THE Plate final was played at Newquay on Sunday on probably the best day of the year so far and the match, although the score would probably indicate a tight game was one of the finest Under-15 games played this season

Both teams deserve the highest praise for the commitment they showed to produce a nail bighting finale to the Plate competition. Bodmin arrived on the pitch with the massed bands of two playing the bagpipes and a drums (not quite sure what the tune was supposed to be), which was more reminiscent of Bannockburn than a sunny Cornish resort town on a beautiful spring afternoon. However, the Launceston boys were not phased by this apparent wind-up.

From the kick off both teams went at each other hammer and tongs with drives by both sets of forwards creating numerous opportunities for both sides to generate quality ball to be fed out to the backs. Both teams suffered somewhat with the hard ground conditions and the ball bobbled around all over the place causing too many handling errors and leading to numerous infringements.

Scrummaging was ferocious with equal scrums going against the head equally spilled ball at line-outs created exciting chances for both sets of backs, but neither team could make that final incisive run to break through to their opponents line

Tackling was textbook and neither side was allowing anyone to cross their line. It was not until midway through the first half that a scoring opportunity came the way of Launceston, following an infringement at a scrum a decision to kick for the posts was made by captain John Dawe unfortunately the kick went wide. The half time whistle went with the score 0-0.

Substitutions were made by Launceston at half time two in the scrum and a replacement at wing. Still the two teams would not give an inch with play predominantly between the two 22 metre lines. Two further penalties, one to each side were awarded but neither were converted.

With ten minutes to go a Bodmin forward was sited by the referee for stamping on the head of Launceston's Dan Pethers and was immediately sin binned. This was the best chance for Launceston to attack Bodmin's weakened team. Ruck after ruck with the combination of quality ball handling from backs and forwards alike enabled Launceston to create a penalty infringement by Bodmin just outside their 22. Quick thinking and running through the mark created an overlap and went through about ten pairs of hands before Jake Watts squeezed over in the corner to touch down with only three minutes remaining. Will Hodgetts produced the best conversion of the season without doubt to give Launceston a 7-0 lead

With two minutes left on the clock Launceston kept ball in hand and played the clock down brilliantly. The blowing of the final whistle provided huge relief to the not only the team but their watching supporters.

This result is the culmination of a season of very hard work and commitment by the players and coaching staff alike considering the missed games this year through bad weather, everyone who played and coached should be immensely proud of this achievement, it is a pity however that a few more parents from Launceston were not there to witness a great performance

Launceston: John Dawe (captain), Keiran Fuller, Dan Peterson, Perry Reid, Keiran Walker, Chay Hall, Tom Perring, Guy Webber, Jack Grimes, Dan Maddock, Harry Pooley, John Robbins, Max Bickle, Luke Plummer, Jake Watts, Harry Cole, Will Hodgetts and Dan Pethers.