P.Rock/Woodland Fort ...10pts
Liskeard/Looe started the new season with a convincing win with several regulars unavailable, this was an opportunity to bring in several new players, all of whom did well.
From the kick off, Prince Rock looked to be the stronger side, particularly in the pack, and put Liskeard/looe under intensive pressure. Their reward came in the form of a penalty by Mike Goldstone. At this stage Liskeard/Looe were struggling especially in the set pieces where their much lighter pack was having difficulties containing the opposition.
Gradually however they fought their way back into the game and were vastly encouraged when Nathan Gilbert collected the ball some 35 yards out and eluded several tacklers to touch down for a well deserved try.
Not long afterwards from a quickly taken penalty. the ball was put along the line to Anthony Bartlett who , after making good ground slipped a great reverse pass to Nathan Gilbert, who ran in his second try where Marcus Hill then converted.
Liskeard/Looe were now in control and even though they were still under pressure in the set pieces, capitalised on their superior mobility. This led to a try for Nick Cooper, again converted by Hill. The latter completed the first half scores with a penalty.
The second half was much more even with Prince Rock pressurising the Liskeard/Looe line, only to be denied by solid defence. The deadlock was broken when Liskeard/Looe forced their way upfield when Dean Burchall scored an excellent try.
Not to be outdone, Prince Rock gained their reward for sustained pressure when Wayne Dellanty crossed for a try converted by Mike Goldstone.
Liskeard/Looe however had the final say when Tim Jackman broke through, passed out to full back Tim Wheale who ran in the try converted by Marcus Hill.
A pleasing start to what promises to be a rewarding season for Liskeard/Looe. The established players from last season showed the sort of form which won them promotion. Tim Wheale at full back, Anthony Bartlett in the centre and the half back partnership of Marcus Hill and Andy Harris gave newcomers Tom Gillbard, Neil Cooper and Joe Pearce opportunities which they took.
In the pack Nathan Gilbert moved from hooker to prop and with fellow prop Paul Mason gave good support to hooker Lee Sanders. The completely new second row of John Hooper and Sam Spearing, despite lacking weight, showed well in lines out and in loose play and Dean Burchall came into the back row with Kevin Lorenz and Tim Jackson to form an effective unit.
Next week Liskeard/Looe play host to Plymouth Civil Service in the first round of the Tetley Bitter Competition. Kick off at Lux Park at 3 pm, and a good contest is in prospect. It should be a close game and well worth making an effort to go and se. Certainly the club would be please to see a god crowd and if Saturday game is anything to go by a season of open entertaining rugby is in prospect.
BUDE....................................................5
SALTASH..........................................26
SALTASH couldn't have wished for a better start to their season. They had it pretty much their own way for long periods and finally laid the bogey after a string of narrow defeats at Bencoolen Meadow.
Five minutes of constant forward pressure from the kick off finally ended with Steve Hall diving over from close in. Ian Davis rounded off a move down the right with a corner try on the half hour and Nigel Owen converted both to put them fourteen points up at the break.
Bude had second use of the wind and threatened to make a game of it with winger Mark Dennis touching down from the second half restart. But any thoughts of coming from behind they might have had gradually disappeared as the Ashes got a defensive stranglehold back on things.
Another passage of strong Saltash forward play got Jamie Westaway over for a try wide on the right. Dominic Waites marked his senior debut with a follow up try after Mark Haimes had made the ground through the centre and Owen added the extras.