OPMs 45 Liskeard-Looe 20

A DISMAL first half display by Liskeard-Looe laid the foundations for this heavy defeat at Elburton. The early skirmishes were evenly contested with OPM taking the lead with a Darren Clark penalty, which followed by an equalising kick from Marcus Hill. As the half progressed the difference between the teams became apparent. OPM were playing committed team rugby, whereas Liskeard-Looe lacked cohesion and collective fire. Man for man, there was little to choose between individual ability, but OPM played as a team, which Liskeard did not. OPM regained the lead with a further penalty by Clark and soon afterwards Ian Goldsmith got sin-binned. While a man short, Liskeard-Looe conceded another penalty, again kicked by Clark. Back to a full side and Liskeard-Looe began to show some sort of spark, containing OPM for quite some time and making inroads into opposition territory. Too often, a handling mistake or fractionally late back up resulted in OPM being able to clear their lines. OPM increased their lead with a further try by Clark, which he also converted. Another try, this time from second row John Houghton, was also converted by Clark. It must be said that poor tackling by Liskeard-Looe had a lot to do with those scores. Half time arrived with OPM comfortably ahead 23-3. The second half was somewhat different. Liskeard-Looe began to put together some useful moves. No8 Ali Hill was particularly impressive, especially from the scrum and the Liskeard-Looe lineout improved beyond measure. This allowed the team to make inroads into opposition territory and they were several times unlucky not to cross the line. Eventually, the pressure told and Baz Hocking, always difficult to catch, ran in a very good try. As so often happens, Liskeard-Looe then went off the boil and allowed OPM a soft try by Reece Phillips. They came back, however, and steamed into OPM's half. After several good phases John Underwood took a clean ball and ran in from 15 metres for Kieran Hill to convert. Liskeard-Looe continued to put their opponents under pressure, but were unable to reduce the deficit, in fact conceding a penalty which Clark again kicked. Then came the strangest passage of the afternoon. A kick to touch more or less on halfway by OPM, and Liskeard-Looe decided to go for the quick throw. However, it was intercepted and with most of Liskeard-Looe wrong-footed, Elliott James ran in almost unopposed to touch down under the posts, with Clark adding the extras. Liskeard-Looe never gave up and there was some excellent close work from Ali Hill, Dan Goodman and Mike Manders. OPM's defence, however, held firm, assisted by some average passing and handling by Liskeard-Looe. Once again poor tackling and covering by Liskeard-Looe allowed OPM to put the result way beyond question when Howard Turner scored for Clark again to convert. Liskeard-Looe continued to contest the game and made good ground following several good surges by the pack. Prop Mike Mander collected the ball just inside the opposition 22 metre line, and using his considerable strength and surprising turn of speed, ran in the final points of the game. All in all, this was not the best result for Liskeard, Looe. Initially, there was plenty of individual ability, but a distinct lack of teamwork. For the first half hour and for short spells after, there seemed to be no collective fire or balance. A lack of positive tackling did not help their cause, neither did the odd poorly-timed or misdirected pass. When the team did get it together and play as a unit, OPM no longer looked as comfortable. Certainly, overall, they were not 25 points better, they were just allowed to look it by mistakes in options and tackling. These shortfalls can be ironed out. Liskeard-Looe are at home to Okehampton in the League tomorrow, with a 2.30pm kick off.