TRURO 6pts Hayle 15pts

HAYLE pulled off the upset of the day in the first round of the Skinner's Brwery Cornwall Knockout Cup when they defeated cupholders Truro on their own patch at St Clements Hill.

Truro won the trophy following their win 27-20 win against Penryn at Redruth last season.

This was a tremendous team display by the Hayle side and now Tony Cook and his "Lions" will feature in the second round draw, something which has not taken place in recent seasons.

Truro, out at the first hurdle, can have few complaints on the day.

With skipper Simon Pollard leading his side well, Hayle, against opponents who are two league above them, have confounded the critics.

With a two try to nil count, the evidence was there for all to see.

Top points scorer Kevin Mankee scored ten very telling points.

The work of player/coach Tony Cook and his staff, with Jon Bowden very much in evidence, deserve a special pat on their backs.

Hayle worked hard from start to finish and everyone contributed to what was a superb result for the club.

Hayle soon adapted to the dreadful conditions in a match refereed by Cornwall's number one David May.

Prop Dave Moyle helped provide good scrum ball and at times was disruptive in the Hayle in the line out.

Moves with the very slippery ball repeatedly came to grief in midfield where the visitors were well served by the excellent play of Pollard and Jamie Moore.

Scrum half dynamo Blaine Kearey began began his rugby with Penzance, but since joining the "Lions" with his brother Liam, has been very much a key player despite his small stature.

His half-back partner Kevin Mankee, took over with the goal kicking duties from the prolific points scorer Paul Lello.

Jamie Carauna kicked a penalty to give Truro an early lead, but after 25 minutes of dour play skipper Pollard pounced on a home mistake to score which Mankee converted from the edge of the touchline.

Mankee twice saw lofty kicks unluckily rebound off the uprights and from a second close range penalty award Carauna pulled back another three points.

After Truro's early second half pressure, was contained, Hayle'sl ions began to roar.

With Damien Cook, the Hayle player/ coach in the second row, plus good throws by hooker Symons, Hayle's confidence grew further. Backrow player Tom Thatcher won line out ball with support from the all-action Scott Mungles and Luke Ellis.

Mankee with a mighty kick landed a telling penalty goal for a four-point lead, in the 62nd minute and Truro, who became frustrated, began to make mistakes. Hayle's defence was watertight and the covering superb.

The killer blow was delivered in the 67th minute when Mankee charged down a kick in midfield. He then took a very deft reverse pass from Hollow to scamper over for a try which he was unable to convert from the corner.

At the final whistle nobody on the ground doubted Hayle's right to a place in the fourth round draw which will be made live on local radio on Saturday.

Scorers - Truro - pens: Carauna (2). Hayle - tries: Pollard and Mankee; pen: Mankee; con: Mankee.