Saturday saw the fourth clash this season between Cornwall One's top two teams, as Bodmin hosted Liskeard in a keenly contested physical Cornwall Clubs Cup Group D game.

The home side started the game in the ascendancy as they controlled early possession, and crossed the line twice within the first five minutes only to have both scores ruled out, one for an earlier forward pass and one for a knock on.

It wouldn't be long before Bodmin did successfully touchdown though as captain Mark Trevarthen made a superb break through the heart of the Liskeard defence before drawing in the covering full back and floating a pass out to the on rushing Paul Carter who cantered in to open the scoring. Alistair MacPhee adding the extras for a 7-0 advantage.

Liskeard however responded well and managed to turn the tables and dominate possession and territory to pin Bodmin within their own 22. The home defence held out well with some excellent scrambling defence to deny the Cornwall One champions as Liskeard continuously rumbled towards the try line through their impressive pack.

It would be Liskeard's larger pack that would eventually provide the breakthrough for the visitors as an attacking scrum on Bodmin's five metre line was marched forward for Liskeard scrum half Andy Sheer to dot down at the feet of his number 8. James Noel-Johnson adding the conversion to tie the scores.

Liskeard then continued to control possession and the pace of the game denying Bodmin the chance to accelerate the contest and attack out wide through their dangerous looking back line.

The visitors pressure then told as wave after wave of forward surge eventually saw winger Kieran Murchison force his way over from short range. Noel-Johnson adding the extras for a 14-7 lead.

Bodmin were defending well but with Liskeard enjoying so much of the possession and territory it was hard work for the home side to maintain any notable phases to prevent the oncoming attacks. Liskeard again launched a number of forward runners deep inside the Bodmin 22 which the home side impressively repelled. However with the home defence sucked in tight, Liskeard shipped the ball wide for Murchison to run in unopposed on the opposite side of the field. This time Noel-Johnson hooked the conversion wide of the uprights.

The halftime whistle sounded and with Liskeard having controlled the majority of possession they led 19-7 at the break.

Bodmin came out for the second half determined to get back to how they had started the game, with ball in hand and taking the game to their opponents.

The Clifden Park side started to up the tempo and Liskeard struggled to legally stem the flow of attacks, a number of penalties were awarded in quick succession before Bodmin opted to take a shot at goal once they were within striking range. Hands in the ruck the offence that granted MacPhee a 35 metre penalty. The winger successfully kicked the points to narrow the deficit to within a score.

The half then continued with both teams trying to grab that all important score, Bodmin determined to play a quick expansive game versus Liskeard's ever present powerful forward game. Ultimately it would be the visiting forwards that got the vital score as a strong driving maul motored towards the try line and saw prop Phil Morford at the bottom of the pile. Noel-Johnson was then unable to convert.

With 15 minutes to go and two scores between the sides Bodmin searched desperately to narrow the deficit. Their cause was then helped as Liskeard winger Ben Kitto tackled the man without the ball and was given ten minutes in the sin bin.

Knowing a kick at posts would not be enough at this stage of the game Bodmin pressed for the try they required. It wouldn't be until Liskeard were back to a full compliment that Bodmin would strike though. A penalty move straight off the training ground saw centre Andrew Coad break Liskeard's resolute defence and cross the whitewash. MacPhee subsequently adding the extras to bring the home side back within a converted try.

Bodmin quickly returned to collect the ensuing kick off only for the referee to blow the full time whistle and seal a hard fought 24-17 victory to Liskeard, leaving the Lions in control of Group D.

This weekend Bodmin travel to Camelford (2.30pm) looking to return to winning ways and build some momentum leading into the knockout stages of the competition.

Team: J Rutty, M Roberts, G Taylor, J Day, D Cullip, S Williams, O Wendon, M Orton, S Helgesen, M Trevarthen (c), A MacPhee, A Coad, P Carter, A Pengelly, D Pooley

Replacements: A Trevarthen, D Jenkinson, M Hawken, R Jenkin

Tries: Carter, Coad
Conversions: MacPhee (2)
Penalty: MacPhee