Sat 1 Mar 2025, 15:00
After a heavy home 19-41 defeat against Sidmouth two weeks ago, the Cornish All Blacks had a week off to reset and hoped to show a much more CABs style performance and if possible a return to winning ways. The CABs were buoyed by some key returning players creating a full strength backline. However, with a number of forwards not being available it resulted in another cracker, against Royal Wotton Bassett (RWB) with the CABs missing out in a closely fought game (29-26) by opting to go for a last gasp win, rather than a straightforward kick at goal for a draw.
The CABs started off brightly and played with good intensity and power, especially in the scrum. Dan Goldsmith forced his way over the line and scored a try 10 minutes into the game and George Hillson kicked the conversion, making the Cornishmen lead by seven points.
However, a tackle in the air from the kick-off enabled RWB to have pressure and ball deep in the CABs 22; after a few phases of play, Royal Wootton Bassett’s number 10, Sam Baker, scored a try under the posts, making it easy to convert, bringing the scores equal at 7-7.
The Blacks continued to have an advantage in the scrums, pushing the RWB back every time, creating opportunities for themselves that they took advantage of.
26 minutes in, George Hillson scored a try, but the conversion was crucially missed, increasing the lead to seven to twelve. Again, another penalty infringement from the kick-off gave RWB territory and possession and soon after Royal Wootton Bassett’s hooker, Sam Cantwell scored a try and that conversion was also missed, levelling the score to 12-12. The CABs though they'd taken the lead again with Ollie Bebbington making a good run through their defence and touched the ball down, but it was disallowed for a forward pass.
A scrum just inside the CABs half, at the death of half-time was penalised with the CABs driving in at the angle. RWB chose to kick a penalty close to the halfway line and took the lead by 3 points just before half time - which eventually turned out to be the difference. The focus at half-time was to continue to take advantage of the scrum power; keep ball infield and make tweak to the lineout and guarantee possession. the other key area was to make tackles stick as this was becoming a frustrating issue.
12 minutes into the second half, RWB chipped the ball over the Blacks and scored a try at the far left of the pitch, creating an awkward kick but they converted. The CABs hit back and 4 minutes later, Dom Ellery, the Black’s number 7, got the ball over the line, but it was held up. José Luis Juarez was brought off and Zerran Hammond was brought on as full back for the Blacks. Royal Wootten Bassett’s tighthead prop, Harry Daynes, was sent to the sin bin for bringing the scrum down right in front of the ref after several scrum penalties.
The Blacks won a lineout and after a few phases of play, Ollie Bebbington scored a try and Hillson kicked the conversion, making the score twenty-two to nineteen.
With not long left on the clock, Cam Fogden, the Blacks number 12, who had a strong game scored a try after slipping through a gap in RWB’s defence and Hillson converted it, to make the CABs lead twenty-two to twenty-six. There was now just 8 minutes left on the clock. The CABs were now looking at using territory and making RWB play out from deep. A collapsed scrum, going against the CABs gave RWB territory which they took advantage of and capitalized, scoring a try which they converted leaving the score 29-26 with 90 seconds left on the clock. The CABs managed to get the ball back and earn a penalty. A kick to touch gave the CABs a lineout and another RWB penalty ensued. The choice now; kick three easy points, for the draw, or go for victory. The CABs opted for the latter and a short lineout was adjudged not to have gone 5m and that was that - RWB taking the victory.
The CABs head to St Austell, on Saturday, for the return Cornish derby clash (14:30 kick-off)
Launceston: Mitch Hawken, Levent Bulut, Charlie Short, Dan Goldsmith, Alex Bartlett, Pete Bebbington, Dom Ellery, Brandon Rowley, George Hillson, Tom Sandercock, Ollie Bebbington, Cam Fogden, James Tucker, Billy Martin, José Luis Juarez, Tyler Westlake, Tom Walton, Zerran Hammond.
Tries: Goldsmith, Hillson, Bebbington, Fogden; Convs: Hillson (3)
Launceston Man of the Match: James Tucker
Report by Lucy Beacham
