Sunday, December 8

RFU Women’s Junior Plate

Launceston Ladies 8

Yeovil Ladies 62

LAUNCESTON Ladies, who were playing just their third match since reforming earlier this year, were knocked out of the RFU Women’s Junior Plate by Yeovil at Polson Bridge, writes Liz Armstrong.

Despite the flurries of wind and rain, the visitors started confidently and after five minutes right-winger Tia Shrimpton, managed to get through down the wing and score their first try, which was then converted.

Ten minutes later the hosts responded through fly-half Jenny Samways’ penalty.

The Somerset side then clicked into gear and grabbed four further tries before the break. First, outside-centre Vanessa Paice scored a try which was not converted, but the following score by number eight Jo Norton was converted by scrum-half Alice Harding, bringing the score to 19-3.

Paice went on to score her second try which was converted by Shrimpton, and just before half-time Shrimpton scored her second try down the wing again and converted it to leave the score at 33-3 at half time.

Launceston came out for the second-half with as much enthusiasm as always. As per the previous match that they played, their peformance improved as the match went on and they gave Yeovil a good game, especially in the forwards.

Unfortunately, Harding broke through in Launceston’s corner, followed by a try by replacement Emma Harris by the posts, who also converted, bringing the score to 45-3.

Shortly after, Shrimpton scored her hat-trick which was not converted, but her fourth try was, bringing the score to 57-3. She then scored her fifth and final try.

In the closing minutes, Launceston made a big push for the try line and after a few attempts, one of their most experienced players, hooker Hayley Sample, managed to push over the line to score Launceston’s first try close to the corner.

The difficult conversion was just missed but the hosts had had the final say.

Team manager, Liz Armstrong, said: “Yeovil were a joy to play — very friendly and professional, a lovely bunch of ladies. They noted how united the Launceston players are as a team and said their friendship showed on the pitch.

“Launceston showed some great play – all the ladies put in a huge amount of effort. Worth noting two brand new forwards, Enya Dunn and Rebekah Wright; Jenny Samways made some great kicks; Lizzie Warren some fantastic tackles on the wing and braved it back on after an injury; plus Jo Sandercock debuted as scrum-half.

“Yeovil nominated Bea Chubb (captain) as the forward of the match and unsurprisingly Tia Shrimpton as the back. Launceston couldn’t choose between Melissa Zillwood and Rebekah Wright as our forwards of the match for their constant tackling and Sam Johnston as the back who, as an experienced player, helped keep the backs together. I’d also like to issue a special thanks to physio, Wendy Allen.”

Launceston Ladies —

Tries: Sample

Convs: N/A.

Pens: Samways.