National Two South
Cornish All Blacks 16
Barnes 20
Polson Bridge
DESPITE a bright start, a series of errors led to another defeat for the Cornish All Blacks, this time losing 16-20 to Dorking.
Poor handling, a number of knock ons, and lack of commitment at the break down cost them the game. The only consolation was a losing bonus point.
The All Blacks were six points up within the first 15 minutes, thanks to Chris Swash who kicked two penalties.
But Dorking soon upped their game, and began to push Launceston back on their own try line. The effort paid off as Harry Elbrow went over for Dorking’s first try in the 29th minute Luke White made the conversion.
The visitors extended their lead to 6-10 before half time when White kicked another penalty.
The Cornish All Blacks made a series of errors in the second half, all capitalised on by Dorking.
Benjamin Marfo touched down for Dorking’s second try 62 minutes in, which was also converted by White.
Launceston closed the gap with a try scored by Isaac Hydleman, but this was shortly followed by a penalty to Dorking, which was kicked through the posts by White.
In the final minutes of the game two Dorking players — replacement Rory Eaton-Belton and George Evans — were yellow carded and Hydleman found a gap in the visitors’ defence to score his second try for the All Blacks.
The deficit was reduced to four points, but play moved deep into extra time, and referee Luke Haskins brought the game to a close.
Next up for the Cornish All Blacks is an away trip to Redingensians on November 7 — surely a must win.
Cornish All Blacks
Tries: Hydleman x2 (69mins, 85); Penalties: Swash x2 (9, 13)
Dorking
Tries: Elbrow (29), Marfo (62); Conversions: White x2 (30, 63); Penalties: White x2 (39, 74)
Half time: 6-10
Full time: 16-20
Referee: Luke Haskins
Man of the match: Richard Friend (Cornish All Blacks)
Sin bin: Eaton-Belton (Dorking 81), Evans (85).
Cornish All Blacks — Hydleman, McGinley (Brownfield 49), Chapman S, Westren, Edwards (McGinley 67), Swash, Friend, Chapman L, Salter (Bulut 67), Grendall (Collinette 76), Tripcony, Hamber (Hilton 51), Stanleick (Hamber 67), Duke, Childs.
Dorking — Betty, Terelak (Woodcock 67), Marfo, McDonald, Irving, White, Nicholls, Nunn (Olayanju49), Johnson (Eaton-Belton 73), Evans (Nunn 67, Dalton 78), Howarth (Dalton 72, Evans 77), Higgins, Roux, Elbrow (Watts 46), Lee.