AFTER a rousing message from the England Red Roses, Launceston Girls’ Under 14s cruised to the Cornwall Cup crown with a convincing 34-7 victory over Redruth at Camborne on Sunday, April 26.

The girls headed down the A30 expecting a tough test, and so it proved early on.

However, relentless work by Bella Glover, Minna McLaughlin and Hatti Hicks meant that the Redruth pack were unable to get any platform to play off and Launceston eventually grabbed the first try from player-of-the-match and No.8, Elise Curtis.

Redruth’s backs always posed a threat but were cancelled out by ferocious tackling from Darcey Fewell, Katie Maynard and Samantha Uglow.

Due to this pressure a few Redruth mistakes started creeping in and gaps appeared which Launceston capitalised on, resulting in a superb try by winger Isla Brimacombe.

Then, just before half-time, winger Charlotte Uglow dotted down herself for a 15-0 cushion.

The next try was crucial but soon after the restart the North Cornwall outfit had their fourth try as Ruby Doidge scythed her through the Redruth defence for a try converted by Elise Curtis to make it 22-0.

By this time the front row of Sophie Perry, Bam Clavey and Mia Pearce were totally dominating the scrums, pushing their opponents off a lot of their own ball. This solid platform led to scrum-half Ellie Smith scoring a fine, fifth try to wrap up the victory.

A momentary lapse in concentration let Redruth in for a try, but with the Reds tiring, there was still time for Launceston’s outside-centre Sophie Philpot to use her incredible pace to score the final try, which was converted by Curtis.

As well as the starting XV, all the replacements – Delilah Murphy, Evie Wakeham, Kitty Nicholson, Florence Treeby for the forwards and Jessica Wilson, Ava-Rose Bond, Avril Oak for the backs, came on, putting in a great shift and driving the team onto the final whistle which sparked plenty of celebrations.

A lot of people have supported the team to help their success possible whether that’s Steve Treeby running the touchline all season, Buzz Brimacombe helping with the refereeing, Vicky Doidge keeping the shirts immaculately clean after every match, film-maker Gemma Glover, parent rep Clare Fewell and all the rest of the parents who got behind the team to make it such a memorable season.

Recognition must go to the coaches, Rhys Edwards, Faz Curtis and Will Frost for their high standard of coaching and commitment which led to them only losing one game this season and being the first Launceston Under 14 Girls team to win the Cornwall Cup.

LAUNCESTON GIRLS UNDER 14s: S Uglow; C Uglow, Philpot, Fewell, Brimacombe; Maynard, Smith; Perry, Clavey, Pearse; Glover, McLaughlin; Doidge, Hicks, Curtis. Replacements: Murphy, Wakeham, Wilson, Nicholson, Bond, Oak, Treeby.

If any girls out there are interested in playing ladies’ rugby, there are age groups at under 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s with training held on Wednesday nights throughout the season.

To get involved, search ‘Launceston Ladies Rugby Team’ on Facebook.