THE Cornish All Blacks’ winless start to the season on the road continued on Saturday with a 17-10 defeat to Devon side Brixham.

Boosted by the inclusion of new signing Everard Reid from New Zealand at number eight, the All Blacks put in a much better performance following heavy defeats in their three previous trips to Hornets, Camborne and Bournemouth to secure a deserved losing bonus point.

Before the game, head of rugby, Jimmy Tucker, warned his side that Brixham, who are being coached by former Plymouth Albion coach and England forward Graham Dawewould, come flying out of the traps

But it was the All Blacks who had the better chances to take the lead in the opening stages, however, fly-half Fraser Honey missed both of his kicks at goal.

However it wasn’t long before Launceston took the lead when an eye-catching team move was finished off by winger Harry Dawe for his second try of the season.

Brixham took a while to get into their groove, but when they did they proved too hot to handle.

Sam Thomas marshalled a series of well co-ordinated drives, leaving scrum-half Noah Nash to dash his way over the line. His half-back partner, Ben Lovell, added the extras.

The All Blacks were down to 14 men for the last ten minutes of the second-half but the hosts could only add a further three points to the tally from a Lovell penalty as the visitors continued to give away to many penalties.

Nash was enjoying a fine afternoon at the base of the scrum and he scored his second try of the day when he dived his way over in the corner.

Lovell was again spot on from the tee to increase their lead to 12 points.

The home side continued to dominate but a well structured wall of black met them with each move.

As is so often the case in rugby, teams are often left to rue their failure to convert possession and territory into points and Sam Snell’s first try for Launceston reduced the arrears to seven. Honey missed his fourth kick of the afternoon but Tucker’s men were now within a converted try of snatching a draw.

Despite plenty of pressure on the Brixham try line, the All Blacks couldn’t find a way through to make it another game without a win on their travels.

That said there were a lot more positives to take into Saturday’s crunch home clash with Gloucestershire-based Lydney at Polson Bridge.

Lydney who sit fourth bottom, have won four of their ten games to sit eight points and one place ahead of Launceston who are ahead of Salisbury on points difference.

Kick-off for the penultimate clash before Christmas at Polson Bridge is at 2.30pm.

Launceston’s second string were in action at St Austell and fell to a heavy 33-12 defeat.

Tom Sandercock and Dom Theobald were the try-scorers with Ryan Christophers slotting over a conversion.

Dan Yeatman was sent-off for the visitors.

National League Three South West

Brixham 17

Cornish All Blacks 10