JASON LEONARD CUP

SOMERSET U.20, 22 – 34 CORNWALL U.20

By Bill Hooper

Cornwall Under 20s travelled to Taunton on Sunday determined to put behind them the defeat to Devon last month and they did just that with a bonus point win against the hosts.

Cornwall kicked off in bright sunshine soon earning a penalty which centre Jack Statton pushed wide in the blustery wind

On their first visit to the Cornwall twenty-two, Somerset scored an unconverted try in the corner following a good move from the backs.

Cornwall came under the cosh for a while but some good work from notably skipper Will Perkin kept Somerset at bay.

Statton put in a kick ahead, the bounce fooled the Somerset defence and the ball fell back into the centre’s hands allowing him to run in to open Cornwall’s account.

Cornwall took the lead when full back Alfie MacDonald intercepted a pass near his own line and ran fully 80 meters to score a great try bettered by Statton.

Vice-Captain Statton bagged his brace before half-time again adding the extras for a 19-5 lead.

Cornwall came out fired up and took the game to Somerset, from a scrum the ball was moved through several phases before finding hooker Pete Harris out wide who scored in the corner.

Cornwall, unfortunately fell foul of the referee as two players were sent in quick succession to the bin for stopping the Somerset drives resulting referee Matt Wray finally awarding Somerset a penalty-try.

Thankfully, Cornwall managed the handicap, increasing their lead with a great finish from replacement wing Amori Matanatabu in the corner.

Harris then scored his second try of the game from a catch-and-drive, despite two consolation tries for Somerset Cornwall had done enough for the win.

In the other game Devon defeated Gloucestershire 36-21 at Brixham and look likely to top the group and qualify for the next round.

Coach Richie Kevern was pleased with the result, “The boys showed spirit today and played for the shirt, we certainly played better than against Devon but there are still some areas to work on ahead of our next game against Gloucestershire in May.”

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

Good luck guys from the Army.

CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 The Jason Leonard Cup.

Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2024 continues when they play their second pool match in this season Jason Leonard Cup. They travel to Taunton RFC where they will face Somerset U20 with a 1400 kick off time.

CRFU President Andy Reed said “Following the first round of this year’s competition both the hosts and Cornwall lost their opening fixture and so both will be out to make amends. I know the players would like to see a different result and performance against Somerset, but the hosts will be wanting the same and so we should have an entertaining game”.

Cornwall have named Will Perkin (St Ives) as the captain for the season, alongside him is another player from last season, Jack Statton (Launceston) who is the vice-captain.

Coach Rich Kevern said – “We had a poor start to this season’s campaign against a very good Devon side who performed well. We need now to concentrate on what we have covered in training and put that into practice on the field v Somerset. They will have home advantage and will be eager to put one over on us and so we must be ready for a tough 80 minutes”.

Cornwall has a new coaching set up this season, so joining well established Rich Kevern is ex U20 player and current Cornish Pirates lock Steele Barker as the forward’s coach. Always keen to encourage young coaches into the game we see ex senior county player David Mankee assisting the backs with Rich, and Jago Sheppard another ex U20 and member of the winning 2022 team and current Camborne player assisting Steele with the forwards.

Cornwall Captain Will Perkin said, – “We were all disappointed with our performance last time out on what was our only home pool game for the season. We lost two key players in the warmup and first 5 minutes of the game, but we cannot use that as an excuse and should and must be able to adapt to these situations. There are a lot of players training and no one’s shirt is guaranteed, and we must prove to the coaches we are worthy of selection including myself. I know the effort these guys have put in on Sunday mornings and if we can replicate that v Somerset and we put in 100% commitment then hopefully the result will follow”.

Cornwall lost their first game to Devon 7 – 41 whilst Somerset lost to Gloucestershire 57 – 31. The other game in the Southwest pool sees Devon host Gloucestershire, in what will be the top of the table clash. The final pool game of this season sees Cornwall face Gloucestershire away at a new venue of Stow on the Wold RFC on Sunday 5 May with a 1400 kick off time.

The CRFU Chair Dave Saunter said, -”I know the coaches, players were disappointed with the result v Devon, but they were the far stronger and cohesive team on the day. They will have worked hard in training to try and make amends when they face Somerset. This is the time when training becomes tough along with the decisions the coaches must make. The encouraging aspect is several of last season’s U18 squad, who are now 18, are now attending training as well to build again for the remainder of this season and the future”.

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. 

Email – hatch0348@btinternet.com

Mob – 07967725368

SOMERSET U20 V CORNWALL U20

Sunday 21 APRIL @ TAUNTON RFC 1400 kick off.

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

Team Manager Colin Hatch, Assistant Terry Williams

Medical cover – Hen Gard + Ronnie Bartlett

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

Please note this fixture has been CANCELLED for this season.

The selectors and coaches have announced their squad for this season’s Gill Burns Cup Division 2 campaign as well as the forthcoming Women’s Tamar Cup match against Devon.

Following a couple of open trials and the recent Women’s Cornwall Cup tournament held at Truro RFC the coaches have selected a squad of 31 players with 16 having been involved last season.

High-flying Launceston Ladies provide nine players to this season’s squad, amongst whom are live-wire scrum-half Amy Warman and powerful prop forward Kim Upcott

There are welcome returns for centre Tia Larson (Bude Ladies), as well as prop Zeta Penrose and back Lauren Chenoweth, a former TASC Cornwall Women’s Player of the Year, both from Truro Women.

There is a good sprinkling of experience in the squad, notably Captain Amy Bunt, along with aforementioned Warman and Upcott.

There are some familiar names absent due to injury, namely forwards Mel Ruby, Briony Eddy and Rhiannon Thomas all three from Launceston Ladies.

Coach Jo Holden explained that this year had again proved challenging in picking the squad. “We have had good numbers coming forward during the trials and the county cup games. It’s been very hard to nail down the final squad as the level keeps improving year on year.

“I think we have a very good mix of experience and emerging young talent that will gel well under the captaincy of Amy Bunt.

“I am excited to see what this squad can achieve in the coming weeks; we have the Tamar Cup game against Devon and then three tough Gill Burns Cup games against Hampshire, Hertfordshire and Somerset. It would really encourage the squad to see a big crowd, especially for our home game at Truro RFC on Sunday 12^th May when we take on Hampshire Women.

“As ever we are extremely grateful to our valued sponsors, without their generous support we could not compete at this level.”

The Women’s Tamar Cup match against Devon Women due to take place at Bodmin RFC on Sunday 21^st April is likely to change date, please check the CRFU website for updates on the new date.

The 2024 Cornwall Women’s squad

Forwards: Jenna Arnold, Megan Arnold, Vicki Doidge, Kim Upcott, Emily Kneale (all Launceston Ladies), Caitlin Milliken, Elizabeth Langton, Nicole Rowland (all Ivybridge Women), Caitlin Eddy (Helston Vixens Women), Stephanie Nicholas (Camborne Women), Sian Westgarth, Zeta Penrose (both Truro Women), Roberta Smith-Scotland (Plymstock AO Women), Emily Carbis (Devonport S Ladies), Rosie Ninnis, Paige Clarke, Fern-Daisey Cumine (all Penryn Ladies)

Backs: Ellen Armstrong, Amy Warman, Joey Sandercock, Abgail Smith (all Launceston Ladies), Amy Bunt, Rebecca Bennett, Millie Chaston, Megan Okey (all Ivybridge Ladies), Lauren Chenoweth, Lily Relton (both Truro Women), Lisa Allin, Tia Larson (both Bude Ladies), Georgia Hall, Rebecca O’Reilly (both Penryn Ladies). 

Gill Burns Cup Matches;

Sunday 12^th May v Hampshire Women @ Truro RFC 2:30 pm

Sunday 19^th May v Hertfordshire Women @ Tabard RFC 2:30 pm

Sunday 26^th May v Somerset Women @ Taunton RFC 2:30 pm

JASON LEONARD CUP

CORNWALL U.20, 7 – 41 DEVON U.20

 By Bill Hooper, Recreation Ground, Camborne

Cornwall Under 20s made a disappointing start to this season’s campaign, well beaten by a very good Devon side who dominated the game from start to finish.

The Devon win saw them retain the Brunel Cup, which both sides play for annually.

Head coach Richie Kevern was understandably very disappointed by his side’s performance. “We were second best today, what disappointed me most was the vulnerability of our set-piece. Our lineout never got going, whilst our scrum was OK for sixty minutes, when Devon brought on their replacements we went backwards.

“The lads will need to have a long hard look at themselves, ahead of our next game at Somerset next month.”

Cornwall were awarded an early kickable penalty, sadly Jack Statton’s effort went wide of the posts.

Devon were soon on the offensive, a speculative hack towards the Cornwall line saw flanker Isiah Akinrowo win the race to dot down the try.

Cornwall’s scrum was going well during this point of the game, they got a penalty that Statton kicked to the corner from the catch and drive, hooker Pete Harris bagged the try converted by Statton.

Disappointingly for Cornwall that was a good as it got. Devon began to dictate play with fly-half Matt Smale pulling the strings.

They got their reward when prop Dan Butt broke a tackle to score, Smale adding the extras before slotting a penalty shortly after.

Under pressure, Cornwall lost a player to the sin-bin, allowing Devon to pile on the pressure with wing Josef Webber dotting down in the corner, Smale’s conversion giving the visitors a useful 22-7 half-time lead.

Despite Devon also finding themselves down to fourteen men early in the second half, Smale scored and converted Devon’s fourth try.

Cornwall’s woes in the set-piece continued and when Devon brought on their replacement front row, their final semblance of parity vanished.

Further tries from wing Austin Crow, and skipper George Pooley with a conversion from Stark Leighton completed the win for a worthy Devon side.

Cornwall U.20: Penhallurick, Roskilly, Statton, Hammersley, Keogh, Walsh-Newton, Chapple; Lawrence, Harris, Williams, Knight, Perkin (Capt), Lister, Eddy, Ellery.

Replacements: Pope, Holt, Oakley, Derry, Symons, Evans, Richards.

Cornwall scores: Try Harris 10, Con, Statton 11