The RFU Headcase website https://www.englandrugby.com/participation/playing/headcase has a series of learning modules that are tailored for all levels of involvement from parent through to coach and it is CRFU’s aspiration that all involved within the game in Cornwall, whether player, parent or administrator, find the small amount of time to complete the appropriate module once per season. All club RugbySafe leads and CRFU team managers have been circulated the personal concussion story from a player in Lancashire and indeed a former player with the Cornish Pirates https://www.lancashirerugby.co.uk/images/James_Doherty_A_Headcase_Encounter.pdf as a timely reminder for us to ensure that we treat concussion properly so that all can enjoy a safe return to the game following a head injury. If you wish to know more please contact your club rugbysafe lead or rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk
Cornish duo selected for England Counties Under 18s
Following the the second round of divisional matches last weekend at Warwick, Cornish players, Eddie Pearce (Truro School & Newquay Hornets) and Declan Prowse (St. Just & Pirates Amateurs) were the only two players from the South West to be selected in the final squad to face Ireland Clubs & Schools in April.
Congratulations to them both and commiserations to the Cornish lads who didn’t make the squad, you can be proud, as we are, of your achievements this season.
Click on link to view the full squad and the thoughts of Team Manager, David Penberthy.
Cornwall U.17s name squad to face Dorset & Wilts U.17
This Sunday, 1st March, Cornwall Under 17s will play Dorset & Wilts Under 17s at Callywith College, Bodmin.
There will be two games played with the first game kicking off at 12:30 pm.
The selected squad is listed below.
Report on the Cornwall Girls U.18s festival at Cheltenham
Cornwall under 18’s girls (pictured above) made an early and long journey to Cheltenham Tigers RFC for the inter County festival against Gloucestershire, Somerset and Devon, writes Team Co-ordinator Melissa Rowe.
We might not have won a game but we made some history by putting points on the board in every single game.
With our first game being Gloucestershire, as this being the first game we all played together as a team and as one, I believe our first game was brilliant with the speed of the defensive line pushing them back over the game line with a score from Nadine Vincent putting points on the board.
Well into the second half keeping the ball in our possession when we had it. Keeping the opposition at a distance from their try line.
Going into the second game we know it would be hard due to it being Devon, as heads dropped knowing that it was a rivalry between the teams getting a penalty over the post as 3 point on the board by Betty Mathews so not leaving the pitch with nothing gave the girls a bit of a boost.
Within the game the defensive line could have been better working as a line slowing the ball when in our possession.
Last but not least the last match up against Somerset, knowing that’s it’s been a long trip and a long day the girls left everything on the pitch, with the first half of the game one way come onto the second half with the big talk by the coach JP the girls went back out and had a smash.
Putting in the winger Ella Havey-Brock in at the corner. With the girls working hard throughout the day in every match. Work-ons defensive line, being able to keep the speed and intensity and rucks, the support runners just an arm length away. Needing the passes to be consistent.
All the girls had a good run out Coach Jonpaul Shrosbree and both captains were very very proud.
Well done to the whole squad and good luck in the remaining festivals.
Cornwall U18s Girls Squad: Megan Moriarty, Lakia Granger, Paige Clarke, Gertie Burton, Chloe Shrosbree, Louise Daniel, Kelsey Barnard, Ella Henry-Brock, Sasha Friggens, Mia Abbott-Smith, Lucie Mills, Emily Joyce, Megan Clifford, Teigan Holden, Josie Ninnis, Holly Derrante, Louisa Meehan, Ellie Smith, Rosie Ninnis, Cree Willis-Gregory, Ellie Beynon, Lucy Rendle, Georgia McKenny, Anna Garman, Chelsea Heidstrom, Catherine Old, Faith Rowe, Kacey Rowe, Betty Matthews, Izzy Holmes, Nadine Vincent.
Cornwall back in business following Berkshire win
JASON LEONARD CUP
CORNWALL U.20, 42 – 7 BERKSHIRE U.20
By Bill Hooper, at the Recreation Ground, Camborne.
Cornwall put in a much improved performance defeating a useful Berkshire side by six tries to one to keep their hopes of making the last eight in this season’s Leonard Cup competition.
The Camborne pitch was heavy after all the rain in recent weeks, but Cornwall made light of the difficult conditions.
Cheered on by members of Trelawny’s Army, skipper Aaron Simmonds opened the scoring after just 3 minutes with a well-struck penalty.
Truro flanker Tom Spiers gave a Berkshire forward an almighty hand-off sending him sprawling in the Camborne mud to set the tone, Spiers went on to have an outstanding game.
Cornwall continued to capitalise profiting from a Berkshire error, St Austell centre Ben Plummer intercepting to slide in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Saltash No.8 Jack Wickham made a strong break off the back of a scrum gaining good ground; he was another who made a good impression.
The continued Cornish pressure soon led to another try, good work from the St. Austell wings Fraser Nottle and Max Bullen combined to put lock Mawgan Osborne away, the Pirates Amateurs player ran hard towards the line before shipping a pass to hooker Mackenzie Oliver to score, Simmonds adding the extras.
A third try was not long in the offing, a kick through saw Penryn’s lock Steele Barker gleefully take full advantage to score an unconverted try.
Towards half-time Berkshire got some territory making the most of a catch and drive to score through hooker Harry Wayne Branch, fly-half Jack Grapper kicked a good conversion to leave the score 20-7 to Cornwall at half-time.
Cornwall made another fast start with barely two minutes of the second half played, the outstanding Spiers put away Barker for his second try, the lock sliding in under the posts to give Simmonds a routine conversion.
Simmonds then kicked a second penalty to put the game well and truly out of Berkshire’s reach.
Further scores came from Penryn’s Charlie Levick, from his own kick ahead to win the chase, then to cap his fine performance a deserved final try for Spiers under the sticks that Simmonds bettered.
Speaking after the game Cornwall coach Richie Kevern was delighted with the team’s performance. He said. “It was a good performance in tough conditions, we told them in no uncertain terms that if they lost today then that would be the end of the road for this season, they took it on board and put in a tremendous performance.
Kevern was delighted with the side’s sound defence and good discipline. “There were times when we had to defend and all credit to the lads they put in the hits, this week our discipline was good and that made a big difference.
Kevern also had words of praise for Tom Spiers. “He has had two big games for us, his defence is top draw and when he has the ball in hand he is a real handful to deal with, he has got a very bright future.”
Cornwall now travel to play Gloucestershire Under 20s in their final pool game on Sunday 15th March at Dings Crusaders, with all to play for.
Cornwall U20: Charlie Levick (Penryn), Fraser Nottle (St. Austell), Aaron Simmonds (Redruth, Capt), Ben Plummer, Max Bullen, James Tucker (all St. Austell), Ali Stacey (Redruth); James Lambourn (Pirates Ams), Mackenzie Oliver (Redruth), Eliot Salt (Cardiff Met), Mawgan Osborne (Pirates Ams), Steele Barker (Penryn), Toby Osborne (Pirates Ams), Tom Spiers (Truro), Jack Wickham (Saltash).
Replacements: Cameron Taylor (St. Austell), Mishka Fibbens (Penryn), Callum Looker (Cardiff Met), Caden Brownfield (Hayle), Connor George (Unattached), James Murray, Jordan Sidwell (both Redruth).
Cornwall scores: Tries, Plummer, Oliver, Barker 2, Levick, Spiers, Cons, Simmonds 3, Pens, Simmonds 2
Cornwall Girls begin festival program on Sunday
Cornwall’s girls U18s and U15s representative sides kick off their 2019/20 county festival campaigns this Sunday, although a home encounter is now being hosted the other side of the Tamar!
The U18 girls squad hit the road early on their long trip up to the home of Cheltenham Tigers, where they’ll be playing a simplified format of three 40-minutes matches against Devon, Gloucestershire and Somerset, led by coaches Ronan O’Neill (Penryn Ladies/Camborne Girls) and Jonpaul Shrosbree (Penzance & Newlyn Girls).
Meanwhile after the recent storms led to a hunt for a new venue, the U15s girls will be playing their home festival in the well-known Cornish town of… Okehampton! Despite the new location it is still a home fixture.
Coached on the day by Gavin Mountjoy (Newquay Girls) and Ross Tucknott (Penryn Girls), the girls will be playing three 30-minute matches of 15-a-side and three subsequent matches of 7s or XRugby against the same opponents as the U18s, and after a season blighted by cancellations for some of the squad it’ll be only the first, second or third 15-a-side matches they’ve ever played!
With two more identical festivals for each age group over the coming four weeks, that’s a total of 27 matches of rugby for our girls in the Black and Gold! Good luck to those involved, one and all.
Cornwall U18s Girls Squad: Megan Moriarty, Lakia Granger, Paige Clarke, Gertie Burton, Chloe Shrosbree, Louise Daniel, Kelsey Barnard, Ella Henry-Brock, Sasha Friggens, Mia Abbott-Smith, Lucie Mills, Emily Joyce, Megan Clifford, Teigan Holden, Josie Ninnis, Holly Derrante, Louisa Meehan, Ellie Smith, Rosie Ninnis, Cree Willis-Gregory, Ellie Beynon, Lucy Rendle, Georgia McKenny, Anna Garman, Chelsea Heidstrom, Catherine Old, Faith Rowe, Kacey Rowe, Betty Matthews, Izzy Holmes, Nadine Vincent.
Cornwall U15s Girls Squad: Maeya Mason, Ellie Bardoe, Charlotte Picton, Keeley Cann, Lara-Quinn Laugharne, Poppy Pentecost, Farrah Searle, Josie Plant, India Williams, Bethany Tryner, Daisy Munns, Charlotte Martin, Maeve Turley, Amy McHardy, Tamsin Rookes, Rhianna Brisley, Tecca Ford, Chloe Samways, Millie Osman, Tia Hatch, Lily Relton, Millie Brown, Hannah Statton, Kerris Luke, Chiana A’Lee, Ellen Armstrong, Zara Turner, Jade Turner, Becky Bennett, Charlie Pennicott.
Cornwall Under 15s win up in Bristol
Cornwall fielded five sides at Under 15 level against Bristol Schools on Wednesday at Weston Hornets. 80 lads enjoying a great day of rugby, cheered on by Jack Nowell.
Congratulations to all on your brilliant results.
Good luck for your games in March against Devon and Dorset & Wilts.
Thank you to Karen Austin for allowing us to use her photograph.
Cornwall Under 20s name side to face Berkshire U.20s
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship team, play their only home fixture in the pool stage of the 2020 Jason Leonard Cup. The team host Berkshire at Camborne RFC with a 1330 kick off time on Sunday 23 February, and will be played on the main pitch.
Cornwall Under 20 coaches Richie Kevern and Tyler Gendall have made ten changes, three positional, to the side ahead of Sunday’s Jason Leonard Cup pool game against Berkshire at Camborne RFC.
Coach Rich Kevern said – “The first game against Devon has to be a wakeup call for the players. We had lots of opportunities to win the game but didn’t take them and allowed a strong Devon team to get back into the match. Discipline is another area we have to improve and to ensure that we keep to our game.
The changes are; in the front row, James Lambourn comes in at loose-head with Oliver Mackenzie at hooker.
In the second row Penryn’s Steele Barker partners Mawgan Osborne, whilst Toby Osborne goes from lock to blindside flanker.
Saltash player Jack Wickham comes in at No.8.
There is a change at half-back with James Tucker starting at fly-half, with skipper Aaron Simmonds moving to the outside centre berth, St. Austell’s Ben Plummer moves to inside centre and fellow Saint Fraser Nottle coming in at 14.
Another Penryn player, Charlie Levick comes in at full-back.
The coaches are at present unable to confirm the complete line up on the replacements bench due to re-arranged league matches taking place on the Saturday, however they have named five forwards with three backs to be added.
Cornwall Captain Aaron Simmonds said; – “The guys were disappointed with our performance against Devon. We had been prepared well by the coaches but let ourselves down in a number of areas on the field which cost us dearly and ultimately the result! This is our only home game and it would be great to get the fantastic Cornish crowd to turnout and support us at Camborne on Sunday. ”
CRFU President John Sumnall said “We are pleased to be playing this game at Camborne RFC and thank the club and its members for hosting us. Our first game saw 13 young players representing the County at this level for the first time and although the result in a tight game went against them, I am sure they will be up to the challenge of this tough game against Berkshire. It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them and our sponsors for their support to enable these fixtures to be played.”
Berkshire lost their opening game to Gloucestershire so both counties will be looking for a win to kick-start their hopes of making the knockout stages.
Cornwall‘s final pool game will be hosted by Dings RFC in Bristol on Sunday 15 March where the opponents will be Gloucestershire.
The team manager Colin Hatch said; -“The President rightly points out the number of new players that played in our last game, however it is no different for any other county in this competition. A number of these guys are playing rugby week in and week out for their clubs at all levels of the game. We have emphasised the fact that this competition is short and if we don’t perform then it is over for this season. I am sure that the players will have learnt from the first game and will want to make amends in this home game.”
Cornwall Team to play Berkshire
| 1 | James Lambourn | Pirates Ams |
| 2 | Mackenzie Oliver | Redruth |
| 3 | Eliot Salt | Cardiff Met |
| 4 | Steele Barker | Penryn |
| 5 | Mawgan Osborne | Pirates Ams |
| 6 | Toby Osborne | Pirates Ams |
| 7 | Tom Spiers (Vice Captain) | Truro |
| 8 | Jack Wickham | Saltash |
| 9 | Ali Stacey | Redruth |
| 10 | James Tucker | St Austell |
| 11 | Max Bullen | St Austell |
| 12 | Ben Plummer | St Austell |
| 13 | Aaron Simmonds (Captain) | Redruth |
| 14 | Fraser Nottle | St Austell |
| 15 | Charlie Levick | Penryn |
| Replacements | ||
| 16 | Cameron Taylor | St Austell |
| 17 | Mishka Fibbens | Penryn |
| 18 | Callum Looker | Cardiff Met |
| 19 | Caden Brownfield | Hayle |
| 20 | Connor George | Unattached |
| Backs bench and travelling reserves from | ||
| James Murray | Redruth | |
| Jordan Sidwell | Redruth | |
| Adam Long | Camborne | |
| Guy Brooks | Penryn | |
| Oakley Smitham | Camborne | |
| Travelling reserves forwards | ||
| 26 | Devon Bennet-Murray | Saltash |
| 27 | Matt Vincent | Hayle |
| 28 | Joe Best | St Just |
Coaches – Rich Kevern + Tyler Gendall, assisted by Adam Kevern + Brad Howe
Gates open to the public at 1230, with entry for adults costing £5 including a programme. Young people under the age of 16 accompanied by an adult get free entry.
CRFU Cups Semi-Finals
Saturday 22nd February sees various semi-finals in the Tribute CRFU Cups.
Tribute Cornwall Clubs Cup
St. Agnes v Hayle
Camborne School of Mines v Newquay Hornets (this fixture will be played as a double-header on Saturday 21-3-20
Tribute Cornwall Clubs Plate
Lankelly-Fowey v St. Just
Bodmin v Illogan Park
Tribute Cornwall Clubs Vase
Helston v Roseland
Perranporth v Stithians
Tribute Cornwall Clubs Shield Final (to be played on Finals day)
Camelford v Redruth Albany
Tribute Duchy Cup
Launceston II v Camborne II
Redruth II v Wadebridge Camels II
Tribute Duchy Plate
St. Austell II v Bodmin II
Falmouth II v Bude II
Tribute Duchy Vase Final (to be played on Finals day)
Veor II v Penryn II
Stay safe this weekend
The following was sent out in an e-mail today to Club Rugby Safe leads by Bob Hubble, CB Rugby Safe Officer;
With the current spate of poor weather, there has been some discussion in various areas about deciding whether a game should go ahead or not. In short, clubs should have appropriate risk assessments in place and be making use of their Rugby Safe leads in the decision making process so that the coaches have a structured basis on determining the risks and consequences of playing or cancelling. The risk assessment should not just be that of pitch condition, but also include the risks of travel, which is why there cannot be a hard and fast rule as every match is unique. When in doubt or it is a 50/50 decision, then it is only wise for caution to prevail – a seemingly obvious statement, but one that sometimes gets overlooked when faced with the prospect of potentially disappointing players and supporters!!
If you have any concerns then please contact Bob Hubble rugbysafe@crfu.co.uk
