Launceston Rugby Club

The win included two cracking tries from pacy wings, Aaron Struminski and Richard Bright (who look more dangerous with each succeeding game) and the usual goal-kicking finesse from fullback Kieron Lewitt.
However, sometimes it can seem almost as though the All Blacks would prefer it if the first half consisted of tea and a chat with play only beginning in the second half, so late do they often leave it to get down to business, show their true worth, and win the game ! But this time building up attacking momentum was also hindered by having opponents who were game-savvy, at times fractious, boasted several men who had played at a much higher level, and whose pack was big and awkward, including huge locks. For most of the first half Dings’ forwards caused the All Blacks a lot of bother, particularly in the tight.
Nevertheless, the Cornish were 10-0 ahead at the break and then gradually consolidated their advantage. Coach Steve Perry said: “Dings are a very experienced side with players who have been at a higher level. We didn’t get possession for the first few minutes and we lost a few lineouts. But then Kieron kicked some points and we got a very nice try created by Lewitt and Struminski. But the breakdowns were being blown up very quickly and it was difficult to get momentum. But we went in 10-0 up at halftime and were pleased with that. But Dings were a good side and it took us time gradually to pull away. They came at us determinedly but our defence is now exceptionally good”.
Dings’ flyhalf Mitch Burton missed a relatively simple early penalty after some powerful combined attacking and after 15 minutes Lewitt slotted the first of his two penalties after Struminski had scorched towards the line and Dings had come in at the side at the ruck. Burton missed a second penalty kick just before the half hour, but just after it Struminski and flyhalf Lewis Webb linked beautifully to send Bright scampering in at the corner. Laser-booted Lewitt added a superb touchline conversion but missed another penalty kick by a whisker, and the All Blacks went in at halftime 10 points to the good.
Flare-ups and foul play saw home tighthead Neil Bayliss and then Dings’ flanker Stean Williams sinbinned, and Dings’ forwards rallied and stormed forward to the All Blacks’ line with only superb, sustained defence keeping them out. The All Blacks now started to motor, They were getting the better of the visitors’ pack and starting to launch an increasingly eager back line. This brought Lewitt’s second successful penalty and just before the hour, after a series of darting incursions by the home threequarters, Bright rocketed in on the overlap on the end of some well-timed, looping passes along the backs. There were a lot of late replacements on both sides before Dings desperately came again. But a strong 15-man, attacking rally by them found the defence impenetratable and they failed to score.



SCORERS: All Blacks: tries: Struminski, Bright. Conversion: Lewitt. Penalties: Lewitt (2)

ALL BLACKS: Lewitt (Moyle 68); Bright, Murphy, Paterson (Yeo 65), Struminski; Webb, Lightfoot-Brown; Mathias, Salter (Hurdwell 54), Bayliss (Pow 68); Tripcony, Lord; O Lloyd (Pow 47, Duke 71), T Rawlings (capt), M Rawlings.

YELLOW CARD: Bayliss (44).

DINGS CRUSADERS: Oakley (Adams 68); Wright-Hider, Brooker, Cox, Stevens (Edwards 38); Burton, Plummer; Hilton, Bellamy (Wheeler 55), Meddick (J Lloyd 65); Hack, Hodge (Lawrence 50); Goodman, Williams (capt), Murrell.

YELLOW CARD: Williams (48).

REFEREE: Mr Keith Lewis (RFU).

ATTENDANCE: 785.