WHAT started off as an alcohol-fuelled challenge at the Liskeard and District Sports Club seven years ago has now blossomed into an annual match between Liskeard-Looe Rugby Club and Liskeard Athletic Football Club.

The only rule is that all players play in both matches, which obviously led to many tactical substitutions so that some of the heavier rugby forwards did not play the whole of the football game.

Despite a strong start in the football from the rugby players – who nearly netted the opening goal – from then on it was one-way traffic as the footballers went on to triumph 6-0.

In fact, it was only some spectacular saves by Lions goalkeeper Marcus Hill that kept the scoreline reasonable.

With the weather taking a turn for the worse, hail, sleet and a high wind welcomed the Football Club onto the rugby pitch.

Play was end-to-end early on, but the heavy conditions soon started to have an effect.

Liskeard-Looe managed to score four tries in the first half, meaning they needed only two tries in the second period to secure an overall victory against their footballing counterparts.

They duly managed that feat in the final five minutes, scoring the winning try for a 7-6 success on the day.

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