Saturday, April 22

National League Three South West

Dings Crusaders 76

Cornish All Blacks 10

THE?Cornish All Blacks’ final game in National League rugby ended with a 76-10 defeat at Dings Crusaders last Saturday.

The Bristol-based side finished second in the table and as a result take on Wimbledon from National League Three London and South East in a promotion play-off this Saturday for a place in National Two South next season.

The All Blacks on the other hand will prepare for life in South West One (West).

The All Blacks got off to the worst possible start before the game even started as player/coach Ryan Westren was injured in the warm-up, meaning head of rugby and former Exeter Chiefs player, Jimmy Tucker, had to name himself among the replacements.

All Blacks fly-half Fraser Honey missed an early penalty and after that it became one -way traffic despite the home side resting key players ahead of next weekend and the fact that it was going to be Dings’ last ever game at Landseer Avenue provided their new home in Frenchay is ready in time for next season.

Harry Tovey (2), Paul Fincken, Gavin Curry, George Hooper, Matt Smith and Sylvan Edwards all scored tries before the break as they led 45-0. Five of the tries were converted with Tovey (2) and fly-half Steve Plummer sharing kicking duties.

The Cornishmen did have something to cheer about early in the second-half as some quick hands through the backs allowed winger Harry Dawe to go over in the corner for his second try in as many away games.

After that normal service resumed as Plummer, Ashley Challenger (2), Tom Knight and Martin Wheeler all went over to make it 12 tries in total. Three of those tries were converted with Tovey (2) and Wheeler adding the extras.

Launceston did have the last laugh though as flanker Brandon Rowley bundled his way over for a score, however it proved to be the final hurrah to a disappointing season which has seen the All Blacks suffer their second consecutive relegation.

Cornish All Blacks:

Edwards, Dawe, Stansfield, Faamatuainu, Snell, Honey, Sandercock; Bentham, Bulut, Thomas, Williams, J Duke, Rowley, L Duke, McDonald

Subs: Parish, Osborne, Tucker

Tries:

Dawe, Rowley

Convs: N/A

Pens: N/A