PROMOTION-CHASING Cornish All Blacks have named an unchanged side for tomorrow’s vital Tribute South West One (West) clash with third-placed Bridgwater & Albion at Polson Bridge (2.30pm).

The All Blacks, who are just a point behind leaders Okehampton, are currently ten points ahead of their Somerset-based opponents with both sides having eight fixtures remaining following last weekend’s break.

Although a win for the visitors tomorrow could open up the title race even further, the All Blacks will take heart from a crushing 60-33 victory at College Way in October as they aim for a 15th win from 19 starts.

While Albion were easing past Keynsham 26-3 last time out, an inexperienced All Blacks side returned to form with a 22-8 victory at struggling Teignmouth, and with their injury situation not improving, joint head coaches Ryan Westren and Ian Goldsmith have chosen the same starting line-up with just one change on the bench as the powerful and versatile Andy Knight replaces Mitchell Hawken, who impressed in the final half an hour on debut at Teignmouth.

The game comes a bit to soon for Westren, scrum-half Adam Collings and back-row Torin Clarke who are yet to fully recover from calf and ankle injuries, while long-term absentees Will Morton (shoulder) and Marc Williams should be back in contention towards the end of the month.

Looking ahead to the game, Westren said: “The boys put in a good shift at Teignmouth and started to put into practice what we’ve been talking about and it’s the best side we have available. No-one is there because of kindness, at the moment it’s the best starting 15 we can put on the field.”

When asked if any of the players were close to returning, he said: “Marc Williams has made some good progress this week training with the lads in certain aspects but there weren’t really any close calls to make.”

With no game last week, training has been intense as players look to nail down their spot for the run-in.

Westren said: “We had the week off last week after winning which was frustrating but if anything, it’s made us even hungrier. Training this week has had a really good edge to it and we’re really excited for tomorrow.”

Although there’s been plenty of rain over the last 24 hours, Westren expects the contest to live up to expectations.

He said: “The weather does have an influence to a certain extent on how you play but it doesn’t mean you still can’t play well, you’ve just got to be efficient.

“Bridgwater are the same, they’re a side who like to play rugby, and although the weather isn’t great, there’s a good chance of it being a good spectacle.”

Cornish All Blacks —

Pearce, Jacob, Edwards, Crawford, Kneebone, Coles, Sandercock; Bentham, Bulut, Thomas, J Duke, Goldsmith, Lightfoot, L Duke (captain), Rowley Replacements: Jenkins, Knight, Mulberry