Veor 26 – Roseland 19
Roseland travelled down to third placed Veor on Saturday hoping to carry on with the good form that seen them beat Stithians the previous week.
For much of this encounter it was an even affair with Veor’s influential goal kicking scrum half probably proving the difference as he had a near faultless day with the boot including a monster 60m penalty on the stroke of half time.
Veor kicked the game off playing down the slope and with the wind and soon get into their stride with some early inroads made by their big forwards. Roseland defended stoutly and kept their hosts at bay for the opening 10 minutes before Veor snuck over the line following patient build up. The conversion was missed and Veor led 5-0. Roseland however roared back into contention and their influential forwards started to make inroads of their own. From a ruck rising star Rhys Daniels picked and went and after slipping several tackles found himself in a sprint to the try line line. He dotted down for a another try this season. Fly Half Matt Eddy converted and Roseland led 7-5.
Veor countered and started to use the wind to pin Roseland back and and despite Roselands best attempts they struggled to clear their lines and Veor eventually crashes over again for a try. This time the conversion was good and the score was 12-7.
Veor scored again but this time slightly fortuitously as a kick ahead was deemed to have been grounded by the Veor player before the cover defence in a tight call. However the conversion was missed and Veor now led 17-7 and had their tails up.
Roseland though to their credit now rolled up their sleeves and really took the game to Veor. Right across the side players were making tackles and carrying ball or creating space. Skipper Andrew Stark really came to the fore with a muscle burning run that involved bouncing off several would be tacklers, and some delicate footwork to stay in play, before offloading to scrum half Will Rundle who drew two defenders before passing to No8 Nathan Chapman who threw a dummy to beat the last man and dive over the line. Eddy converted the try to make the score 17-14.
Roseland knew they had to strike again before half time, and with Veor slightly rattled, pressed the accelerator and once again worked their way up the field. A lineout maul was brought down just short and an off load to Will Rundle saw the diminutive scrum half bosh the last defender to dot down a try. Eddy missed the conversion but Roseland led 19-17 with moments of the first half remaining.
The twist of the half was to come when with the last play of the half No8 Chapman thought he’d made the perfect interception and was about to open his legs when he referee called a penalty for offside. With no time on the clock Veor opted for goal, from their own 10m line. The kick, albeit with the wind, was excellent and flew over the posts to drag themselves a point in front at half time.
The second half of the game was a bit more of a stalemate with neither side able to dominate and plenty of the game spent between the 22s.
Veor did gain a couple of kickable penalties which they landed. One after a particularly unsavoury incident between players from both sides with the referee favouring with the home side.
Roseland had a breakaway opportunity but unfortunately centre Mike “Legs” Rushbridge didn’t quite have the pace to score.
The game ended in rather frantic fashion. Veor won a penalty around Roselands 10m line and opted for goal, however the kick was missed and Roseland went on the counter attack hoping to snatch a deserved draw. Unfortunately Roseland lost the ball in the middle of the park and Veor cleared to win the game 26-19.
Roseland entertain second placed Bodmin at Philleigh on Remembrance Saturday. A 2:30 kick off. Another tough test to see how they compare with the top teams. Bodmin are back in the Cornwall League after several seasons plying their trade in Cornwall and Devon.
On Sunday 12th November, Roseland’ newly formed Vets Team will be taking on Bolingey Barbarians down at Perranporth, 1pm kick off. Coach travel available, further details on the website/Facebook page.