Falmouth Rugby Club

Scrum half Tom Spiller steered his side to victory with two tries as Falmouth continued their excellent run of form with another bonus point win. The Eagles stay at the top of the Cornwall and Devon league, 9 points clear of nearest rival Saltash, with a game in hand.

The Eagles were missing a number of players and made 8 positional changes, centres Ben Ackner and Dave Jones, absent, along with flanker Simon Bailey and prop Brad Cock. Paddy Varker making a rare start at prop, Matt Brewer moved to flank with Owen Hambly and Tom Edmonds forming the centre partnership. Cornwall under 20, Seb Firth started at full back and Ian Rowe was given his opportunity on the wing.

Expecting a fierce battle from their hosts, who have a strong home record, the Eagles needed a good start and Spiller led the way, taking a quick tap penalty and muscling over the try line after 5 minutes.

The lead was extended after 10 minutes when from a line out Dan Hubble popped up between the centres to weave his way through the Plymstock defence and score under the posts, Justyn Irons converting.

For much of the first Argaum seemed to focus more on questioning refereeing decisions then the rugby, conceding a series of penalties and losing a prop to the sin bin, Irons taking the opportunity to put his team 15 points ahead. Danger man Dan Hubble was targeted, being fouled off the ball on several occasions.

Falmouth finished the half with another try with Tom Tonkins steering a catch and drive across the whitewash, Irons converting. The Eagles line out had been functioning perfectly all day, AJ Geach combining superbly with his jumpers, while Argaum struggled to secure their own ball.

With snow falling and temperature freezing, the second half was a stilted affair, with injuries and a series of penalties breaking any fluency. Hubble was yellow carded as Argaum attempted to force their way back into the match. Varker suffered a leg injury and Falmouth brought on substitutes Bullock, Dawe and Lea and lost some momentum, as the team adapted to the disruption.

Acclimatising to the player changes and having successfully defended the Argaum fight back the Eagles secured the bonus point though a catch and drive, AJ Geach touching down.

Spiller completed the scoring with a close range dive after Falmouth had been hammering the hosts line with a series of drives, Irons converting.

Falmouth next face Plymstock Albion Oaks who handed the Eagles their only defeat this season, the team will be desperate to over turn that loss, kick off at the Recreation ground is 2.30.

Searle, AJ Geach, Varker, Ward, Baglow, Tonkins, Simmons, Brewer, Spiller, Irons, Hubble, Hambly, Edmonds, Rowe, Firth.

Lea, Dawe, Bullock.

Find match footage and interviews here - https://vimeo.com/203678898