CORNISH All Blacks were pipped at the post in a nail-biting season opener against Bishop Stortford at Polson. The home side trailed 6-14 at half-time, but pulled it back in the last ten minutes of the game, coming to within touching distance of a victory before slipping to defeat against the Herfordshire side. All Blacks Director of Rugby Neil Bayliss said: "We pulled it back, but 18-19 is a bitter pill to swallow, but that's what this league is all about. "Bishops Stortford was always going to be a tough test, but I was particularly pleased with the boys and how they came back in the second-half. "We nearly did it in the last ten minutes, even though some may have thought we were dead in the water at half-time. The way we finished really pleased me. "I thought we showed great character in the second-half. "Our squad is new. It's a new coaching set-up and it takes time for the team to gel. We got a point from the game, and as we proved last season, bonus points are crucial in this league." For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.