The one that got away for Cornwall RLFC against North Wales

Cornwall RLFC could justifiably class this latest Betfred League 1 clash as one that got away after North Wales Crusaders prevailed by just six points.

The visitors made it three wins on the spin with a hard-fought victory over the Choughs, who led 10-0 approaching the interval.

After a dominant start to proceedings from the Choughs, the pendulum swung towards North Wales five minutes before the break when Nathan Cullen was sent to the sin bin for a tip tackle.

The Colwyn Bay-based visitors then made their numerical advantage count in the final minute of the opening stanza when Dan Coates spotted a gap in the Cornwall defensive line to feed Olly Davies, who went over.

And so it proved in the second stanza as tries from veteran winger Patrick Ah Van and giant prop Chris Barratt hauled back into contention and then into the lead.

But Cornwall wouldn’t lie down, and but for a little more composure, the result could have been so much different.

(Image: Colin Bradbury)

The home side opened the scoring after just six minutes when Cameron Brown bagged his 10th try of the season.

Brown could not slot over the extra two points but the Choughs were up and running, as North Wales struggled to contend with Cornwall’s line speed.

It got even better for the Choughs just after the 20-minute mark when home-grown forward Decarlo Trerise scored for the first time in a Cornwall shirt.

Running the ball on the last, Nathan Conroy found Trerise, who slipped off a tackle to crash over.

Brown did find his range from the tee and Cornwall were comfortably and deservedly ahead.

(Image: Colin Bradbury)

Shipping a second Cornwall try saw Forster thrust himself into the fray, and this immediately saw North Wales attack with greater purpose, but Cornwall were still the dominant side.

Everything changed when Cullen was handed a yellow card.

Davies was the first Crusader to cross the whitewash, closely followed by Ah Van.

Ah Van took over the kicking duties from Coates, but he couldn’t find the mark and Cornwall were still in front.

But the lead was wiped out shortly after when Forster delayed an offload brilliantly to find Barratt who did just enough to touch down. Ah Van turned it into a six-point score from bang in front.

(Image: Colin Bradbury)

Although the hosts were behind, they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory, but could not breach a watertight North Wales defensive line.

As time ticked down, in a rare foray forward, North Wales were awarded a penalty for a swinging arm and Ah Van knocked over two more from bang in front.

Cornwall still had further chances in the dying embers, but North Wales held on for victory.