London Cornish remain top of London Two South West with a 100 per cent record following a 26-10 win over KCS Old Boys on Saturday.

The exiles made four changes to their starting line-up from last week’s 36-0 win over Weybridge Vandals with Rob Healey, Tom Lloyd, Chris Anstey and Ben Ievers coming in - Will Carew-Gibbs also returned and was on the bench.

The opening points of the afternoon were scored immediately - Cornish were penalised after just 11 seconds, and KCS centre Tom Dugarin kicked the penalty for the visitors.

Kings’ good start could have got even better when they were awarded another penalty three minutes later as Cornish went off their feet.

The penalty was advanced 10m after a Cornish forward shook his head at the decision - this made it kickable, but Dugarin’s attempt missed.

What was notable throughout the first half was KCS’ excellent ability in launching long clearance kicks to touch which not only relieved some of the pressure they were under, but put the Black and Golds on the back foot simultaneously.

However, from one of these clearing kicks, Rob Healey passed to Joe Skinnard who fed Mark Osei-Tutu, and the Cornish number eight burrowed over for the opening try.

Spells’ conversion attempt was good and, somewhat against the run of play, Cornish led 7-3 after 11 minutes.

Harry Somers gathered the re-start and passed to Healey who launched a superb kick from one 22 to the other, with the ball bouncing out of play.

KCS hit back, and the exiles had to be on their mettle defensively as the visitors’ Nelson fed Williams who was met by a huge Black and Gold brick wall, who gained a penalty for their efforts.

Four minutes later the pacey Kings full-back Will Nelson made a searing break, but the Cornish defence was too strong again.

Wandsworth Times:

Here, have this: Cornish centre Luke Spells looks to offload

This determination by the exiles paid dividends when, soon after, from a great break from Osei-Tutu, a rolling maul was set up, and Ben Devonport grounded the ball with Spells once more adding the extras.

Despite KCS having much of the territory and ball in the opening half an hour, it was Cornish who were 14-3 ahead.

Just before half-time, Kings were denied by a series of huge defensive efforts from Cornish.

It was the big Black & Gold defensive effort that sealed the 11-point half-time lead which was probably harsh on KCS.

There was no further scoring until six minutes from the final whistle – but this does not mean the second half was dull and turgid – it was anything but.

Two very good teams were going at it hammer and tongs, with Cornish gaining more of the ball and getting increasingly on top in the forward battle.

This, plus some excellent passing movements saw KCS more on the back foot as the game developed.

Wandsworth Times:

Have the shirt off m'back why don't you: KCS' Joe Mason tries to halt Ben Ievers' charge

Cornish had a series of scrums within five metres of the Kings line, a number of re-sets and penalties against the visitors ended with a visiting forward sin-binned.

Try as the Black and Golds might, they could not score during this period something which the visitors deserve real credit for.

Shortly after KCS returned to their full compliment, it was Cornish’s turn to receive a sin-binning, with a forward shown the yellow card for a rucking infringement.

KCS began to assert a period of pressure, and it was no surprise when, with seven minutes left, their captain Jonny Kiddle made an impressive break and offloaded to George Taylor who grounded the ball with ease.

Dugarin’s conversion was successful and KCS were back in it at 14-10.

At this point, with Cornish down to 14 men, KCS could have been forgiven for thinking the points were heading their way - but they reckoned without a quite stunning last five minutes from Cornish.

Still down to 14 men, Tthe exiles showed a seriously impressive determination to win.

Just three minutes later, Cornish stole line-out ball just five metres out - the pack launched an earth-shattering drive and Osei-Tutu grounded the ball. Spells’ conversion was missed, but the lead was now nine points.

Cornish were not finished yet, and continually pummelled away at the KCS defence, who were finding it difficult to stem the black and gold tide, despite having a man advantage.

In stoppage time, Cornish won a penalty 15m out - it was in an eminently kickable position, but the kick was turned down – thoughts were on a bonus point try.

From the resulting line-out, another astonishingly powerful drive from the pack saw Cornish over the line, with Tim Homan grounding the ball.

Spells’ conversion was good, and the exiles celebrated an excellent win, with that last play of the game try, sealing top spot in the table for another week.