Rugby Union: National Three Play-off - DK's dream shattered by Launceston power show; Launceston 26 Dudley Kingswinf'rd 0.
Byline: Howard ClewsIt was sad for likeable Dudley Kingswinford, their valiant squad who have produced so much attractive high-scoring rugby this season and their hordes of travelling support, but it was emphatic.
After this one-off promotionplay off between the respective runners-up in the National Three North and South divisions, it is Launceston who join Stourbridge and Co in National Two next season.
Many hundreds from the Black Country joined several thousands of Cornishmen from all parts of the county in a ground barely inside it, nestling on the Western bank of the River Tamar.
The vital contest was played there because Launceston had a better overall record than DK, having lost just twice this season - both times to champions Penzance & Newlyn. The reason was soon apparent.
DK were rarely allowed a moment of time or inch of space to gain any rhythm or momentum by a side rock-solid in defence and ever thrusting in attack, the visitors managing just one spell of pressure and a few isolated breakaways.
As DK coach Mark Wilson said later: 'They were just too quick and strong for us. Our set-piece work was very good, but they always stopped or turned us over at the second or subsequent phases.'
The opening quarter was an ominous portent. DK defended desperately for 10 minutes while Launceston knocked on a scoring overlap before going ahead with Mark Fatialofa's try.
From a line-out 25 yards out, Launceston drove, released right and recycled left for the muchtravelled fly-half Andy Birkett to send the Samoan sidling through.
DK mounted 10 minutes of extreme pressure with a string of line-outs, scrums and penalties within 10 yards of the home line. But drive, burrow or run as they did, they could not get over.
With Birkett kicking vast distances, Launceston broke out and South African Barend Vorster put over a 35-yard penalty from a wide angle to make it 8-0 before Steve Smart had the first of just two goal attempts for DK.
Normally prolific but seemingly hesitant, Smart did not threaten the posts from 45 yards either against the breeze, nor again with it from the same distance early in the second half.
Meanwhile, the deftest of onehanded reverse passes by Birkett sent captain Jimmy Tucker over for a 38th-minute try, Vorster converting and then landing another penalty from the edge on the stroke of half-time and a third from 30 yards just after the hour.
Nick Burnett completed the scoring, galloping down the tightest of narrow sides to score from the base of a ruck 25 yards out in the last minute.
Whitchurch manager Paul Kaminski was there to witness DK's defeat which condemns his Shropshire club, 13th of 16, to a return to Midlands One.
LAUNCESTON: J Tucker; D Briskham, E Nancekivell, M Fatialofa (A Yates, 79), B Vorster; A Birkett, L Thomas; D Risdon, B Lucas (S Rush, 55), Langbridge, G Hutchings, J Wilce (N Burnett, 70), D Uglow (I Goldsmith, 55), S Dyer, C Hammond.
DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD: S Smart; J Benedict, B Kirwan (R Smith, 70), G Davies, M Millward; M Halstead (W Port, 55), S Perry; S Homer, M Davies, J Fallon (M Lockley, 60), C Lowe, J Davies, L Wilkinson (I Langford, 50), R Port, B Connett.
Referee: A Biggs (Cheltenham).
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
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| Publication: | The Birmingham Post (England) |
| Date: | Apr 29, 2002 |
| Words: | 546 |
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