Cabettes win thrilling local derby with Okehampton

LAUNCESTON Ladies held on for a memorable victory against local rivals Okehampton to claim the local bragging rights.

The last time the two teams faced off was back in 2020 for a pre-season friendly when both teams were just starting out. Six years later they met again in Women’s Championship South West Two, showing how far both groups have come in that time.

A sunny day and a packed crowd turned out to witness this historic clash, and it was Oke that stamped their intent first with a well-worked backs move, unleashing their immensely pacey backline to score in the corner through Abi Knight.

Launceston, who saw Abigail Matthews make her 50th appearance for the Cabettes, didn’t take long to reply as powerful running from No.8 Alex Hutchings and Kim Upcott bullied their way into Okehampton’s 22 before finding Poppy Jennings to pierce through and score. Katie Murrin added the extras.

An arm wrestle ensued for the next 15 minutes as Launceston’s power running was met by ferocious defending. However, Hutchings eventually forced her way through a gap before stepping the full-back to dive over. Murrin made no mistake off the tee.

The Cabettes continued to win the territory game by playing all of the rugby in Okehampton’s half, and the pressure soon told as a yellow card was brandished to a Oke forward.

Making the numerical advantage count, Vicki Doidge burst over to extend Launceston’s lead to 19-5.

Just as Launceston looked like they were going to run away with it, Okehampton reminded the Cabettes of their threat by once again unleashing their electric backline into the corner to close the gap via Phoebe Ogborne which was added to by Georgia Skelly.

As the half-time whistle approached, Launceston had the last say of the half as Amy Warman sniped her way over the line from five metres out for a 24-12 cushion.

The Cabettes set out to double up their score after half-time, but Okehampton weren’t about to roll over. After eight minutes of intense pressure, the Devonians turned the ball over and ran out from behind their own posts with Ogborne again the scorer as she went the full length of the pitch to cross in the corner.

Undeterred, Launceston immediately returned to the visiting 22, holding on to the ball for long periods. They were rewarded for their hard work as Nicole Rowland dotted down out wide.

Okehampton though just would not lay down and their speed was again soon to the fore as they clawed a score back through Imogen Osborne to bring them to within seven going into the final 10 minutes.

Oke threw everything at Launceston’s defence and more than once stood less than five metres out from the tryline, but the home side just about held firm for a superb five points.

Launceston have a weekend off before making the long trip to Henley on Sunday, November 1.

LAUNCESTON LADIES: Grace Tucker; Jenna Cowling, Madi Vine, Poppy Jennings, Katie Murrin; Meg Tucker, Amy Warman; Jess Harrison, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott (capt), Meg Arnold, Rhian Thomas; Abigail Matthews, Caitlin Hancock, Alex Hutchings. Replacements: Ann-Marie Risdon, Nicole Rowland, Josie Ninnis, Vicki Doidge, Bethan Ayling, Chloe Samways, Rachel Hicks.

Tries: Jennings, Hutchings, Doidge, Warman, Rowland; Convs: Murrin (2); Pens: N/A.

Cabettes’ players-of-the-match: Forward – Rhian Thomas; Back – Amy Warman.