With this being the only home fixture for Cornwall U18 group this season, the players and coaches were keen to put on a good display for the faithful Cornish crowd that had gathered at St Austell's Tregorrick Park on Sunday afternoon.

With a few injuries to squad members, the coaches used the opportunity to select from the promising number of U17 players that have been highlighted through the U17 selection process. Even with the changes to the match day 23 the Cornwall players were confident following on from two strong performances against Bucks and Devon.

Things didn't start well though, when Cornwall lost one of their props in the warm-up.

The previous two fixtures had been "selection" games and it was obvious from the start that as this was effectively a "friendly", the intensity wasn't quite the same, as Cornwall looked laboured and couldn't seem to bring the normal consistency to their game.  With dominance in the forwards and a huge attacking force in the back line it was only Cornwall's mistakes and frustration that kept Somerset in the game.

Eventually things began to click and Cornwall managed to get on the scoreboard through some excellent continuity play in the forwards.  With the offloads now "sticking" confidence was growing.  Somerset soon quashed the new found confidence when Cornwall failed to secure the restart and some simple but effective "one up" driving by the visiting forwards led them to the Cornwall line.  Only a few meters away Cornwall again were guilty of communication failings when the Somerset 9 simply strolled around the corner of a ruck to score. (7-5)

The Somerset score and the "gentle encouragement" from the Cornwall coaches appeared to concentrate the "black & gold" players as this was to be the final score by Somerset.  

Cornwall took a hold of the game and with the forwards being able to provide a solid platform, the impressive backs began to tear holes all through the defence.  A further two tries were scored in the first half meaning Cornwall went into the break with a healthy 21-5 lead.

The 2nd half pretty much followed the first with Somerset only managing to break into the Cornish 22 on the rare occasion.  The inclement weather probably didn't help matters but it appeared that Cornwall adapted best to the constant changes from sun to rain to hail back to sun again.  Cornwall scored a further three unanswered tries in the 2nd half (one converted) to finish off the afternoon 38-5 victors.  

The players and coaches would like to thank St Austell RFC for their fantastic hospitality and use of their facilities as always.  Thanks again to the large support, including the members of TASC, who braved the cold and wet to cheer on the players.

The U18 season is now complete but the coaching team now move on to the U17 season which begins in earnest on 20th Nov at Bodmin RFC where the annual "squad day" will be held.

The second and final game for Cornwall in this season's England Counties (SW) U18 Championship saw them face their old rivals, Devon.

With Devon putting Gloucestershire to the sword in their first game of the championship and Cornwall losing in a frustrating game against Buckinghamshire the Devon squad felt confident that they could "get one over" on their Cornish counterparts.

With a number of changes to the squad from the previous week, with players back from injury Cornwall felt this was an opportunity to put right some of the wrongs from the Bucks game.  Unfortunately Cornwall again seem to struggle to get the bus journey out of their system and found themselves 7-0 down in the first 7 mins.  The large Devon pack finding their feet first in the contest.

This reaction from the Cornwall side was impressive and again they began to tighten their grip.  With total dominance in the scrum and with the lineout functioning Cornwall had plenty of possession and created a number of scoring opportunities, however the clinical finish required at this level appeared to have been left behind somewhere on the A30.  To all involved and those supporting how the Cornish lads were not "out of sight".  With the complete dominance in both territory and possession it was only Cornwall's control at the crucial moment that kept Devon in the game. With the large travelling support for both teams camped around the Devon 22 it was obvious who would score next and Cornwall duly obliged with a flowing backs move to score out wide (7-7)

Although easily on top in many facets of the game Cornwall couldn't build on their first score and finished the half all square.

The second half continued and quickly Cornwall began to build phases and the forward dominance led to a second try (14-7)  Unfortunately it appeared the Cornwall dominance in the scrum was about to work against them as Devon ran out of qualified front row players and the game had to move to uncontested scrums.  This allowed Devon to have a platform they hadn't enjoyed earlier in the game.  Allowing the big "back five" to run more freely at the Cornish defence and after a number of narrow attacks and some valiant defence from Cornwall, Devon managed to trundle over under the posts (although the Cornish player placed between the ball and the ground appeared not to count?) (14-14)  

With their new found freedom and their "tails up" Devon managed to score again when after a number of tight phases and the Cornish defence dis organised the Devon scrum half darted through a gap around the break down to score (14-21)

With 10 minutes to go Cornwall again began to build pressure and found themselves camped again in the Devon 22.  Without the ability to tie in the Devon defence due to uncontested scrums Cornwall had to work hard for their third try but powerful driving from the pack led to a break off the maul and a touch down out wide.  With the conversion successful the game was level 21-21.  The final whistle couldn't come quickly enough for Devon but again Cornwall has let a game they had completely dominated get away from them and their failure to convert pressure was frustrating for all.

Two games that were equally winable finished with unfavourable results.  Although ultimately it is about the players performance and as far as South West selection goes the result is immaterial, for the coaches and the players this is definitely two games that were there for the taking.

 Squad against Devon

1. Callum Degenhardt (St Austell)
2. Callum Dewson (Launceston)
3. Kyle Gratrix (St Austell)
4. Jake Clemson (St Ives) (C)
5. Cory Teague (Wadebridge)
6. Noah Stanier-Smith (Camborne)
7. Josh Hart (Newquay)
8. Keane Whitaker (St Austell)
9. Sam Gilder (St Austell)
10. Jack Old (Wadebridge)
11. Jake Carr (St Austell)
12. Tom Hawken (Helston)
13. Reuben Edwards (Launceston)
14. Kyle Bradley (Helston)
15. Johnny Wood (Truro School)
16. Rory Cinnamond (Launceston)
17. George Sanders (St Ives)
18. Luke Barnes (Camborne)
19. Archie Connolly (St Austell)
20. Peter Bebbington (Launceston)
21. Mike Austin (Truro School)
22. Aaron Simmonds (Newquay)
23. Rory Heard (Truro School)

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

The Cornwall Rugby U15 DPP squad has been selected. The names are listed below and this squad will train on the first Monday of every month at Truro College, 7pm to 8.30pm starting on 05/10/15.
 
If you are an U15 player and you haven't been selected into the DPP squad then your normal training sessions are as per the DPP calendar in black text (attached). These sessions start this Monday 28/09/15 at Truro College, 7pm to 8.30pm.
 
Please remember selection is fluid and players need to work hard to remain selected and players that are not, they also need to work hard to earn selection up into the DPP squad. Selection will be reviewed continuously and players will move in and out of the DPP squad.
 
A huge well done to all players and keep up the good work.
 
Again please feel free to share around school/club as not all email addresses are valid. It is also posted on the Cornwall RFU website and the Facebook page.