Match report courtesy of the Western Daily News
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Cornish-Blacks-play-defeat-Chinnor/story-23257370-detail/story.html

Cornish All Blacks turned on their best performance of the season in the first half against Chinnor but a reversal of fortune in the second period cost them the game.

The home side led 22-5 at half time but had to settle for a disappointing 22-26 defeat.

The loss came as a bitter blow to Launceston’s coaching squad. Forwards coach Mike Lewis said: “We just left the door open in the second half. We built ourselves up psychologically. For the first 40 minutes we played to our game plan exactly, it was really good. In the second half, they started whittling away at us and we struggled. It’s quite frustrating. It’s frustrating for the boys, for the supporters and the coaches.

“Chinnor are a cracking side, they’ve got some good players, but so have we. Our game management wasn’t quite there really. There’s plenty you could say was going right and there’s plenty you could say was going wrong but it’s very subtle things. We played better than them for 60 minutes of the game but they scored more points than us for 30 minutes of the game.

“We’ve only lost one game without a bonus point. It’s tight. I’ll keep saying it every week because I believe in these boys and they believe in themselves. It will come.”

It was definitely a game of two halves for the Launceston side. They were on top form for the first 40 minutes.

Four minutes in and a huge effort from the home side pushed the Chinnor pack back, resulting in a Jamie Salter try, converted by Matt Shepherd.

The hosts took advantage of their opponents being one man down after Martin Nutt was sin binned for stamping. The visitors did not put up much of a fight when Ben Hilton powered over the line for a second try, this time unconverted.

All Blacks let Chinnor back in the game for a short time and Guido Cambareri scored an unconverted try but the Launceston side extended their lead before half time, when Shepherd kicked a penalty and almost straight after, Tim Mathias ran the ball down the pitch and passed to Hilton who notched up his second, and Launceston’s third try. Shepherd converted to make it 22-5.

Things changed in the second half. Chinnor up their game and left All Blacks playing catch up.

After eight minutes, Keohane scored a try and kicked the conversion. A penalty from Shepherd went wide but Keohane’s attempt not long after went straight through the posts to leave Chinnor one converted try behind.

Errant passes, half-hearted tackles and loss of possession cost the Launceston side.

The home side gave away another penalty and Keohane’s kick was true; Chinnor’s good fortune continued, with an unconverted try from Jack Hayes giving them the lead. Another good penalty kick from Keohane brought the score to 22-26.

All Blacks were awarded two penalties before the end of the game but despite their efforts they had to settle for a bonus point

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