CORNWALL U.20, 17 – 31 ROYAL NAVY U.23
By Bill Hooper at Memorial Park, Hayle
Cornwall Under 20s game the Royal Navy Under 23s a good run before eventually being out-gunned by a more physical Navy side in an entertaining game.
The match began in a downpour which made handling difficult. Cornwall suffered a blow with the early loss through injury of lock Toby Osborne.
Cornwall dominated the opening exchanges pinning the Navy back in their twenty-two. They were rewarded with a try from hooker Matt Pritchard converted by full-back Adam Hall.
Much of the play during the first half was in mid-field with Cornwall scrum-half Joe Tanswell trying to create some space and fly-half Joss Pascoe kicking into space, however the Navy defence was very solid.
No.8 Archie Pilcher worked hard all game and was deservedly given the Cornwall-man-of-the-match award by Trelawny’s Army.
Hall increased Cornwall’s advantage with a penalty kick, as the rain began to clear the Navy began to put their game together and just before half-time their pressure was rewarded with a try from No.8 A.J.. Hussell converted by fly-half Kieran Manson.
Both sides began to introduce the bench after half-time. The Navy side carried on where they had left off bossing the game. They took the lead with a try from skipper Dom Cleverley.
Try number three again went to Cleverley with Scott adding the extras. Cornwall looked for a way back but too many errors saw promising chances missed.
The Navy got back downfield to score a fourth try through Oli Raynor as the game moved into the final quarter.
Harry Andrewartha pulled a try back for Cornwall, bettered by replacement Archie Bees, however the Navy had the final say as Scott went over for the final try, bettered by Raynor
Speaking after the game Cornwall coach Richie Kevern as satisfied with the squad’s effort. “We had a good look at 26 players today as we build towards next spring’s Jason Leonard Cup campaign and it was a good test for these lads against a strong Navy side. Today’s squad saw some of our older players who will be moving on show the new boys the ropes in playing at this level and get a feel for what awaits them. I thought our commitment and effort was top draw today and we can build on this going forward.”
For the Royal Navy Ben Priddey was pleased with his side’s performance. “We have come together well after being in camp all week and built on our last game against Cardiff Met. We have good a good squad all chomping to get involved as we build towards our Inter-Services campaign.”
Cornwall U.20: Hall, Bostock, Andrewartha, Stanlake, Statton, Pascoe, Tanswell; Pearce-Cowley (Capt), Pritchard, Leigh, Williams, Osborne, Triggs, Trewin, Pilcher.
Replacements: Hambly, Boothby, Lawrence, Relton, Maunder, Chapple, Bees, Walsh-Newton, Marsden, King.
