On a wet and windy Saturday afternoon Roseland traveled to Falmouth to play Lanner at “home” in the Tribute Cup. We were at the business end of the of the competition now with this quarter final. Lanner have had a tidy season and sit second in Cornwall One whereas Roseland are undefeated and top of Cornwall Two so from Roseland’s point of view this was an excellent litmus test to check their progress.
For large parts of this fixture it was difficult to tell that the two teams are from different leagues, especially with Lanner pushing for promotion to Cornwall and Devon. However the major difference being that Lanner took their scoring chances when they came along.
With a stiff breeze blowing across the pitch Roseland started the game by playing “up the slope” away from the old school. Roseland were missing a handful of regular players and the 18 players that turned up really put a massive shift in. Given the conditions, handling errors were to be expected, but the handling on show from both sides was very good.
Both sides spent time in each other’s 22 and with plenty of play in-between the 22s also. Roseland had several chances to score with there best chance being squandered from a forward pass with the try line begging. Lanner however created about 4 chances and took 2 of these to go in at half time 10-0 ahead.
In the second half Roseland were determined to get points of the board and spent about 25 minutes in the Lanner half or inside the 22 but just could not cross the try line with a combination of good defence and handling errors or poor decisions when in sight of the try line. After about 25 minutes Lanner had a break out from their own half and despite some excellent scramble defence from Roseland the bigger Lanner players eventually muscled their way over the line for a converted try.
Roseland rallied again and kept Lanner pinned back and again pounded the Lanner line but with no luck. Lanner eventually worked their way deep into the Roseland 22 and although Roseland turned the ball over unfortunately the clearing kick didn’t make touch and then the Lanner full back and wing backed their pace to score a try wide out to bring the score to 22-0. With time running out Roseland were determined to finish the game with a try that they deserve but unfortunately time and Lady Luck were against Roseland today and the elusive try never came. The game ended when Lanner kicked the ball into touch.
Lanner progress to the semi-finals but were given a real fright by Roseland.
Roseland however should take massive confidence from the game. They pushed a very good team from the league above all the way and but for 4 pieces of luck the game could of ended as a draw. Everyone associated with Roseland should use this performance as a stepping stone for next season and shows the little areas that they need improvement but also the areas they have performed extremely well in.
Roseland’s final game of the 2015/16 season is at home to Camelford on 2nd April in the league where victory would complete a “Grand Slam” of league victories. Kick off will be at 3pm due to the clocks changing.