| Message from RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney |
| My
thoughts and those of all of us at the RFU are with everyone impacted
by COVID-19 as well as recent flooding events, both across the country
at large but also within our own rugby union community. In order to provide clarity and to assist with immediate and longer term planning, the RFU is today announcing the end of the 2019/20 rugby season for all league, cup and county rugby in England. The only exception to this is the Gallagher Premiership, who we are in active discussions with to review possible best next steps. When current government advice on social distancing measures changes, we will naturally encourage rugby training and friendlies to recommence. I would like to personally thank everyone for their swift actions in suspending rugby activity, this is not an easy time and I know many of you will have concerns that go beyond the game. We are working through the implications of ending the season early and have instigated a thorough process to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game. We will communicate these outcomes by the middle of April. While we would like to provide all the answers now, we need some time to get it right for the best interests of the game. Rest assured we are working on this as a priority and we will continue to send weekly updates to clubs. The three areas of focus for the RFU right now are Welfare, Implications and Reboot. Welfare We are ensuring colleagues and communities are given support to follow government advice and are providing recommendations on how to stay fit and healthy using individual training programmes. We are also talking to government about how we can deploy and mobilise our own resources across England to support the vulnerable. Implications Every union is different, with unique structures and challenges and the RFU needs to manage its own particular complexities. Our business model is similar to most rugby clubs – we earn revenue from events on and off the field and we invest that back into the game. We benefit from strong Twickenham Stadium revenues but we are also exposed if there is widespread cancellation of games and events. In this extraordinary situation we are working through a range of potential financial scenarios dependent mainly on the length of this crisis. This was already budgeted to be a loss making year within a 4 year cycle due to the costs of the 2019 RWC campaign and only hosting two home Six Nations games. The loss will now be considerably more as we face challenges similar to businesses across the entire country. There may well also be much longer term financial implications which we are assessing now. It is therefore taking us some time to develop a considered position on how we can support clubs and the rugby community, which we will do. We have already undertaken financial measures to safeguard the business enabling us to review all options and programmes to provide support for clubs in these difficult times. We welcome the measures announced by Government which could provide crucial support to professional and community clubs and the RFU. We are in regular contact with Sport England and The Sport and Recreation Alliance to understand how business rate relief and hardship funds can be accessed by clubs and will be providing assistance to make sure every club who is eligible will be supported. The implications for all areas of rugby will be thoroughly worked through and solutions discussed and developed with the clubs. Reboot Our welfare advice before the start of next season will switch to offering guidance on how players at all levels can reboot and get match ready. We will work closely with constituent bodies to support clubs, competition organisers and the wider rugby community in preparing to re-start rugby in what is likely to be a challenging environment. In recent days we have all been inspired by the many stories across the rugby family working together to support those who are the most vulnerable in their community – this encapsulates the unique spirit of rugby. I am confident that this spirit and resilience during these tough times will ensure we will come through this together and emerge stronger. Take care and stay safe, Bill Sweeney |
Club’s Forum – Postponed
Please note, the Club’s Forum scheduled to be held at Camborne RFC on Thursday 9th April has been postponed.
Club secretaries and reps have been informed by e-mail by the Hon. Secretary.
Revived Bob Kennedy game a huge success
Bob Kennedy Memorial Match
Report by Martin Symons
Camborne President’s XV 7 – 5 Camborne School of Mines
Camborne narrowly prevailed in an evenly contested clash with the Students in front of a good sized crowd at the Recreation Ground.
The hard fought encounter proved to be a fitting renewal of the Bob Kennedy Memorial match after several seasons absence and marked 40 years since the inception of the contest in 1980.
Courtesy of sponsors Strongbow Exploration and with the generous support of a host of CSM alumni an excellent celebration event for more than 100 guests followed proceedings in a packed ‘Town’ bar at Crane Park.
On the pitch the Cherry & Whites led 7-0 at the break after skipper Dean Pascoe sent centre Oakley Smitham over near the posts for scrum half Luke Martin to add the extras.
In the 2nd half the School hit back with an unconverted touchdown from wing Charlie Wren.
Late on Camborne had to dig deep in defence to keep their line intact securing the spoils when fly half Pascoe gleefully booted the ball to the safety of touch.
Reunited 40 years on from the inaugural Bob Kennedy match are six members of Camborne’s team and two of the match officials. (left to right) Derek Taylor, Merrill Clymo (touch judge), Stephen Rogers, Martyn Hendra, David Richards, Jon Bowden, David Martin (referee) and Nigel Tregenza. Picture Steve Mock.
RFU suspends all rugby activity
Following government advice, the RFU will suspend all rugby activity in England, at both professional and community level.
Rugby activity includes club training, league and cup matches plus rugby education courses from 17 March until 14 April subject to continued review.
The decision has been taken following government advice in the interests of players, coaches, referees, volunteers, supporters and the wider rugby union community.
Where possible, players at all levels are encouraged to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments.
The RFU will continue to review and monitor government advice and will provide detailed updates on the impact to the season in the coming weeks.
Cornwall Girls U.18s & U.15s
The U.18 girls festival due to be held at St. Austell RFC has been cancelled.
By the same token it has been decided to withdraw the Girls U.15 side from the festival due to be held in Somerset on the same day.
Mawgan Osborne gets his cap
Pirates Amateurs young lock Mawgan Osborne was presented with his Under 20s Cornwall Cap, having made 7 appearances in the Jason Leonard Cup for his county by CRFU President John Sumnall. Photo by Simon Bryant Iktisphoto.
Cornwall dig deep to earn Gloucestershire win
JASON LEONARD CUP NATIONAL UNDER 20’S COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
GLOUCESTERSHIRE U.20s 27 – 31 CORNWALL U.20s
By Bill Hooper at Shaftesbury Park
A late try from skipper Aaron Simmonds gave Cornwall Under 20s a deserved win against fancied Gloucestershire Under 20s.
Cornwall’s hearts were in their mouths as referee Julian Rainford at first appeared unsure of the grounding, happily for the Cornish lads his assistant saw the Simmonds score. The win sees Cornwall top their group to earn a home quarter-final in two weeks time against Hertfordshire.
Whether that game goes ahead remains to be seen, for now the Cornwall squad can reflect on a job well done.
Cornwall got off to a cracking start, pressing in the Gloucestershire twenty-two, lock Steele Barker charged down an attempted clearance, gathered the ball before passing inside to fellow lock Mawgan Osborne who scored. Simmonds added the first of his four conversions.
The Gloucestershire boys, rattled, then conceded a penalty in front of the posts that Simmonds calmly popped over to stretch the lead.
Eventually the home side settled with their fly-half Tom Price getting them on the board with a penalty.
A searing break from Charlie Levick set up Cornwall’s second try that led to the Osborne brother combining to send Toby over for another converted try.
Flanker Tom Spiers again caught the eye with his work at the breakdown turning ball over and dangerous with the ball in hand.
Gloucestershire were starting to get some momentum at scrum time, they pressurised the Cornwall line and from a 5-metre scrum their powerful No.8 Adam Hopkinson drove over for Price to convert.
Cornwall will be disappointed in the manner they saw their lead disappear, attacking in the opposing twenty-two, a stray pass was hacked on by Gloucestershire’s Tim Andrew, the wing showed his speed hacking on again to win the race to the line, Price’s conversion tying the scores at half-time.
Cornwall started to use their bench, Mishka Fibbens and Joe Best came on putting in some big drives.
Spiers’ good work was temporarily halted when he appeared to be harshly sin-binned. Price took the chance to put his side ahead from the kicking-tee for the first time.
Under the cosh Cornwall conceded another try from a close-range scrum with Hopkinson once again the scorer, Price’s conversion giving Gloucestershire a 27-17 advantage with the clocking ticking down.
Prop Eliot Salt, who had a fine game, took a heavy knock that stunned him for several minutes, it gave Cornwall the chance to refocus.
Cornwall had to throw the dice, they piled on the pressure, Spiers was held up over the line, suddenly the home side saw yellow.
Following several concerted drives near the Gloucestershire line Cornwall got their lifeline thanks to Cameron Taylor, Simmonds calmly slotted the extras to make it game on once more.
Back came the Cornish lads, patience being their watchword, the calmly went through the phases that led up to Simmonds try, a dramatic comeback!
It wasn’t over, Cornwall had to withstand a final Gloucestershire surge near their line, but when they knocked on Cornwall had their win.
After the final whistle Cornwall coach Richie Kevern was delighted with his side’s never say die attitude. “We showed some character out there today, to have made that good start and then find yourself ten points down nearing the end the lads could have cracked, but they showed a mature attitude, were patient and forced the errors from Gloucestershire, they earned that win the hard way.”
Cornwall U.20: Charlie Levick, Guy Brooks (both Penryn), Aaron Simmonds (Capt, Redruth), Ben Plummer, Max Bullen, James Tucker (all St. Austell), Ali Stacey (Redruth); Callum Looker (Cardiff Met), Mackenzie Oliver (Redruth), Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met), Steele Barker (Penryn), Mawgan Osborne, Toby Osborne (both Pirates Ams), Tom Spiers (Truro), Jack Wickham (Saltash).
Replacements: Cameron Taylor (St. Austell), Mishka Fibbens (Penryn), Devon Bennett-Murray (Saltash), Joe Best (St. Just), Liam Stoddern (Camborne), James Murray (Redruth), Harry Clemo (Camborne).
Cornwall scores: Tries. M Osborne, T Osborne, Taylor, Simmonds, Cons, Simmonds 4, Pen, Simmonds.
Clarification on fixture postponements affected by Covid-19
| Further to the information included in yesterday’s Community Game update and in response to enquiries from clubs and players, we would like to provide clarification on the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in organised competitions. The government yesterday announced that there is no change in advice regarding sporting events at the moment i.e. they can continue. Given this, league and cup games planned for this weekend will played as usual. However we recognise that competition organisers, players and clubs are seeking advice on specific details, so the RFU’s position is that in the event of situations where: (a) Covid-19 case or cases have been reported or suspected in relation to player and/or individuals connected to a club (or closely connected to a club, player or such other individual connected to a club); and/or (b) such individuals are subject to the Governmental advice to self-isolate; Postponements of fixtures involving the clubs will be permitted as a justifiable reason for postponement, subject to clubs notifying the opposition and the competition organiser of the postponement (in accordance with competition organisers’ instructions). The RFU regulations will continue to apply. We will keep this under continual review and will be assessing the situation over the weekend in line with latest Government advice. If there are any planned changes to the future playing of the league and cup programmes this will be communicated to clubs and participants as soon as possible. If (a) or (b) applies to your team please contact: • Mens teams playing in RFU Leagues (English Club Championship) and Cups – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Mens teams playing in Merit/CB Leagues – your league secretary or competitions organiser • Womens teams playing in RFU Leagues – womenscompetitions@RFU.com • Age Grade – Your league secretary or competitions organiser Teamwork Respect Enjoyment Discipline Sportsmanship |
Covid -19 Virus (Coronavirus)
Letter that has been sent out to all Cornish Club Secretaries this week from the CRFU.
Dear Secretary,
Re: Covid Virus.
The CRFU is very aware of the problems and decisions that clubs at all levels of rugby will have to make regarding Coronavirus (Covid).
We are aware that we should all show due diligence to ensure the welfare of players, coaches and the rugby community at this difficult time. The advice to us all continues to change and as we approach the weekend fixtures club officials may need support with decision making and the more practical operational details.
We will update the CRFU Web as and when matters develop as well as contacting the Clubs where it is felt necessary and may we confirm that CRFU officials are pleased to help in any way and can be contacted as the situation requires.
May we also draw your attention to a specific situation relating to Clubs and its players who have been selected to represent their County and we ask that the following is observed please:
Should someone catch the virus whilst engaged with county sides, CRFU will inform the club. However, this does not cover someone who has been with the County who subsequently developed symptoms nor does it cover a county player who may have been in contact with someone at the club who developed symptoms. As the government regularly state, tracking contacts is essential in dealing with the Covid.
Can we therefore ask all Clubs that they inform us, in total confidence, of any reports of the virus within their club so we can take appropriate actions in respect of representative rugby so as to limit the spread please? Equally, CRFU will, in total confidence, inform the respective club of any Covid related development that may affect club activities as a result of having one of their players engaged in representative rugby.
The contact person is Bob Hubble, Rugby Safe Lead (rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk) who will treat any correspondence as confidential.
Once again can we remind you that the CRFU Officers will be happy to help in any way and you should not hesitate in making contact with one.
Yours,
Dave Saunter, Chair.
John Sumnall, President.
Cornwall Women announce squad for Gill Burns Cup
Cornwall Women have named thirty ladies for this season’s Gill Burns Cup campaign and also for their pre-championship friendly against Devon Women.
Jo Holden will captain the side this season.
CORNWALL WOMEN FIXTURES
FRIENDLY
Sunday 5th April CORNWALL WOMEN V DEVON WOMEN @ Penryn RFC 2 pm
GILL BURNS CUP DIVISION 2 POOL 3
Sunday 26th April DORSET & WILTS WOMEN V CORNWALL WOMEN (Venue & kick off tbc)
Sunday 10th May CORNWALL WOMEN V SOMERSET WOMEN @ Hayle RFC 2 pm
Sunday 17th May CORNWALL WOMEN V HAMPSHIRE WOMEN @ Penryn RFC 2 pm
Should Cornwall top their pool they will have a home semi-final.
Sunday 24th May Semi-final Pool 3 Winners v Pool 4 Winners
Saturday 30th May Gill Burns Div 2 Final @ Twickenham
