London Welsh 38 Cornish All Blacks 0

London Welsh ran in five tries to bring the Cornish All Blacks' unbeaten five-match run to a halt on Saturday.

Knowing that defeat would leave the Welsh glancing precariously over their shoulders, Paul Sampson's first-half score helped the Exiles into a tentative lead.

Then, a scintillating 18-spell at the start of the second period saw the Exiles cross for three tries, with Fijian World Cup star Wame Lewaravu helping himself to two, before replacement scrum-half Greg Nicholls scampered over late on to add the icing.

Hoping to pressurise Welsh from the kick-off, the All Blacks immediately found themselves back in their own 22, as Lewaravu's strong carry and Matt Jones' thunderous boot nullified the visitors' early intent, and set the tone for the Exiles.

It was the All Blacks that were given first chance to put points on the board, after Charlie Beech was penalised for going in at the side, but full back Jon Fabian dragged his kick wide of the uprights.

A cup tie atmosphere crackled around the old ground, but it wasn't just the spectators that were feeling the pressure as Ryan Western was guilty of squandering a two-on-one for the visitors. The centre electing to chip ahead when faced with Welsh full back Paul Sampson, with wing Matt Jess screaming up outside him.

The All Blacks were in the ascendancy; but they were to soon rue Western's lack of composure as Jonathan Mills stripped the ball from Jess and released Aaran Liffchak. The prop shifted through the gears before being hauled to ground on half-way, but quick ball found the All Blacks defence all at sea and Sampson coasted home. Jones added the conversion.

It was the score Welsh needed to settle themselves, but although they proceeded to take control, the Exiles would struggle to make their dominance tell where it really counted. Dan Scarborough, looking like he was making his 100th appearance for the club rather than his first, was a constant threat, and when the All Blacks were penalised in front of their own sticks, Jones took the easy three on offer to extend the lead.

Tom Skelding's yellow card, as the first period drew to a close, should have been the catalyst for Welsh to establish a winning margin, but having turned down a succession of kickable penalties the home side were left to make the long walk back to the dressing room without further reward, as the All Blacks held out.

And so they would until their skipper returned to the field, but already the warning signs had been on the wall for the All Blacks. Paul Mackey was just unable to get his pass away to Chris Bishay, when a try seemed certain, and it was then the turn of the forwards to be frustrated as they drove their way over the visitors only to be called back by eagle-eyed referee Mark Wilson for slightest of knock-ons.

It would prove a short reprieve for the All Black however, as Mark Lee and Allen Chilten combined to force All Blacks scrum-half Sam Alford back over his own try-line to win the Exiles the put in. This time the Exiles' pack would not be denied, well only by Mr Wilson, who cut short Welsh's inevitable drive to the line, to scurry under the posts and award a penalty try. Jones converted.

Welsh were now rampant; Sampson's break down the left dragged enough All Black defenders with him for the conductor-in-chief, Jones, to pick out Sunia Koto Vuli with a lovely miss pass. The Fijian World Cup hooker, fending off two before offloading superbly to the charging Lewaravu who kicked on to the line for his first. Jones added the extra two points and Welsh were almost out of sight.

Lewaravu secured the bonus-point as he stretched his 6'6" frame to good effect, and then turned try saver at the other end to intercept, and deny the All Blacks a consolation score, after Andy Birkett and Neil Clark had combined from a neatly worked lineout. All that was left was for Scarborough to release Nicholls for try number five.

London Welsh scorers: Tries: Sampson, Lewaravu (2), Penalty, Nicholls; Cons: Jones (5); Pens: Jones.

London Welsh: P Sampson (N Taylor 65min), D Scarborough, G Evans, P Mackey, C Bishay (R Jewell 73min), M Jones, A Chilten (G Nicholls 60min), C Beech, S Koto Vuli (A Kwasnicki 60min), A Liffchak (D Williams 69min), W Lewaravu, M Corker (H Quigley 63min), J Mills , M Lee (S Etheredge 73min), P Cox.