AN ENTERTAINING draw was played out between Penryn Saracens and the Cornish All Blacks second XV on Saturday, writes Jack Thomas.

Saracens hoped to continue their string of good performances despite being labelled as pre-match underdogs against a strong Launceston squad playing at home.

The match began to a series of back and forth’s between the sides with Penryn showing early dominance in both the scrums and back row play.

Penryn turned over a scrum with a powerful effort unsettling the All Blacks line and gaining the momentum needed for winger George Mitchell to cross the line, finishing a fantastic team effort on ten minutes, with a well placed conversion from fly-half Bill Benton added.

Launceston returned fire with almost all of the possession in the minutes following, but Borough’s defence threw everything they had at them with some powerful tackling from Jake Bailey and Will Paine.

All Blacks faltered giving Borough a penalty within range, but Benton failed to convert and Launceston scored shortly after with a well worked team effort from within their own half.

Bailey capitalised on an excellent through ball against the run of play from Benton to extend the visitors’ lead.

Launceston scored again on the stroke of half time to bring the score to 12-10 to Penryn.

The second half began in the same way the first ended with Launceston scoring again to put themselves ahead for the first time in the match.

Borough’s defence was fighting the Launceston dominance putting their bodies on the line with some exceptional tackling, culminating with Bailey holding up a try.

Penryn burst through the line with excellent line speed from Jack Heazelton, pressurising the All Blacks to concede a penalty within range for substitute fly-half James Salisbury to bring the scores level.

The match entered the nail biting final minutes with flanker Dan Woodside clattering through to fall agonisingly close to the Launceston line.

James Salisbury kicked the ball into touch to end a thrilling contest between the two sides.