Sat 9 Dec 2023, 15:00
The scoreline would suggest an easy win for the Cornish All Blacks against the bottom side Weston Super Mare but this was nothing of the sort. Going into the second half the home side were leading 31-12 but Weston had chances shortly after the break to reduce the lead and with the wind in their favour looked like the All Blacks needed another score to ensure victory.
Lanson playing with the wind advantage were on the score sheet within one minute of the kickoff. Camped in the opposition 22 the Weston scrumhalf misjudged the strength of the wind when trying to find touch from a ruck and the ball went backwards. The first to react was Ollie Bebbington who under pressure to picked up the ball in one movement and dived in at the corner Dan Pearce expertly judged the wind to convert.
Weston sought to move the ball wide and for a long period retained possession but the All Blacks’ disciplined defence denied them any breaks. The pressure they exerted resulted in Weston giving away penalties and Dan Pearce slotted one in front of the post from near the halfway line. When Lanson had the ball they showed the potential for the backs to make breaks and when the ball was moved quickly along the line to the wing an overlap was created for Dan Pearce to show he was the fastest player on the pitch to round three would-be defenders and score under the post and then to convert his own try for a 17 point lead. Weston put together their best move of the game and the ever present openside flanker Jay Davis outpaced the defence to score in the corner.
Lanson, from play near Weston’s 22 created quick ruck ball and second row Albert Horne took a short pass to split the defence and then showed his pace to outstrip the cover defence to score near the posts for Dan Pearce to easily convert the try.
The Cornish All Blacks had only conceded one penalty in the game but just before half time they gave away three near their line in quick succession which resulted in 7 Jay Davis diving over from close range for his second try. Lanson restored the differential with the first blindside scrum try scored at Polson for some time. Captain Tom Sandercock fed Ollie Bebbington who came on the ball at pace and sidestepped the fullback to score for Dan Pearce to convert. At the start of the second half Lanson managed territory well by the forwards driving hard at the defence but Weston did have their chances and had it not been for Tom Sandercock’ covering a kick through on the home side try line and standing strong in the tackle long enough for the defence to get back and clear the danger, would have scored.
The home side never slowed down in their pursuit of the ball in defence and gradually took more control of the game. Weston’s penalty count rose and although the catch and drive from a lineout did not directly result in a try it sapped the strength from the Weston forwards and gaps started appearing in their defence. Dan Pearce scored and converted his second try from a scintillating break by Benjamin Bryant. At every opportunity the forwards were prepared to offload the ball in difficult conditions and play upfield quickly for James Tucker, at fullback, to come into the line and score, again Dan Pearce added the points. Substitute Adam Collings touched down the seventh try cutting back blindside from a ruck near the line. To Dan Pearce, and the crowd’s amazement he missed, for him, a simple conversion. Shortly after Ollie Bebbington got his third try which Dan Pearce converted and fittingly Captain Tom Sandercock had the last try which Dan Pearce converted.
The foundation for this win came from the desire of the team to play at a high tempo and make telling breaks in the backs from the driving play of the forwards. The last three tries the CABs scored came from Weston being unable to get back in position to defend because of the sheer pace of play by the home side.
The Man of the Match went to Mitch Hawken who was tireless in defence and as the game progressed made some telling breaks. The award was presented to him by Harry Wellington of new sponsors Denise Wellington and was cheered on by a very muddy circle of CAB players.
This was the biggest points tally with most tries scored by the CABs at Polson since they returned to Regional 1 South West in the 2021-22 season.
The next home league game for Cornish All Blacks is on 9th January2024.
