LAUNCESTON U-10s travelled to Hayle on Saturday and Sunday to take part in the Hayle Mini Juniors Rugby Festival, writes Mark Brewerton.

On Saturday the boys played four games against Penzance Pirates, Truro, Redruth and finally Camborne.

The day started well with a hard fought win against the Pirates, Launceston opened the scoring and dominated most of the first half but the Pirates scored just before the break to even the match.

In the second half Launceston attacked and attacked and finally made the breakthrough and scored again through Liam Weller which was enough to secure the win.

Next up were Truro and things didn't get any easier for the blacks against the eventual winners of the festival.

Launceston played as well as they had all season, they defended like lions and attacked Truro with real determination and skill, Truro were hardly in the game as an attacking force but managed to score a controversial breakaway try to go into the lead just before the break.

In the second half Launceston fought back and eventually scored to level the game. For the rest of the match Launceston attacked and attacked but couldn't break through, the match finished with winger Bradley Scoble being tackled into touch inches short of the line.

The matches didn't get any easier as next up were Redruth - our nemesis from last season. Unfortunately once again Launceston came off second best losing 1 try to nil to the Reds after another very hard fought battle in which our defence were magnificent throughout.

The final game of the day saw us play Camborne who had two particularly huge props each of whom weighed as much as our entire pack. Despite this, Launceston were on top throughout most of the match and fairly quickly scored through winger Sam Thomas. Despite being on top, this proved to be the only score of the game as Camborne defended strongly and we couldn't make a further break through.

At the end of the first day, 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat saw us in 3rd place overall.

On Sunday, Launceston started against a touring side from Taunton - a match we expected to win based on what we had seen the day before. Unfortunately nobody told Taunton this and they tore into Launceston from the off and we were on the back foot for most of the match. Our defence was magnificent with Taunton battering away at our line for long periods but eventually the pressure told and Taunton scored with two minutes to go and we were not able to respond.

This defeat put us out of the running to reach the final much to the disappointment of the boys and the parents.

The final game saw us take on Hayle and this proved to be our biggest win of the weekend with Launceston running out winners 5 tries to 2. Launceston eventually finished 3rd overall and we were the only side not to lose to the eventual winners Truro. It was impossible to single out any of the players as they all gave their all and the commitment throughout was fantastic.

Launceston: Rob Taylor, Jonny Harris, Cory Karkeek, Sam Parham, Sam Thomas, Liam Weller, Stephen Edwards, Tom Murphy, Charlie Wevill, Charlie Hawken, Henry Atyeo, Rowan Webster, Bradley Scoble, James Heale, Gryffyn Abbott, George Bunn, Glen Chadburn