Rugby Football Union
Following Sunday’s match for the Cornwall Under 20s against Dorset & Wilts at North Dorset RFC, St. Austell’s Jamie Stanlake was presented with his Cornwall Under 20 county cap by the Representative of Cornish Clubs on the RFU Council Alan Milliner M.B.E.
Well done Jamie.
Would spectators please note that the kick-off time for the above match at Camborne RFC on Saturday 20th May is now 2 pm.
This is to accommodate Kent RFU’s travel arrangements.
We thank you for your understanding.
Cornwall RFU President John Sumnall was present at Polson Bridge on Sunday and was delighted to make cap presentations to the following players from last season;
Verity Holden, Amy Bunt, Mel Ruby, Nicole Rowland & Amy Warman.
To qualify for a cap players must play in 7 Gill Burns Cup games for Cornwall.
Congratulations to you all and well done.
Also congratulations to all the players who received their county badges for making their Cornwall debut.
GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2
CORNWALL WOMEN 57 – 0 OXFORDSHIRE WOMEN
By Bill Hooper, at Polson Bridge
With Somerset Women having pulled out of the competition earlier this week, this game became a knock-out match with the winner guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.
In front of a crowd of over 500 Cornwall Women made sure it was they who are in the last four with this comprehensive win against Oxfordshire.
The visitors kicked off playing towards Devon and with less than a minute on the clock they were lining up under the posts. The ball was moved wide and when skipper Amy Bunt got the ball there was simply no stopping her, she bounced off attempted tackles and surged imperiously to the try-line.
What a start, it really set the tone for the match. Fly-half Georgia Hall kicked the first of her six successful conversions.
Cornwall maintained pressure in the visitors half. From a kick to the corner the fired up pack drove Oxfordshire back with flanker Rosie Ninnis getting the unconverted try.
The mid-field of Jo Roberts and Megan Okey proved a constant threat, whilst in the forwards flanker Rhiannon Thomas and No.8 Katherine Wherry caught the eye.
A good break from wing Lydia Hawkins saw her hauled down near the line, Cornwall kept the ball alive and profited with a score from prop Josie Ninnis, to make it family double.
Bunt again showed her strength and determination to bag her second try, before Okey sliced through the cover to put Cornwall 33-0 up at the break.
Cornwall Women again made an ideal start to the second half with a try from close-range from hard-working prop Mel Ruby.
With the game in the bag, Cornwall emptied the bench, Bunt completed her hat-trick of tries before Lisa Allin came on to replace Amy Warman, another fine game from the Launceston 9, and bag herself a brace of tries.
Oxfordshire to their credit never gave up and stuck to it and were a shade unlucky not to score, Cornwall Women did want their line crossed and they made sure of it.
Cornwall coach Jo Holden was over the moon with her side’s performance. “You know what is the most satisfying is that they went through the plays we have been working on to the letter. It’s a great score today but there are some areas to work on ahead of our semi-final.
“The other pleasing aspect was when we brought on the bench, the level didn’t drop we maintained our physicality and our systems perfectly, great credit to the girls.”
News of Cornwall Women’s semi-final will be published on the CRFU website when advised by the RFU.
Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Lydia Hawkins (Falmouth), Jo Roberts (Plymstock AO), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Amy Warman (Launceston); Mel Ruby (Launceston), Jenna Arnold (Launceston), Josie Ninnis (Penryn), Megan Arnold (Launceston), Sian Westgarth (Truro), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Rhiannon Thomas (Launceston), Katherine Wherry (Ivybridge).
Replacements: Kim Upcott (Launceston), Lara Wallace (Camborne), Caitlin Milliken (Camborne), Roberta Smith Scotland (Plymstock AO), Lisa Allin (Bude), Rebecca Bennett (Truro), Bryher Freight (Truro).
Cornwall Scores: Tries Bunt 3, R Ninnis, J Ninnis, Okey, Ruby, Allin 2, Cons Hall 6
Oxfordshire Women: Grace Chandler (Chinnor), Chelsea Round (Banbury), Charlie Groves, Shannon Loney (both Oxford Quins), Lucy Hardman (Oxford Brookes), Emily Dwyer (Banbury), Nicolle Guiliani (Chinnor); Aisling Dulson-Ormsby (Chinnor), Daisy Hopkins, Imogen Coker, Katie Geary (all Oxford Quins), Poppy Thompson (Banbury) Jessie Jordan (Witney), Chloe Black (Oxford Quins), Hannah Hawthorne (Didcot)
Replacements: Izzy Baker, Sophie Rawlings (both Witney), Mollie Bourke (Chinnor), Gemma Rosati, Becci Matthews (both Oxford Brookes), Amy Johnson (Didcot), Elly Scane (Witney) .
Referee: Nick Cooper (Devon RRS)
Crowd: 550
BILL BEAUMONT CUP
CORNWALL 28 – 19 SOMERSET
By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground.
Cornwall got their campaign off to a winning start but it was a far from convincing performance as they were pushed all the way by a gutsy Somerset side.
Cornwall were their own worse enemies at times, compounding errors with penalties which undid much of their good work.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence to remember the tragic events in Bodmin last weekend. The National Anthem was then sung to mark Coronation Day.
Somerset kicked off playing down the slope and Cornwall immediately miss-judged the ball.
However, Cornwall looked to play with scrum-half Mike Austin looking sharp as did wing Jack Kessell who put in some strong runs.
Cornwall opened the scoring following a few phases near the Somerset line, the visitors infringed, quick thinking from Austin saw him tap and go to score near the posts. Skipper Fraser Honey added the extras.
Somerset again gave notice that they were not going to roll over. A kick into Hellfire corner gave the visitors the platform to launch a maul of their own which led to a try from prop Alec Chase.
It remained 7-5 to Cornwall up to half-time.
Cornwall looked to the bench to freshen things up, with Ben Hilton adding his considerable experience to the fray. The pack sparked to life under Hilton’s impulse.
Good play saw Kessell feed Austin for his second try in front of the massed ranks in Hellfire corner. Honey made sure of his kick to put Cornwall 14-5 up.
Further great play from the forwards saw Somerset bring down the maul illegally and referee Boscawen award the penalty try.
Still Somerset would not lie down. Tries from Leo Valentino and Kieran Ward, both converted by Jamie Elswood brought them right back into the match.
Elsworth then saw a penalty attempt sail to the left of the posts as Cornwall looked a little rocky as the match entered it’s final moments.
Somerset had a scrum near their line, a tremendous Cornish push completely destabled their opponents allowing Sam Stevens to pick up and charge over for the winning score, Honey’s conversion completed the job.
After the game Cornwall skipper had this to say about the match. “That was a hard game. It was my first match back following injury and I did feel a little rusty. We made life hard for ourselves, we were lacking composure at times, trying to force the game which led to turnovers and then we compounded that on the penalty front.
“We will come together this week and look to put matters right and go into next Saturday’s match at Havant against Hampshire on the front foot.”
Cornwall: Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Jack Kessell (Camborne), Jack Simmons (Redruth), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge Juddian), Sam Parsons (St. Austell), Fraser Honey (Redruth, Capt), Mike Austin (Cinderford); Luke Barnes, Richard Brown, Jess Tompsett (all Redruth), Jack Heazelton (Camborne), Freddie Stevenson (Bude), Edd Pascoe, Sam Stevens, Ben Fox (all Redruth).
Replacements: Tommy-Lee Southworth (Camborne), Craig Williams (Redruth), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Sam Walker (Exeter Uni), Konnor Ewudzi (St. Austell), Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams).
Somerset: Charlie Carter (Hornets), Huw Morgan (Clifton), Cam Maslen (Weston), Connor Vickery (Hornets), Matt Carr (Keynsham), Jamie Elswood, Dec Dorrington; Alec Chase, Kieren Ward (all Hornets), Joe Wright (Keynsham), Tommy Bailey (Hornets), Ed Nixon (Castle Cary), Leo Valentino (Old Reds), Sam Taylor (Capt, both Old Reds), AJ Hussell (Weston).
Replacements: Callum Lane (Hornets), Brad Hebbard (St Bernadettes OB), Hayden Tuttiet (Hornets), Andy Butler (Old Reds).
Referee: Veryan Boscawen (RFU)
Dave Burrows poses the questions to Cornwall Women’s Captain Amy Bunt.
CORNWALL NAME SIDE FOR COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP OPENER
By Bill Hooper
The selectors have announced the Cornwall side to face Somerset on Saturday May 6th at Redruth, kick-off 3 pm.
The side shows 13 players from last year’s Cup winning squad, amongst them new captain Fraser Honey.
As expected Redruth players make up the bulk of the side, with healthy contributions from both Camborne and St. Austell.
Chairman of Selectors Kevin Thomas said. “Training sessions have gone well, players have looked sharp and have all given the selectors and coaches a range of choice with most positions.
“It’s a big ask for players to commit to almost another full month of competitive rugby off the back of a long hard season.
“Cornish rugby is special, that’s why our players are so keen to commit, they can add to the Cornish legacy and help write their own bit of history.
He went on to add. “It’s a bit of a challenge bringing together players from all over the Country. We have filmed the sessions and sent videos to some players that couldn’t get to all sessions.
“Representative rugby is very different to club rugby, a bunch of players selected from different clubs thrust together to play competition rugby. It’s about if you are willing to fit in as much as your raw talent.”
Scrum-half Mike Austin, a product of Falmouth RFC, who scored the clinching try in last year’s final, makes the starting line up, whilst young Freddie Stevenson (Bude) comes in to partner Camborne’s Jack Heazelton in the second row.
Trelawny’s Army Player of the Year last season St. Austell’s Matt Shepherd, who has been in stellar form this season with the promotion winning Saints, starts at full-back.
The bench has experience; none more so than former captain Ben Hilton and prop Craig Williams. Sam Walker, another who began his playing with Falmouth and was pivotal in Cornwall Under 20’s Jason Leonard Cup win last season has a very good kicking game if required. Speed also from St. Austell wing Konnor Ewudzi, whilst Josh Semmens had a good outing in the Tamar Cup in March.
Ahead of Saturday’s game skipper Honey had this to say. “Training has gone very well over the past couple of weeks and the boys are chomping to get out on the pitch and put into practice the moves we have been learning. Hopefully, that will put us in a great place going into the game.
“We don’t know too much about the Somerset side, that allows us to concentrate on our own game, if we implement that then we will be in a good place.
“The squad are buzzing to be playing at Redruth in front of our supporters; we hope there is a good crowd to give us that extra 16th man to drive the boys on.”
Cornwall travel to Havant next week to play Hampshire before rounding off their group games at Camborne against Kent on May 20th.
Entry on the gate is £10 with Under 16s free.
Cornwall: Matt Shepherd (St. Austell), Jack Kessell (Camborne), Jack Simmons (Redruth), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge Juddians), Sam Parsons (St. Austell), Fraser Honey (Redruth, Capt), Mike Austin (Cinderford); Luke Barnes, Richard Brown, Jess Tompsett (all Redruth), Jack Heazelton (Camborne), Freddie Stevenson (Bude), Edd Pascoe, Sam Stevens, Ben Fox (all Redruth).
Replacements: Tommy-Lee Southworth (Camborne), Craig Williams (Redruth), Ben Hilton (Barnstaple), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Sam Walker (Exeter Uni), Konnor Ewudzi (St. Austell), Josh Semmens (Pirates Ams).
By Bill Hooper
As expected Cornwall Women have gone with a strong contingent from Launceston Ladies for their opening Gill Burns Division 2 game against Oxfordshire Women on Sunday May 7th at Polson Bridge Launceston RC kick-off 2 pm.
There are eight survivors from last season’s Gill Burns Division 3 final in Sunday’s match day squad, including Captain Amy Bunt.
Coach Jo Holden had this to say ahead of Sunday’s game. “After last year’s triumph, I am unbelievably proud to still be part of this amazing process. The buy in we have had from all the women this year has been incredible and they are constantly raising the bar. Our aim will always be to elevate women’s rugby and from the amount of women now involved across the county, I hope we are on the right track and can play this campaign with the same amount of passion we showed last year”.
Entry to the game at Polson Bridge on Sunday is £5 by programme, a first for a Cornwall Women’s match, a special souvenir in itself, with Under 16s free.
The ladies will appreciate a good crowd to come along and cheer them on, so don the black and gold and cheer like mad for Cornwall.
With Somerset Women having withdrawn from the competition a win on Sunday will see Cornwall Women through to the Division 2 semi-finals.
Cornwall Women: Amy Bunt (Ivybridge, Capt), Lydia Hawkins (Falmouth), Jo Roberts (Plymstock AO), Megan Okey (Ivybridge), Joey Sandercock (Launceston), Georgia Hall (Penryn), Amy Warman (Launceston); Mel Ruby (Launceston), Jenna Arnold (Launceston), Josie Ninnis (Penryn), Megan Arnold (Launceston), Sian Westgarth (Truro), Rosie Ninnis (Penryn), Rhiannon Thomas (Launceston), Katherine Wherry (Ivybridge).
Replacements: Kim Upcott (Launceston), Lara Wallace (Camborne), Caitlin Milliken (Camborne), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO), Lisa Allin (Bude), Rebecca Bennett (Truro), Bryher Freight (Truro).
Travelling Reserves: Oz Brazier (Truro), Laura Outten (Camborne)
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2023 continues as we enter the knock-out stages of this seasons Jason Leonard Cup. Cornwall travel to North Dorset RFC on Sunday 7th May to take on Dorset and Wilts who were SW regional pool 1 winners.
CRFU President John Sumnall said “This is an opportunity for these guys to progress within this year’s competition. Last week the table showed us second after a fantastic victory over Somerset which meant that we were out of this season’s competition however, with several counties being deducted points included our neighbours Devon, it means Cornwall top Southwest pool 2”.
Cornwall narrowly lost their first game away to Devon 35 – 29 but came away with 2 losing bonus points. The second game Cornwall earned maximum points with a 38 – 28 victory over Gloucestershire whilst denying them a losing bonus point. Cornwall won handsomely in their last pool game 79 – 19 over Somerset.
Coach Rich Kevern said .“We asked for a massive performance against Somerset and the boys certainly put in a great shift and produced a superb win. We now must travel to Dorset and Wilts who topped Southwest pool 1 on Sunday and need another big performance. We are now into knock-out rugby, win and we progress or lose and end of season”.
The game will be played at North Dorset RFC with a 1400 kick off time.
Cornwall Captain Joss Pascoe said. “Every game we play now is crucial and we will not get another second chance. For several players including myself this is our last season with the U20 and so we must perform on the day. I know the boys are up for the challenge, but we also know some face a club v county dilemma. At the end of the day we will put out the best team available to us and give 110% whilst wearing the black and gold shirt”.
Cornwall make one change with Joss Pascoe moving to the bench and Jack Statton who had a powerful performance from the bench on the last outing earning the starting 13 shirt. Will Perkin (pictured above) takes over the captaincy role whilst Matt Pritchard at hooker takes up the vice captains’ role for this game. The winner of this game will face the winner of the Essex v Hampshire game and will be played on Sunday 21 May.
CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said. ” Logistically this causes all teams some headaches, with the senior men playing on the Saturday the senior women and the U20’s playing on the Sunday and of course this is the same day as the Papa John’s finals, which several Cornish could be involved in! A big thank you to all our supporters and sponsors, the players, coaches, and backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support all our teams”.
Cornwall U.20: H Penhallurick (Falmouth), L Bostock (Truro), J Statton (Launceston), J Stanlake (St. Austell), L Surridge (Camborne), N Dart (Camborne), J Walker (Falmouth); M Cardwell (Pirates Ams), M Pritchard (Falmouth), M Boothby, J Maunder (both St. Austell), W Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), W Eddy (Pirates Ams), B Jones (Perranporth), C Triggs (Truro).
Replacements: P Harris (St. Austell), A Harris (St. Just), R Lawrence, J Peck, B Rosevear, F Deavin (all Falmouth), J Pascoe (Truro).
Cornwall U20 progress to the quarter-final of the Jason Leonard Cup after local rivals Devon
were deducted 7 points. Devon narrowly beat Cornwall 35 – 29 in the pool stage of the
competition to initially top the table.
Several changes to the regulations this year seems to have caught counties out and 9 of
them have had points deducted by the RFU disciplinary panel. All counties were informed
many times about the level from which they could select players with no player registered at
a level 4 club or above being eligible for selection. Counties also had to supply not only their
team list, which contains name, date of birth and club at which the player is registered but
also the individual RFU player registration numbers.
The RFU Competitions-Development committee also informed all counties that they would
be checking these lists to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Sadly 9 counties
have fallen foul of this regulation and have subsequently had point deducted.
Cornwall now go on to face south-west 1 pool winners Dorset and Wilts in the quarter-finals.
The game will take place on Sunday 7 may at North Dorset RFC with a 1400 kick off time.
Unfortunately, this weekend also clashes with the coronation, the senior men’s first match in
the Bill Beaumont Cup and the senior women’s first match in the Gill Burns Cup, and of
course the finals of the Papa John’s Cup!!
Colin Hatch, Cornwall Under 20 Team Manager
