Exeter Chiefs XV, 38 – 14 Cornwall
By Steve Murley at Sandy Park
A vocal crowd of 2725 basked in brilliant May sunshine at Sandy Park as a young and pacy Exeter Chiefs team scored 19 unanswered points in the last quarter to win a pulsating encounter 38 – 14.
Chiefs kicked off and immediately moved the ball quickly stretching the Cornish defence which creaked but did not break. Rallying a great clearance by Cornwall’s fly half rolled on the baked Sandy Park ground into the Chiefs dead ball area where Chiefs full back fumbled what looked like a routine touch down.
The Cornish scrum under the shadow of the Chiefs posts, and which had already looked the stronger, won their ball and saw the backs move the ball left but a strong blitz defence knocked the ball free for Chiefs right wing to gather and go the length of the field, leaving black and gold defenders in his wake. Chiefs 10, Louie Sinclair set out his stall for what would be an excellent display by converting
Within a couple of minutes of the restart Chiefs doubled their lead with a try on the left hand side of the field and after 7 minutes Cornwall were 14-0 down and it looked like a long afternoon could be in store.
Cornwall shook their heads and came storming back and after a periodic pressure took a scrum ahead the head and with Josh Matavesi tying up 3 players with a dummy and strong run it was Aiden Brassington (pictured above) who dotted down for the first try, converted by Matt Shepherd.
Sadly Matavesi left the field soon after to be replaced by Cam Fogden.
Chiefs once again turned the screw but Cornwall defended well and from a penalty skipper Shepherd drilled the ball to within 5m if the line. The lineout was won and after a series of strong Cornish drives it was Jamie Prisk who had the final touchdown with Shepherd once again converting.
After 35 minutes the game was tied at 14-14. Just as many of the crowd thought Cornwall could take that score into half-time a yellow card for Cornwall number 7 Jordan Nicholls and Sam James replacement of the injured Dan Rutter maybe disrupted their defence and the Chiefs right winger scored out wide to make the half time score Chiefs 19 – 14 Cornwall
The second half was hard fought with injuries starting to mount and with the heat taking its toll Cornwall were forced into several substitutions but with 20 minutes gone the score remained as at half time 19 – 14.
While Chiefs enjoyed the majority of possession and position Cornwall were launching regular attacks of their own.
Chiefs scored another try wide on the right through their pacy backs who executed a set move perfectly to move into a 26 -14 lead on 65 minutes.
Both sides began to empty their benches and the Chiefs took advantage their pacy backs once again causing havoc with a try only being stopped by heroic scramble defence by Cornwall. They were not to be denied and from the resulting lineout and series of close sorties, drove over powerfully close the posts to make it 33-14 after 72 minutes.
Almost immediately from the restart winger Duncan Tout saw yellow for what was adjudged a deliberate knock on.
Taking full advantage of their numerical supremacy with their outstanding 10 scoring the final try of the afternoon to give a final score of Chiefs 38 – 14 Cornwall.
With the opening County Championship match against reigning Champions on the 24 May, Cornwall would have been pleased to have this game against challenging opposition. With a few players leaving the field with knocks they would hope none of these were too serious as all roads lead to Redruth in a week’s time.
Cornwall: Matt Shephard (St. Austell, Capt), Duncan Tout (Tonbridge J), Jack Simmons (Redruth), Josh Matavesi (Camborne), Ben Plummer (St. Austell), Dan Rutter (Redruth), Josh Pengilly (Brunel Uni); Kye Beasley (Camborne), Tom Cowan-Dickee (Redruth), Tyler Gendall (Redruth), Jamie Prisk (Redruth), Dan Goldsmith (Launceston), Adam Hughes (Camborne), Jordan Nicholls (Camborne), Aiden Brassington (Camborne).
Replacements: Luke Barnes (Redruth), Luis Powell (Truro), Charlie Short (Launceston), Adam Powell (St. Austell), Ben Hancock (Bude), Jack Hazelton (Camborne), Harry Larkins (Camborne), Will Hennessy (Camborne), CJ Boyce (Camborne), Sam James (Redruth), Cam Fogden (Launceston).
Cornwall scores: Tries Brassington 11, Prisk 34, Cons, Shepherd 12, 35
Crowd: 2,725
