Under 16 Rugby

Liskeard-Looe 36 Saltash 0

A much-anticipated local derby match between rivals Liskeard-Looe and Saltash took place on the tail end of Storm Callum.

Having won against the Ashes twice last season the Lions expected the Ashes would be out to exact their revenge.

It wasn’t to be as the Lions, on the bounce back from three tough matches, were not about to make it easy.

An opening attack by Saltash was easily thwarted by the invigorated Lions backs and turned over into an effective attack resulting in an early try for the Lions thanks to Fred Lewis.

The Ashes tried hard to even up but were again fended off repeatedly either by the backs or hitting the brick wall of the Liskeard forwards.

James Slater, playing a very effective No 8 and fresh from converting the last try, was next to score leaving the Lions 12-0 up at half-time.

Lions went on the attack straight from the start of the second half and effectively put the Ashes on the back foot for the rest of the game.

Next up was a classic props try from Max Dennison, driving through the defenders and over the line.

It became clear that the Ashes forwards were getting exhausted by their opposite numbers’ constant pressure, size and immense power in the line outs and in the increasingly ragged scrums.

Penalties were given away by both sides with only Saltash really suffering the effects by receiving so many and not using those they won to any effect.

James Slater ran with this pressure, scoring again from the back of a rolling maul, in itself off the back of a line out.

James’ brother Callum added to the aptly-named storm to follow up with the next two tries to uphold the honour of the backs.

If last season’s scores were satisfying, this result was emphatic.

Delivered as a team, anything is possible with this level of commitment, with forwards and backs working together.

More rugby coverage in the print edition of the Cornish Times, out today.