Roseland arrived at the Rec in good spirits, lying third in the Counties 3 Tribute league, having won two and drawn one in their previous outings, writes Danny Trick.

While the Eagles 2XV, with a game in hand, arrived confidently to kick off, having won last week away to Bude, winning one and narrowly loosing to Lankelly-Fowey, there was something to prove, as the sun shone, temperatures raised and the battle of the Carrick roads commenced, with personal rivalries renewed.

For the first 20 minutes the packs went to work camped on the halfway line with neither team giving too much away in territory, and the bulk of Roseland edging forward ever so slightly.

It was Falmouth though who would start to edge away, playing with expanse and width, led from the front through pack captain Cam Hopkins and vice Captain Scott Dunstan.

They spread the ball in open play through the welcome return of the likes of Ned Laity who snipped all afternoon at nine, Joe Carmichael, Greg Pooley in the centres and Phil Morgan and Pyper Egerton on the wings. Cam Bullock at fly half continued to orchestrate waves of attack with astute passes and will be missed next week.

Roseland, who remained competitive throughout, were unable to break the defence of Falmouth who never looked troubled, and Rose will be ruing one touchdown that never was, as a player mistook the five metre line for the try-line, much to Falmoth's relief.

The Eagles went in 24-7 to the better at half time, having missed several opportunities to score, one on the line by captain Tug Wilson in the dying moments of the half, while some very kickable conversions were also missed in front of the sticks.

With 20minutes to go a high tackle by centre Joe Carmichael resulted in a yellow card, forcing the Eagles to reshuffle and bring on the bomb squad of Tricky and Pondy to bring experience to the defensive duties, while still a man down.

Near the end of the game some wayward kicking from tired legs gave Roseland one more opportunity to score out wide from 40 yards with a scrambling Fal defence unable to halt a rampant Roseland forward.

Falmouth, who won convincingly, will be asking questions why more points weren't scored, but can be happy with the win and the bonus point which takes them to fourth in the league as they head up to Saltash next weekend.

With some key players unavailable for the away fixture, it will be a real test for captain Tug Wilson.

Tries: Greg Pooley 2, Cam Bullock 1, Pyper Egerton 2, Ned Laity 1. Conversions: Phil Morgan 1, Ned Laity 1.