Gloucestershire U.20, 33 – 27 Cornwall U.20
By Terry Williams at Stow on the Wold RFC
The cruellest of blows saw a valiant Cornwall U20’s XV go down 33 – 27 to Gloucestershire at Stow on the Wold RFC.
With the clock in the red Cornwall were leading 26 -27, but then with the referee signalling the final play of the game, Gloucestershire went through a number of phases for a try in the left corner, which was converted. Jubilation from Gloucestershire players and supporters and disbelief on the Cornish side. However, to take a positive , this was the best the team had played throughout the season. Lessons were learnt from the Devon game, and the away win to Somerset was a good one, and truly they deserved a win yesterday. No excuses, but the long journey to Stow on the Wold did not help, it’s almost in Worcestershire. Perhaps a trip to St Just next season might restore the balance!
The game was entertaining for the supporters, and there were a number of Cornish there who made their presence felt. Gloucestershire opened the scoring on 5 minutes with a converted try, but Cornwall struck back 9 minutes later with a try by hooker, Pete Harris (pictured above in a previous game), the first of 3 for the afternoon. He has had an outstanding season for the under 20’s.
In a free flowing game, during which both teams made mistakes, Cornwall kept their noses in front. Winger Jack Keogh getting on the score sheet interrupting Harris’s run of tries. Jack Statton made a contribution with the boot, 2 conversions and a penalty. Congratulations to him on his selection for the senior county squad.
The game was tight and at half time the score was 14 – 15 to Cornwall but they were never able to put a lot of daylight between the scores, and Gloucestershire rallied with 2 late tries as the Cornwall team showed signs of tiredness towards the end.
To sum up, a somewhat disappointing Jason Leonard Cup campaign, but as the die hards say: there is always next season to look forward to!
Cornwall U.20: Macdonald (Exeter Saracens), Penhallurick, Deavin (both Falmouth), Statton (Launceston), Keogh (St. Just), Walsh-Newton (Falmouth), Chapple (Redruth); Williams (Penryn) Harris (St. Austell), Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Lister (Penryn), Perkin (St. Ives, Capt), Smith (Redruth), Eddy (Pirates Ams), Ellery (Newquay Hornets).
Replacements: Pope (Camborne School of Mines), Holt (Redruth), Knight (Saltash), Watkins (Camborne School of Mines), Matanatabu, Logan (both Helston), Paul (Redruth).
Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Harris 14, 32, 57, Keogh 45, Cons, Statton 15, 58, Pen, 40
