NEARLY but not quite. This much anticipated game between this years U-15s cup finalists and this years U-15s plate finalists took place at Polson Bridge on Sunday. The weather yet again played a huge part in the way the game had to be played. With storm force winds combined with hail and rain, players on both sides battled to produce a game of some merit.

The Liskeard game plan was to release their back line at any given opportunity, whilst Launceston, taking into consideration the weather and pitch conditions played to their strengths by keeping the ball tight and using their forward power as often as possible.

With only 15 boys available on the day, what with sickness and other commitments, Launceston realised that no injuries could occur and hence the team play was admirable, and the tackling was text book, with special mention going to Chay who tackled his heart out.

Liskeard on the other hand had a squad of 22 and were continuously changing players in and out of the game to ensure fresh legs throughout.

The game see-sawed to and fro during the first half with the opening score going to Liskeard with a neat back line move seeing the visitors scoring in the corner. The high winds played havoc with kicking and led to no converted tries.

Launceston then camped for the rest of the half in the Liskeard 22 with numerous attempts through the forwards to cross the line and were eventually rewarded with a try by their No 8 Jack Grimes.

With the half time whistle fast approaching Liskeard managed to steal ball from the ruck and again through their centres fed quick ball to their wing who scraped over in the corner to bring the score to 10- 5.

The second half was dominated by the Launceston pack, not only at the breakdown, but also at scrums with a number of heels against the head, stealing lineout ball on opposition throw ins and generally stifling the opportunity for Liskeard to get any playable ball. On the odd occasion that the opposition managed to run the Launceston back line were up to the task and stopped every attack dead in the water.

Launceston managed to breach the Liskeard line when Kieran Fuller dived on to a loose ball only to discover that he had knocked on.

Further pressure from Launceston led to the last five minutes being played on Liskeards line, with two touch downs being deemed as held up. With the last play of the game and the line at the forwards' mercy they unfortunately knocked on and a very relieved Liskeard scum half kicked to touch for the final whistle.

This has probably been the best game the boys have played this season against supposedly one of the best U-15s side in Cornwall. We were certainly not phased by their reputation, and in fact Liskeard can count themselves lucky. The Liskeard coach commented 'your forwards are probably the best he has seen at this age group in Cornwall.'

Launceston: John Dawe (captain), Keiran Fuller, Dan Peterson, Perry Reid, Keiran Walker, Chay Hall, Tom Perring, Guy Webber, Jack Grimes, Dan Maddock, Harry Pooley, John Robbins, Max Bickle, Luke Plummer and Jake Watts.