CRFU – Page 19

Cornwall Women name side to face Oxfordshire Women in Gill Burns opener

May 3, 2023 by Bill Hooper

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 7^th 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With Somerset Women having withdrawn from the competition a win on Sunday will see Cornwall Women through to the Division 2 semi-finals.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 make one change for Dorset & Wilts

May 3, 2023 by Bill Hooper

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 through to the Quarter-finals.

April 29, 2023 by Bill Hooper

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

From St Agnes under 5’s to representing England in the deaf World Cup 7’s in Argentina!

April 29, 2023 by Bill Hooper

By Colin Hatch, Cornwall Under 20 Team Manager

Nat Dart is the current U20’s flyhalf and has featured in 2 of the 3 pool games this season. He missed the game v Gloucestershire as he was selected to represent England deaf 7’s in the World cup in Argentina.
Nat was born deaf and has had to learn how to play and adapt with the condition. He wears hearing aids and lip reads to assist him in his game play, and a scrum cap to protect the hearing aids.
Nat started his career in his home town of St Agnes with their Under 5’s. He then played at Falmouth colts, Truro College and is currently register with Camborne RFC.

Nat had a call to go for the trials and travelled to Moulton College in Northamptonshire along with several others hoping to make the final 12 players selected to travel to Argentina. His skills and personality shone through, and he was selected in the final 12 to represent England. He was also the youngest member of the squad so as is tradition he had the honour of carrying and guarding the team
mascot throughout his time away!

Argentina was a great experience being played in its second city Córdoba, with a population of about 1.4 million and is the capital of Cordoba province. Nat said the weather was hot, the steaks fantastic and he managed to find some liquid refreshments to keep himself hydrated.

England came third in the competition losing in the semi-final to the eventual winners Wales. He did receive a trophy but more importantly an England shirt and Cap. This is his first season playing with the U20’s and several other players he has played with in different age groups, Joe Walker, Wes Eddy, and Jack Statton, and it is great to be able to play with them competitively in the Jason Leonard Cup this
season. It is an enjoyable learning environment and a great way to finish the season says Nat.

Nat is studying Sports and Exercise Science at Cardiff Met University which is a 3-year course, and he hopes to put to good use in his future career. Nat would like to play rugby at the highest level his skills will allow and of course one day add a senior Cornwall tie to his collection.

Nat would like to put a big thanks out to both St Agnes and Perranporth rugby clubs who raised money to fund his trip to represent the England deaf squad.

In total he had to raise £1500 which is a considerable amount of money in these current times and from one of the poorest areas in the country. The thanks must also go to all the people who assisted Nat during his career and encouraging him to go for it, that starts from at home to all the teams mentioned above.

It just shows how from humble beginnings with a disability it is no bar to what you can achieve if you believe, make sacrifices, and are prepared to put in the work. Nat has certainly proved he has all those attributes and joins a long list of Cornwall players who have earned international honours.

The whole Cornwall U20 squad and the wider rugby community salute Nat for his achievements.

Tackle Height Hub – Resources now available

April 29, 2023 by Bill Hooper

Last week the RFU Council voted to adopt law changes to lower the tackle height in community rugby to below the base of the sternum to improve player safety by reducing the risk of head-to-head contact and concussion.

To support players, coaches, referees, volunteers and CBs with these changes ahead of the 2023/24 season, a comprehensive range of online resources, guidance documents, training videos and face-to-face training opportunities are being created by the RFU to run from May throughout the summer and into next season.

All resources, informed by community feedback provided through the consultation process, will be made available via the England Rugby Tackle Height Hub.

New resources available on the Tackle Height Hub today include:

Tackle height roadmap
Responsibilities of the tackler graphic*
Responsibilities of the ball carrier graphic*
Legal tackle height examples
Tackle height picture quiz
Tackle height law information pack
Law application guidance
Sanction framework
Tackle height information video
Tackle height guidance video

*Please note, physical poster versions of the Tackler and Ball Carrier graphics have today been sent to RFU Affiliated clubs.

These resources and training materials will also be supplemented by existing RFU guidance and training, including an updated RFU Headcase toolkit.

Summer age-grade framework

The RFU Council has also approved a regulation amendment to allow a framework for age grade rugby activity over the summer, enabling appropriate contact activity to take place. This builds on the summer framework as used in the last few years and replaces the previous age grade out of season regulations.

Age-grade summer framework for 2023

On top of the age-grade summer framework there are further updates for the age-grade game on the Tackle Height hub:

Regulation and Playing Updates
Game On Adapted Contact Format U14 to 18
Activity Overview
Read More

Cornwall Under 20s shirt & cap presentations

April 26, 2023 by Bill Hooper

Billy Searle was present at Camborne RFC on Sunday to make the shirt presentations to the players ahead of their game against Somerset Under 20s.

Former Cornwall Senior and Premiership player Billy Searle presents the shirt to Joss Pascoe (Truro) Captain of Cornwall U20s. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Following the game CRFU President John Sumnall made cap presentations to the following players;

Matt Pritchard, Connor Triggs, Lachlan Surridge and skipper Joss Pascoe.

Matt Pritchard (Falmouth) of Cornwall U20s presented his U20s cap by Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Conner Triggs (Truro) of Cornwall U20s presented his U20s cap by Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Lachlan Surridge (Camborne) of Cornwall U20s presented his U20s cap by Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

– Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

As this was John’s final Under 20’s home game under his Presidency of the CRFU, the Under 20s made a framed shirt presentation to John as well as a good bottle of red wine, to thank him for his support during his term of office.

Retiring Cornwall RFU President, John Sumnall presented a Frames Cornwall U20s shirt by Joss Pascoe (Truro) Captain of Cornwall U20s with Cornwall U20s vice-captains Will Perkins (St Ives) and Freddy Trewin (Penryn). – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

R.J. Honeywell – R.I.P.

April 25, 2023 by Bill Hooper

Cornwall RFU regret to announce the death of Dick Honeywell (pictured above as captain of Camborne) aged 99 years and believed to have been the oldest former Cornwall player at the time of his death.

Born in Mevagissey, he served in the RAF during World War II, before working for ESSO for his working life. He continued to have a lifetime interest in flying.

Before playing for Cornwall, he was capped by Devon when playing for Paignton in 1948.

Dick played No.8 or in the second row and at 6′ 3” was a handful to deal with. He joined Bristol in 1950 and made his Cornwall debut that same year against British Police at the Mennaye Field, a game Cornwall won 22-6.

He made his County Championship debut for Cornwall in the home game against Somerset at Camborne, which Cornwall lost 9-20. He kept his place in the side for the remainder of that season. In all Dick played 13 times for Cornwall. It also led to him being invited to the first England trial that season, he impressed and was invited for the second trial. Sadly, injury precluded his participation and hopes of an England cap.

Upon returning to Cornwall, Dick played for Camborne and was their captain during the 1953-54 season.

The President of Cornwall RFU, John Sumnall, along with the Officers of the CRFU wish to express their sincerest condolences to Dick’s family and friends at this time.

Clubs Cup Finals, Change of Venue

April 24, 2023 by Bill Hooper

Two Tribute Clubs Cup Finals will take place this Saturday at Wadebridge Camels RFC. This is a change to the published venue Launceston, who have a home Papa Johns Cup semi-final this Saturday.

Entry will be £5 on the gate, under 16s free.

The programme of matches for Saturday 29th April is as follows;

TRIBUTE CLUBS PLATE FINAL

Newquay Hornets v Illogan Park 1 pm

TRIBUTE CLUBS CUP FINAL

Saltash v Perranporth 3 pm

Cornwall’s try bonanza falls short of play-off place

April 24, 2023 by Bill Hooper

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 79 – 19 SOMERSET U.20

By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground Camborne

Despite Cornwall running in an impressive 13 tries in this big win, Devon’s single point victory against Gloucestershire in Cheltenham confirmed them as pool winners and it they who now advance to a South-West play-off against Dorset & Wilts on May 7^th.

One interested spectator at the game was the recently appointed Cornwall Women’s captain Amy Bunt.

Knowing that their fate was not totally in their hands, Cornwall set about the job in-hand, to win and by as many points as they could score.

Lewis Bostock (Truro) of Cornwall U20s touches the ball down for a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

It did not take long for Cornwall to put the Camborne scorer to work. Good play from No.8 Connor Triggs put his wing Lewis Bostock clear, the Truro flyer finished in style, fly-half Nat Dart kicking the first of his six successful conversions.

Bostock then turned provider for Dart just 2 minutes later with some good play from forwards and backs in the build up.

Nat Dart (Camborne) of Cornwall U20s kicks a conversion. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Ollie Lamb made a good break for Somerset, but flanker Ben Jones did remarkably to cover for Cornwall.

Hooker Matt Pritchard and Bostock were involved in the build up to scrum-half Joe Walker’s try, before Pritchard secured the bonus point score with aplomb under the posts.

Cornwall’s free-flowing rugby saw further tries before half-time from skipper Joss Pascoe, from a quickly taken tap and impressive St. Ives lock Will Perkin.

Will Perkin (St Ives) Vice Captain of Cornwall U20s charges up the field with Ben Jones (Perranporth) of Cornwall U20s in support. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Somerset finally troubled the scoreboard on half-time with a good try from their No.8 Kieran Leach bettered by Lamb to leave the score 38-7 to Cornwall at half-time.

Cornwall began the second period strongly with the impressive Jones scoring after several phases.

3 pm arrived with a cacophony of mobile phones sounding the national alert, to the great amusement of the crowd.

Triggs was the next to get his name on score-sheet following a powerful break from Perkin.

Zach Driscoll-Pike pulled a try back for the visitors with Lamb again on the money with the extras.

Harvey Penhallurick (Falmouth) of Cornwall U20s dives over for a try. – Photo mandatory by-line: ©Simon Bryant/Iktis Photo – 23/04/23, Cornwall U20s, Somerset U20s, Jason Leonard Cup, CRFU, Sport, Rugby Union, Camborne, Recreation Ground, Cornwall, England

Both sides turned to their benches; some close quarter work near the Somerset line was finished off strongly by prop Rowan Lawrence.

Further Cornish tries came from Harvey Penhallurick, Peter Harris,Fin Deavin and finally Jack Statton, with Ben Rosevear adding a conversion.

After the game coach Richie Kevern was pleased with his side’s performance. He said. “It was a great way to finish, we went out to do a number today, we knew we had to run up a big score and hope Gloucestershire could do us a favour, we did our part but Devon scored a late try to win their game and it is they who go forward. I think we saw today the fruits of the hard work put in by the lads, some of their play was simply breath-taking. I am sure some will be looking to Divisional representation going forward.”

Cornwall U.20: H Penhallurick (Falmouth), L Bostock (Truro), J Pascoe (Truro, Capt), 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), 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 Statton (Launceston).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Bostock, Dart, Walker, Pritchard, Pascoe, Perkin, Jones, Triggs, Lawrence, Penhallurick, P. Harris, Deavin, Statton, Cons, Dart 6, Rosevear.

Falmouth President’s XV pip Cornwall President’s XV in Anniversary Game

April 23, 2023 by Bill Hooper

Report by Stuart Hood

Playing with the wind a strong Falmouth squad applied early pressure with some good phase play. Cornwall President’s XV showing three changes from the original squad displayed some strong defence and held Falmouth at bay for the first quarter of an hour when Harry Walsh-Newton jinked over to give Falmouth President’s and early 5-0 lead.

Cornwall President’s struggled with keeping the ball and Falmouth wing Ollie Evans dived in the corner to take the score with the conversion to 12-0.

Cornwall started to find their feet before half time and strong running from the Perranporth trio of Ollie Roots, Kris Evans and Ben Jones led to Jones racing in from the 22 with Justyn Irons converting which was quickly followed by an Irons penalty to leave the game in the balance at half time at 12-10.

Cornwall rang the changes at half time with Wadebridge Camels props Daubroy Delahunty and Dan Coleman replacing the hard-working Eaton and Penrose. Ashley Lawton also returned to County action with Simmonds replacing Hodge in the back row and Saltash’s strong running centre Sam Snell making his debut for Cornwall President’s.

Jack Pritchard (Saltash) looking to feed his scrum

Whilst the changes led to some strong runs from Snell and Job in the centres Falmouth showed good continuity with two tries in the third quarter.

Cornwall found some gaps in the final 15 minutes with Roots searing breaks leading to a well deserved try on 72 minutes leaving the final score 24-15 to Falmouth Presidents XV.

Cornwall President’s XV:

15. Ollie Roots, 14. Kris Evans, 13.Tommy Job, 12. Ben Jones (all Perranporth), 11. Steve Trenoweth (Camborne), 10. Justyn Irons (Perranporth), 9. Jack Pritchard (Saltash); 1. Akiva Eaton (Veor-Holman), 2. Axel Nicks (Saltash), 3. Matt Penrose (Camborne), 4. Aaron McPherson (Newquay Hornets), 5. James Harrison-Evans (Camborne), 6. Sam Hodge (Wadebridge Camels), 7. Sam Bartle (Veor-Holman, Capt), 8. Morgan Gatrix (Camborne).

Replacements: 16. Dan Coleman, 17. Daubroy Delahunty, 18. Oliver Simmonds (all Wadebridge Camels), 19. Ashley Lawton (Perranporth), 20. Sam Snell (Saltash).