BLACKHEATH are far from a one man team but they do have one man who can turn a game by his all round rugby skills, his brain and just his presence. With the Cornish All Blacks cruising comfortably with a 18-5 lead on 60 minutes 'The Club' brought Ken Aseme on off the bench. He has been a thorn in the flesh of Launceston so often over the last many years, this was no exception! His try, after only being on the pitch for three minutes, changed the whole game. He inspired his pack who then forced the hosts into giving away two very kickable penalties for Thomas White to level the scores with his boot, writes Tony Randel

The game was characterised by tremendous activity by both teams — but not a lot to show for it, and a Blackheath pack who completely dominated in the set scrums but hardly got a look in at the line-outs. Without good ball even from their own scrums the hosts were on the back foot a lot of the time but they did look more dangerous with ball in hand and were unfortunate in not scoring more than they did.

It all started well with two quick fire penalties from Adam Staniforth in the first five minutes. Mike Myerscough then charged through the centre but without real support. Gary Kingdom, Jake Murphy. Lewis Webb and Marc Dibble all made penetrating runs but the 'last pass' either went awry or was knocked-on on numerous occasions. When it looked as though at least one of these Cornish All Blacks assaults would bear fruit the next score came from the visitors.

With their strong pack driving into the Launceston 22 number eight Gareth Jones gathered, broke free and slipped the ball to full back Matt Vaughan to sneak down the blind side to score. White's conversion attempt rebounded off the upright.

With ten minutes of the first period to go the Cornish All Blacks again set up some classy moves but they could not retain the ball long enough to score. Only having a single point advantage after having the wind advantage was not the margin that the Polson faithful had been hoping for.

The start of the second period saw some really good Launceston play adding 12 points in ten minutes. With the back row and the backs linking well the ball was swung back and forth across the pitch completely disrupting the Blackheath defence. Gary Kingdom exploited the gap that was opening up, went over the line between the posts and converted his own try, having taken over the kicking duties from Adam Staniforth at half time.

Eight minutes later Gary was again the star. He gathered a loose ball on the half-way line and raced away. Although hauled down some 10m short of the line he was on his feet like a flash and after the ball to touch down, this time he missed the conversion.

Blackheath then appeared to play to 'plan B'. They kept the ball tight in their forwards and used their dominance there to drive maul after maul towards the Launceston line. It was from one such maul, to which the Cornish All Blacks appeared to have no answer, on 64 minutes that Ken Aseme scored and White converted. Two further White penalties before the 70 minutes, one for offside and the other for not rolling away brought the scores level.

The last ten minutes was frantic stuff with 'The Club' trying to keep the ball tight but the Cornish All Blacks wanting to spin the ball out wide. They were getting the upper hand and had two real chances in injury time. Hamish Smales was clear and away down the left wing but an eagle-eyed touch-judge saw his left foot just clip the chalk line! Two minutes later Sam Hocking sent Ryan Westren away but was forced into hitting the corner flag rather than crossing the line!

Blackheath were no doubt happy to escape from Polson with a draw; at least for the Cornish All Blacks it was better than the recent defeat by Cambridge and possibly a step towards a win over Birmingham & Solihull on Good Friday – who knows; the Bees might just be a bit complacent having opened up a five point lead over Redruth at the top of the table with two games in hand! Don't be surprised to see some Reds supporters at Polson cheering for Launceston!

Scorers:

Cornish All Blacks: tries, Kingdom (2); con, Kingdom; pens. Staniforth (2)

Blackheath: tries. Vaughan, Aseme; con, White; pens, White (2).

Cornish All Blacks; Jon Fabian, Marc Dibble, Gary Kingdom, Jake Murphy, Hamish Smales, Adam Staniforth (Ryan Westren 40), Lewis Webb, Jason Bolt, Glenn Cooper, Billy Moss (Keith Brooking 74), Tom Skelding, Mike Myerscough, Glen Remnant (Jon Brandling-Harris 62), Tony Roques (capt) and Sam Hocking; reps not used, Darren Semmens and Mike Rawlings.

Blackheath: Matt Vaughan, Thomas White, Shean Moan, Steve Hamilton, Sam Smith, Matt Leek, Ben Ibrahim, Simon Legg, Liam Wordle (capt), Des Brett, Neil Dewale (Gavin Wallis 52), Ally Vanner, James Catt (Jack Knight 84), Dave Allen, and Gareth Jones (Ken Aseme 62); reps not used, Nick Winwood and Lee Amzaleg

Referee: Mr Richard Philips (RFU).