Dorset and Wilts 27 – 23 Cornwall
Cornwall U20’s travelled to North Dorset RFC to face Dorset & Wilts U.20’s in the quarter-final of the Jason
Leonard Cup.
A good crowd with lots of black and gold on display from Trelawny’s Army joined the players
in a minute’s silence at the start of the game to recognise the tragic events that occurred in
Bodmin earlier in the month.
Cornwall pegged the twin counties in their own half for the first 20 minutes and lead 0 – 9 thanks to 3
Nat Dart penalties. Just before the half hour mark D+W No.13 Fin Raworth broke the
Cornwall defensive line and scored a try which was converted by their No.9 Connor Moore. Five
minutes later a powerful run by D+W No.5 Oliver Wills saw him pass to No.6 Stan Vincent to
score their second try with again Connor Moore adding the conversion 14 – 9.
With the first half drawing to a close, D+W No. 9 Moore was sent to the sin bin for 10
minutes and Cornwall took advantage when Cornwall hooker Matt Pritchard charged through
for a try which Nat Dart converted.
Half-time D+W 14 – 16 Cornwall.
The second half commenced, and Cornwall were caught cold after 4 minutes when
replacement No.20 Rhys Godling scored a try which was converted by No.10 Jamie Foskett.
D+W took charge for the next period and Cornwall gave away 2 penalties which D+W put
over the crossbar to lead 27 – 16 with just over a quarter of the game to go.
Indiscretion again by D+W saw No.5 pick up a yellow card and Cornwall tried to get into the ascendancy.
Cornwall were dominating the lineouts. And set up several powerful driving mauls with D+W
trying to disrupt them. By strong defensive work and a bit of cunning play they held up Cornwall
over their line 4 times in 10 minutes. With 2 minutes to go Cornwall’s No. 23 Joss Pascoe
crashed over the line which Nat Dart dropped kicked the conversion. Just two minutes left four points
behind, a cautious slow restart from D+W helped to run down the clock and when Cornwall
knocked on the referee from Somerset blew the final whistle to break Cornish hearts!
D+W were a big mobile side and now go on to represent the SW in the Southern final
against Hampshire on the 21 May.
For Cornwall U20’s the season is over, as in previous years we say goodbye to several the
players, but we look forward to welcoming new players’ next season. A massive thanks to
the CRFU and Trelawny’s Army for their support over the season. A big thanks to all the
players including those who have trained but not been selected along with the coaches,
medics, and back-room staff who all contribute to make the team and the season function.
Special thanks to Jo Holden, Kevin Bishop, Simon Bryant, and Dave Burrows for the
multimedia items.
Colin Hatch
Cornwall U20 Team Manager
