Cornwall women win Tamar Cup but can't stop Devon progressing

ON a glorious afternoon at Polson Bridge, both sides served up a feast of attacking rugby for the four figure crowd - but it was Cornwall who enjoyed a 31-27 win over Devon.

- by BILL HOOPER

For Cornwall, it was the Tamar Cup that captain Amy Bunt proudly lifted in front of the grandstand. But Devon had much to celebrate too — with two bonus points from the game enough to see them top the group and advance to the semi-finals.

Devon kicked off towards the Devon end and immediately put Cornwall under pressure. Cornwall defended well but gave away too many penalties, eventually the Devon pressure told when the ball was worked wide to wing Charleigh Hopkin to dot down.

Having missed the conversion Devon's Beth Plumpton kicked a routine penalty from in front of the posts to stretch their lead.

Cornwall needed to get into the game, Abi Smith sounded the charge with a good run, the first of many. Cornwall kicked a penalty to the corner from which scrum-half Amy Warman fed Michaella Roberts, the No 8 used her strength to power over for a try bettered by Georgia Hall.