This past Saturday saw Bodmin host an impressive Lanner side in a warm up game, before heading into the Cornwall Clubs Cup Quarter Final against Perranporth next week.

The recently reformed Lanner travelled to Bodmin on the back of a season of fine form, having only lost to Launceston 2nds this season. It would be the visitors who would start the brighter of the two teams as well as a number of big carries took the game to Bodmin. The home side's defence was solid though and absorbed the opening barrages well before finally managing to string some significant possession together.

The tides turned and Bodmin applied a period of real pressure on their opposition, camping in the Lanner 22. The first 20 minutes of the game saw resolute defence from both sides though, neither side able to break the deadlock.

That was until the Clifden Park side's pressure finally told with an attacking five metre scrum powerfully surging towards the try line. Cynically the Lanner back row broke off early to stop the inevitable resulting in the referee running under the posts to award a penalty try. Winger Cody Armstrong converting for a 7-0 lead.

The opening exchanges had seen a high intensity and physicality that didn't drop at any point in the 80 minutes. Lanner responding well to going behind by launching an increased number of powerful runners at the home defence.

Bodmin looked to be holding firm though before they had a penalty reversed against them inside their own 22 for needless back chat. The Lanner scrum half taking the opportunity to tap and go and advance agonisingly close to the whitewash. Bodmin did well to repel a number of pick and goes from the Lanner forwards right on the try line but the hosts couldn't stop the final surge as Lanner creeped over the line for the five pointer. The conversion was pulled wide of the uprights.

Lanner sensed a momentum change and with the first forty drawing to a close the visitors grabbed a second try and crucially the lead shortly before half time. With a good platform set by the forwards, the Lanner backline benefitted from quick front foot ball to work towards the try line. Some typical dogged defence from Bodmin slowed the attacks but Lanner were able to recycle the ball effectively and cross right in the corner for their second try. The conversion was again missed to leave the sides separated by just 3 points as the half drew to a close.

With the game finely poised both teams threw everything they had at each other with, just as the opening 25 minutes of the first half, both defences coming out on top until the final 15 minutes. Then Bodmin made the crucial breakthrough as a penalty on the half way was kicked to the corner. However the touchline was missed but a great chase by blindside Matt Orton saw the Lanner full back tackled into touch to give the hosts the desired result.

The ensuing lineout saw Bodmin gather the ball and launch a driving maul. The forwards powered towards the try line in search of the lead and with a little help from some enthusiastic backs got over the line. Orton coming out from the bottom of the pile to be congratulated by his teammates. The conversion narrowly going across the face of the posts from out wide.

With little over ten minutes to go and the game balanced on a knife edge Bodmin showed their intelligence by playing a territorial game, pinning Lanner inside their own half and trusting their defence to carry on making their tackles, as they had done all day long.

This territorial game then presented the hosts with a chance as a perfectly weighted kick from fly half Mark Trevarthen forced the Lanner full back to take the ball back over his own try line and give Bodmin an attacking five metre scrum.

Bodmin exerted the full force of their pack but the visitors held out well with their backs against the wall. The home side refused to let Lanner off the hook and out of their 22 though. Another forceful driving maul saw the home side marching towards the try line and once again the backline were quick to add their weight to the drive. Number 8 Lee Taylor controlled well at the back and enjoyed a simple touchdown to importantly extend the lead to 7 points. The conversion was narrowly wide leaving the game still finely poised with just six minutes remaining.

With just a converted try separating the two sides in the closing minutes, Lanner failed to find a way back into the game to test Bodmin's nerves. The Cornwall One side retaining possession effectively and then continuing to pin their west Cornwall opponents deep in their own half. Then with the final play of an enthralling match replacement prop Andy Trevarthen turned the ball over before it was shifted wide to winger Ali MacPhee who when destined for a try in the corner was tackled round the neck to prevent the inevitable score. A second penalty try was thus awarded with Armstrong adding the conversion to wrap up a wonderful 24-10 victory.

With Bodmin heading into a tough Cornwall Clubs Cup Quarter Final away to Perranporth on Saturday and the Cornwall/Devon Promotion Playoff at home to Totnes at the end of April this was just the warm up required.

Bodmin 2nds also enjoyed an impressive win at Clifden Park on Saturday as they defeated Cornwall Two's Lankelly-Fowey 26-17 with tries from wingers Ryan Jenkin (2), and Tom Shaw as well as tighthead prop TJ Hicks. Fly half Ashley Carter converting three of the four tries to complete a fantastic day at Bodmin RFC.

Team: J Rutty, S Williams, G Taylor, J Day, L Thomas, M Orton, O Wendon, L Taylor (c), S Helgesen, M Trevarthen, A MacPhee, A Pengelly, P Carter, C Armstrong, D Pooley

Replacements: A Trevarthen, M Cunniffe

Harbour Brewing Co. Man of the Match: Matt Orton

Bodmin RFC

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