National Two South

Cornish All Blacks 7

Bishop’s Stortford 56

Polson Bridge

CORNISH All Blacks put up a good fight and showed a marked improvement in their game during their home clash against Bishop’s Stortford, but ultimately were outplayed by a stronger side.

After their heavy defeat last week, the squad were keen to regain some confidence.

The game didn’t initially go in their favour, with James Rea scoring Bishop’s Stortford’s first try six minutes in. George Cullen made the conversion.

Both sides conceded a couple of penalties, but there were a few bright moments of play by the home side, preventing it from being a complete walkover by the visitors.

Baxter Wilson notched up their second try, again converted by Cullen.

An infringement by All Blacks’ Richard Friend led to ten minutes in the bin. The visitors looked threatening and Rory Young found a gap to go over 22 minutes in for a converted try.

Despite being one man down, the Cornish All Blacks were gaining strength, moving the ball down their three quarter line. Tom Sandercock scored a well worked try behind the posts, converted by Fraser Honey. The All Blacks were on the score board.

Honey missed a penalty shortly after, but the team’s overall form had improved. At the half time score, Launceston trailed 7-21.

Bishop’s Stortford run of tries continued into the second half, with Wilson scoring his second and his team’s fourth try after a couple minutes.

Another try was scored minutes later by David Aldam, converted by Cullen. The team’s winning ways continued, with referee Anthony Woodthorpe awarding the side a penalty try, again converted by Cullen.

The All Blacks’ defence struggled to keep the visitors out and Nick Hankin found touch in the corner to boost his side’s score by a further five points.

Bishop’s Stortford continued to offload and recycle the ball, and their try tally was extended by Hankin, with his second of the game.

In the last few minutes, the All Blacks made a concerted effort and upped their game, but they were unable to turn their efforts into points.

Cornish All Blacks — Tries: Sandercock (27).

Conv: Honey (28)

Bishop’s Stortford — Tries: Rea (6), Wilson (18), Young (23), Wilson (44), Aldam (46), Hankin (67, 71). Convs: Cullen (6, 19, 23, 44, 47, 62, 67, 72). Pen try: (62)

Attendance: 288

Man of the match: Thomas Sandercock

Sin bin: Friend (All Blacks, 22)

Cornish All Blacks: Edwards (Reynolds 54), Friend, Westren, Swash, Kneebone, Honey, Sandercock, Collinette (Dugard 25), Bulut (Collinette 62), Chapman, Hockridge (Parish 40), Hilton, Duke J (Chapman S 69, Dawe 75), Duke L, Childs. Replacement not used: Simmonds.

Bishop’s Stortford: Rea (Gallager 65), Gallager (Clarke 47), Hankin, Cullen, Marner (Coleman 71), Dotta, Coleman (Banks R 40), Young (McCrone 69), Ball (Crozier 51), McCrone (Edwards 51), Aldam (Banks T 54), Tomlinson, Wilson, Gill, McCraith.