LAUNCESTON head coach Steve Perry has emphasised the importance of ‘doing the basics well’ as they face fellow in-form side Exmouth at Polson Bridge tomorrow (3pm).

The All Blacks are up to the giddy heights of second in Regional One South West following a three-match winning streak, however the Cockles arrive from East Devon having gone try-crazy in their last three outings, racking up 149 points in victories over Newent, last year’s runners-up Topsham and promoted Weston-super-Mare.

That said, they’re still behind the All Blacks by virtue of the Cornishmen’s brace of bonus-points at Trowbridge in their solitary defeat, a loss they responded to by beating much-fancied Brixham, neighbours St Austell and last weekend’s 49-38 success at Newent.

Reflecting on their success in Gloucestershire last Saturday, Perry said: “We started off very well, scoring a lot of points and we were very efficient when we got into their 22, particularly as in the first half we were playing up the slope and into the wind.

“Newent came back into it well after the break and we didn’t help ourselves by not playing in the right areas at the start of the second half, but a couple of late tries saw us win the game. So I’ve got to be happy.”

There is just one change to the Launceston starting line-up for tomorrow.

With winger Dan Pearce suffering a recurrence of his serious knee injury early on last week, he is replaced by Tom Anderton who starts at full-back with Ollie Bebbington moving to his preferred spot in the 11 shirt.

On the bench, former skipper Tom Sandercock comes in for Pearce whose replacement George Alvis will again come on later on, while prop Olly Martin will hope to make an impact as Alex Bartlett starts for the Castles. Lloyd Duke and Brandon Rowley provide plenty of options in the back-row.

On what he’s expecting tomorrow against his old club who he coached from 2018 to 2025, Perry continued: “Unfortunately after the lovely conditions last week, the forecast tomorrow is for 50mph winds and torrential rain, so the game will be decided on who is better at playing in the right areas and being efficient in the red zone. It’ll take a bit of adapting, but we know we need to do the basics well and manage the conditions against a very good side who have finished in and around the top four over the last few years.

“But as we proved against Brixham, we’re a good side, particularly at home, so there’s no reason not to be excited and confident.”

While the first team have started well, the Castles are doing even better with four wins from four in Counties Two Cornwall.

Last Saturday saw them see off Penryn thanks to a superb final half hour, and they are as strong again this week for their trip to Perranporth (3pm), which includes a first appearance of the season for flanker George Bone who will captain the side.

A regular in the ones in recent years, work commitments have kept him busy, but the first-teamers know with himself, Andy Rowe and Fin Cackett all selected and good options off the bench, they name another strong team.

Elsewhere from last week’s side, veteran prop Simon Burden comes in alongside Bartlett, as does lock Cian Baker who has been in the first team before his holiday.

Bone’s inclusion means Tremaine Fry drops down to the bench, while in the backline there are starts for Lucas Cackett and Callum Smith in place of Mitch Acres and James Heale, neither of whom are in the squad.

Jacob Willshire provides the front-row option on the bench alongside Fry and fellow forwards Dom Theobald and Finn Stiles.

Perry feels they are on the right track, adding: “It was great to see them get another win last week, and they have a lot of good players, particularly with back five forwards, and they’re doing all they can at the moment to put pressure on us to select them in the CABs.”

Perry’s final word was for the supporters, adding: “We’re really looking forward to being back at home, and after our win last time, hopefully people will be wanting more.

“Last time the crowd was around 400, so if we can keep winning and playing exciting rugby, hopefully that’ll continue to go up and up.”

The ladies, who saw off neighbours Okehampton on Sunday in Women’s Championship South West Two, have the weekend off.

LAUNCESTON v Exmouth (3pm): Tom Anderton; Sheldon Higgins, Billy Martin, Jack Easton, Ollie Bebbington; James Tucker, George Hillson; Mitch Hawken (capt), Archie Doidge, Charlie Short; Devon Bennett-Murray, Dan Goldsmith; Charlie Tummon, Jed Griffin, George Harris. Replacements: Olly Martin, Lloyd Duke, Brandon Rowley, Tom Sandercock, George Alvis.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES at Perranporth (3pm): Rich Jasper; Freddie Ward, Joe Vanstone, Callum Smith, Lucas Cackett; Albie Newton, Ollie Tomkies; Alex Bartlett, Luke Howe, Simon Burden; Cian Baker, Jake Crabb; Andy Rowe, George Bone (capt), Fin Cackett. Replacements: Jacob Willshire, Tremaine Fry, Dom Theobald, Finn Stiles.