Rugby

Liskeard/Looe............................35

St Day............................................nil

LISKEARD/Looe continued their improved form in the league with another emphatic win last Saturday. Although the weather was fine the pitch was very wet, making for a slippery ball and thus poor handling conditions.

From the first whistle Liskeard/Looe were on the attack and gained an early lead with a penalty by Marcus Hill. Despite the ball being slippery and the pitch muddy, Liskeard/Looe seemed determined to play open rugby and obtained good possesion by way of superior scrummaging and good line out work. They increased their lead when Marcus Hill ran in a try and increased the pressure when Mike Mander went over supported by the rest of the pack for a try which Marcus Hill converted.

St Day, living off scraps of possession nevertheless played some open rugby but their efforts were snuffed out by good tackling and efficient rucking and mauling. Once again the back row of Matt Palmer and Tim Jackman were outstanding whilst outside the scrum both Paddy Mutton and Anthony Bartlett ran some interesting angles. Eventually constant pressure by L/L was rewarded when Marcus Hill kicked another penalty to give a useful 18 point lead at half time.

The early part of the second half was a little more even with St Day getting a bit more possession and moving the ball well. Strong defence by L/L however, prevented them from opening their account. Soon into the second half, veteran full back Dave Williams left the field to be replaced by Garth Hannaford. Shortly afterwards he came up into the line, drew his man and put a perfectly timed pass to Julian Shakerley who raced in from 30 yards for a good try.

Once again L/L took a stranglehold on the game and only some accurate tackling by St Day prevented further scores. L/L were still getting the lions' share of possession largely through great technique in the scrums.

Midway through the half Matt Palmer broke free and made good ground before passing to Dave England who in turn slipped a pass to Tim Jackman. He made a lot of ground before slipping the ball to Paddy Mutton who ran in to score from easily the best move of the game.

The game was rounded off shortly after when Matt Palmer ran a well deserved try which Marcus Hill converted.

L/L now go into the Christmas break with two excellent wins in a row. A great way to finish off the year and a useful boost in terms of league position. They are playing with a confidence and competence which had slipped away for ajcouple of weeks. This bodes well for the resumption of league fixtures in the New Year.

D.H.S.O.B. Wizards ...............12 pts

Saltash Res ..........................47 pts

SHORT on numbers, the Old Boys have former Ashes' players Rick Grundy and Lazlo Noszkay - currently with OPMs, and four Saltash players to thank for completing their starting line up. And if that was not enough, Saltash players bagged all fifty nine points scored in the game.

Without stating the obvious, they dominated throughout in an otherwise tidy, good natured game with Ian Davis nipping in for a first half try hat trick. Young beginner Scott Gale dabbing down a debut try in the corner, and Rob Eatwell diving over with a theatrical flourish under the bar.

Grant Brettell grounded twice, and managed six kicks at the posts from seven attempts for a personal total of 22 points. While "loanee" Sean Gale got the Wizards points with two tries and a conversion.

** ** **

SALTASH have three attractive home matches to look forward to over the festive period, beginning with a re-arranged Cornwall Division One game against St Agnes tomorrow (Dec 23rd). The annual Boxing Day Trophy game with St Boniface Old Boys - always a big crowd puller with an 11am kick off. And Bude at home in the first round of the Cornwall Senior Cup on Saturday December 30th.

Annual mother and baby race

Pubs and clubs from S.E. Cornwall and across the Tamar are invited to enter a Mother and Baby team in the Famous Saltash Rugby Club New Year's Day Pram Race, making its 24th start at twelve o'clock mid-day.

There is still time to register an interest with entry and sponsorship forms available from the rugby clubhouse beforehand or on the day. Monies raised this year will go to the Saltash Community School Special Unit.

Saltash v Helston

(Result awarded to Saltash)

HELSTON declined to honour the fixture and Saltash were awarded the result and two league points to remain second in Cornwall Division One. While Helston had two league points deducted and dropped one place to second from bottom.

Update on Liskeard U-10s

LONG gaps between matches due to the weather has spoiled what was expected to be a busy season for Liskeard supersquad, so a much needed training match was arranged on Sunday December 3rd against Redruths under 10s, probably the best under 10s in the west at the moment.

A very competitive session enables Liskeard's coaches to iron out some of the weaker elements of Liskeard's game against a well drilled side. The Redruth defence always solid and their own ability to clear loose balls highlighted areas where improvement was needed, the session was well worth the effort by all.

Redruth, the only team to beat Liskeard last season by a solitary try when winning the festivals at Liskeard and St Austell were keen to train with our youngsters who like us were suffering from lack of competitive matches.

Suitably fired up Liskeard's next match was away to Kingsbridge on Sunday December 10th. With such wet and wind conditions it was a surprise for the game to be on, a tough match expected from this Devon team. From the start Kingsbridge put Liskeard on the defensive, hefty tackles were going in from both sides who were really up for the match in the slippery conditions. Both sides were doing well to stay on their feet but some good play saw Sam Goodman score the first try for Liskeard but a quick response from the home team brought them level.

Jawaad Micklesewicz scored the second for Liskeard with a tremendous effort, but the home team came back catching Liskeard off guard from a penalty running down the wing to score with ease. Kingsbridge did the same move to score again, turning their backs on their opponents was costing points. At half time Liskeard were 15 to 10 down.

A few words from the coaches at half time and Liskeard came out and got straight into their game and Robert Fowlie scored the third followed soon after by his brother Kennan for the fourth. Not to be outdone Kingsbridge came back to score their fourth. Again Liskeard/Looe dug deep with Bryony Stribley driving the Kingsbridge defence back with a tremendous solo effort and was unlucky not to score but the ball came out for Robert Fowlie to score his second of the match.

This really ruffled the home team's feathers who were looking a bit battered. Liskeard were in control by now and another try superbly executed by James Burke put the away team further ahead and to finish the day on a sweet note. Nick Haley ran in the final try giving Liskeard/Looe a 35 to 20 win. This was a tremendous match total commitment from both teams and superbly refereed.

The previous weeks training session had paid off as Liskeard were much more disciplined defensively, which gave them more possession throughout the match. Good efforts by their other team mates Dean Tandy, Phil Trevelyan and Dan Bolitho completed Kingsbridges' frustration with some tremendous team work in both defence and attack.

Training restarts 7th January. Liskeard and Looe Rugby Club would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas.

LISKEARD LOOE U-17 .................65

BODMIN U-17.................................... 0

IN this first meeting of these sides, the inexperience of Bodmin was cruelly exposed by a very slick Liskeard/Looe. The visitors forwards put on a brave show against their smaller, but technically superior opponents, but their backs were destroyed by the strong running and superb passing movements of the Liskeard/Looe team. Liskeard scored 11 tries including a hat-trick from Tom Gillbard.

PLYMOUTH ALBION U-17......29 pts

LISKEARD LOOE U-17..................12

A much changed Liskeard/Looe side travelled to the Plymouth bog where an Albion were dying to extract revenge for an earlier 50 point trouncing from Liskeard/Looe.

Despite showing six changes from the side which faced Bodmin, Liskeard took the game to Plymouth and ran up a 12-5 half-time lead. Unfortunately, injuries to Matt Blank, Matt Twornicki and Steve Yeo, saw Liskeard/Looe revert to playing five U-16 players and the pace and power of a much reinforced Albion was too much for the Liskeard Looe outfit, who defended gallantly but lacked the power to chase from their very boggy half.

Annual boxing day

charity fixture

THE prospect of losing their third consecutive boxing day match loomed even larger for the U-17's with the news that Mr Colin Catchpole was making his debut, boots permitting, to give son John a hard time.

The 'Elderberries' are further bolstered by the inclusion of the largest player in club history and most certainly the fastest player to the bar, Wesley Pound! Several very senior members of the elite Liskeard club have also volunteered to join in the hat trick of victories parade. A mandatory large donation is expected from all present, to be given to cancer research.

Vast amounts of old Christmas fayre will be supplied to feed those present and money by the bucket load will also needed to quench thirst. Kick off is at 11 am at Lux Park, spectators and fans welcome. A very merry Christmas to all readers and let the battle commence on Boxing Day. Congratulations to Stuart Taylor on selection to the Cornwall 18 group schools team. - Roger Gailer