NEW Season, new league, same winning feeling as Launceston Ladies kick started their campaign on Sunday with the first of five 300 plus mile round trips up the M4 this year.

The Cornish history makers proved their time in NC Championship Two is not to make up the numbers but to be feared contenders after dispatching last year's fourth place finishers Reading Abbey.

Without a pre-season fixture honoured, Launceston could have been forgiven for going into this game undercooked. But after a nervy first 10 minutes, the Cabettes began to sizzle when a lineout just inside the Reading half set up a powerful driving maul that powered 20m up the pitch.

As Reading's maul defence disintegrated, Briony Eddy peeled off the back and burst into the 22. Quick ball from the ruck gave Abbey Smith the chance to open her account for the season. Caitlyn Hancock adding the extras.

Launceston were immediately under the cosh from the restart as failure to exit meant Reading could mount an attack. A huge defensive effort kept Reading at bay and once the Cabettes regained possession, they were soon on the way to the tryline again.

A Sonny Bill like offload from impressive debutant Nicole Rowland opened some space for Meg Tucker who needed no invite to turn on the burners and scorch around the would-be defence and dot down. Hancock with another two points.

Unable to clear their lines from the restart once more lead to a sustained period of pressure from Reading and in this league, teams won't need too many invites to score. Their unconverted try meant Launceston went into half time with a slender lead 5-14.

Exchanges of good attacks cancelled out by strong defences for both teams meant the scoreboard remained unchallenged for some time. That was until the velocious Tucker made use of the inch of space she was given and weaved her way down the wing to break the deadlock. Conversion missed.

Launceston went on the attack again with Ellen Armstrong causing all kinds of issues as she broke down the left wing. Stopped just short, the ball was soon spun to Abbey Matthews on the right wing to power over in the corner. Conversion missed.

Reading though gave Launceston a stern warning that they cannot switch off in this league as they took advantage of the drop in intensity from the Cabettes with two quick fire scores, meaning in the final five minutes there was only a score in it. With a minute left though, Tucker completed her hat-trick and put the game to bed. Conversion missed.

The Cabettes return to Polson on Sunday, October 5 as they welcome Guilford Gazelles before their next away trip to Cheltenham Tigers on Saturday, October 11.

Launceston: 1 Libbie Cole, 2 Jenna Arnold, 3 Kimberley Upcott, 4 Megan Arnold, 5 Rhiannon Thomas, 6 Nicole Rowland, 7 Caitlin Hancock, 8 Briony Eddy, 9 Amy Warman, 10 Rachel Hicks, 11 Ellen Armstrong, 12 Abigail Smith, 13 Megan Tucker, 14 Suzannah Franks, 15 Joanne Bartlett.

Replacements: 16 Ann-Marie Risdon, 17 Jess Harrison, 18 Josie Ninnis, 19 Katie Gilmour, 20 Abigail Matthews.

Back of the Match: Ellen Armstrong

Forward of the Match: Libbie Cole