Coventry came away from their first ever visit to the pleasant rural surroundings of Polson Bridge with an excellent hard earned win, a result which put a big dent in the home sides hopes of avoiding relegation.

Launceston had made no secret of the fact they had viewed this match as ‘’ must win’’ and their squad had been bolstered by the not insignificant physical presence of loan signings Quinnell and Collier.

Although having to withstand a late valiant rally from the Cornish side as they sought in vain for bonus points, Cov, once again in their red change strip were always in the driving seat, particularly after having done the real hard work playing into the strong wind in the first half.

At that point Coventry lead 19-5 and once the fourth bonus point clinching try came four minutes into the second half, the match was all but over as far as the final outcome was concerned.

Cov though did have to withstand quite a deal of pressure up front from the bulky home pack, but to a man did well, even managing to steal a number of line out balls. Hooker Chris Whitehead, despite a yellow card, had one of his best games for the club, acting captain Laurie McGlone again got through a tremendous amount of work as did flanker Darren Clayton, but the amount of tackles the whole side in, particularly late on was impressive.  Behind, the authoritative Nathan Jones also had a fine match, having a major hand in help setting up one try and scoring another.

Early on the Cornish All Blacks had chances both from missed penalties and from a counter attack from their own half before finally on 22 minutes Coventry made them pay in opening the scoring. After Nathan Jones had made the initial break inside home territory, Darren Clayton was in support before flipping a low pass to Chris Whitehead for the hooker to cross for his maiden try. Ronnie McLean’s attempted conversion into the strong wind just failing.

Four minutes later, the Blacks did briefly draw level, skipper and flanker Lord being driven over after a penalty kick to the corner, Fabian again missing his kick as he was to do 10 minutes later with a 45 metre penalty attempt.

Meanwhile Cov built a lead they were never to lose with two tries in 13 minutes. After a kick to the corner Ian Nimmo secured line out ball for Carl Rimmer to be driven over, Mc Lean this time converting. The young winger also added the extras to Laurie McGlone’s try into first half injury time, the number eight storming over after a patient build up.

From 19-5 at the break it got even better just after the restart. After a big penalty kick to touch from Myles Dorrian, Ollie Hodge this time won line out ball to set Nathan Jones free, the scrum half scything through the home defence for his maiden club try, McLean having no difficulty converting.

Shortly afterwards Whitehead received his yellow it appeared for persistent offside, Launceston immediately responding as Quinnell was driven over from the resulting penalty, Fabian again missing his kick.

On 50 minutes however it became 29-10 as Ronnie McLean boomed over a  wind assisted 52 metre penalty, although that was to prove to be Cov’s last score. Unaccountably McLean did miss a simple penalty attempt after 71 minutes, but for the final period of the match including 10 minutes of time added on, possession really did dry up for Cov as the Cornish All Blacks sought to add to their tally. They were finally rewarded just into injury time, heavy forward pressure enabling Clark to cross, Fabian’s one successful kick of the afternoon reducing the margin to 17-29. Still the home side came back seeking a further try to secure bonus points, but in reality it was all too late as Coventry withstood everything thrown at them.

For the small loyal band of followers who made the long trip to the South West it had certainly proved to be a very rewarding afternoon. Another valuable bonus point to bank as well as a fifth away win of the season.

Coventry. Mike Walls, Kurt Johnson, Jack Cobden, Donovan Sanders, Ronnie McLean, Myles Dorrian, Nathan Jones, Carl Rimmer, Chris Whitehead, Rudi Brits, Ollie Hodge, Ian Nimmo, Henno Venter, Darren Clayton, Laurie McGlone (Capt)

Replacements; Gregor Gillanders for Hodge, Jamie Miller for Venter, Tom Slater for Jones, Ben Russell for Walls.

Not used; Ricky Whitehall, Rob Dugard, Sam Montague

Coventry. Tries; Chris Whitehead, Carl Rimmer, Laurie McGlone, Nathan Jones. Conversions; Ronnie McLean 3. Penalty goal; McLean

Cornish All Blacks. Tries; Josh Lord, Gavin Quinnell, Neil Clark. Conversion; Jon Fabian