Veor outmuscle Roseland
On a dry but breezy day Roseland entertained Veor in the Tribute Cornwall 1 league and were hoping to bounce back from last weeks disappointing defeat away to Helston.
Just a few hours before kick off a deluge of rain came down and saturated the playing surface so any hopes of a game of running rugby were put to bed. This was going to be 10 man rugby with the forwards battling it out and the backs seeing the ball very little.
Roseland kicked off the game playing up the slope and against the breeze. The opening exchanges were even with the Veor forwards picking and going and the half backs trying to pin Roseland back deep in their own half.
The Roseland forwards fought fire with fire though and defended stoutly and made hard yards of their own and the backs put in a solid shift of their own with sound defence and made good metres with the ball in hand.
It wasn’t until midway through the half that Veor started to dominate. Pressuring Roseland and with the wind it made clearing your lines difficult.
Time and again Veor pounded the Roseland line but Roseland stood up well and kept Veor at bay but by half time Veor had scored 3 tries and converted one for a 17-0 half time lead.
Roseland made a couple of changes at half time and knew that the next score was vital.
Roseland battled their way back up field and won a kickable penalty early in second half. This was converted by scrum half Tom Day.
For large parts then of the second half the game was a ping-pong contest with both teams spending time in the opposition 22 but neither managing to break the deadlock. As the pitch deteriorated and the ball became harder to handle the match moved into the middle section of the pitch with play held up between the 22s.
Veor did score another try and seal the bonus point when after sustained pressure they finally forced their way over from a driving maul via a lineout.
The final quarter of the half turned into a mud bath and a battle royale. It wasn’t the prettiest of spectacles and some unsavoury acts started to happen. It almost spilled over onto the touchline.
When the referee finally blew for full time the score was still 22-3.
This match won’t be remembered as a classic and neither side will include it in its highlights reel but none the less, Veor walked away with another 5 points and Roseland lost another game with a score line that flattered the opposition.
Roselands next fixture isn’t any easier. An away game versus 2nd placed Hayle on February 4th.