TAMAR CUP
CORNWALL 22 – 14 DEVON
By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground Redruth
Roared on by a big Easter holiday crowd Cornwall wrested the Tamar Cup back from Devon in a pulsating encounter.
Cornwall were far from perfect but given the limited time the squad have had together they found a way to win which pleased backs coach Malcolm Roberts. He said. “Given our limited time to prepare I thought we put in a decent performance, pulling players together from various clubs you have to put in a structure and plan and I feel they did that.
Roberts was pleased with the performance from his backline. “I thought they looked sharp and put their tries away very well and that didn’t let up when we brought replacements on.
“I feel that a number of players today have enhanced their case to be included in the Championship squad next month and that for me is a nice conundrum to have.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s silence impeccably observed to remember former county player Terry Barnes also former Devon Secretary and past President Treve Mitchell, who hailed from Camborne.
Devon kicked off playing down the slope, the visitors enjoyed early territory and possession but the Cornish defence held firm.
Scrum-half Liam Jolly made a good break into the Devon half but his kick forward came to nothing.
Props Dec Prowse and Mitch Hawken drove into the Devon twenty-two before Matt Shepherd launched his backs, good hand from Ben Plummer and Cam Fogden put wing Ryan Cruickshanks in at scoreboard corner, Shepherd adding a fine conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The St. Austell pair of Archie Bees and Dan Tyrrrell were full of running along with the influential Fogden in mid-field as Cornwall started to hit their strides and show their mettle.
A quickly taken tap by Jolly five meters out led to Cornwall’s second try quick ball out to Shepherd saw him release fellow Saint Ben Plummer to bulldoze through the Devon defence and dot down.
Cornwall maintained their pressure, just before half-time a fine run and kick ahead by Tyrrell led to Cornwall’s third try, the winger kicked the ball forward with Bude’s Ben Hancock winning the race for the touchdown. Half-time 17-0 to the black and gold.
Cornwall began the second half at pace and were unlucky not to get an early score.
They did add to their tally when Jack Counter, just off the bench tore down the top touchline to score in Piggy Lane Corner.
Chances came and went the clinical touch was just missing to polish off the chances that came.
Both sides began to empty their benches with the game becoming a little dis-jointed, however it played into Devon’s hand as both their tries came from replacements.
They pulled a first try back through Corey Jamieson to give them some hope but they couldn’t add to their tally until the dying moments when Leon Horn scored, both tries converted by Declan Hadley.
The final whistle saw huge cheers from the Cornish faithful with Cornwall skipper Shepherd receiving the Tamar Cup from CRFU President Andy Reed.
With the National League season ending this coming Saturday it remains to be seen which players will become available for Cornwall in the Bill Beaumont Cup and for the match against Exeter Chiefs XV next month.
CORNWALL: Archie Bees (St. Austell), Ryan Cruickshanks (Saltash), Ben Plummer (St. Austell), Cam Fogden (Launceston), Dan Tyrrell, Matt Shepherd, (Capt, both St. Austell), Liam Jolly (Truro); Mitch Hawken (Launceston), Luis Powell (Truro), Declan Prowse (Camborne), Dan Goldsmith (Launceston), Toby Osborne (Pirates Ams), Adam Powell (St. Austell), Ben Hancock (Bude), Adam Blackmore (Wadebridge Camels).
Replacements: Matt Boothby (St. Austell), Charlie Short (Launceston), Pete Harris, (St. Austell), Dan Head (Truro), Rory Jago (St. Austell), Brandon Rowley (Launceston), Will Tanswell (Camborne), Jack Counter (Wadebridge Camels), Declan Matthews (Truro), Jose Juarez (Launceston).
Cornwall scores: Tries, Cruickshanks 15, Plummer 35, Hancock 38, Counter 52
Con, Shepherd 16
DEVON: Declan Hadley, Henry Batty, (both Topsham), Louie Drennan, Andre Simonetti (both Brixham), Josh Woodland (Crediton), Lewis Paterson (Plymstock), George Hillsen (Launceston), Harvey Courtis (Plymstock), Charlie Dore (Exmouth), Christian Edbrooke (Topsham), Ollie White (Plymstock), Jordan Watson (Brixham), William Peakman (Ivybridge), Robin Edbrooke (Topsham).
Replacements: Daniel Armstrong (Sidmouth), Callum Arnold (Okehampton), Henry Trudgill (Ivybridge), Tom McGrattan, Leon Horn (both Okehampton), Jamie Hext (Brixham), Kieran Jamieson (Plymstock), Matt Smale (OPM), Joel Ashworth (Brixham), Corey Jamieson (Plymstock).
Tries, Smale 63, Batty 79, Cons Hadley 64,80.
Referee: James Milliner-Woodcock
Crowd: 1,732
Suez UK Man-of-the-match: Cam Fogden (Cornwall)
