Roseland 21 Illogan Park 17
Report by T.O.G Corners Nick Sylvester.
Roseland leapfrogged Illogan Park into fifth position in the league following last Saturday’s clash at Philleigh in a wholehearted contest played in appalling conditions. Steady rain on an already saturated pitch together with a cold albeit relatively gentle north easterly breeze tested both players and spectators alike.
Roseland got off to a fast start, playing uphill in the first half, with Nick Johns piling over from a driving lineout within the first five minutes, Matt Eddy converting from wide out. Shortly afterwards, Eddy slotted a penalty to put Roseland 10-0 up after 10 minutes. It wasn’t until midway through the half that Park began to gain a territorial advantage and, after 20 minutes the visitors replied with a converted penalty then, on 28 minutes, an inside break by one of the Park backs led to their first try which was converted to level the scores at 10-10.
The visitors, with the slope in their favour were now having their best spell. A further penalty attempt slid wide but, not to be denied, Park were awarded a penalty try when a player was obstructed in a chase for a touchdown following a neat kick through by their fly half. Regardless of the “dust up” that immediately followed, Will Rundle was singled out for his part in the obstruction and was yellow carded accordingly. Half time soon followed with Roseland trailing 10-17.
The second half was very much one way traffic in Roseland’s favour aided by some accurate kicking from David Williams, in particular, and Matt Eddy soon closed the gap to 13-17. With ball handling being increasingly difficult, the Roseland scrum was enjoying total dominance at the countless set pieces that followed. Opportunities close to the Park line came and went as the game had by now become “Attack v Defence”. Some credit must go to the visitors who held out manfully until deep into the second half before Eddy added a further penalty on 73 minutes to close the gap to a single point.
By now, with 30 players slipping and sliding all over the place in mud brown coloured kit trying to grab hold an elusive bar of soap, it was looking as though Park might survive the onslaught. However, from a Roseland five metre attacking scrum, Nathan Chapman controlled the ball at the base allowing Will Rundle to dive on the hall for the winning touchdown in the bottom corner. Although the conversion was missed the final whistle soon followed with Roseland securing a deserved win and four valuable league points.
This weekend Roseland make the trip to St Agnes on Easter Saturday. Having lost at home to Aggy in mid February, the boys will surely travel with determination and optimism following a spirited and hard fought win.