BODMIN 3pts HeELSTON 15pts

HELSTON finally overcame a defiant Bodmin outfit 15-3 to secure a well-deserved brace of Cornwall League one victories.

Squad rotation found club captain Ross Williams appearing on the bench to allow namesakes Barry and Matt Williams to earn well deserved starting line ups on the wings.

The return from injury of hooker Matt Gorfin and scrum half Matt Jilbert further strengthened the visiting outfit.

The early exchanges saw some end-to-end rugby without any opening scores until 30 minutes into the first half when a driving maul from a line out resulted in a try for flanker Guy Pallett. Fly half Steve Trethowan was just wide with the conversion.

This proved to be the only score before half time.

Ill-discipline from the home side saw a couple of yellow cards brandished early in the second half and this allowed Helston to stretch their lead through a driving run from Gorfin before centre Dan Locky was yellow carded for a late tackle.

Bodmin hit back with a penalty from fly half Mark Trevarthen to reduce the score to 10-3. However Helston made a series of changes to introduce Ross Kitto, Ivon Lawson and Ross Williams. This input of fresh blood saw a surging Helston drive toward the line with a minute to go which resulted in another score for Pallett who by now had switched to scrum half.

This result not only makes Helston secure in division one but sets them up for their next league game against Liskeard and Looe on January 27.

They now also find themselves in the semi finals of the Skinner's Brewery Cornwall RFU Junior Clubs Cup competition where they play away and home games against Roseland. The winners will be decided by the highest aggregate score over the two legs.

Helston 2nds also earned a stirring victory in a merit table game against a Newquay 2nd XV outfit by 17 points to 5.

Second row Richard Bassett, Hooker Kevin Boulton and winger Alan Foster scored ties with fly half Rob Trembath adding one conversion.