CORNWALL Under 20s produced a storming second half performance to shock last season’s finalists and in the process reclaim the Brunel Cup played for between the two sides.

In front of a packed grandstand, Cornwall began playing up the slope, but it was Devon that looked the stronger side early on. They took the lead through a try scored by Rob Hennessy, who also added the conversion.

Soon after, a penalty kicked to the corner by skipper Oscar Marr put Cornwall five meters out, and from the ‘catch and drive’ Ted Hocking went close.

Devon gave away a penalty and from a tap it was man-of-the-match Jack Sherratt who crashed over for an unconverted try.

Hennessy nudged Devon further ahead with a penalty before Alfie Brooksbank intercepted a Devon pass on half-way, making good ground before his well-timed pass put Marr in for the try, which was bettered by Robbie Paul.

Cornwall defended well before keeping Devon out as they stormed the line, Hocking seeing yellow for an infringement. The score remained 12-10 to the home side at the break.

Cornwall came out fired up for the second half as full-back Barney Lewis put in a great run following turnover ball from Sherratt.

A Cornish scrum five meters out saw a big drive from the Black and Gold pack with Fin Robinson scoring on his home ground. Paul missed the conversion, but he made up for it moments later with a penalty to put Cornwall two scores ahead.

Devon weren’t finished back they came with a superb try in the corner finished off acrobatically by Nyakallo Makate, but that was as close as they would get as Cornwall scored 26 unanswered points during the final quarter.

Sherratt bagged his second, with Lewis, Riley Raikes and Bracken Headland all crossing the line. Conversions from Paul and two from Headland completed the scoring.

Cornwall Under 20s head coach Richie Kevern was delighted with his side’s showing, saying: “I am delighted with this win, Devon have been finalists for the last two seasons, so to beat them is a feather in our cap.

“We knew this was going to be a tough one. We have worked hard the last few weeks and I was pleased the boys stuck to the gameplan, giving us the reward at the end.

“First half I thought our half-backs Alfie Brooksbank and Oscar Marr controlled the game well, and Oscar put us in good positions.

“The pack also put in a huge effort, second half our forwards really put us on the front foot, and the whole squad fully contributed today with the replacements bringing energy at the right time.”

CORNWALL UNDER 20s: Barney Lewis; Bracken Headland (both Newquay Hornets), Sam Blake (Truro), Robbie Paul (Redruth), Jack Jones (Penryn); Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn - capt), Alfie Brooksbank (Camborne); Callum Phillips (Wadebridge Camels), Ted Hocking (Penzance & Newlyn), Callum Johns (Launceston); Ed Boaden (Helston), Oli Wells (Redruth); Jack Sherratt (Helston), Oli Mount (Penryn), Fin Robinson (Redruth). Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Archie Beetles (Wadebridge Camels), RileyRaikes (St. Austell), Dan Kent (Helston), Joel Pryor (Wadebridge Camels), Ethan Taylor (Redruth), Dan Navas (St Austell).

Tries: Sharratt (16, 69), Marr (26), Robinson (49), Lewis (71), Raikes (73), Headland (78); Convs: Paul (27, 72), Headland (74, 79); Pens: Paul (64).

Cornwall Under 20s man-of-the-match: Jack Sherratt.