IF this really was the final National Cup/Trophy match to be played at Polson Bridge it was a fitting finale to a competition that has been around under many different names for many, many years. It was exciting rugby throughout, played in a freakish wind, with a very tense finish — just as cup rugby should be — pity about the result, writes Tony Randel.

With the score at 5-5 from 55th to 75th minute extra time was looking on the cards. Then the Cornishmen looked to have broken the stalemate when Gary Kingdom (who had a good game at full back in place of the injured Jon Fabian) was released by a long Ben Turner pass, Kingdom cut through the defence to link with Mal Roberts who sent Ryan Westren over for the score. Stalemate broken but game not over yet.

Just as the spectators were beginning to visualise a fifth round tie against Exeter or another of the 'big boys' their dreams were shattered as Bees replacement fly half Rod Petty was on the end of some slick inter-passing to score on the left. As he missed the conversion and then a last ditch drop-goal attempt the game went to extra time.

Although the game started slightly less furiously than the final half hour it was still entertaining. No score came until there was 35 minutes on the clock although Adam Staniforth had missed two earlier penalty attempts in the very unpredictable wind. It is of note that no kicker landed anything between the uprights all afternoon; the wind caught some attempts so wildly that they made bananas look straight enough to satisfy even the most stupid of EU regulations!

Most of the attacking in the first half came from the home team who had a slight edge up front but the Bees backs are powerful and strong and always threatened when in possession.

The only score of the first half came when visiting centre Ryan Tomlinson was sin-binned for killing the ball. Taking a scrum the home pack scored a classic pushover try with Sam Hocking coming up with the ball.

The second half was more of the same with Cornish All Blacks constantly on the attack but having to be fearful of any Bees attempted breakaways. Ben Turner came close to scoring in the corner but hit the flag as he went over; then Hamish Smales almost made it in the other corner but always the Bees were buzzing and threatening to sting. The sting came when number eight Rosarion Halavatau broke away before sending in flanker Rob Connolly to level the scores. So it stayed until the pulsating final five minutes of normal time.

Within two minutes of the start of extra time the Bees back row and centres played a series of clever inter-passing moves which drew in the Cornish All Blacks defence whilst making considerable ground. Eventually they had made the space for replacement centre Jack Reece to scoot through to take the score to 10-15.

The Cornishmen stormed back and and pinned the visitors in their own 22. They came agonisingly close to the line with scrum after scrum but failed to score. The second period of extra time was the same — concerted All Blacks attacks with the Bees booting the ball upfield and into touch whenever they got it. Shrewd tactics which paid off as the really final whistle went.

Either side could have won; both deserved to win but in cup ties there has to be a result. Having had two Cornish scalps in the Trophy so far this season let us see who the Bees draw (and conquer?) next. Perhaps the cup run will take their eyes off the promotion race! Wishful thinking!

Scorers — Cornish All Blacks; tries, Hocking, Westren. Birmingham-Solihull: tries, Connolly, Petty, Preece.

Cornish All Blacks: Gary Kingdom (Jake Murphy 92), Marc Dibble, Ryan Westren, Mal Roberts, Hamish Smales, Adam Staniforth, Ben Turner (Jon Marlin 92), Jason Bolt, Glenn Cooper (Darren Semmens 80), Andy Knight (Billy Moss 66), Bryn Jenkins (Tim Collier 51), Mike Myerscough (Tom Skelding 51), Josh Lord (capt) (Jon Brandling-Harris 80), Tom Rawlings and Sam Hocking.

Birmingham-Solihull: Mitch Culpin, Simon Hunt, Ryan Tomlinson (Scott Young 51), Cameron Mitchell (Jack Preece 80), John Aston, Mark Woodrow (Rod Petty 51), Sam Brown, Ricky Davies (Mark Long 47), Ben Phillips (capt), Andi Lawrence (Craig Voisey 47), Alex Davidson, Shaun Pammenter (Russell Earnshaw 93), Rob Connolly, Andy Clayton and Rosario Halavatau.

Referee; Mr Nick Williams (RFU).