In stormy conditions at Fowey on Saturday Roseland ground out a hard fought victory.

Playing against the wind and the slope in he first 40 Roseland played some of their best and highest tempo rugby of the season to go in at half time 19-0 up.

The opening period though was definitely all Fowey with their bigger pack runners and elusive backs making inroads in the Roseland defence. They punished any Roseland errors also by using the wind to pin Roseland deep in their own territory. Some excellent Roseland defence, crucial turnovers at the breakdowns and hard earned clearance kicks, prevented “Kelly” from gaining a stronger foot hold and breaking the dead lock.

Roseland’s opening score was a real team effort with everyone contributing. Some lovely hands, strong running and quick recycled ball from forwards and backs alike created the space on the short side for winger Sammy Glanville to cross between two defenders. Matt Eddy, in difficult kicking conditions, successfully landed the conversion.

With the younger and lighter Roseland pack starting to dominate the bigger and wiser Fowey pack the Roseland backs started to enjoy some good ball possession and pitch position. With this dominance the next score was inevitable. After several drives for the line by the forwards the ball was eventually spun wide and with the gap created centre Matt Eddy crossed for a try. He converted his own score and Roseland were 14-0 up with the first half drawing to a close.

The Roseland team were in the ascendancy now and really starting to motor. Again after the “Kelly’s” defence kept the forwards pick and goes at bay the ball was again spun wide and after carrying several defenders with him, winger Matt Willsher crossed for his first ever try for Roseland.

Eddy missed the difficult conversion and Roseland went in 19-0 up at half time.

Roseland were buzzing at half time. Knowing that they had put in a fine opening 40 performance they entered the second half confident of finishing the job.

With the second half came a change of weather conditions, added to the wind came the heavy rain showers making handling even harder.

“Kelly” also had other ideas than lying down and letting Roseland have it all their own way, they came out all guns blazing and with their back rowers being particularly effect with ball in hand.

Roseland countered by pinning “Kelly” back by kicking cleverly and using the wind. Roselands effective back play from the first half was lacking some what in the second and scoring chances were limited. The forwards could be credited with Roselands bonus point try. After a fine catch and drive at the line out the blind side was opened and after a confident call from Sammy Glanville he was passed the ball and he strongly handed off his opposite number before racing 40 yards to score in the corner and continue his current scoring run. Matt Eddy landed a fine conversion to further stretch Roselands lead.

Roseland smelling blood went for the kill but some over ambitious play kept “Kelly” in the hunt and they were unlucky on several occasions not to finish off some fine individual breaks. However they were the architects of there own downfall for the next try. After a sliced clearance kick into the wind the ball landed a mere 5m from their line and No 8 Nathan Chapman couldn’t believe his luck when the ball bounced nicely into his arms for him to fall over the line for probably the easiest try he will ever score and he also continued his current try scoring purple patch with his 4th try in 3 games.

Eddy missed conversion.

It was at this stage that Roseland made some changes to the line up and as ever when changes are made the teams fluidity becomes disjointed. The replacements made there impact though by putting themselves about and bringing fresh legs to the heavy paddock.

Despite Roseland trying hard it was “Kelly” that will feel they ended the game stronger. Their pack started to dominate scrums and again the back row were effective in the loose with some strong running. Roseland however defended valiantly and kept “Kelly” at bay to keep a clean sheet.

With the wind and the rain coming down, and the light fading, the referee brought an end to proceedings on what was a highly entertaining game.

After two of four fixtures against Lankelly, Roseland are 2-0 up, but in both games Lankelly have probably deserved more than they have got.

It must be noted also that both teams were highly respectful of the referee who had an excellent game.

On Saturday Roseland return to league action with a home fixture versus Redruth Albany. Albany have had a tough start to the season and despite losing heavily at Roseland earlier in the season in a cup game will come to Philliegh hoping to kick start their season. Roseland on the other hand will be hoping to continue there good run of results and to cement their place at the top of Cornwall Two.