LANKELLY/FOWEY 13pts

STITHIANS 36pts

THE East versus West Merit Table Two final between Lankelly/Fowey, winners from the East Cornwall section and Stithians, from the West, to decide the overall table two winners for 2006-07 season was played at Perranporth on Sunday.

Lankelly/Fowey, with a fresh breeze behind them, started the better and took the lead after three minutes with a Ben Jane penalty.

On 18 minutes Jane kicked his second penalty to increase the lead.

Play was hard amongst both sets of forwards and on 26 minutes Martin Strick reduced the arrears with a penalty for Stithians, who went into the lead shortly afterwards when Ben Waters raced over for a good try for Strick to convert putting Stithians into a 10-6 lead.

On 36 minutes Lankelly/Fowey centre Julian Shackely forced his way over for a try which was converted by Jane to regain the Lankelly lead once more. On the stroke of half time Stithians wing, Craig Pledger, took a pass at pace to cross under the posts for Strick to add the extras and an interval Stithians lead of 17-13.

The second period saw them increase their lead when, following a five metre scrum, scrum half Liam Vague darted over for an unconverted try.

Stithians were now on top and on 73 minutes centre Lewis Vague broke the cover to score close to the post which Strick converted.

On 78 minutes Stithians stand off Martin Strick chipped ahead for full back Michael Creeden to score the best try of the match with Strick converting to ensure a Stithians victory by 36 pts to 13.

Stithians Captain Martin Strick was full of praise, at the end of the match, for the commitment of his players and was delighted to win the CRFU Merit Table Two Championship final after an excellent season by the village side.

The awards to both clubs were presented by CRFU president David Chatterton assisted by Denis Preece.