Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2024 concludes the pool stage with an away fixture to Gloucestershire in the Jason Leonard Cup. The team travel to Stow in the Wold RFC Sunday 5^th May with a 1400 kick off time.

CRFU President Andy Reed said “This final pool stage game means a trek for the young Black and Golds as we are travelling to Stow on the Wold. The result against Somerset was a boost for the guys and well deserved on a hot and sunny day at Taunton RFC. The errors and nerves from the first game seem to dwindle away and the team began to grow in confidence, and the result followed”.

Cornwall lost their first game away to Devon 7 – 41, so Sunday’s win v Somerset this result sees them move up the table. In the other pool game Devon beat Gloucestershire 36 – 21 to go top of the table.

Coach Rich Kevern said – “We know that any Gloucestershire side will be a strong test, they always have a big pack that will try and bully us. We need to play to our strengths and have some fast and exciting backs as well as an established pack. Playing any Gloucestershire side at home is never an easy task and this will be the first exposure to that element for some of these guys”.

Cornwall Captain Will Perkin said, – “After the Devon game we came away and did a lot of soul searching! That was not the way we had trained, or been expected to play, and we owed the Somerset result to the travelling supporters of Trelawny’s Army, and our families to put that right. The players know what is expected, what is needed, and we must as a group perform against what will be a strong Gloucestershire side. For some guys including myself this is their second year and last year playing for the U20’s, for others this is their first and only year of being eligible and we need to put in a performance”.

The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said, -” The team needed to learn from their performance and move forward following the Devon game. The performance against Somerset was much improved, although not perfect, and I am sure the coaches will be working on those areas before they face Gloucestershire. We as a county know that they have trained hard and like Cornwall players at all levels can and will give 110% to wear that Black and Gold shirt, this year’s set of players are no different.”.

There will be marketing and sponsorship opportunities with the Under 20’s team and matches, any individuals or companies that may be interested are asked to contact Tanya Thomas of the CRFU in the first instance. 

We are grateful for the support of Kelsall Steel Investment Services and Trelawny’s Army Supporters Club for our Under 20 side.

                            Gloucestershire U20 v Cornwall U20

Sunday 5^th May @ Stow on the Wold RFC 1400 kick off.

Coaches – Rich Kevern, Steele Barker, Jago Sheppard, David Mankee

Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams

Medical cover – Hen Gard + Sam West

Kit – Paul Hurrell, Photographer Simon Bryant, Match Day filming David Burrows, Multimedia – Kevin Bishop

JASON LEONARD CUP

SOMERSET U.20, 22 – 34 CORNWALL U.20

By Terry Williams at Veritas Park, Taunton.

Cornwall u20’s ran out worthy winners versus Somerset on a hot afternoon in Taunton, scoring six tries in the process. This was a much more assured performance than against Devon a few weeks ago, with some stout defending against periods of sustained pressure and the back row, including replacements, and the midfield putting in some crunching tackles against heavier opponents throughout the game.

Somerset opened the scoring with a try from their right wing Eaves who ran across to the left to run in unopposed in the left corner. Somerset then continued to play most of the next 15 minutes in the Cornwall half but the defence was resolute and soaked up pressure, including forcing the opposition to give away penalties. On the 21st minute Cornwall drew level with a well taken try by centre Jack Statton.  There then followed a strange sequence during the conversion attempt with the ball falling off the tee twice, which caused Statton to hurriedly attempt a drop goal which passed wide of the post.

There then followed a period of Cornish dominance, which was started with a fine interception by full back Alfie MacDonald from well within his own half which he ran in to dot down almost under the post. This was converted by Statton without any fuss, 5 – 12. Vice captain Statton then continued his scoring spree with a try on 39 minutes which he duly converted, which brought the score to 5 – 19 at half time.

The second half continued with Cornwall again piling on the pressure and 3 minutes after the restart hooker Pete Harris, who had a fine game, going over for a try which was unconverted, 5 – 24. Cornwall then unfortunately picked up 2 yellow cards in 2 minutes, first to replacement Giddy Blacklock followed by prop Angus Williams. Somerset were awarded a penalty try after the first yellow, 12 – 24.

Cornwall did not let their heads drop however and some crafty manoeuvring of players saw them continue to stay in the game, and indeed increase their lead on 60 minutes by replacement winger Amori Matanatabu, who scored a spectacular diving try in the left corner for 12 -29.

There then followed an incident when Head Coach Ritchie Kevern asked the assistant referee about the length of time remaining on the yellow card. The referee, didn’t approve the line of questioning and ordered coach Kevern to the grandstand. (A subsequent review of the game showed second yellow lasted 14 minutes!)

The game continued and hooker Harris went over for his second try of the game to make the game safe at 12 -34. Somerset hit back with 2 unconverted tries to make the final score 22 -34, a fine win by a spirited Cornwall XV. Next up in 2 weeks’ time is a tough encounter away to Gloucestershire at Stow , who surprisingly lost to Devon 36-21 on the same afternoon.

Happily, any misunderstanding between Coach Ritchie Kevern and the referee was settled amicably after the game with handshakes all round and no further action.

Cornwall U.20: Macdonald (Exeter Saracens), Roskilly (Penryn), Deavin (Falmouth), Statton (Launceston), Keogh (St. Just), Walsh-Newton (Falmouth), Chapple (Redruth); Lawrence (Falmouth), Harris (St. Austell), Williams (Penryn), Knight (Saltash), Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), Lister (Penryn), Eddy (Pirates Ams), Ellery (Newquay Hornets).

Replacements: Pope, Ikete (both Camborne School of Mines), Smith (Redruth), Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Blacklock (Falmouth), Matanatabu (Helston), Penhallurick (Falmouth).

Cornwall scores: Tries, Statton 21, 39, MacDonald 27, Harris 43, 70, Matanatabu 54, Conversions, Statton 28, 40