Bodmin 24 – Roseland 0
On yet another wet and windy afternoon Roseland travelled to Bodmin for their third league game.
Once again Roseland had been forced into some last minute changes to the side. The other surprise awaiting Roseland was that Bodmin’s main pitch was deemed unsafe for play so the match was moved to Bodmin’s second pitch.
Roseland kicked the game off playing down the slope and with the wind blowing diagonally across the pitch, from corner to corner. The first quarter was an even affair with both sides trying to play rugby despite the conditions but Bodmin kept Roseland pinned with some intelligent kicking.
After a sustained period of pressure Bodmin eventually crossed for a try with an acrobatic finish in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Roseland rallied and entered Bodmin’s 22 on several occasions only to cough up possession.
On virtually the stroke of half time Bodmin once again squeezed over the line for another unconverted score.
At half time Bodmin led 10-0 but Roseland had the wind advantage and confidence that they were still in the game.
Roseland had the worst possible start to the second half. A fumble from the restart led to a penalty to Bodmin and after several phases of play they eventually squeezed over near the posts for a converted try and a 17-0 lead.
Roseland once again rallied and tried to gain a foothold but despite the rain letting up for the second half the pitch was now resembling a mud bath and handling become more and more difficult.
Bodmin eventually scored another converted try for a 24-0 lead. Despite this Roseland kept playing to the final whistle and were in the ascendancy and hoping to score a well deserved try until the bar of soap ball become too much and was knocked on to end the game.
Roseland battled throughout and will be bitterly disappointed to have come away with nothing. Although Bodmin played well they only really scored via Roseland mistakes and this is a lesson for Roseland to learn that good sides capitalise on mistakes and score when chances occur.
Roseland entertain Newquay at Philleigh on Saturday (2:30 ko) in what’s likely to be another wet and muddy afternoon.