Lions off the mark with fine home display against Falmouth

THE promise which had been obvious during their earlier encounters came to fruition on Saturday as the Lions recorded their first win of the new season.

In trying conditions for both sides, the first quarter of the game was evenly-contested. Liskeard-Looe started well and made inroads onto Falmouth territory but were denied by a stout visiting defence. As the half progressed, the away side started to gain the upper hand and it was the home rearguard which came under scrutiny.

Despite the weather, both sides were able to put together some entertaining moves and just before half-time the hosts encamped in the Falmouth 22.

The home pack became dominant, and it seemed that on several occasions they would force themselves over the line, only to be denied, but not always legally. They were awarded a series of penalties and on 35 minutes from a scrum seven yards out, pushed the Falmouth pack back for No.8 Adam Dack to pick up at the base and score a well-deserved try which went unconverted.

The start of the second half was a fruitful period for the home team as they took control of possession and territory. This pressure resulted in a scrum 40 yards out from the line where they won the ball. Dack made a good break, beating several men in the process before offloading to centre Ieuan Evans, who ran in under the posts. Skipper Callum Beaver added the extras for 12-0.

Liskeard-Looe remained in control of the game, but the Eagles, always dangerous, made several breaks and were only prevented from scoring by resolute tackling.

At both scrum and line-out time the home side performed well, and with strong running by Dack, Mike Prowse, Cian Goldsmith and Kieran Knight, backed up by good rucking, kept the impetus and pressure on. The reward came midway through the half when, after some splendid open play and determined running, back-row forward Will Hoskin scored another try under the posts, again converted by Beaver.

Falmouth never gave up and on occasions forced play into the Liskeard-Looe half, but were always repulsed by efficient tackling, cover and counter-attack.

The result was put beyond any doubt in the 78th minute when once again the red and blacks made inroads into the visiting half. After recycling the ball several times, it was hooker Goldsmith that went over for the bonus-point try, which was the last score of the afternoon.

All in all it was a first-class effort by the whole team under trying weather conditions to secure a thoroughly deserved win, one which saw Dack take the man-of-the-match award despite several others being in the frame.

The Lions, who moved up to eighth in the Counties Two Cornwall table, are back in action on Saturday when they visit St Austell Seconds who have yet to win so far (2.30pm).

LISKEARD-LOOE: Kieran Underhill; James Rogers, Jack Badnall, Ieuan Evans, Kieran Knight; Callum Beaver (capt), Jay Mason; Oscar Mortimer, Cian Goldsmith, Jack Wilton; Yestin Hutchings, Mike Prowse; Billy Warner, Will Hoskin, Adam Dack. Replacements: Dan Lethbridge, Billy Edwards, Sean Simmons, James Noel-Johnson.

Tries: Dack, Evans, Hoskin, Goldsmith; Convs: Beaver (2); Pens: N/A.

Lions’ man-of-the-match: Adam Dack.