Super Cup slip up(Also posted in MBRFC section)

CORNISH ALL BLACKS XV  19   MOUNTS BAY XV  17
Playing their second match in this season's new 'Cornwall Super Cup' competition, which involves representative sides from the Cornish All Blacks, Mounts Bay and Redruth playing each other home and away, this game for Mounts Bay at Polson Bridge on Saturday proved a hard and ultimately closely fought encounter, the outcome decided late in the game when the home team were awarded a vital penalty try.

With the ground in surprisingly good condition, and with the floodlights on from the start, this match immediately followed the Launceston first team side's comprehensive EDF Energy National Trophy Round 5 win against Blackheath.

Mounts Bay got off to a promising start, forwards Darren Semmens and Tom Outram carrying the ball forcefully, and the half-back pairing of Ricky Pellow and Marek Churcher calling the shots.
An early score looked likely, and so it proved in the eighth minute, space soon created on the left for the ball to be swiftly moved to wing Billy Harriss who sped in at the corner for unconverted try.

The visitors held territorial advantage for the first half-hour, them more than sound at the set piece, plus also dominant at the breakdown thanks to the scavenging instincts of energetic flanker Duke Seymour.

When the home team eventually came into the game, their confidence levels were increased at about the half-hour mark when young prop Gareth Tedstone was driven over for a try at the scoreboard corner. A series of attacks deep inside Bay's half immediately followed, and when a penalty chance was created just 15 metres out from the posts it looked as if the All Blacks would take a lead just before the interval. The effort, however, went just wide, and the score remained at 5-all.

In the second half it looked likely that Mounts Bay were back on track to win this one, with centre Tyrone Child a strong midfield runner and skipper Ben Hilton leading the forward effort. It certainly came as no surprise when prop Paul Andrew scored a try following a powerful run by Outram. Centre Jamie Semmens converted, but he was unlucky not to add the extras to a third try soon scored by younger brother Darren. However, having suddenly taken a 17-5 lead, the visitors  were surely likely victors.

The 'All Blacks', however, were in no mood to throw in the towel, and after lock Dave Kimberley's try was converted by centre Jake Murphy it was 'game on' once more. For the home team, scrum-half Ben Turner was competitive and strong, while the foraging play of back-rowers Sam Hocking and skipper Mike Rawlings also impressed.

Both sides felt a level of frustration with some of the decisions made by the match referee, with Mounts Bay punished well into the last quarter when prop Chris Hale was yellow-carded. Now under the 'cosh', it perhaps came as no surprise when the referee ultimately awarded 'Lanson' a penalty try which first drew them level, before the formality of Murphy's conversion then notched the win – one which leaves the Cornish All Blacks unbeaten after three matches played in the competition.

On reflection, in its first year the name 'Cornwall Super Cup' might be deemed as misleading, but it has at least given the three participating clubs a chance to provide important game time for certain of their players, including some personnel returning from injury, besides them also having the opportunity to have a look at a number of aspiring youngsters in their ranks.

Mounts Bay's remaining fixtures in the competition are at home to the Cornish All Blacks and away to Redruth who have yet to win a match. An All Blacks versus Bay final looks all but a cert.

Cornish All Blacks:   L. Webb, T. Ross, J. Murphy, D. Prout, N. Holt, S. Evans, B. Turner, S. Hocking, B. Collings, M. Rawlings (capt), D. Kimberley, R. Hamilton, J. Patey, D. Manns, G. Tedstone.
Replacements (all used):   T. Hurdwell, W. Sprangle, A. Birkett, H. Smales.


Mounts Bay:   O. Faulkner, T. Edyvean, T. Child, J. Semmens, B. Harriss, M. Churcher, R. Pellow, T. Outram, D. Seymour, M. Rashleigh, B. Hilton (capt), C. Armstrong, P. Andrew, D. Semmens, C. Hale.

Replacements:  A. Weston, D. Clackworthy (used); L. Jarvis, J. Salter., A. Flide, J. Marlin (not used).

Scorers:-
Cornish All Blacks – tries: Tedstone, Kimberley, penalty try; cons: Murphy (2).
Mounts Bay – tries: Harriss, Andrew, D. Semmens; con: J. Semmens.

                                                                                                       Phil Westren

Time to redeem ourselves AT THE MENNAYE

Easy Peasy.

And we did it