Final score: Withycombe RFC 13-10 Liskeard-Looe

With the game getting underway and the slope in their favour, Withy were keen on a quick start. However, Liskeard were also just as keen too and with receiving the ball from the kick off, they played some good rugby to work the ball deep into the Withy 22'.

With the defence not willing to give away early points, they rallied together to prevent any scoring and forced Liskeard out wide and eventually into touch; the following lineout was won, and Withy averted any further danger.

With more time on the ball, Withies managed to make some ground of their own and enjoyed some time in the opposition half.

Pressure turned into points after 10min when Tom Cooke opted for the posts from an offside penalty to put the boys 3-0 up.

With the close nature of the game soon becoming apparent, the scores were levelled just five minutes later when Liskeard too went for the points option in a similar position from a penalty.

Withycombe extended their lead shortly after when a great rolling maul was set up from a 10m line out. With the ball walking over the line, it came down to Max Cooke to crash down and score the opening try of the game down in the corner of Brook End.

One again though, this wasn't to last as once again, the visiting Cornishmen pushed on back up the field and found themselves in a fortuitous position when a Withy clearing kick landed in the hands of Winger Billy Edwards who ran unopposed to the try line and score a converted try to put them in the lead for the first time.

In typical fashion for the game though, Withy fought back once again and when they found themselves back at the Liskeard 5m line with a line out, all that was needed was to set up a good catch and drive; this time, Jack Sharland managed to break away unnoticed for the final metre and score to put Withy back ahead and bring the score to 13-10 at half time.

With the second half getting underway, the Withy defence saw themselves tested quickly as Liskeard advanced down the hill and towards our line – however with a double movement by the visitors at a vital moment meant that Withy were awarded the penalty and could clear the imminent danger and head back up the pitch. This early threat reawakened our boys who managed to then keep the play largely in the Liskeard half for the next 15 minutes or so.

With little more than ten minutes left on the clock, Withy were keen to put more points on the board and a good break from Mike Richards looked to have done just that as he launched over the line, however with no clear grounding seen by the referee, the decision was 'held up', handing possession back to Liskeard.

Soon after this though the Withies were back on the try line at Clubhouse Corner, they battled and battled but couldn't quite get through the defensive wall. During this period of defence, Liskeard Captain James Johnson was handed a yellow card.

Pressure was averted when Liskeard earned a couple of penalties and kicked their way down the field and into the Withy 22'. This territorial advantage meant that Liskeard had a good opportunity to steal the win at the last minute, but the Withy defence managed to stay strong and despite losing Tom Cooke to the bin after 85 minutes (5 minutes into added time!) they managed to hold strong through the countless phases of attack deep in the 22' and when the ball was lost forward in the ruck, every Withy fan could breathe a huge sigh of relief as the whistle finally blew to bring an end to proceedings and give Withycombe a much-needed win at home.

Today brought out a much-improved performance from the boys after a difficult start to 2022 and losing several players to injury. The boys can take this win and work on it with a couple of training sessions before we make the short journey up the road for derby day next weekend with what will be a tough game against second-placed Topsham.