LOCKIE CUP SEMI-FINAL

Liskeard-Looe 60

Saltash II 7

Liskeard-Looe booked their place in the final of the Lockie Cup with an emphatic win over Saltash II at Lux Park on Saturday.

Superior in every department, the hosts took an early lead when the three quarters tore Saltash defence apart, and centre Andy Sheer went in under the posts with Baz Hocking converting.

Seven minutes later it was Hocking's turn to run in a try, but he was unable to convert.

The Lions were better in every aspect, pushing Saltash, out jumping them at the line-outs, giving the outsides the chance to play exciting and expansive rugby.

On 16 minutes winger Sam Grant showed a great turn of speed when he latched on to a weak pass and cut inside for his try, with Hocking converting.

Nine minutes later it was the other wing, Ryan Morris, on the board with a neat try which and Hocking converted from 35 yards.

More excellent rugby followed, and on 31 minutes Sheer ran in his second try, again converted by Hocking, and with three minutes left in the half, flanker Lewis Elliott ran in the only forward try of the afternoon. A similar pattern followed in the second period, with a Dave Hannah try after five minutes converted by Morris and another after 12 minutes by Hocking.

The Ashes rallied and brought a temporary halt to the scoring thanks to some good tackling in a spirited defence, but after 66 minutes Sheer completed his hat-trick when he gathered an attempted clearance kick to run in unopposed.

Once again Saltash rallied, and on 70 minutes were rewarded with a well-deserved try by winger Keiran Hurrell, converted by fly-half Blake.

It was Liskeard-Looe who had the final say, though, when eight minutes from the end, replacement centre Ian Hicks touched down.

The Lions will meet Tavistock II in the Lockie Cup Final, which will be played at The Rectory, Devonport, on Wednesday April 29, (7.30 pm kick-off).

Apart from the chance to grace the Liskeard-Looe sideboard with a bit of silverware, this should also be great preparation for the Lions' forthcoming trip to Twickenham for the EDF Junior Vase Final against Brighton on Saturday, May 9.

Tickets for Twickenham are selling well, but are still available from club secretary Sue Hannah on Liskeard (01579) 342 579.

Seats on coaches also available; tickets are £5.00 per head and the return coach fare is £25.00.