Cornwall Duchy League

Camborne II 24

A SPIRITED Launceston second team put in a determined performance before falling to a 24-14 defeat at Camborne.

The team drove down with 16 players, a typical seconds team with some new faces, many of whom sometimes have work commitments, so it was good for them to play.

Launceston came up against a well-drilled Camborne squad. From the kick-off it was good hard rugby from both sides.

Camborne got two tries on the 10th and 20th minute with Launceston replying with a try from Matt Stringer in the 25th minute. Ryan Christophers converted to reduce the deficit to 14-7.

Camborne scored another converted try before the break to give themselves daylight.

Launceston started well after the break and grabbed another try, which was converted by Christophers before Camborne got a penalty to make it 24-14, meaning that the visitors needed a converted try to force a draw, a task which proved beyond them.

Launceston played too much in their own half while scrum time was difficult, with them missing so many players.

Player/coach Mike Haines said, following two weeks without a game: "It’s about time Cornwall RFU woke up to the state of second team rugby in Cornwall. It’s not something that has just happened this season. They’ve got to get their heads out of the sand and take a big look at Cornish rugby around them, it’s not just about getting to Twickenham. They need to let second teams into Cornwall 1 and 2."