This match was always going to be a tight affair, given both teams had identical records in their respective leagues this season, and with heavy rain leading up to the game, the glue pot pitch at St. Marks' was hardly condusive for running rugby. Cornish had made 7 changes from the squad victorious in the league match at Portsmouth, and gave debuts to blind side Phil Johnson, lock Joe Welch and no 8 Jamie McDonald.

The early exchanges were very much in the vein of two unknown quantities feeling each other out. The first chance fell to Cornish after three minutes when scrum-half Sam Williams lined up a kick at goal, which missed. Tunbridge Wells took advantage of this to build their first major attack of the game, and gained a penalty which was kicked into touch, just five metres from the Cornish line. Harry Somers did superbly to steal the ball and the forwards launched a ferocious rolling maul which drove the Kent side back over fifteen metres.

This line-out steal and rolling maul were a perfect microcosm of the match. Just four minutes later, 'The Exiles' were at it again with more metres made with the maul. Tunbridge could only halt the Cornish tide by pulling it down illegally. The ball was kicked to touch and on went the forwards' shove. A multi-phase attack followed and the hosts scrambled to stop Cornish. In the end it took another penalty concession to halt the black and gold tide. Sam Williams stepped up to give Cornish a 3-0 lead after 11 minutes.

Just three minutes later, it looked like the visitors were about to extend their lead as the ball found its way to Matt Hakes who sprinted down the left flank, but unfortunately he was halted for putting a foot in touch. Despite the sun making an appearance, the ball remained very wet, and handling became difficult. However, this did not prevent Cornish launching a super move as Adam Rae fed Matt Hakes, who went on another trademark marauding run which drew the Tunbridge defence. An offload to Tom Dorse gained further ground. One final pass was delivered to Sam Williams, who eased through to ground the ball. Williams' conversion attempt missed.

Tunbridge Wells rallied briefly, and hauled back the visitors lead slightly with a successful penalty by fly-half Luke Giles. However, it wasn't long before Cornish were on the front foot once more.

On the half hour mark, Matt Hakes broke through the home defence once more, sadly his pass to Rich Skinnard was knocked on. Skinnard was involved once more shortly after as Dorse and Rae combined to put in the Cornish winger. Desperate Tunbridge defence managed to turn over the ball and the Kent side escaped once more. As the half drew to an end, the only way Tunbridge Wells could stop Cornish's powerful forwards was to concede a number of penalties. Eventually, referee Matt Taylor's patience snapped and a home forward was yellow carded. Shortly after, Cornish's dominance was rewarded with a second try as Ben Ievers dived over. Williams' kick was successful and 'The Exiles' led 15-3 at the break.

The second half was almost entirely played in the London Cornish half as Tunbridge Wells threw the kitchen sink at their visitors in a bid to stay in the Intermediate Cup. Tunbridge were hampered by their line-out continuing to mis-fire as Harry Somers and the Cornish forwards had a field day. Time after time, the Kent team put together phase after phase which pinned Cornish in their own 22, but outstanding defence and brute force kept Tunbridge out, epitomized by a superb last ditch tackle by hooker Will Carew-Gibbs on the home centre when a tried seemed inevitable wide left. Eventually, after almost ten minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle went. Cornish had done it tough, and deservedly ran out winners 15-3.