Once again here is the views from a neutral spectator at today's match at Sandy Park.

Exeter Chiefs v Cornish Cornish All Blacks
Sandy Park, Exeter (National Division One)
Saturday, 08 March 2008 (Attendance: 4124)

A vibrant crowd brave the wind and chilly elements to see a comfortably placed Exeter Chiefs play a Cornish All Black side fighting hard to stave off relegation. The Cornish All Blacks (the rugby club formerly known as Launceston) bring with them a wealth of talent which include a number of players who have formerly plied their trade at Exeter. They include the durable prop Wayne Reed who runs out this afternoon for his 250th league appearance having donned the colours of Exeter, Plymouth and his present club.

The Cornish All Blacks wearing their change kit of white shirts kick off to Exeter and force the first error of the afternoon resulting in a scrum. The scrum collapses and the Cornish All Blacks are awarded a penalty on two minutes which former Exeter player Jon Fabian hooks wide of the upright. Exeter gift possession back to the Cornish All Blacks from the restart and again concede a soft penalty as they attack through the midfield. John Fabian is again wide with his conversion attempt.

After five minutes of play Exeter finally get their hands on the ball with Danny Gray offloading to Mark Fatialofa who manages to cut a hole in the midfield and gain Exeter ground before the move comes to an end when the Cornish All Blacks turn over the possession. As they run the ball back into the Exeter half repeated infringement by Exeter gift the Cornish All Blacks possession and another penalty.

After two unsuccessful attempts they opt for territory and kick into the Exeter 22 for a line out. Exeter pressures the line out but is judged to have knocked on and the Cornish All Blacks have an attacking scrum on five metres. The pressure on the scrum by the Cornish All Blacks comes to nothing and Danny Gray is able to clear from behind his own line although Exeter remains deep in their own half as they have done all game so far.

From the lineout a break from Wade Kelly cuts through the Cornish All Blacks backline as a gap opened up and Exeter are into the opposition half for the first time. He comes back in field looking for his support and gets it from Josh Drauniniu who ghost around the outside for the first score of the game. Danny Gray converts and the score is 7-0 in favour of the hosts after 12 minutes of play.

A period of broken play in the middle third of the field ensues before All Black fly half Steve Perry tries to regain territory but puts too much on the kick and Exeter are awarded the scrum back in the Cornish All Blacks half. Some good work by the Exeter pack inches them in field before they release the backs in a move that breaks down after a knock on. The Cornish All Blacks scrum looks solid only for the good work to be undone when Myerscough knocks on from the base and the possession is gifted back to Exeter.

The Exeter Chiefs back row of Rob Baxter, Alan Miller and Chad Slade power forward into the Cornish All Blacks 22 in support of each other. Sustained pressure finds them inches short of the Cornish All Blacks line where they are awarded a scrum. The ball is spread wide and the Cornish All Blacks are judged not to roll away from the tackle and Exeter get awarded a penalty. Danny Gray converts from in front of the posts making the score 10-0 on 22 minutes.

The wind played havoc at the restart and the ball ended up behind the kicker resulting in an Exeter scrum in the centre of the pitch. Baxter picks up and feeds Gray who offloads to Mark Fatialofa who again cuts a line into the Cornish All Blacks half before knocking on in the contact area. The Cornish All Blacks scrum looks to be on top and Exeter are penalised for an indiscretion allowing the Cornish All Blacks to clear into the Exeter half.

Exeter manage to get their hands on the ball and reassert their pressure through Danny Gray and Mark Fatialofa who make ground deep into Cornish All Black territory before Craig Dunlea is stopped just short of the line. The ball is recycled quickly and Wade Kelly bulldozes over for another try on 28 minutes. Danny Gray is unsuccessful with the conversion leaving the score at 15-0.

The Exeter midfield continue to cause the Cornish All Blacks problems and once again ground is gained through the work of 10,12 and 13 before the Cornish All Blacks manage to turn over possession allowing Tim Collier to claw back valuable territory with a bullocking run from the edge of his own 22. The Cornish All Blacks work the ball through their own hands finding space and again find themselves deep in the Exeter half, just as the game had started.

The continued pressure forces the Exeter Chiefs to defend across the park. The Cornish All Blacks are awarded a scrum in the Exeter 22 and continue to attack before there is a break in play on 35 minutes to treat an injury to Danny Gray. Junior Fatialofa takes to the field as Danny Gray’s work for the afternoon comes to an end.

The Cornish All Blacks continue to hold possession and territory, playing their rugby in the Exeter half until a forward pass allows Exeter possession and the chance to counter attack. Clive Stuart Smith breaks into the Cornish All Blacks half where there is support on his shoulder and Exeter suddenly find themselves in the All Black 22. The forwards take control picking and driving forward as they attack the All Black line. The Cornish All Blacks are forced to defend and successfully hold the Exeter forwards out.

Exeter are given the scrum having been held up but the All Black scrum again fronts up and pushes the Exeter eight back disrupting the possession. The referee awards the turnover of possession before signalling the end of an enjoyable first half of rugby. The half time score 15-0 to the hosts in a game that is closer than the scoreboard would suggest.

Both teams return to the pitch for the second half after the break. Exeter restarts play pushing the Cornish All Blacks into their own 22. The Cornish All Blacks with the ball in hand run the ball out through the backline with some great support from Tim Collier and Steve Pape. The ball is turned over in the centre midfield and Clive Stuart Smith spins the ball wide to Josh Drauniniu who opens his legs and injects some pace around the outside before going under the posts for his second try of the afternoon on 42 minutes. Gary Kingdom takes over the kicking duties and slots an easy conversion making the score 22-0 in favour of Exeter.

Once again the wind plays havoc with the restart and Exeter gain possession allowing them to kick deep into the All Black 22 after they are awarded a penalty for an All Black offside. They attack the line from the resulting line out before a knock on gives the Cornish All Blacks a scrum on their own five metre line. Their scrum does well to bring the ball out with some good work by the All Black back row gives some space for Steve Perry to clear the All Black lines. Good work followed by Neil Clarke and Steve Pape creating the momentum for the Cornish All Blacks to again settle in the Exeter half.

49 minutes sees the introduction of Richard Lidddington and Gavin Quinnell who replace Wayne Reed and Tim Collier respectively for the Cornish All Blacks. Former Exeter player Reed receives a standing ovation on his 250th league appearance as he leaves the field.

An Exeter lineout in the All Black 22 sees Saul Nelson sprinting up the touchline and he is able to offload under pressure to Mark Fatialofa who is held up just short. The ball is quickly recycled and after some good forward work Richard Baxter drives over. Gary Kingdom is successful with the conversion wide out and the score is 29-0 after 54 minutes of play and a bonus point secured.

The Cornish All Blacks begin to show signs of tiredness as their cover is stretched to the limit by the Exeter backline with players taking that little bit longer to recover from their knocks. Exeter immediately put the pressure back onto their opposition and another try is scored by Jason Luff in the corner. This time Kingdom is unsuccessful with the conversion and the score is 34-0 to the home side after 56 minutes.

In a carbon copy of the previous restart Exeter again pressure the Cornish All Blacks and Jason Luff was unfortunate not to add to his tally. However, he had support from Exeter Chiefs captain Richard Baxter who went over for his second of the afternoon. Kingdom converting Baxter’s try to make the score 41-0 after 58 minutes.

The Cornish All Blacks deal with the following restart more effectively and are able to play with the ball in hand allowing them into the Exeter half. They continue to drive towards the Exeter line although they run out of options as players struggle with the pace of the game. A fine break by Sam Alford with Steve Pape on his shoulder at pace in support sees the Cornish All Blacks into the Exeter 22 only for the attack to be spoiled by a scrambling Exeter cover defence.

Exeter regains possession and put the ball through the hands although credit must again be given to the Cornish All Blacks for making it hard for Exeter to gain any forward momentum. When they eventually manage to get into the Cornish All Black half they concede a needless penalty allowing the turnover of possession and another chance to attack. The Exeter defence is again strong and some outstanding work from the replacement flanker Andy Miller results in a turnover and Exeter attack the Cornish All Black line. With the line beckoning a pass goes into the Cornish All Black hands and the move comes to a disappointing end.

After a period of play by the Cornish All Blacks in their own half the ball is turned over and Exeter move the ball through the hands before replacement Kevin Barrett throws an outrageous dummy which was bought by the Cornish All Black players and some of his own allowing him to go over for a try under the posts. Kingdom successfully converts making the score 48-0 on 73 minutes.

The Cornish All Blacks scrum struggles for the first time all match on 75 minutes, no doubt as a result of the numerous changes to the pack. Exeter manages to turn the ball over before again sending the ball wide through the backline and into the hands of Jason Luff. He goes over in the corner for his second try of the afternoon after stretching the defence. Kingdom converts to make the score 55-0 on 76 minutes.

Having given so much in the match the Cornish All Blacks are now looking physically shattered and a bit demoralised at the 50 points against them on the scoreboard. Confusion ensues after Exeter put them under more pressure from an up and under and the ball falls into the hands of Clive Stuart Smith who crosses for a try under the posts. Kingdom converting to make the score 62-0 with a couple of minutes left to play.

Fighting until the end, the Cornish All Blacks look to finish the game with a flurry and gain possession from the restart and get into the Exeter half only to be met by the Exeter defence. They continue to play rugby with the ball in hand although the move comes to an end after a knock on at which today’s referee Greg Garner blows the whistle to end the game.

A final score of 62-0 in favour of the home side reflecting their position in the league compared to their opponents. The Cornish All Blacks can be given credit for their play and for giving it everything right up until the final whistle. However, it was a step too far and the experience and superior fitness told in the end. Despite the one sided score line it was a very enjoyable game for the neutral spectator and I am sure the travelling All Black support will have enjoyed their afternoon at Sandy Park.

Exeter: Gary Kingdom; Jason Luff; Mark Fatialofa; Wade Kelly; Josh Drauiniu; Danny Gray; Clive Stuart Smith; Shane Kingsland; Saul Nelson; Craig Dunlea; James Hanks; Chris Bentley; Chad Slade; Alan Miller; Richard Baxter; Reps: Sam Blythe; Brett Sturgess; Lewis Stevenson; Andy Miller; Kevin Barrett; Aliaifatu Fatialofa; Stephen Bennett;

Cornish Cornish All Blacks: Jon Fabian; Matthew Jess; Ryan Westren; Peter Fisher; Hamish Smales; Steven Perry; Sam Alford; Laurence Ovens; Neil Clarke; Wayne Reed; Steve Pape; Tim Collier; Josh Lord; Anthony Roques; Michael Myerscough; Reps: Richard Liddington; Keith Brooking; Gavin Quinnell; Wayne Sprangle; Mark Dibble; Mark Scrivener; Andrew Birkett;