fibbens (Penryn) of Cornwall U20s goes over for a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo

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.

Mawgan Osborne (Pirates Ams) of Cornwall U20s runs for the try-line. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo

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

Rugby Football Union. The England Rose is an official trademark of the Rugby Football Union and is the subject of extensive trademark registrations world wide.