Liskeard/Looe's second Colts cup tie was played against a very strong Penzance/Newlyn outfit who turned up with enough replacements to almost field a second team. That said, it seemed that they were expecting an easy passage but the result was in doubt until the last five minutes when Penzance scored a late converted try to secure victory.
With an extremely strong wind swirling across the pitch the match started with both sets of forwards fiercely contesting for possession and the first quarter saw the bigger Penzance pack having the advantage. Good play by Saunders, Morford and Collins with Collins making some good close quarter tackles kept the pressure on Penzance but after 30 minutes the visitors scored an unconverted try to go five points ahead.
Good play by the Liskeard backs always threatened but on occasions last man options spoiled at least two good try scoring opportunities. However, Liskeard quickly responded to Penzance's score when Gailer scored a delightful try after beating four players which Butcher converted.
With a lead of 7-5 at half time Liskeard came out for the second half with a strong wind disadvantage but they immediately started to put Penzance under pressure with some exciting play. Winning good possession both in the tight and loose play with the back row of Burchell, Arnold and Rice in fine form and Masters giving excellent support, Liskeard dominated and following a top penalty, Rice bulldozed over to score a good try which Burchell again converted.
At 14-5 up this unexpected scoreline clearly shocked the Penzance players and their supporters. With some excellent rugby being played Liskeard had the better of the possession and scrum half Jones brought his three quarters into play. Lee fed his centres and both Farris and Ball made good probing runs. After 25 minutes of the second half Penzance scored an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 14 pts - 10.
That last 10 minutes was end to end stuff but with four minutes to go Penzance scored a further converted try to finish the game victorious with a 17 pt - 14 pts win.
This was a very good entertaining match with Liskeard having the greater scoring opportunities which unfortunately they failed to capitalise on. It was a match Liskeard will on reflection know they should have won, but the second leg at Penzance will give them the chance to reverse the result.