Group D finished in style

Last Saturday saw the final Cornwall Clubs Cup Group D game for Bodmin and penultimate for Lankelly-Fowey take place in glorious sunshine with a fourteen try feast for the visitors.

Bodmin started superbly with a great kick off gathered well by winger Morgan Jope. The ball was then recycled quickly and advanced deep into the home 22. Once more quickly recycled ball then saw outside centre Paul Carter burst through a tackle to open the days scoring. Winger Cody Armstrong unable to add the conversion.

The away side then rapidly added another score as immediately from receiving the kick off the ball was sent wide, full back Dan Pooley scything through the defence to race from one 22 to the other. Again quick phases kept the Lankelly defence on the back foot before Bodmin worked the blindside well. Scrum half Scott Helgesen feeding Openside Flanker Ollie Wendon coming round the corner to squeeze in for a try. Armstrong was unable to convert from the touchline.

Lankelly would be next on the scoreboard for their sole score as the visiting defence had crept offside as the forwards battled at the maul. A wind assisted penalty was slotted by the Lankelly fly half from 35 metres.

Bodmin were soon back on the attack though as Aaron Pengelly crossed for the first of his two tries. A superb angle at pace resulting in the Inside Centre crashing through the defensive line and over the whitewash. The conversion was missed.

A fourth try wasn't too long in coming but Bodmin had been guilty of wasting a few chances in the prelude, dropped ball the main cause, in a fast paced offloading game. Hugely encouraging for the Clifden Park side though was their impressive scrummaging against a formidable and much larger pack. A number of times the Bodmin eight forced their opposition back and even took four against the head over the course of the game.

It be would be Armstrong to cross for the fourth try as the winger raced past the covering defence as once more Bodmin's wide game caused all kinds of problems for their hosts. The conversion was pushed wide.

Bodmin were creating gaps all over the field as Lankelly's defence was stretched and shifted from one side of the pitch to the other. It was such a gap that Seb Williams burst through before streaking clear to touchdown and add a fifth try. Armstrong added the extras.

The final score of the half then came as Bodmin's good rucking created easy ball for Helgesen time and time again. With such fantastic ball attacking was simple, and when Wendon fed Williams an inside pass, not a finger was laid on the hooker as he cruised round under the posts. Armstrong adding the conversion from right in front for a half time score of 3-34.

Bodmin came out with the same intensity for the second half and were soon ticking the scoreboard over again as a wonderful dummy from Helgesen split the home defence before he unselfishly drew the full back and created a clear run to the line for Mark Trevarthen. Armstrong added his third conversion.

The Cornwall One sides next score came as Lankelly overthrew a lineout which was well gathered by Liam Thomas. The second row then surged towards the try line before offloading to Matt Orton in support who crossed the line. The conversion was narrowly wide.

Bodmin were now in full flow and both props then got in on the action as first tighthead Guy Taylor benefitted from great support play to score against his old club. Shortly afterwards the tireless Jack Rutty cut back against the drifting defence to score under the posts and make it a full house of front row scorers, to go along with their excellent set piece efforts. Armstrong knocking over the conversion.

Williams then completed his hat trick to make it five front row tries as the hooker broke through a couple of tiring defenders to burst to the try line and score his third and Bodmin's eleventh try. The conversion was missed.

Pengelly then added his second with another fantastically angled run to shrug off the tackle of his opposite number and dot down besides the posts. Armstrong converted.

The tireless Jope was then finally rewarded for a huge number of carries as the ball broke his way to see an overlap easily worked to Jope, the spare man. The winger touching down for Bodmin's penultimate try. Armstrong converting for a personal 17 point tally.

The final try of the day came through replacement back rower Jamie Mayes as he showed a clean pair of heels to dive over in the corner as the visitors created and clinically utilised another overlap. The conversion was pushed just wide but it made little difference as Bodmin celebrated qualifying to the quarter finals with a fantastic performance.

Next week Bodmin host Thornbury 2nds (2.30pm) in a friendly before waiting to see other results to determine who their quarter final opponents will be.

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

Replacements: R Edyvean, J Mayes

Harbour Brewing Co. Man of the Match: Guy Taylor