Liskard 44 – Roseland 17
On Saturday afternoon in glorious weather Roseland traveled to Lux Park to take on top three side Liskard.
Following last weeks unfortunate and disappointing Walk Over conceded to league leaders Hayle, Roseland were determined to put in a good performance and bounce back from last week. They were also hoping to go to Plymouth on a “team night out” with a solid performance and result under their belt.
Liskard kicked off the game playing with the wind and “up” the slope.
For the first 25 minutes Roseland were, by their standards, extremely poor, thinking of the night ahead instead of the game, and during this period Liskard took full advantage to build up a 32-0 lead. Roselands only chance of some points in this period was a missed penalty kick by returning fly half Matt Eddy.
Once Roseland finally woke up and kicked into gear the Roseland pack started to make inroads with some solid ball carries, particularly from Nathan Chapman, Tommy Whiles and Ed Llewellyn. The back line with some time and space also made their own inroads. Chapman particularly was enjoying himself when picking off line outs and making yardage.
Roseland had a break out from their own 22 with scrum half Tom Day making ground but unfortunately the ball was knocked on when offloading inside the Liskard half. However once inside the Liskard half Roseland did work their way into the 22 and after several drives for the line the ball was put behind the heavy hitters and Eddy spotted a gap to dart over for a try. He missed the conversion.
With a score behind them and building some momentum, Roseland rampaged back up the field and again laid siege to the Liskard line and this time second row Llewellyn crashed over from close range for the score. This was converted by Eddy.
The half time score read 32-12 to Liskard.
With the second half aim of scoring two more tries to secure the try bonus point and to keep Liskard at bay. The second half was certainly a much tighter and more even affair.
The Roseland pack started to dominate at scrum time. Liskard started to waiver in their discipline too, losing two players to the sin bin, credit to them though they coped well during both periods of being a man down.
Roseland attacked valiantly and defended resolutely with returning skipper Andrew Stark prominent in defence and attack, scoring Roselands third try after several pick and goes, during his brief cameo before succumbing to an old injury. All 19 players that got onto the pitch for Roseland put in a “heart on your sleeve” performance. While pushing for a much deserved fourth try Roseland stretched themselves and unfortunately were caught on the break several times. During two of the breaks Liskard scored tries. The second of these tries, which was converted, coming with the last play of the game. These two late scores put a bit of gloss on the Liskard performance and inflated the score line a bit harshly against Roseland.
Roseland put in a magnificent 55/60 minute display but unfortunately had already lost the game. They will be hoping to learn from this before next weeks penultimate, and vital, game versus fellow strugglers St Agnes who travel to Philliegh for a bottom of the table clash after Camborne School of Mines victory over Veor this weekend shunted them up to 6th.
This Saturday is Roseland’s inaugural “Family Day”. At 2pm outside the pub there will be a photo opportunity for players, supporters, wives, girlfriends and children with Roseland hoodies.
Kick off will follow at 3pm.