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Cornwall Women announce 2024 squad

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The selectors and coaches have announced their squad for this season’s Gill Burns Cup Division 2 campaign as well as the forthcoming Women’s Tamar Cup match against Devon.

Following a couple of open trials and the recent Women’s Cornwall Cup tournament held at Truro RFC the coaches have selected a squad of 31 players with 16 having been involved last season.

High-flying Launceston Ladies provide nine players to this season’s squad, amongst whom are live-wire scrum-half Amy Warman and powerful prop forward Kim Upcott

There are welcome returns for centre Tia Larson (Bude Ladies), as well as prop Zeta Penrose and back Lauren Chenoweth both from Truro Women.

There is a good sprinkling of experience in the squad, notably Captain Amy Bunt, along with aforementioned Warman and Upcott.

There are some familiar names absent due to injury, namely forwards Mel Ruby, Briony Eddy and Rhiannon Thomas all three from Launceston Ladies.

Coach Jo Holden explained that this year had again proved challenging in picking the squad. “We have had good numbers coming forward during the trials and the county cup games. It’s been very hard to nail down the final squad as the level keeps improving year on year.

“I think we have a very good mix of experience and emerging young talent that will gel well under the captaincy of Amy Bunt.

“I am excited to see what this squad can achieve in the coming weeks; we have the Tamar Cup game against Devon and then three tough Gill Burns Cup games against Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Somerset. It would really encourage the squad to see a big crowd, especially for our home game at Truro RFC on Sunday 12th May when we take on Hampshire Women.

“As ever we are extremely grateful to our valued sponsors, without their generous support we could not compete at this level.”

The Women’s Tamar Cup match against Devon Women due to take place at Bodmin RFC on Sunday 21st April is likely to change date, please check the CRFU website for updates on the new date.

The 2024 Cornwall Women’s squad

Forwards: Jenna Arnold, Megan Arnold, Vicki Doidge, Kim Upcott, Emily Kneale (all Launceston Ladies), Caitlin Milliken, Elizabeth Langton, Nicole Rowland (all Ivybridge Women), Caitlin Eddy (Helston Vixens Women), Stephanie Nicholas (Camborne Women), Sian Westgarth, Zeta Penrose (both Truro Women), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO Women), Emily Carbis (Devonport S Ladies), Rosie Ninnis, Paige Clarke, Fern-Daisey Cumine (all Penryn Ladies)

Backs: Ellen Armstrong, Amy Warman, Joey Sandercock, Abgail Smith (all Launceston Ladies), Amy Bunt, Rebecca Bennett, Millie Chaston, Megan Okey (all Ivybridge Ladies), Lauren Chenoweth, Lily Relton (both Truro Women), Lisa Allin, Tia Larson (both Bude Ladies), Georgia Hall, Rebecca O’Reilly (both Penryn Ladies). 

Gill Burns Cup Matches;

Sunday 12th May v Hampshire Women @ Truro RFC 2:30 pm

Sunday 19th May v Hertfordshire Women @ Tabard RFC 2:30 pm

Sunday 26th May v Somerset Women @ Taunton RFC 2:30 pm

Devon reclaim Tamar Cup

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TAMAR CUP

DEVON 28 – 5 CORNWALL

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall travelled to Ivybridge for the annual Tamar Cup clash against Devon on the artificial pitch at Cross-in-Hand.

It was another chance for coaches and selectors to run the rule over potential players for this season’s Bill Beaumont Cup campaign kicking off in May. Disappointingly, the result posed more questions than answers!

Devon kicked off with the wind at their backs in atrocious conditions that lasted the whole match. Cornwall were put on the back foot as Devon manufactured a try in the corner after just 3 minutes through full back Joel Ashworth who added an excellent conversion from wide out.

Cornwall did have chances during the first half, however the good work was undone as both lineout and scrum malfunctioned under huge Devon pressure.

Devon doubled their advantage after 18 minutes when they scored from a pick and go near the Cornwall line through scrum-half Jamie Hext. Ashworth’s conversion split the uprights.

Cornwall’s grip on the Tamar Cup was well and truly lessened with two further Ashworth converted Devon tries before half-time through wing Corey Jamieson and flanker Jordan Watson making it 28-0 to the hosts at the turn.

Cornwall did make a better fist of it second half, with the game played mostly in the Devon half, whilst the scrum went better the lineout continued to misfire.

Despite some good play from James Tucker, Max Bullen and Dan Tyrrell, Cornwall couldn’t breech the Devon defence until prop Rich Treleaven was driven over for a consolation try.

Cornwall continued to battle away with centre Josh Semmens looking to make ground but Devon’s defence held out to secure a first Tamar Cup win since 2010.

Skipper for the night St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd was naturally disappointed with the result. “Things didn’t go our way tonight. Conceding the fourth try right on half-time gave us a mountain to climb second half.

“Credit to the boys they put in a better performance second half and showed pride in the shirt.”

Cornwall (Launceston unless stated): Shepherd (St. Austell), Davies (Devonport S), Fogden, Semmens (Pirates Ams), Tyrrell (St. Austell), Hennessey (Truro), Boyce (St. Austell); Pearce-Cowley, L Powell (Truro), Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Goldsmith, Horne, Head (Truro), Taylor (St. Austell), Rowley.

Replacements: Treleaven (Wadebridge C), Bulut, Hawken, A Powell (Liskeard-Looe), Elderkin (Truro), Hancock (Bude), Bullen, Plummer (both St. Austell), Tucker.

Cornwall score: Try, Treleaven

Cup Joy for Launceston Ladies

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Launceston Ladies stormed to an impressive Cornwall Women’s Clubs Cup win at Truro RFC on Sunday.

Five teams entered this inaugural competition, joining Launceston Ladies were host club Truro Women, Helston Vixens Women, Penryn Ladies and a Cornwall Barbarians side, that saw players from various other clubs compete under the Barbarian banner.

The tournament was played as a round-robin with games lasting 20 minutes.

Launceston Ladies won all 4 of their games to claim the cup, with Truro Women runners-up.

Thanks to Jo Holden for her hard work in organising the event and to both Olivia Jenkins & Rachel Miller from the RFU.

Thanks also to Lee Maher and Cornwall Rugby Referee’s Society.

CRFU Chairman Dave Saunter was delighted by the way the afternoon went. “Fantastic to see over 120 women playing for their clubs today, women’s rugby is going from strength to strength and events like this can only raise the profile. Congratulations to Launceston Ladies on their win and to Jo Holden for her hard work organising the event. Thanks also to Tribute Ales for their valuable support.”

Amy Warman & Mel Ruby lift the Cup.

Cornwall name side for Tamar Cup clash

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Cornwall selects side to face Devon in Tamar Cup

By Bill Hooper

The Cornwall selectors have picked a squad from level 5 down to play Devon on Wednesday in the Tamar Cup.

This follows a request from Devon as they are competing this season in Bill Beaumont Division 3 as opposed to Cornwall who will compete in Division 1.

Cornwall will be looking to maintain the grip they have had on the Tamar Cup ever since they won it off Devon in 2012.

The selected squad sees several players who featured in the recent drawn game at St. Austell against the Royal Navy. It also gives the selectors the chance to run the rule over a number of players yet to feature.

Last season lock Freddie Stevenson from Bude featured in the county championship matches having impressed in the Tamar Cup. Another Bude player Ben Hancock will be hoping to follow in Freddie’s footsteps.

The Bill Beaumont Cup games will see the return of players from both Camborne and Redruth, along with those who have impressed from both the Navy and Tamar Cup games.

The game is being played at Ivybridge RFC with a 7:30 pm kick-off. Gate admission is £5.

Cornwall (Launceston unless stated): Shepherd (St. Austell), Davies (Devonport S), Fogden, Semmens (Pirates Ams), Tyrrell (St. Austell), Hennessey (Truro), Boyce (St. Austell); Pearce-Cowley, L Powell (Truro), Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Goldsmith, Horne, Head (Truro), Taylor (St. Austell), Rowley.

Replacements: Treleaven (Wadebridge C), Bulut, Hawken, A Powell (Liskeard-Looe), Elderkin (Truro), Hancock (Bude), Bullen, Plummer (both St. Austell), Tucker.

Cornwall Senior Men’s Home Game – 1st June 2024 – Venue Confirmed.

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Following a successful tender bid, this season’s only home game will be played at Redruth RFC. 

This venue needs no introduction and has held many iconic games instrumental to Cornwall’s journey to Twickenham over the years. 

It is with a nod to times gone by that at this event, the Team that won the historic game in 1990/1991 at rugby HQ are invited to attend as CRFU’s special guests.

There will be more information on this game as well as away fixtures in the coming weeks. 

Like and follow all our social media platforms to ensure you have the most up to date information. 

A special thanks to our sponsors for Senior Men’s Team:

Tribute, Jewsons, MSB Group Ltd, Anns Pasties, Kelsall Steele, O’Neills, Ocean BMW Falmouth, Hopleys Coaches, Lusty Glaze

Youtube link featuring our sponsors

Cornwall lose Leonard Cup opener to Devon

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JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 7 – 41 DEVON U.20

 By Bill Hooper, Recreation Ground, Camborne

Cornwall Under 20s made a disappointing start to this season’s campaign, well beaten by a very good Devon side who dominated the game from start to finish.

The Devon win saw them retain the Brunel Cup, which both sides play for annually.

Head coach Richie Kevern was understandably very disappointed by his side’s performance. “We were second best today, what disappointed me most was the vulnerability of our set-piece. Our lineout never got going, whilst our scrum was OK for sixty minutes, when Devon brought on their replacements we went backwards.

“The lads will need to have a long hard look at themselves, ahead of our next game at Somerset next month.”

Pete Harris (St Austell) of Cornwall U20s dives over for a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 10/03/24, Cornwall U20s, Devon U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Cornwall were awarded an early kickable penalty, sadly Jack Statton’s effort went wide of the posts.

Devon were soon on the offensive, a speculative hack towards the Cornwall line saw flanker Isiah Akinrowo win the race to dot down the try. The Devon back row looked very sharp all afternoon with blind-side Ethan Millard catching the eye.

Harry Walsh-Newton (Falmouth) of Cornwall U20s on the attack. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 10/03/24, Cornwall U20s, Devon U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Cornwall’s scrum was going well during this point of the game, they got a penalty that Statton kicked to the corner from the catch and drive, hooker Pete Harris bagged the try converted by Statton.

Disappointingly for Cornwall that was a good as it got. Devon began to dictate play with fly-half Matt Smale pulling the strings.

They got their reward when prop Dan Butt broke a tackle to score, Smale adding the extras before slotting a penalty shortly after.

Rowan Lawrence (Falmouth) of Cornwall U20s is tackled by George Guy (Topsham) Vice Captain of Devon U20s and Ethan Millaed (Devonport Services) of Devon U20s. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 10/03/24, Cornwall U20s, Devon U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Under pressure, Cornwall lost a player to the sin-bin, allowing Devon to pile on the pressure with wing Josef Webber dotting down in the corner, Smale’s conversion giving the visitors a useful 22-7 half-time lead.

Despite Devon also finding themselves down to fourteen men early in the second half, Smale scored and converted Devon’s fourth try.

Jack Keogh (St Just) of Cornwall U20s is tackled by Connor Jack (Devonport Services) of Devon U20s. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 10/03/24, Cornwall U20s, Devon U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Cornwall’s woes in the set-piece continued and when Devon brought on their replacement front row, their final semblance of parity vanished.

Further tries from wing Austin Crow, and skipper George Pooley with a conversion from Stark Leighton completed the win for a very worthy Devon side.

Cornwall Under 20s are next in action on Sunday 21st April when they travel to Taunton to play Somerset Under 20s.

Cornwall U.20: Harvey Penhallurick (Falmouth), Ben Roskilly (Penryn), Jack Statton (Launceston), Alfie Hammersley (Falmouth), Jack Keogh (St. Just), Harry Walsh-Newton (Falmouth), Jacob Chapple (Redruth); Rowan Lawrence (Falmouth), Peter Harris (St. Austell), Angus Williams (Penryn), Charlie Knight (Saltash), Will Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), Fin Lister (Penryn), Wes Eddy (Pirates Ams), Dom Ellery (Newquay Hornets).

Replacements: Dan Pope (Camborne SOM), Fin Holt (Redruth), George Oakley (St. Austell), Olly Derry, Will Symons, Ieuan Evans (all Wadebridge Camels), Rhys Richards (Redruth).

Cornwall scores: Try Harris 10, Con, Statton 11

Cornwall Under 20s to face Devon in Championship opener

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CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

2024 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2024 gets underway with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team hosts neighbours Devon for their first pool game of the competition on Sunday 10 March. The game will be played at Camborne RFC with a 2 pm kick off.

CRFU President Andy Reed 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”.

Admission is by programme £5, with Under 16s free.

Cornwall and Devon will also be playing for the Brunel Cup in this fixture.

Cornwall have named Will Perkin (St Ives), pictured above as the captain for the season, alongside him is another player from last season, Jack Statton from Launceston, who is the vice-captain.

Jack Keogh (St Just) of Cornwall U20s on the attack. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 31/01/24, Cornwall U20s, CSM, Camborne School of Mines, Friendly, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Hayle, Memorial Ground, Cornwall, England

Coach Rich Kevern said – “This will be a good test for this new set of young players. We start a fresh with a whole group of new players entering the competition for the first time. Playing Devon is never easy, playing Devon in the very first game of the season will be an even bigger challenge for these guys”.

Cornwall has a new coaching set up this season, so joining well established Rich Kevern is ex U20 player and current Cornish Pirates lock Steele Barker as the forward’s coach. Always keen to encourage young coaches into the game we see ex senior county player David Mankee assisting the backs with Rich, and Jago Sheppard another ex U20 and member of the winning 2022 team and current Camborne player assisting Steele with the forwards.

Jack Stanton (Launceston) of Cornwall U20s is tackled by Finley Mellis (Newent) of Gloucestershire U20s. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 09/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Gloucestershire U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Cornwall Captain Will Perkin said, – “It is an honour to be asked to be 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. We have had great numbers at training, and I know some guys will be disappointed not to be in the team, but this is a squad for the season so keep pushing us for those places, nobody’s shirt is fixed. For those who will run out with me on the 10th, we have a big task ahead of us but I’m confident in our ability”.

Cornwall ‘s second pool game will be Somerset away on Sunday 21st April at Taunton RFC with a 2 pm kick off time and then Gloucestershire at Cheltenham RFC on Sunday 5th May again with a 2 pm kick off.

The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said, -” The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. 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 players who will be around for the next two seasons, and we are always on
the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join them over the coming seasons”.

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 Tanya Thomas of the CRFU in the first instance, her email is : commercial-development@crfu.co.uk

We will be monitoring the weather this week. If there are any changes regarding the venue of the match this will be advised on the Cornwall RFU website and social media channels.

Cornwall U20 v Devon U20 Sunday 10th March @ Camborne RFC 1400 kick off.

TEAM
1 ROWAN LAWRENCE (FALMOUTH RFC)
2 PETE HARRIS (ST AUSTELL RFC)
25 ANGUS WILLIAMS (PENRYN RFC)
4 CHARLIE KNIGHT (SALTASH RFC)
5 WILL PERKIN (CAPTAIN) (ST IVES RFC)
6 FINN LISTER (PENRYN RFC)
7 WES EDDY (PIRATES AMS RFC)
8 DOM ELLERY (NEWQUAY HORNETS RFC)
9 JACOB CHAPPLE (REDRUTH RFC)
10 DEAN WILLS (REDRUTH RFC)
11 JACK KEOGH (ST JUST RFC)
12 ALFIE HAMMERSLEY (FALMOUTH RFC)
13 JACK STATTON (VICE CAPTAIN) (LAUNCESTON RC)
14 BEN ROSKILLY (PENRYN RFC)
15 HARVEY PENHALLURICK (FALMOUTH RFC)

IMPACT PLAYERS
16 DAN POPE (CAMBORNE SCHOOL OF MINES RFC)
17 FINN HOLT (REDRUTH RFC)
18 GEORGE OAKLEY (ST AUSTELL RFC)
19 OLLY DERRY (WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC)
20 WILL SYMONS (WADEBRIDGE CAMELS RFC)
21 HARRY WALSH-NEWTON (FALMOUTH RFC)
22 RHYS RICHARDS (REDRUTH RFC)

TRAVELLING RESERVES
TR ALEX WATKINS (CAMBORNE SCHOOL OF MINES RFC)
TR JAMES SUTTON (SALTASH RFC)
TR AYDEN EARNSHAW (PENRYN RFC)
TR AMORI MATANATABU (HELSTON RFC)

Coaches – Rich Kevern, Steele Barker, David Mankee + Jago
Sheppard
Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams
Medical cover – Hen Gard + Ronnie Bartlett
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming
David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop

Cornwall U.20 v Devon U.20

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Cornwall Under 20s take on Devon Under 20s in their opening Jason Leonard Cup match this Sunday at Camborne RFC, kick-off 2 pm.

Admission is by programme, £5, with Under 16s free.

Team news will be released later in the week. Meanwhile we look forward to your support for our young players.

The game will also see both sides contest the Brunel Cup.

We are delighted to welcome back for another season our principal shirt sponsor for Cornwall Under 20s.

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.