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Under 16s 'A' Win But 'B' Go Down to Somerset

Cornwall u16s played their final home games of the representative season at Callywith College. With Exeter Chief Academy selectors present the players knew that their performance individually and as a team would be recognised in games against strong academy teams and players from Somerset.

CHRIS LEA REPORTS:

The Cornwall A team started well against the Somerset East team and soon got the scoreboard moving with an early penalty by Ethan Morgan. Then on twenty minutes Tyler Dower, having a strong game at 8, blasted over to score the first try and that was quickly followed by a determined drive by second row Cam Bishop to sore the second try.

Within ten minutes back row Ben Grubb scored the third try to take the game away from Somerset. Ethan Morgan added all three conversions and demonstrated his game management with a good range of tactical kicking.

With Somerset adding a penalty of their own the half time score of 22-3 to Cornwall giving the hosts a healthy lead which they maintained with excellent defensive play.

Jack Mills at 7 again caught the eye making many turnovers and strong tackling.

The second half was 10 minutes old before centre Charlie Levick outpaced the visitors defence to score by the posts before Somerset scored their only try which was converted. Ethan Morgan added a try from a quickly tapped penalty and the final try was then added by replacement Ben Durrant who took his chance well. All 3 second half tries were converted by Morgan.

The 41-10 final score showed the huge improvement the squad had made since their last representative game.


Sadly the Cornwall B team were outplayed by a very strong Somerset West team who scored 14 tries. The Somerset team showed pace, off-loading and ball retention of the highest order for the whole game and were relentless in their support play.

Cornwall stuck to the task and scored a try in each half. Andre Green showed good pace down the wing in the first half and prop Xavier Jenkins powered over in the second half.

It was a tough rugby lesson for the Cornwall players but hopefully they will get their chance to bounce back.

Overall the event was a good advert for Cornish rugby with all the players awarded their U16 ties. The standard of play demonstrated in both games was excellent and the referees allowed the players to make the most of the afternoon.

Before the end of March the U16s will play against the U17s team so that the boys can make the transition from Junior rugby in to Colts. There is also the prospect of playing Dorset and Wilts if a suitable date and venue can be arranged amongst all the club cup games that have been rescheduled this winter.

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Cornwall U16 'A' 34 v Bristol U16 'A' 26

In the bright sunshine but very chilly wind at Callywith College both of the Cornwall teams managed wins. Both games were very fast paced and the quality of skills on show were impressive and it was clear just what can be achieved by this age group due to the commitment and enthusiasm of players, coaches at clubs and schools and parent support.

The ‘A’ team game started well for Cornwall with back row Dixon completing a strong break to score out wide and Morgan added the extras for a 7-0 lead which was to be short lived. Bristol piled on the pressure with 4 tries and 4 conversions of their own showing considerable power up front and very quick strong running backs. Going into half time second row Grubb powered through for a try for Cornwall to bring the score to 12-26.

The chance to reset the team’s performance and plan for the second half proved crucial as Cornwall set about the second half and played with more composure, teamwork and control limiting Bristol to few attacking chances and pinned in their own 22 for long periods of the game. Half back Morgan used the wind and conditions well to set up attacking opportunities and tries were scored by Grubb, scrum half Durrant. A conversion and a penalty by Morgan took Cornwall into the lead for the first time at 27-26.

In the last minutes of the game, Dixon surged over for his second of the game. Morgan added the conversion and took the lead and final score to 34-26 to Cornwall

Peter Biernis and Glynn Barnicoat refereed the two games that were a credit to all concerned. Both Cornwall and Bristol can be pleased that their commitment to youth rugby produced two very well contested skilful games that allowed nearly 80 boys to win their representative ties at u16.

Cornwall u16 are next in action at Trowbridge on Sunday 21st January when they play Dorset and Wilts.

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Cornwall U16 'B' 38 v Bristol U16 'B' 24

In the bright sunshine but very chilly wind at Callywith College both of the Cornwall teams managed wins. Both games were very fast paced and the quality of skills on show were impressive and it was clear just what can be achieved by this age group due to the commitment and enthusiasm of players, coaches at clubs and schools and parent support.

The ‘B’ game was a 9 try feast of rugby. Cornwall’s Hammersley at 10 used the wind well in the first half to get his team into attacking positions. An early try by No.8 Dower got the Cornwall team’s confidence up and further tries were added by second row Osborne, scrum half Clemmo and a second for Dower. Hammersley added 4 conversions and an early penalty to complete the Cornwall scores. Bristol managed one converted try before the half time whistle but certainly contested every aspect of the game.

At half time Cornwall would have been happy with the team performance and a healthy 31-7 lead but with the change of ends Bristol made good use of the wind and got back into the game with three tries of their own after testing the Cornwall defence with pick and goes and testing line breaks.

 With the score at 31-24 going into the last 10 minutes Cornwall found one last chance and after good work from forwards and backs centre Davies made an excellent break in the outside channel and with good speed and evasive running dotted down by the posts for Hammersley to add the extras and a 38-24 win for Cornwall.

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U18's Get Off To Winning Start

Monday evening saw the Cornwall U18 squad get their season up and running.  With the traditional season "opener" against a Plymouth College XV.

The game, originally planned to be played at the home of Plymouth Albion, was shifted to the 3G pitch at Keyham at the last minute.

With limited time together, an away fixture against a side that have been together for a couple of years and had recently returned from a pre-season tour in Wales was always going to be a great test.  Made even more difficult with the number of injuries and unavailable players hitting the Cornish side.

From the KO it was clear that the bigger Cornwall side had the upper hand and dominated the early possession with backrow Keane Whitaker opening the score within the first 5 mins.  For all the possession though, Cornwall were finding it difficult to breakdown a very well organised and stubborn defence.  Cornwall failed to adjust their game to what was being placed in front of them and attack after attack would either "fizzle" out or the ball would be spilt with possession being handed over to the College boys.

Plymouth began to find their way into the game and their skillful half-back pairing began to take control.  With good game management Plymouth found themselves deep in the Cornwall 22.  Fortunately the defence was solid and Cornwall managed to break free and build an attack of their own which ended in a try scored by second row Archie Connolly.  With the score 0 -12 Cornwall reached the half time break content, if not exactly pleased.

With a full front row, half back pairing and one centre changed at half time it was always going to take a few minutes to get organised again, and so it was that Plymouth took advantage straight from the whistle.  With some larger than normal gaps in the defensive line the Plymouth fly half strolled through to score under the posts immediately from the restart.

Cornwall recovered well though and eventually got back into their stride.  Again they dominated possession but slow ball at the breakdown and a lack of ability to play "heads-up" rugby which would have seen them out flank their opponents meant the college side were always in contention.  With both sides scoring a further try a piece and the scores 12 - 17 Cornwall finally managed to break free by with another try from Whitaker and one from winger Jake Carr, score 12 - 27.

With minutes to play and with the college right winger "slicing" down the 5 meter channel he must have caught a glimpse of a black and gold "steam train" heading his way and stepped inside to evade it, unfortunately that steam train was blindside flanker Whitaker who was not allowing anyone to cross the Cornwall whitewash, with the Plymouth player coming off considerably worse.  The tackle was deemed to be slightly high and as the referee felt the winger was in the action of scoring a try it was given as a penalty try.  Final score 19 - 27

All in all a positive start to the campaign and a special mention to the U17 players who filled in at the last minute.

 

Next game away to Somerset U18 on 25th Sept at Weston-Super-Mare RFC

 
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  • Cornwall Rugby Football Union Ltd
    The Cornwall Rugby Football Union was formed in 1883 and operated until 2009 as an unincorporated body when it registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 becoming Cornwall Rugby Football Union Limited. Clubs affiliated to Cornwall Rugby Football Union Limited are Members with representatives of each club in…