LAUNCESTON fell to a third defeat in four games on Saturday as they were comfortably beaten 38-15 at Lydney in Regional One South West.

The All Blacks headed up to Regentsholme looking to build on their 62-12 hammering of bottom side Weston-super-Mare the week before.

Launceston had lost at Devonport Services and Brixham in recent away games following four successive wins on the road to start, but were outplayed for long spells by the Severnsiders.

They trailed 17-3 at the break, and although Ben Bryant’s converted try five minutes into the second half got them to within seven, Lydney added three converted tries within the next 20 minutes to settle the game.

Former captain Lloyd Duke got a consolation try after taking a pass from Cam Fogden, but the All Blacks headed back down the M5 with no reward for their efforts.

However there was a good day for Launceston Castles in Counties Cornwall Three.

Not only did they move up to fourth in the table following a 24-7 win over a dogged St Austell Thirds side, they are now just five points behind second-placed Camborne Seconds who lost at St Agnes.

There is plenty to play for in the final ten games of the season.

Saturday’s try-scorers were returning university duo Billy Martin and winger Archie Dinnis, the latter of whom scored a hat-trick.

See this week’s Post for a report on both games, plus the thoughts of first team joint head coach, Ian Goldsmith.