Arriving with only 13 players Penzance were always going to struggle against Liskeard. Being reduced to 13 to keep the sides even, Liskeard were determined to erase the memory of their Boxing Day hammering inflicted on them by the Olderberries. With national league referee Alex McKay officiating the advantages enjoyed by the boys, courtesy of Mike Williams would be eliminated.

As it transpired, no such advantages were needed for Liskeard started at threequarter pace and slowly accelerated. Weeks without a fixture were evident among the backs. Poor passing, dropped balls and soft tackling was the order of the day. Fortunately the forwards were in top gear from the off. The set scrum was rock steady, the line out, truly impressive, as was the loose play. With a good supply of ball the backs rustiness slowly dissolved as the ball started to move over the pitch. With a centre missing, wingers Tom Gillbard and Marcus Allayne were asked to perform a dual role which unfortunately confused the issue and realignment. This became a problem. Nevertheless, these minor setbacks were ironed out as Liskeard shook off the post Christmas lethargy and began to regenerate. The speed of the game soon became far too quick for Penzance and the Liskeard score began to mount.

The early laboured passing of Liskeard became slicker and the breaks by Dave Hannah better realised and supported by his fellow backs. From one such break the ball was whipped out to Tom Gillbard who made his one and only catch of the first half to cruise over. Stuart Taylor converted followed by an easy penalty. The still confident Penzance gamely responded but the killer try from Ben Daniel seemed to crush their spirit, and a late try from Taylor, also converted, was the final nail especially since the last two tries saw Daniel and Taylor steaming through several tackles, a very dispiriting sight.

The one way traffic continued from the out set of the second half. Tom Gillbard caught his second ball of the game to score his second try, a remarkable record, which Taylor converted. Mark Davy deservedly got himself on the score sheet, a just reward for a tremendous display. Not only will he be applying for a pilot's licence, such is his height in the line out, but his effort around the pitch is beginning to embarress his back row. Taylor again converted. Arch poacher Jon Strand intercepted the pass from line out to scrum half for Liskeard's sixth and Matt Twornicki at No 8 rounded off a fine selfless display to score number 7 after several team mates greedily failed to pass the ball with spare, unmarked players outside. Taylor converted to finish with twenty points from a powerful performance.

Overall a good effort bearing in mind the rustiness and Tom Gillbard leaving his hands at home. The portents for the future are good.

Bude probably at HOME this weekend due to their lack of pitch confirmation Wednesday night. Kick off 11am, spectators welcome, hot drinks pitch side. . . . . Roger Gailer