Arbury tackle saves Surrey in tight draw
IT ENDED in a draw, which probably scuppers either county’s chances of getting to Twickenham this season.
A try-saving tackle from Surrey’s James Arbury on flying Cornish winger Tom Notman saved the day for Surrey who in truth will wonder how they didn’t win the game.
Speaking after the game Cornwall’s backs coach Marek Churcher felt it was a fair result.
He said: “Both sides had their moments so a draw is probably a fair result. I think we showed a lot of character to come back after our poor start.
“We have a muchchanged side this season, so it’s very much a learning curve for our boys. Hats off to Surrey, they are a very good side with players playing a much higher level of rugby than many of our lads this season, so huge credit to our boys who raised their game today.”
Surrey had a dream start. A mix-up at a Cornwall lineout saw the ball moved wide with full-back Ed Carne carving his way to the line with barely a minute on the clock. Alex Seers added the extras to leave the packed ranks of Trelawny’s Army in shock.
Cornwall had a chance of points soon after but fullback Mitch Vague missed, one of three first half penalties eschewed by Cornwall in the first half.
Instead Cornwall were penalised at the breakdown and Seers made no mistake from 25 metres out.
Cornwall continued to make far too many mistakes, so it was no surprise when wing George Owen finished off a fine move in the corner for an unconverted try.
Cornwall used the bench and it made an immediate impact as, following good play from the forwards, George Jones looked very sharp, and the ball was moved wide with Vague feeding Jon Dawe to score in the corner for an unconverted try.
Surrey contrived to lose two players to the bin just prior to half-time but Cornwall couldn’t ram home the advantage.
Cornwall came much more into the game during the second half. Honey reduced the deficit with a penalty and then converted Tom Notman’s great try following good work in midfield by centre Duncan Tout.
Cornwall threw everything at Surrey in an attempt to wrest the win but a combination of good Surrey defence and little
too much of Cornish impatience denied them.
Surrey felt that they let a chance slip as forwards coach Armand Roux explained at full-time.
He said: “Lack of accuracy and some indiscipline cost us – we had worked ourselves into a good position leading 15-5 at half-time. We should have made more of our first-half advantage but credit to Cornwall, they slowed the game down.
“It’s always hard putting a scratch side together but I am pleased with the way the lads have brought into what we are trying to do. A draw away from home is not to be sniffed at.”