by Bill Hooper

CORNWALL Under-20s take on Hertfordshire at Camborne RFC tomorrow in the quarter-finals of the Under-20 County Championship (2pm kick-off).

Cornwall started their campaign with a narrow win over local rivals Devon 25-24, before travelling to Dorset & Wilts where they were comfortable 64-7 winners, which meant they topped their pool and gained a home quarter-final.

Cornwall coach Rich Kevern said: “We are now in the knockout stage of this year’s competition and from now on you do not get any second chances, so the guys must perform.

"Following the win at Dorset and Wilts we have had a few training sessions and they need to be ready from the off for this important game.

"All the teams in the quarter-finals are pool winners or runners-up so there are no easy games, and having played Hertfordshire before, we know they will be up for a keenly-fought match.”

The winner of this game will have a semi-final which will be played on Easter Sunday, April 17.

Cornwall captain Ethan Pearce-Cowley commented: “We’re aware as a team of the pressure that comes with playing in the knockout stages. But we’re ready to take on that pressure and deliver a quality performance on the day.

"The team is looking in good shape and I have full confidence we’re ready to take on the challenge.

"We’re unbeaten in this competition and that’s how we plan to keep it.”

CRFU President John Sumnall said “We thank all our sponsors for their support and assistance with this group of players in this important game representing Cornwall.

"It is fantastic to see so many different clubs represented, and we thank them for their support to enable these fixtures to be played.”

Hertfordshire competed in Pool Three, winning their first game 27-26 away to Surrey, before losing their second game 56-19 at home to Kent, therefore emerging as runners-up in their pool.