Roseland 19 – Helston 7
Roseland played their first home fixture after a fortnight of away games and came away victorious with a hard earned win over a Helston side that, not only put 50 points on them just a few weeks ago, but who last week beat high flying Newquay.
After last weeks victory over Camborne School of Mines, Roseland were hoping for another solid performance and building on last weeks good work.
Helston kicked the game off playing down the slope and with the wind. The majority of the first half was spent between the 22s with neither side gaining the upper hand and both teams working hard in the boggy conditions. Both teams created chances to score with Roseland their own worst enemy when within try scoring range. Helston however did capitalise. After a kick and chase down field from Helston, Roseland were adjudged to have knocked on and from the resultant scrum and subsequent phases Helston managed to score near the posts. The conversion was kicked and Helston were 7-0.
Neither side managed to dominate and the half ended with Helston having the slender 7 point lead.
Playing with the elements Roseland knew they needed to kick on if they were to get anything from the game.
Roseland spent large amounts of the half in Helston territory. Keeping the Helston defence honest and turning. The first try eventually came after sustained Roseland pressure. After several scrums Roseland eventually forced the Helston 8 over the line for No8 Chapman to dot down the try. Davo Williams converted and the scores were level at 7-7.
From the restart Roseland came roaring back and kept Helston on the back foot. No8 Chapman was unfortunate not to grab a second from a strong pick and go at the base of the scrum he was bundled over the line only for the ref to deem the score held up. After another period of sustained pressure Roseland scored from another rumbling maul and despite Helston protests of the ball being held up the referee awarded the try and scrum half Tom Day emerged from the pile of bodies with the ball in hand. Davo missed the conversion and the score was 12-7 with about 20 minutes to play.
Helston battled hard but the Roseland defence held firm. Roseland were awarded a kickable penalty that unfortunately Davo missed but Roseland did grab another vital score when returning flanker Tommy Whiles gathered the ball on the 22 and rampaged his way over the line for a try that rounded off a fine performance. Davo converted and the scores were 19-7 with about six minutes remaining.
Helston were determined to grab at least a try to secure a losing bonus point and Roseland were equally determined to grab a fourth try and secure the try bonus and hopefully the 5 point win.
As it was neither team managed either thing and the game ended with the score at 19-7 and a well deserved 4 points to Roselands league campaign.
With this victory Roseland leap frogged both CSM and St Agnes although St Agnes picked up a losing bonus point in the fixture to keep on Roselands tail.
Roseland travel to Veor on Saturday hoping to continue their purple patch.