National Two South
Cornish All Blacks 19
Clifton 54
Polson Bridge
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THE Cornish All Blacks suffered another defeat on Saturday, this time in their home clash against Clifton, despite scoring three tries.
Clifton, a bigger pack, looked the more organised side from the off, scoring their first points three minutes in after a Launceston infringement.
Five minutes later Clifton scored their first of eight tries, when Fergus Manners went over the line. James McKay made the conversion.
The All Blacks gave away a string of penalties, which Clifton took full advantage of. McKay kicked two in quick succession.
The Clifton onslaught continued, with Daniel Wells passing the ball to Elias Caven, who dodged an All Blacks’ tackle to touch down on the wing for their second converted try.
The home side managed to turn things around with fifteen minutes left in the first half. Jamie Salter scored a try, but the conversion kick went left of the posts.
The All Blacks continued to gain ground and the side began to work better after they grew in confidence from scoring, and in the 40th minute Tom Duncan pushed over for another try, this time converted by Rhys Brownfield. The score at half time was 12-23.
Unfortunately for the All Blacks, Clifton’s Samuel Harrison scored a converted try within the first minute of the second half. He had an easy run to the line and no All Blacks’ tackles came close to stopping him.
But it didn’t seem to deter the home side. They picked up the pace and set Ben Hilton up to score a converted try.
That was where the home side’s luck ran out. They were soon back on the defence, trying to keep the visitors out. Clifton were too strong and moved play precariously close to the All Blacks’ try line. Calum Roberts found a gap to touch down, his try converted by replacement Bradley Barnes.
Shortly after referee Veryan Boscawen awarded a penalty to Clifton and Barnes kicked well from in front of the posts, boosting their score by another three points.
With the All Blacks one man down following a yellow card for Ben Hilton, Clifton scored again, this time by William Pomphrey, converted by Barnes.
With a few minutes left on the clock, the All Blacks were looking to score another try, but a couple mistakes put an end to any hopes of a bonus point.
Clifton worked the ball up and down the All Blacks’ try line and finished the game with a final try, the second of the game for Harrison.
Cornish All Blacks
Tries: Salter (29), Duncan (40), Hilton (46); Conv: Brownfield (41), (47)
Clifton
Tries: Manners (8), Caven (23), Harrison (41) (86), Roberts (62), Pomphrey (73); Conv: McKay (8) (24) (41), Barnes (63) (73) (86); Pen: McKay (3), (16), (20), Barnes (65).
Half time: 12-23
Full time: 19-54
Referee: Veryan Boscawen
Attendance: 448
Man of the match: Rhys Brownfield (All Blacks)
Sin bin: Ben Hilton (72, All Blacks)
Cornish All Blacks —McGinley (Edwards 70), Chapman S, Westren, Swash, Dawe, Brownfield, Friend, Dugard (Chapman L 51), Salter (Bulut 65), Chapman L (Gendall 29, Dugard 69), Tripcony, Hilton, Childs, Duke, Duncan.
Clifton — Pomphrey, Roberts, Harrison, Wells (Kelly 63), Caven, McKay (Barnes 44), Uren A, Brodley (Wheeler 52), Williams, Giltrow (Bullimore 33), Quinn, Curry (Cannock 15), Manners (Giltrow 36, Brodley 66), Woodward, Uren M.