IN THE wake of their first defeat of the season last week, the boys of Launceston under 13s were hoping to get back to winning ways at home to Exmouth.

Having beaten the visitors on their last visit to Polson at the end of the under 11s season, hopes were high for the home team.

However, with five players missing from the squad due to injuries, and with Exmouth having improved hugely, victory was to elude the All Blacks. A very solid start was evenly contested for the first ten minutes and the All Blacks were battling well at the breakdown and recycling the ball smartly.

Unfortunately a quickly taken penalty, after a lengthy chat from the referee to the visitors, near the All Blacks' try line, caught them unawares as they were still being spoken to by their coach, and Exmouth opened their account with a converted try.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.