Truro College in U18s ACE Final for First Time in 14 Years

Truro College will compete in the U18s ACE Final tomorrow, December 6, for the first time in 14 years.

The College will take on heavyweights Hartpury College at Dings Crusaders’ ground on the outskirts of Bristol at 16:30 on Wednesday, December 6.

Marek Churcher, Academy Lead at Truro College, explained it is a momentous occasion for the college but one that his players have worked tirelessly to achieve.

“It’s amazing for us as a college, for the players and for the people of Cornwall. The last time Truro College were in a final was in 2009 with the likes of Sam and Josh Matavesi as well as a few lads who are still playing at Cornish Pirates.

“So it’s a huge thing for us. These players have worked phenomenally hard to get to where they are. We couldn’t be happier for the boys. We’ve just got one more game to go now.”

For a college at the bottom of the country, travel is a constant in the players’ schedule but it is a factor which Churcher believes the squad have taken in their stride.

“The journey to get here has built a phenomenal amount of resilience in the lads. They’ve really created an unbreakable bond. It takes a lot – we’ve got players who get up at five o’clock in the morning to get to the bus at 7:30am at Truro. It takes a huge amount of dedication from the players and the parents as well – their support has been huge.

“There’s a lot of hurdles in the way for us down in Cornwall, geographically, but we get over it and we have done this year.”

Their opposition tomorrow are reigning champions, Hartpury – an institution known for it’s prestigious rugby development programme. Whilst the challenge will be a tough one, it is one that the Truro College squad are prepared to face head-on.

“Any game against Hartpury is huge – they’re a formidable outfit, all the way from the College through to the University and into the RFU Championship. Ultimately, it’s a great challenge for our lads to see how far we’ve come. We played them back in September and came second, but we are ready and building nicely into tomorrow’s game.

“We go in as underdogs, but I think the boys will thrive on that. All we can ask for is that they give it 100% and finish with a smile on their face.”

For more information on Exeter Chiefs’ relationship with Truro College, and information on the Chiefs Academy, click here.