RYAN?Westren scored twice on his 250th appearance for the club as the Cornish All Blacks kept up their 100% winning start with a 28-22 victory at Thornbury.

The All Blacks made just one change from their opening day win at Keynsham as the unavailable Rikki Bentham was replaced in the front row by Rory Cinnamond.

The Cornishmen got off to a dream start as full-back Dan Pearce converted his own try following a fine backs move to go 7-0 up.

The home side responded not long after through Luke Panting before a Pearce penalty increased the score to 10-5.

However, the home side went into the lead as James Wood crashed over from a maul, leaving Bob Adams to convert (12-10).

Pearce was again at the heart of all of the All Blacks’ backs moves and he set up Westren for his first of the afternoon after another dazzling run. Although he missed the resulting conversion, a penalty ensured they went into the break with an 18-12 lead.

Thornbury are a seasoned outfit at this level and responded again with two tries early in the second-half.

Just two minutes after the restart, Rich Bennett scored in the corner before Jack Hussey dived over after a fine counter-attack.

However, both conversions hit the post as the home side’s kicking problems proved decisive.

At 22-18 down the All Blacks needed a response and it came from their player/coach as Westren dotted down for his second try of the afternoon, which was again converted by Pearce.

The full-back’s third penalty of the afternoon stretched their lead to six points and although the home side camped out in the Launceston 22 for the final 15 minutes and went close on a number of occasions, Jimmy Tucker’s side returned from the outskirts of Bristol with a win for the second week in succession.

Skipper Lloyd Duke admitted that the game couldn’t have been any harder, but praised the players for getting the victory.

Duke said: “It was a really physical, niggly sort of game with a lot of off the ball stuff.

“Thornbry were, as we expected, a very difficult team to play against but we came through it.

“They put a lot of pressure on our defence in the 15 minutes and we just couldn’t get out.

“Every time we seemed to get the ball we’d give it straight back to them, but we managed to get through it so we’re delighted.

“The narrow pitch really didn’t help us and it made it more of a forwards game than we’d have liked but we just about managed to deal with them so we’re happy with the two wins to start the season.”

Duke also reserved special praise for Westren, who fittingly made the difference on his landmark day.

Duke said:?“Last year he might have only scored one or two tries but he still played really well.

“However this year he seems to be back to his old self and that’s great for us.

“His willingness not to go down at the moment is incredible. He just ran and ran and ran all day and he got his rewards with two tries.

“It’s great to see our most senior and experienced player showing everyone how it’s done. He’s been a great player for Launceston Rugby Club and for him to mark his special occasion with a couple of tries was absolutely brilliant.”

Saturday will see the first home league fixture of the season when Gloucester-based Matson are the visitors to Polson Bridge, and with it also being Sponsors Day, Duke is hoping that the locals will come out in force.

Duke said: “Saturday’s a big game for us. We’ve sort of put a bit of pressure on ourselves because of the two victories but it’s a good pressure to have.

“We know Matson will be a tough test, as like Thornbury, they are a seasoned team at this level. They’re supposed to be very good in the pack but we know that if we can front up there, then with the backs we now have, we can do some damage. That’s where the game is likely to be won so we’ll look to step it up again and win the game.”