Launceston 37 Stourbridge 29

Oct 13 2008

LIFE was always going to be difficult for Stourbridge after giving the Cornish All Blacks a two-try start.

Winger Marc Dibble went over in just 45 seconds, with Adam Staniforth adding the extras, and Dibble was at it again 12 minutes later when he followed up his own chip.

Full-back Jon Hall dragged Stour back with a 40-metre run into the corner. Ally Bressington missed the kick but did add a penalty for 12-8.

Staniforth made it 15-8 on the break but in injury time livewire scrum-half Tom Richardson squirmed through the tackles to touch down and Bressington made it 15-15 at half-time.

Launceston regained the lead soon after the turnaround when full-back Mal Roberts won a kick and chase but Stour came back with Adam Billig racing in from 20 metres. Bressington’s kick gave Stour the lead for the first time.

A converted try by Steve Perry and a 35-metre charge by hooker Darren Semmens put Launceston back in control though and a Staniforth penalty virtually sealed it with 10 minutes to go, although there was still time for Hall to find the corner for the consolation of a try bonus point.