London Cornish dreams of Twickenham are over

London Cornish's dreams of gracing Twickenham in the RFU Intermediate Cup are over for another year as Rochford Hundred ran out 21-11 winners in an extremely tight game in Essex.

Rochford, unbeaten on their Magnolia Road ground all season, had the first opportunity to open the scoring on two minutes, but Bracknell's penalty attempt missed.

Cornish responded strongly, and fielding three debutants - Ed Drewett, Ben Devonport and Joe Welch - they hit back.

Matt Hakes created a great chance which brought the Exiles to within 5m of the Rochford line - However, the final pass was intercepted and the chance went.

The home side had another period of pressure, and fly half Ashton received the ball on the 22, and broke though attempted tackles to score in the left hand corner - Bracknell's conversion attempt was wide.

Cornish replied immediately with a powerful rolling maul, which sent Rochford hurtling backwards.

Stop right there: Matt Hakes tackles a Rochford attacker

The ball broke to Truro born Ben Devonport, who scored in the right hand corner. Sam Williams' conversion attempt missed. With a quarter of an hour gone, it was level at 5-5.

As the half entered its final 10 minutes, Rochford Hundred began to grasp the nettle and, aided by a number of penalties, advanced towards the Cornish line.

Superb defence kept the hosts at bay but eventually, the pressure told and, from another penalty, Bracknell kicked Rochford ahead.

Once more, Cornish responded, and from a promising attack, they won a penalty of their own, which Williams kicked for 8-8.

Right on half time, a super chip through saw Rochford camped in the Cornish 22, and a quick pass saw Baker break through.

The referee ruled that the move was halted illegaly and sent a Cornish forward to the sin-bin.

The resulting penalty was kicked to touch, and a rolling maul drove Cornish back until a try was scored.

With the conversion missed, the exiles trailed 13-8 at the break.

Cornish started the second half well, with Mark Osei-Tutu starting to get plenty of ball and space to run in.

From one such attack, he offloaded to Adam Rae who sprinted through, but good defence snuffed out the attack.

Another fine move from Rae could only be halted illegally, and the Rochford back was sin-binned, and Williams kicked the penalty for 13-11.

The match then broke down and with numerous penalties being awarded, which badly affected the flow of the game.

Up where we belong: Chris Anstey secures line-out ball for London Cornish

Crucially, Rochford had the next successful kick at goal to extend their advantage to 16-11.

Try as Cornish might, and some sensational moves from Robin Heymann caused mayhem in the Rochford defence at times, they just could not get that all important second try.

Entering the final five minutes, it was anyone's game and even extra time looked a possibility.

However, it was not to be, as what looked to be an innocuous incident with Rochford throwing the ball into touch, was perceived completely differently by the referee who sin-binned a Cornish back, and in the immediate aftermath a forward was dispatched to the bin for questioning the decision.

Down to 13 men, Cornish had their backs against the wall, and from the resulting penalty, Rochford recycled and eventually drove over to score, and seal their place in the quarter-finals.

This weekend, London Cornish return to action in London Division Two South West when they host Old Reigatian.