Camborne School of Mines 5 – Roseland 24
On a wet and windy February afternoon Roseland travelled to Penryn to play Camborne School of Mines for the first of the second half of fixtures.
Following last weeks disappointing defeat to St Agnes, Roseland were keen to bounce back against the opposition they had defeated in early January.
CSM were also on the back of a poor run having lost heavily at home to Newquay the week previously and also having lost their annual bottle match away to Royal School of Mines in London.
Roseland kicked off the game playing against the wind playing towards Mabe. CSM failed to gather the kick off cleanly and Roseland had a early attacking scrum.
Both sides were determined to come away with a victory and the game was half way between attritional and free following with both sides determined to try and run the ball when possible.
Roseland kept possession within their forwards really well and the backs used the ball wisely when released. CSM had the first chance of points when awarded a kickable penalty that unfortunately hit the post.
Roseland had a couple chances themselves. Skipper Andrew Stark made a break before being hauled down just short of the line.
Winger Christian Bembow was unlucky not to get on the end of a kick ahead for a try.
Roseland finally broke the deadlock when after patient build up play the ball was worked to centre Will May who gave a lovely delayed pass to fly half Dave Williams who crashed over under the sticks. Davo converted his own score for a 7-0 lead.
With the bit between their teeth Roseland attacked again and a wonderful break by Bembow, and with slick heads between Day and Chapman, Roseland found themselves deep into CSM territory.
Keeping the pressure on CSM via excellent scrummaging and ferocious defence Roseland managed to work the ball wide to centre May who used his pace and power to skirt around the outside of the CSM defence to dot down in the left corner. Davo missed the conversion.
The half ended with Roseland 12-0 up and facing the prospect of victory and playing the second half with the elements.
The second half saw much the same as the first with both sides again prepared to try and play rugby despite the conditions.
Roseland also used the wind a bit more intelligently than CSM had in the first half. The half backs, Day and Williams, kicked the corners and kept the CSM back three honest. The Roseland pack kept producing quality ball and from this Roseland scored their next try. After several attempts on the CSM line, hooker Martin Kneebone drove for the line but was pushed back. Then scrum half Day had his effort held up over the line. From the resultant scrum to Roseland, the pack got the upper hand and No8 Chapman kept control and had a go for the line but was pulled up just short. The ball was recycled well and second row Ed Llewellyn dived over in the corner for the try. Davo missed the touchline conversion.
Roseland stormed back up the pitch and again laid siege to the CSM try line. After several more attacks the ball was recycled and a delayed pass and excellent running line from May saw him waltz over for his second try of the afternoon. Davo converted the try for a 24-0 lead and the try bonus point secured.
CSM weren’t about to give up and started to keep the ball in hand and produced several phases of play. Their smaller elusive runners making snipping runs behind the Roseland defenders. After several good phases of play CSM were eventually rewarded with a well deserved try. The conversion was missed. Sadly during the build up to the CSM try Roseland lost skipper Andrew Stark to a nasty leg injury.
The remainder of the game was a very even affair with both sides still playing enterprising rugby.
The whole game was played in a fantastic atmosphere both on and off the pitch with the CSM supporters particularly vocal in the stands.
The game ended with the final score 24-5 to Roseland and a well deserved 5 points bagged.
Despite the 5 points Roseland are still bottom on 9 points with CSM and St Agnes one point above them on 10 each.
Roselands next fixture is home to Helston on 4th March.