Truro School 1st XV 16
Kelly College 1st XV 12
Traditionally, this has always been a battle between the Truro 10-man rugby against the more flamboyant 15-man Kelly style and Saturday proved to be no different.
Truro kicked off and immediately announced their intentions by steamrolling the Kelly forwards. The first scrummage was equally bruising and the first Kelly line out and ruck situation were successfully negated by the Cornishman.
In the first 18 minutes, Kelly only escaped from their 22 for kick offs after two successful Truro penalties. However, the line was not breached and gradually the Kelly forwards rose to the challenge. The scrums became increasingly steady, the lineout produced some quality ball and the Kelly started to hit the rucks aggression. A young pack, containing six members of the Lower Sixth had not yet met such an aggressive opposition pack and the experience although painful at the time should reap great benefits.
The game changed when full back Oliver Pitts took a quick lineout on the Kelly 22. The ball was moved wide swiftly and with the Truro defence disorganised, Pitts was able to glide in for an exceptional task near the Truro posts. Richard Wood added the conversion and Kelly had the lead 7-6.
From the kick off, Bourne secured quick ball deep in the Kelly 22. It was fed into midfield and Alistair Brown made a searing break up to the halfway.
From the tackle, the ball was recycled quickly and Mark Slee jinked through the Truro defenders to feed Paul Lidster for a fabulous score only for the referee to adjudge the final pass forward.
The Kelly backs continued to threaten every time they had the ball but the Truro forwards continued to press.
In the second half, Truro camped on the Kelly line for well over a quarter of an hour, but exceptional defence kept them at bay. However, from the penalty five metres out, the Truro captain forced his way over and although he appeared to hit the corner flag before grounding the ball, the try was awarded. The conversion was added and Truro led 13-7.
Unfortunately the conversion was missed and two minutes later, Truro added a penalty after an infringement in a ruck.
The final whistle brought much joy to the home side, but Kelly can take great comfort from the quality of their performance and from the spirit and determination shown.
Devon Schools 18 Group 29
Devon Clubs 18 Group 3
IN atrocious weather the Schools and the Clubs locked horns in the annual match at West Buckland School.
Wind, rain and hail made continuity difficult, but the surprisingly large crowd saw an encouragingly high skill level from both sides.
Clubs took an early lead with a well-struck penalty from halfway, but this was to be their only score as the Schools tightened their grip.
Schools were captained by Kelly 1st XV skipper Paul Lidster and the squad included a further ten players from the college.
Tries were scored by Henry Weekes, Robin Yeoman, Chris Hooper (2) and Jonathan Bourne, with Richard Wood and Mark Slee adding conversions.