LAUNCESTON got their 2024 off to the perfect start on Saturday in Regional One South West as they comfortably saw off struggling Matson 46-3 at Polson Bridge.

The hosts had to wait until the tenth minute to break the deadlock through winger Ollie Bebbington’s try, and doubled their lead through skipper Tom Sandercock three minutes later.

Matson responded soon after as fly-half Connor Gwilliam knocked over a penalty, but further tries from man of the match Cam Fogden and Lloyd Duke after Dan Pearce slotted a penalty made it 27-3 at the break.

The Gloucester-based visitors kept battling away after the restart, but conceded three more scores with Duke, Sandercock and Fogden all grabbing their second.

Glenn Coles, who took over kicking duties when Pearce went off injured, slotted four conversions.

The All Blacks have the small matter of Okehampton away on Saturday (2.30pm).

See this week’s Post for a full report from the game as well as the thoughts of joint head coach, Ian Goldsmith.