Pre-season Friendly

Polson Bridge

Cornish All Blacks 29

LAUNCESTON RFC were given a really stern test by one-league-lower Ivybridge on Friday night, but eventually edged to victory.

The Bridgers got off to a great start in the first half, leading 14-0 and 21-7, producing the sort of rugby that won them promotion to National Three South West at the end of the season.

The hosts got themselves back into the game though courtesy of two tries from star of the show and new signing from Newton Abbot, Kyle Browne.

The final scoreline could have been even closer if Ivybridge had not put a couple of fairly kickable penalties into the corner in the second half as they went for glory, but they can be very pleased with their performance.

After a stunning start that saw two tries inside the opening 10 minutes for the Bridgers, the All Blacks responded well with some impressive multi-phase play seeing the ball worked out to the left where Browne delivered the scoring pass to opposite winger George Killen, and teenage fly-half Fraser Honey to converted.

Five minutes later the visitors extended their lead to 21-7, but Honey reduced the defecit before the break with a penalty.

Browne bagged the first of his two tries four minutes into the second-half, shrugging off two tackles to score after a slick left-to-right passing move, and Honey was once more on target with the conversion to leave the All Blacks only trailing 21-17.

Browne added the try of the game in the 66th minute with a stunning solo effort from inside his own half and Honey maintained his 100 percent record with the boot, giving his side the lead for the first time.

Honey and Ivybridge’s Billy Pinkus both missed long-range penalty attempts in the final stages, but the All Blacks wrapped up the victory five minutes from time with a catch-and-drive try finished off by scrum-half Richard Friend.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.