Saturday, January 18

Cornwall Cup (Group One)

Launceston Seconds 19

Camborne School of Mines 31

LAUNCESTON Seconds fell to a second successive defeat in Group One of the new Cornwall Cup, as they lost 31-19 at home to Camborne School of Mines at a muddy Polson Bridge.

The Blacks were looking to bounce back from a 21-12 reversal at Newquay Hornets seven days previously while Camborne School of Mines made the trip having beaten St Agnes in their opener.

With a lot of work being put into getting a squad together for some of the players in the week with injuries and lack of numbers, team manager Mike Haines was delighted to see some new faces and some returning ones, including Ed Dudden who was coming back from a broken leg earlier in the season, former first team assistant coach Oli Bastion and winger Ben Walters.

It would take 20 minutes, of what was an end-to-end physical encounter between two well-matched teams, for the West Cornwall side to score the first unconverted try of the game. That was followed by a converted try five minutes later. Launceston replied with a try from Ed Dudden and conversion from Ben Hawke, who was on top form from the tee and out of hand. A penalty try for deliberate knock-on and Tom Sandercock going over in the corner saw the home side lead 19-12 at the break. 

The second-half was more of the same with momentum swinging both ways. CSOM pulled back a try on the 50-minute mark with the score standing at 19-17. Deep in to the half with both teams attacking and defending for long periods, CSOM made use of a full replacements bench to bring on fresh legs and made two more trips over the whitewash to make it 31-19 at full-time. 

Reflecting on the game, Haines said: “In the end the game came down to fine margins, and as with last week a team that punished mistakes. But the cup is just what we have been asking for, for so long as a club, a good standard of league rugby.”

Launceston Seconds’ next cup game sees them head down to St Agnes on Saturday, February 1.

However they are scheduled to host their St Austell counterparts this weekend in a friendly (2.30pm).

Launceston Seconds —

Jasper, Grigg, Gillbard, Bastion, Walters, Hawke, Sandercock; Hocking, Hawken, Burden, Mansfield, A Tharme, Knight, Theobald, Dudden.

Replacements: Crabb, Tucker, M Tharme.

Tries: Dudden, penalty try, Sandercock.

Convs: Hawke.

Pens: N/A

Elsewhere, Bude seconds conceded their Group Two clash with Illogan Park, and are without a cup game this weekend.

Camelford, who had a bye at the weekend, host Redruth Albany, who they have already beaten twice this season in Cornwall Two, in Group Four on Saturday (2.30pm).