GLOUCESTERSHIRE were too good for Cornwall and eased through to the semi-final of the National U20 Championship.

The scoreline doesn’t reflect the tenacity of the Cornish side but does point to the superior Gloucestershire backs, who scored all seven of their tries with ex-Dursley player Ed Sheldon touching down for a hat-trick and Dan Spencer-Tonks for two.

Spencer-Tonks took a crash ball from a quick penalty five metres out to score the opening try.

Jack Skelton’s conversion was blown wide but he made amends, converting a second try five minutes later. Sheldon out-stripped the Cornish defence to score wide out.

After concerted Cornwall attacking on the Gloucestershire line, full back Jack Kessell scored a try.

From the restart Spencer-Tonks charged through a gap in midfield to score close to the posts. Skelton kicked the extras for a 19-5 half-time lead.

After five minutes attacking in the Cornish 22 outside half Ollie Locke dropped a goal.

Cornwall took play to the Gloucestershire 22 from the restart but they lost possession and Sheldon raced upfield to score between the posts. Skelton converted.

Cornwall came back and prop Tyler Gendall was awarded a try. Connor Swan converted to reduce arrears to 29-12.

Gloucestershire shunted the home pack over the line for replacement scrum half Ollie Young to score.

Another Skelton conversion rubbed salt in the Cornish wounds, but lock Todd Prisk crashed over for their third try. Swan converted.

Sam Hanks bisected the Cornish centres from a set-piece and scored Gloucestershire’s sixth try.

Locke converted, then Gloucestershire turned over a Cornish attack out of defence and Sheldon ran in the final try. Locke’s conversion brought up the half-century.