CORNWALL Under 20s produced a storming performance to defeat Kent at Charlton Park 25-18 on Sunday and advance to the semi-finals of the County Championships, writes Bill Hooper.

With scores tied at 18-18 and the clock running down, Cornwall knew they needed a score as they trailed on the try-count 3-2 with no extra-time in the offing.

The breakthrough came from fly-half Dan Rutter, who crossed near the posts allowing Rhys Brownfield a simple conversion for a seven point lead.

The final whistle brought great scenes of jubilation in the Cornish camp, who have been drawn at home against Yorkshire in the semi finals, which take place on March 15.

Despite a promising start, Cornwall found themselves trailing to an early un-converted try from Kent.

They struck back though with a penalty from Rhys Brownfield following a powerful rolling maul from the Cornish pack.

However, Kent re-established a five point lead with a successful penalty of their own.

A good break from Rutter set up a ruck near the home line and the Duchy’s forwards drove over the line with skipper Todd Prisk getting the unconverted try to tie the scores.

Right on half time, full-back Connor Swan kicked a 35m penalty goal to give Cornwall the lead at the break 11-8.

Kent came out fired up for the second half and soon retook the lead with a well-worked unconverted try in the corner.

Cornwall then lost the influential Prisk through injury and Kent got a third unconverted try to stretch their advantage out to seven points.

But the visitors struck back immediately to tie the scores as the forwards put in a huge effort with hooker Locryn Williams getting the score which Brownfield converted.

As the clock ticked down, Cornwall saw two penalty attempts go astray in quick succession.

Salvation was at hand as Rutter rounded off great Cornish pressure to score the visitor’s third try, allowing Brownfield a simple conversion to confirm Cornwall’s semi-final berth.

CORNWALL: 15 Swan (Cardiff Met), 14 Taylor (Cardiff Met), 13 Simmons (Hartpury Coll), 12 Brownfield (Pirates Ams), 11 Woodward (Wadebridge), 10 Rutter (Redruth), 9 Fox (Wadebridge); 1 Phillips (Redruth), 2 Williams (Chinnor), 3 Tyack (St Ives), 4 Prisk (c, Redruth), 5 Hughes (Penryn), 6 Furse (Newquay), 7 Haines (Cornish AB), 8 Stanleick (Camborne).

REPS: Martin (Truro), Southworth (Redruth), Marsh (Truro), Pellow (Penryn), Thomas (Redruth), Noseda (Truro), Sandercock (Cornish AB).

TRIES: Prisk, Williams, Rutter.

CONS: Brownfield 2/3.

PENS: Brownfield, Swan.