CAMELFORD had a full squad of players for this home game and kicked off with the slope advantage.

For the first 15 minutes Camelford were encamped in the Liskeard-Looe half, but Liskeard-Looe were to open the scoring with a penalty in front of the posts. From their only break out of their half, in this opening period, the visitors were awarded the kick which was easily converted.

"The Ford" were spurred into action and immediately got a penalty in a similar position, which Craig Thompson duly slotted. At this stage Camelford were taking the game to Liskeard-Looe and were in the ascendancy going down the Tintagel slope.

With only 18 minutes gone Camelford lost flanker, and key lineout man, Josh Parker to a nasty ankle injury. Veteran and diminutive 'Bilbo' Osborne (normally a scrum half) was called off the bench to take the flanker role.

Moments later hooker Ross Colwell had to leave the fray with a damaged elbow. This resulted in a reshuffle in the pack and Steve Knight moved from second row to hooker and Tim Williams from No 8 to the 2nd row. James Cowling (a winger) came on to flank with Osborne moving to attempt the No 8 job.

Camelford continued to attack and Steve Knight was all but over for a try next to the post but was somehow held up by the desperate but effective Liskeard defence. The 7 points that would have resulted from this, would have given the "Ford" a good lead at this stage in the game.

Liskeard-Looe were able to exert more and more pressure on the home team, mainly due to the enforced change. They were now more able to control the set pieces. Liskeard began to run the ball more freely through their elusive fly half and centres and they used their big loose forwards to drive hard at the Camelford defence.

Camelford were not about to capitulate and got another kickable penalty and another 3 points for Thompson. With a 6 points to 3 lead the "Ford" turned round at half time ready for the up hill battle against a highly experienced Liskeard-Looe pack. Time and again Liskeard were pushed back as they attempted to break the Camelford line as the "Ford" defended with commitment and heart.

Another good break by the visitors fly half and centre eventually resulted in an unconverted try. At 8 points to 6 the game swung the visitors way despite the spirit shown by the "Fords" makeshift pack.

Camelford had another blow when flanker and lineout thrower Tom Cole had to leave the pitch with almost 20 minutes left. The home team were now down to 14 men for the remainder of the match. Up to this point Camelford had been able to secure their own line out ball but the departure of their lineout thrower meant that this phase of the game became more of a lottery.Camelford still managed to repel most of the strong attacks through gallant and committed tackling.

Unfortunately the away team's superior numbers in the pack began to inflict damage on the now understrength Camelford boys. From a scrum 15 metres out and with only five minutes to play the inevitable No 8 drive worked for Liskeard and they sealed their win with a well taken try, which again went unconverted - 13 ponts to 6 in Liskeard-Looe's favour.

Whilst every Camelford player deserves praise for their efforts and determination a special mention goes to debutant Tom Layton who played well at loose head and to Man of the Match Tommy Swale who defended so well on the left wing.

Camelford: Tom Layton, Ross Colwell, Jon Ponting, Steve Knight, Chris Stevens, Josh Parker, Tom Cole, Tim Williams, Will Baker, Ashley Morgan, Tom Swale, Scott Thompson, Jamie 'Jiz' Evans, Chris Clark and Craig Thompson (2 penalty kicks). Replacements: Nic Osborne for Josh Parker (18 minutes) and James Cowling for Ross Colwell (20 minutes).