Fielding a pack with 5 players in their early 20’s and 3 starting for the first time this season, London Cornish found a more streetwise HAC too much to handle as the exiles slipped to their 4th defeat of the London 1 South season at the REMPF on Saturday. Whilst it is fair to say that Cornish were some way beneath their best, the regeneration of the playing squad necessitates blooding lads to give them the experience, which it is hoped will bode well for the future of the club. For their part, HAC were worthy of their bonus point win, and are a nuggety side unlikely to fold for anyone.
Heavy and persistent rain would normally have spelt curtains for matches at the REMPF in the past decade, but the much publicised investment in drainage worked a treat on this occasion, significantly seeing the 1s pitch also passing its first real test, which augurs well for a return to it in 2020-21. Unfortunately, heavy traffic delayed fly half Tom Whelan, forcing Cornish to start Sam Vaughan and bench Whelan, a rejig affecting a few of the back line.
Cornish began the game in their new change strip playing away from the clubhouse, steady rain still falling. The hosts began well, Skipper Ed Carne flighting kicks in behind to give his side field position, both returning lock Dave Chalkley and debutant Joe Ferguson pinching early HAC lineouts. After a series of phases inside the visitors 22, Cornish won a penalty for an ruck indiscretion, Dan Phoenix lifting his side to an early lead. HAC responded immediately, though the exiles won the restart, they lost it in the tackle. Their forwards drove close to the line, and the visiting 9 found a guard not doing his job, and plunged over for an unconverted try, 12 on the clock. 3 minutes later they extended their lead when, from a scrum just outside their 22, the exiles d jumped up out of line down the blind side, to turn a comfortably contained attack into a lethal one, one phase later HAC sliding over wide left, their score doubled but the try not improved. Both sides had opportunities in the next 15 minutes, Jamie Owen intercepting an HAC attack only his offload to be spilt forwards on 21 minutes, then the visitors working room wide left following a quick tap, only for a combination of Phoenix and Carne to drive the carrier into touch by the flag. In an error strewn passage of play, it was clear Cornish did not possess the powerful ball carriers of yore to smash over the gainline, and it would take some guile to break the visitors d. As so often is the case, the guile came from Dave Funston on 33 minutes. Taking a pass just outside his 22, he targeted forwards in the defensive line, and arrowed through them. He fended off the cover on halfway, sprinted to the 22, drew the full back, and sent the supporting Phoenix away to dive over for a try the latter converted from wide out to level the scores. In the remaining minutes of the half, Cornish found themselves penned in their 22 but, despite a thumping Ferguson tackle forcing a knock on, the hosts contrived not to clear their lines, eventually coughing up a ball won at a lineout with time up on the half, then jumping out of line in the backs to open a gap the visitors lumpy 12 accepted with glee, him on the angle crashing through to score by the posts. The try was converted and HAC now 17-10 to the good.
With a number of players enjoying their first starts of the season at the level, Cornish elected to make 3 changes 6 minutes into the 2nd period. On came Oli Low at loosehead, Claude Springer at 8 to allow James La Broy to revert to his favoured 2nd row, and Tom Whelan at 10, allowing the backline to revert to its originally selected shape. Off came Tony Pellow, Dave Chalkley and Sam Vaughan. Though seeing plenty of possession in the opening minutes of the 2nd period, Cornish knocked on when well placed on a few occasions, or conceded penalties on others. This, coupled with the lack of players capable of carrying over the gainline, meant much of their ball was taken in static positions, and in heavy ground they were often forced backwards. The visitors were not so profligate, and in one of their locks and their no 8, they had 2 players who relished the conditions and made the huge ground in it. Cornish increasingly had the nudge in the tight, and this coupled with the direct running of Funston joined now by Springer, did provide some opportunities for the home side. However, twice they coughed up good field position to knock ball on, unusually hesitant in their back play. On one such occasion, Funston returned a clearing kick with interest, before hooker Jake Slade barrelled his way to the 22, but Cornish simply fed the drift d, and were forced into touch inside the 22. This period of territorial dominance with no reward was to cost the exiles dear, for with their first real foray into the Cornish red zone on 64 minutes, HAC struck. This time the visitors found that even when they juggled the ball, they were not met with real force and, with the exiles d backing off on their 22, 2 offloads and players not tracking runners all it took for HAC to round to the posts for a converted try, and with it the bonus point. They increased this lead on 68 minutes with a penalty for hands in, the score now out to 27-10, that crucial 20 minute spell after half-time the defining period of the match. The final try in the closing minutes was another case of a very poor kick chase, a few too many Cornish players giving up the game as lost and responding all too late as the HAC right wing set up the counter for his side to score under the posts, the final tally a 34-10 away win for the visitors.
The post match was all about what makes rugby a great game, and thanks for HAC for coming back in numbers to enjoy the occasion. This was their first win in London 1 South, and they deserved their moment. We look forward to the return, which may well take place in the hallowed grounds of Armoury House, an occasion to which to look forward in 2020.
These last 2 defeats require a swift reposte from London Cornish, and players can expect a response at training and in selection. Despite the plethora of absentees, the exiles are an awful lot better than the showing in these last 2 games, but its time that translated to action on the pitch, rather than stern words in the changing room..