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HELD UP: Helston find it difficult to make progress against a solid defence

HELSTON 0pts

Yellow card: G Pallett

PLYMSTOCK ALBION OAKS 24pts

Tries: A Hodge, G Bater (2), L Colton

Conversions: D Byng (2)

Yellow card: G Bater

HELSTON'S bid to create history by winning promotion to the Cornwall and Devon League ended in disappointment at the King George V Field when they went down to a 24 point to nil defeat to Plymstock Albion Oaks Optimism was high before the clash with the Devon I runners-up from Plymouth, but there can be no complaints after the visitors put the home team to the sword.

The major difference between the sides was the PAOs took points from their visits to the Helston 22 whilst in contrast, on the few occasions that the home side threatened, they spilled the ball.

There was no lack of effort by a home side that gave a committed performance, but they lacked the all-round game of PAOs who got the basics right and never offered a chance of their own making to their opponents.

Unfortunately, Helston were found wanting in crucial areas and none more so than in the kicking game where fly-half Martin Mullins had one of those days that he will want to forget.

His day, perhaps, was best summed after Oaks had scored their final try. Kicking to restart the game, the ball not only failed to go the ten metres but went backwards into Helston's own half from which the Oaks then had a scrum on halfway.

There were some plus points with Helston's young full back James McInnes coming into a pressure cooker of a game and giving a display that belied his 17 years of age. His catching under the high ball was impeccable and he was never afraid to let loose and take on the opposition with some pacy breaks.

Although having parity with the forwards the opposition controlled the territory throughout most of the match and Helston were also guilty of turning over the ball on contact with the opposition.

Helston flanker Guy Pallett, however, was everywhere, especially around the fringes, and at times it was only his elusive, darting runs that offered Helston a glimmer of a chance, but it wasn't to be as PAOs deservedly earned the right to promotion with a solid foundation laid by the pack, especially flanker Dave Byng and number 9 Scott Williams.

NO FEAR: Helston's 17-year-old full-back James McInnes makes a break from deep inside his own half as he looks for a gap in the Oaks defence

After weathering early pressure from Helston, the OPOs broke away and after four minutes were awarded a penalty when Helston were caught offside. Dave Byng made a good fist of it, but the tricky wind took the ball just wide of the posts.

Another good move saw PAOs set themselves up wide out and when the ball came back it was swept to the other side of the pitch where Byng straightened up the move and off-loaded in the tackle to winger Andy Hodges who touched down in the corner.

Despite a good effort Byng missed with the conversion.

Guy Pallett was everywhere for Helston and he pulled off two bone-shuddering tackles when felling two of the barnstorming Oaks props.

PAOs had another chance to extend their lead in the 32nd minute when Helston were penalised for not rolling away at the tackle, but despite kicking well Byng was unable to judge the swirling wind as the ball passed just outside the uprights.

Helston's problems deepened four minutes into injury time when they failed to make any ground from a penalty award in their own 22. PAOs won possession from the line out and attacked infield where after momentarily being held up Williamson broke clear and slipped the ball to Gareth Bater who touched down under the posts. Byng, this time, made no mistake with the conversion to push PAOs out into a 12-0 half-time lead.

There was still optimism for Helston at the start of the second half as they again put the visitors under pressure, but as in the first half they were unable to execute their moves.

Helston had a lucky escape in the 51st minute when Mullins, in his own in-goal area, had his kick charged down but Helston escaped with a five metre scrum.

Not for the first time, Helston stole the ball when it was needed, but a poor pass by Mullins landed at the feet of Colin Taylor who could do little but knock it on. The referee played advantage and it came as no surprise that Williams should emerge from a maul to set up Bater to touch down under the posts for Byng to add the extras.

Helston suffered a blow when the influential Pallett was yellow carded in the 72nd minute, but two minutes later it really was all over for Helston as in another sweeping crossfield move Tichias slipped the ball to Hodges who then gave Lee Colton enough room to squeeze in at the corner.

The conversion was missed, but 24-0 was more than even OPOs could have expected before kick off.

In the fourth minute of injury time Bater was also yellow carded and with time rapidly running out Helston launched one last offensive to get points on the board, but again it was wasted following some flat running and poor handling at the crucial moment allied to the inability to find a way througha solid defence.

It was an entertaining game played in good spirit, but it will have left Helston wondering why they could not have made a much bigger impression in what was their biggest game since playing at Twickenham.

Helston team manager, Dave "Daisy" Adams was philosophical about the defeat: "We were beaten by a better side today - they just out muscled us in the contact area and took their chances clinically.

"Looking at our long-term plans, this was a season too early for us and although we were hopeful of a victory it was not to be.

"We now start planning for next season with the knowledge that we must concentrate and consolidate the squad in order to compete in a higher league."

Helston: J McInnes, B Williams, S Rendall, D Lockey, C Taylor, M Mullins, M Jilbert, J Kitto, G Pallett, L Hoskin, D Gibert, D Stanley, W Curtis, M Jenkin (captain), R Kitto. Reps: S Blandford, R Williams, B Lambrick.

Old Public Oaks: A Pabons, L Colton, A Hodges, B Hart, M Hatcliffe, P Davies, G Bater, S Williams, M Sicalo, D Byng, S Light, J Rees, J Tichias, A Webb, G Murphy. Reps: M Watson, T Such, B Tunnicliffe.

Helston: J McInnes, B Williams, S Rendall, D Lockey, C Taylor, M Mullins, M Jilbert, J Kitto, G Pallett, L Hoskin, D Gibert, D Stanley, W Curtis, M Jenkin (captain), R Kitto. Reps: S Blandford, R Williams, B Lambrick.

Plymstock Albion Oaks: A Parsons, L Colton, A Hodges, B Hart, M Hatcliffe, P Davies, G Bater, S Williams, M Sicalo, D Byng, S Light, J Rees, J Tichias, A Webb, G Murphy. Reps: M Watson, T Such, B Tunnicliffe.

10:24am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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