FOR the first time in three years Launceston Under-15s embarked on a rugby tour over the recent Bank Holiday weekend to North Somerset. The party of 19 players and 10 adults stayed at the Haven Holiday Park at Burnham-on -Sea. A game was organised for both Saturday and Sunday, along with other activities to keep the boys and parents happy.

Winscombe 29pts,

Launceston nil

THIS was a frustrating game for Launceston, partly due to the previous late night frivolities and the general excitement of being away from home.

Launceston started well, applying pressure to Winscombe in the first ten minutes, however, from there on nothing seemed to go quite to plan, with their usual confident style of rugby eluding them. Even the basics didn't quite work. Ball carriers became easily isolated, thus losing possession in the tackle, and the final pass often went astray.

On the other hand, Winscombe played a simple game based around their strong forwards and influential fly half whose distribution and tactical kicking paid dividends leading to five unanswered tries and two conversions.

To be fair to Launceston, their heads never dropped and they played a full part in the game. The scoreline (which is not a true reflection of how hard the boys worked) was kept down by some superb cover tackling with Will Hodgetts credited 'man of the match' for his huge hits on the opposition players.

Tor 19pts,

Launceston 31

DESPITE another very late night and several jaded looking players disembarking from the bus at Glastonbury Tor Rugby Club, this was a game where the Launceston team played some of their best rugby of this season. The pre-match warm up and pep talk by coaches Dave and Glenn Pooley obviously did the trick.

The game did not start well with key player number 8 Jack Grimes leaving the field with a serious looking hand injury after five minutes. This could have disrupted the team, however it galvanised them into action and elements missing on the previous day were ignited, turning this into a very entertaining game, even the home spectators appreciated the standard of rugby.

Launceston raced into a 19 point lead with superb tries from Guy Webber, Dan Pethers and Kieran Fuller, and looked to have the game in the bag.

A quiet spell after half time allowed Tor to come back to 19-all, at this point Launceston seemed to have spent their energy reserves. Then two outstanding tries were scored, the first from Freddy R-King, with the best being kept to last. Following a mazy run from inside his own half, Jake Watts evaded several would be tacklers to off-load the ball just short of the line to Jon Dawe who was in close support. Will Hodgetts kicked three conversions to help seal the game in Launceston' favour.

Any number of players could have been awarded 'man of the match' but new player Chay Hall on the wing played exceptionally well and put in at least two try-saving tackles.

Launceston U-15s would like to acknowledge the following businesses for their sponsorship of the tour: Cold Northcott Wind Farms Ltd, Launceston; Billingford Fire, London; Tamar Foods, Callington; Somerfield, Launceston.

The squad members were: Harry Pooley, Dan Petersen, Perry Reed. Harry Coles, Kieran Walker, Luke Plummer, Dan Pethers, Jack Grimes, Jon Dawe, Will Hodgetts, Dan Maddock, Freddy Ruscombe-King, Chay Hall, Jake Watts, Guy Webber, Kieran Fuller, Josh Venning and Rob Padgham.

Report by Dave Venning and Ann-Marie Sobey.