Saturday, February 10

CRFU Duchy Cup (second-round)

Redruth seconds 17

Launceston seconds 15

LAUNCESTON seconds were knocked out of the Duchy Cup on Saturday after losing a thriller at their Redruth counterparts.

Played on the first team pitch at the Recreation Ground, the visitors travelled with just 16 players, many of whom were forced to play out of their natural position.

However, they applied themselves brilliantly against a team full of players with first team experience.

Despite conceding a try early on, Launceston got on the scoreboard through inside-centre Tom Sandercock’s penalty to make it 5-3.

Redruth pulled further clear with their second five-pointer of the half but Launceston were back to within two points not long after as openside-flanker Ed Dudden powered over after some good work by the forwards.

Unfortunately for Mike Haines’ side, Redruth scored a converted try before the break and that’s how it stayed until the half-time whistle.

Launceston knew they needed to get the next score to keep themselves in the game and they managed it with 20 minutes to go. After lots of pressure the ball was worked out to the infamous ‘Hellfire Corner’ for blindside-flanker Luke Nicolle to go over. Again the conversion was missed but the visitors knew that any score would win them the game.

Despite being camped in the Redruth half for the remainder of the game, the Reds defended stoutly to move into the next round.

Launceston coach Mike Haines said: “For the last 20 minutes we attacked them but we just couldn’t get through. To be fair to them they defended really well and were quite a decent side.

“The difference was probably that their backs looked a little bit more dangerous and they took their opportunities when they came. However I’m really proud of the boys’ efforts as we could easily have won the game.”

Launceston —

Jacob, M Tharme, B Tharme, Sandercock, Stringer, May, Knight; Hawken, Lightfoot, Burden, Ware, Bartlett, Nicolle, Dudden, Jewell

Replacement: A Tharme

Tries: Dudden, Nicolle

Convs: N/A

Pens: Sandercock 2