Liskeard/Looe U17s.................36
Stevenage Town U17...............5
LISKEARD welcomed their tourists from Hertfordshire in the time honoured fashion. They thumped 'em, and Exeter did the same the previous day, reminding the London area there is life, at least junior style, in the far South West.
With only Mark Davy away, Liskeard fielded a strong side plus a few older irregulars. Ross Gailer, Jarrod Williams, Jordon Shirley and a relative of Mark Collins, at first struggled with the pace and intensity of the standard U17 game, but by halftime, they could reflect on how to improve their individual performances to match those of their younger colleagues.
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From the outset the sheer power of the Liskeard pack took Stevenage aback, for time after time the rucks were hit at pace completely knocking them out of their stride and despite having a large pack themselves, were overwhelmed. John Catchpole supplied a superb service to Mark Collins whose one step pass gave centres Stu Taylor and Dave Hannah all the time and room in the world. Ross Gailer, steaming in fairly quickly from full back gave Liskeard that extra dimension which Taylor used to provide so effectively.
With such a plethora of possession, scores were inevitable, and when Jarrod Williams peeled off a maul and stumbled fully 30 metres and finally collapsed over the line, the floodgates opened. Tommy Gillbard, fresh from a superb hat trick six weeks back in the 24-24 non thriller away to Exeter Saracens, which also saw a very rare and very good individual try from John Catchpole, was once again in fine fettle and terrorised Stevenage on the outside. And, had the pitch been just a couple of metres wider, would have scored rather more than the two he did. Once again total fear saw Tom do the unexpected. Instead of using his large size and step inside and bowl over wrongfooted defenders, he chipped into a non existent gap and plunged over for a quick and unusual try.
Damage to his arm saw Mark Collins leave the field but, in his wake, he witnessed his best kick of the season, nay, his career, when a delicate chip over the Stevenage defence actually landed as planned. Well done Mark, a first. The introduction of Jordon Shirley to his first game of real rugby this season did little to diminish the Liskeard effort, indeed, his tackling was up in the Steve Yeo category, high indeed. Talking of Steve Yeo, he once again really upset his opposition with his in your face attitude and perpetual motion tackling. Just reward when in close support of his fellow forwards he scored after some splendid tackling.
Ross Gailer helped by a new fitness regime, glided gracefully on to an exquisite pass from Taylor and sprinted well for a well earned try, mainly set up by the rest of the team. Stu Taylor converted two to give Liskeard a comfortable 24-0 cushion.
Jarrod Williams and Mark Collins' relative, sin bin free this game, were replaced at half time, splendid performances from both. A re-jig of the team saw several players out of position but nevertheless the pressure on Stevenage was just as intense. Shortly ater Stu Taylor replaced Ross Gailer at full back and Jon Strand, hooker, went to flyhalf. With acceleration he is able to shoot through slim gaps and with Hannah and Gillbard on hand to receive the final pass Strand's work was done. Time and again Stevenage bought his outrageous dummies but unfortunately his speed only carried him some metres and he had to form a ruck. However, Tommy Gillbard was on hand before the ruck situation to scream off, leaving Stevenage in his wake for a second try. Taylor converted.
With five different players and postional changes a dilution of effect was inevitable, the effort was undiluted, but the team cohesion was lacking. Revitalised Stevenage took advantage of the slight disarray to mount their only meaningful assault and score, a good effort from a team so long under the cosh.
Stu Taylor, a constant thorn in the Stevenage side enjoyed his best game for ages and rounded it off with the final try to put the visitors out of their misery.
Some excellent work by the backs, but without the graft of the forwards like flu-ridden Matt Twornicki, rampaging Ben Daniel, and flanker turned lock Dudley Rowe, it would have all been for nothing.
Many thanks to the irregulars, and Tom Williams, Gerry Richards and Geraint Prisk responding to the call to arms.
This Sunday's game against the all conquering Liskeard/Looe U16s is off. Apparently they need a rest. Honest! . . . . . Roger Gailer
St Day failed to raise a side
Saltash were awarded the league points with a walkover on Saturday after St Day were unable to raise a side and honour the fixture.
It allowed coaches Dave Honey and Steve Hall to rest the squad before a busy end of season run in, which has given the Ashes an unexpected bonus with re-arranged home league fixtures against near neighbours Liskeard tomorrow (Sat 14th April).
St Agnes on the 21st, and what may well be the championship decider against Wadebridge on 28th. While on Wednesday the 18th they take on the Old Public Oakes in the final of the Plymouth Combination Lockie cup at Plymouth Albion's Beacon Park ground kicking off at 7pm.
Saltash Reserves ....................13 pts
OPMs IIs.......................................nil
WITH late cry offs by their respective opponents, both clubs did well to cobble together a side for a last minute fixture. With little to choose between either side, it looked as if the first half would remain scoreless, until teenager winger Scott Gale notched a kick and chase try and marked himself down as one to watch for the future.
Saltash gradually got on top and largely dominated after the break. John Nicholls landed a penalty from in front after the Old Boys strayed offside. And first team prop Rob Eatwell, on his way back from injury and trying out at scrum half for the day, delivered the killer blow with a try in the left corner.
Cornwall One
P W D L F A Pts
Wadebridge\C... 13 12 0 1 492 57 24
Saltash... 12 11 0 1 281 95 22
Bodmin... 14 9 0 5 239 142 18
Lisk/Looe 15 9 0 6 286 199 16
Falmouth... 15 7 0 8 171 240 14
St Agnes... 14 6 0 8 258 267 12
Helston... 13 4 1 8 170 195 7
Redruth Albany 16 3 1 12 112 443 7
St Day... 14 1 0 13 111 482 2
Cornwall Two
P W L F F A Pts
Mounts Bay... 13 12 0 1 432 97 24
Illogan Park... 11 9 0 2 312 65 18
Callington... 11 9 0 2 254 129 18
Stithians... 12 5 0 7 131 256 8
Veor... 13 4 0 9 108 328 8
Roseland... 12 5 0 7 211 208 6
Camborne SoM 13 4 0 9 144 218 2
Lankelly Fowey 11 0 0 11 13 304 -6
Liskeard U-9s finish the season in style
ON Sunday, Liskeard/Looe Under 9s participated in the St Austell RFC Funday. They were one of four teams in Group One, the others being Redruth, Penryn and a Welsh touring side, New Panteg. The winners of this group played the counterparts from Group Two in a final. Redruth started as favourites and it was unfortunate for Liskeard/Looe that they were their first opponents.
The team consisted of Adam Bainbridge (Cpt), Christiern Francis, Charlie Brown, Lucy Demaine, Carlin Champion, Lewis Robinson, Nick, Joe Ackland and Paul Huish. Right from the start this proved to be a very hard fought contest and Liskeard/Looe put up tremendous defence. Redruth were quick on the break with a very fast winger and kept Liskeard/Looe penned into their own half for long periods of time. Despite this both sides had a clean sheet at half-time. Unfortunately, within the first minute of the second half Redruth made the break out to their wing and finally broke through the Liskeard/Looe defence for the only try of the match. Liskeard/Looe were desperately unlucky to lose this match.
Liskeard/Looe next played Penryn and quickly created a number of attacking moves. The first half was a brilliant display of possession rugby with Liskeard/Looe dominating the ruck and maul and providing some good breaks out to their backs and wingers.
It was from one of these moves that the ball passed through to Lewis Robinson on the right wing who stormed through the last of the Penryn defence of the first try. The second half was a repeat of the first. Liskeard/Looe piled on the pressure and following the quick release of the ball from a maul were able to set Adam Bainbridge loose for the try line. The game ended 10-0 in favour of Liskeard/Looe.
The final match for Liskeard/Looe was against the Welsh team New Panteg. This was easily the most atmospheric match of the season with a lot of supporters for both teams. Liskeard/Looe were now unstoppable and from the start were able to dominate all aspects of play despite the Welsh team having some very fast players. Lucy Demaine, Joe Ackland and Charlie Brown provided just some of the many fine displays of tackling.
Again Liskeard/Looe were able to provide good ball to their fast backs and wingers and this allowed Lewis Robinson to break through the Welsh team's defence to level the scores for the interval.
The second half was once again dominated by Liskeard/Looe, who made a number of breaks but never quite got to the line. However, in the last minute Christiern Francis drove in to the New Panteg defence only yards from the try line.
This was followed by quick support by the rest of his team and together they made a massive push for the line. The Cornish contingency amongst the supporters gave full cry and this provided the impetus for the final push and the winning try by Christiern Francis.
Although Liskeard/Looe were beaten to the final by Redruth who went on to win it, they were runners up when the tries for and against were taken into account.
The Under 9s season has now come to an end and everyone is looking forward to the next one. We will be having occasional training sessions between now and September and would be delighted to see any new players.