National Two South
Cornish All Blacks 17
Old Elthamians 20
Polson Bridge
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A GOOD performance for the Cornish All Blacks saw them come within touching distance of their first win over Old Elthamians on Saturday, but a solid second half performance from the visitors edged them into the lead.
There were clear improvements in the All Blacks’ game this week, with the squad having a promising first half. The home side spent the majority of the first 40 minutes on the attack, and the hard work paid off with the first try coming in the 7th minute.
A few minutes later Craig Dowsett ran the ball, dodging the All Blacks’ defence to go over for a try, converted by Tom White.
The passion was evident in the All Blacks’ squad, who moved play closer and closer to the try line, resulting in Ed McGinley touching down for the second try. The conversion attempt went left of the posts.
The All Blacks kept the momentum up and were searching for the third try before half time.
Referee Calum Howard issued successive yellow cards for two Old Elthamians players - O’Meara and Lewis Brown - and a penalty try to the All Blacks. Chris Swash made the conversion.
The home side needed to take advantage of the two-man deficit. The visitors put up a fight and after a yellow card was given to Lloyd Duke (CABs), White kicked a penalty for the visitors. At the half time whistle, the All Blacks led 17-10.
There was more vigour in the Old Elthamians’ pack in the second half, with the All Blacks on the defence for the most part.
While it looked like the All Blacks could pick up their first win, the visitors had other ideas.
Benjamin Hough scored a converted try to equalise, and while White missed a penalty, he was given another chance shortly after, and a kick through the posts put the visitors in front, 17-20.
It was a great effort for the All Blacks, but they had to settle for a losing bonus point.
Cornish All Blacks —Tries: Edwards A (7), McGinley (21), Penalty try: (34). Conv: Swash (35)
Old Elthamians — Tries: Dowsett (10), Hough (58). Convs: White (11, 59). Pens: White (40, 73)
Half time: 17-10
Full time: 17-20
Attendance: 428
Sin bin: O’Meara (33 OE), Brown (35, OE), Duke L (40, CABs), Garratt (42, OE)
Man of the match: Jordan Duke (All Blacks)
Teams:
Cornish All Blacks — Edwards A, McGinley (Sandercock 69), Westren, Chapman S, Edwards L, Swash, Friend, Dugard, Bulut (Chapman L 60), Chapman L (Reynolds 49), Hamber (Parish 4), Hilton, Childs, Duke L, Duke J. Not used: Theobald, Honey.
Old Elthamians —White, Williams, Vidgeon, Hough, Dowsett, Stanley, Bressons (Edwards 47), Brown, O’Meara, Liffchak, Ally, Dewale, Scorgie (Rudland-Thomas 37), Sullivan, Nelmes (Fordham 37, Scorgie 47, Garrett 53). Not used: Surman.