Sunday, February 24

Jason Leonard Cup Under 20s County Championship at Havant RFC

Hampshire 14

By Bill Hooper

CORNWALL’S youngsters, including five Launceston players and Bude’s Rory Mead, produced a scintillating performance on a glorious afternoon on the 3G pitch at Havant as they scored nine tries and eight conversions to secure a place in the national quarter-finals.

Whether that will be a home draw or not will depend on their final pool game against the other unbeaten side in the pool, Gloucestershire, whom they meet on Sunday, March 17 at St Austell (1pm).

Backs coach Richie Kevern was delighted with his side’s performance. He said: “It was a really good performance by the whole squad, the first 30 minutes we were clinical in all areas. Credit to Hampshire who never gave up and made things difficult in the second-half. It builds nicely for a top of the table clash against Gloucestershire for a home quarter-final.”

Hampshire pressurised Cornwall from the kick-off pinning them in their 22, but Cornwall lifted the siege with a blistering counter that led to a try from scrum-half Owen Davey, converted by full-back Aaron Simmonds, who notched all eight of his conversion attempts.

Cornwall then ran riot scoring another three tries before the end of the first quarter. Prop Jack Hodge powered over for Cornwall’s second and then turned provider with a neat kick ahead for fellow Redruth man Connor Gilbert to beat the cover and score.

Lock Mawgan Osborne rounded off a fine move for the bonus point try to put Cornwall in a commanding position at 28-0 up.

The Cornish lads didn’t lift their foot off the pedal scoring three further tries before the break through Gilbert, his second, flanker Aden Brassington and Osborne for his brace.

Hampshire bagged a consolation just on half-time when lock Balazs Magda powered over near the sticks, with skipper Nick Blumlein converting, but at 49-7 down at the turn, the game was gone for the home side.

Hampshire began the second-half on the front foot, but an interception by Jake Penprase saw the centre race in from his own half to increase Cornwall’s lead.

Cornwall’s final try came from replacement James Tucker who tore down the wing to score the only unconverted try of the afternoon.

Replacement lock Noah Stanier-Smith was yellow carded reducing Cornwall to 14 for ten minutes which allowed Hampshire to score their second try through scrum-half Ollie Burden, Blumlein adding the extras.

The final whistle brought cheers from the Cornish contingent, attention now turns to the game against Gloucestershire, who beat Devon at Crediton 43-12 and are currently level on points with Cornwall with 10 points in the pool.

Cornwall Under 20s —

Aaron Simmonds (Redruth), Reuben Edwards (Launceston), Jake Penprase (University of Bath), Connor Gilbert (Redruth), Charlie Levick (Penryn Colts), WIll Trewin (Cardiff Met University), Owen Davey (Truro); Jack Hodge (Redruth), Rory Mead (Bude), Chae Jenkins (Launceston), Dan Goldsmith (Launceston), Mawgan Osborne (Penzance and Newlyn Colts), Harry Lightfoot (Launceston) Aden Brassington (St Ives), Torin Clarke (Launceston, captain).