Launceston Castles mounted a superb comeback on Saturday afternoon to steal victory away from their Wadebridge Camels Seconds counterparts at Molesworth Field.

The hosts led from the third minute right up to the closing stages, until stand-in skipper Olly Martin powered over from close-range, allowing player/coach Dan Pearce to slot the match-winning kick.

Both teams named strong squads in a battle to avoid the drop zone and it was the home side that started the brightest as a well-worked move from a scrum saw the winger dot down.

However, Launceston soon responded as a penalty move from five metres out saw Tom Stevens crash over. Pearce levelled the score with a simple conversion.

The Camels though hit straight back as a fumbled restart resulted in Wadebridge running in under sticks. Launceston’s mistakes punished them once more when Pearce’s pass found the opposition 12 instead of his own as the intercept went the length.

A penalty kick from the Camels fly-half kept their side of the scoreboard ticking, and the Castles with a mountain to climb.

But Launceston kept themselves in contention going into the break as former first team captain Lloyd Duke broke through an unguarded ruck, a try that made it 22-12 at the break.

Launceston needed the next score but after a cagey 10 minutes it was Wadebridge that wrapped up the try bonus point and extended their lead to 17 points.

The Castles then sparked into life as they ripped open the home side's defence. Freddie Ward broke down the wing and although brought down just outside the 22, ball was shipped to flanker Tyler Westlake who scythed through the retreating defence to go in under the posts. Pearce added the conversion.

Straight from the restart the ball was thrown wide again, this time to Cody Smith breaking up the field to the 22. A quick recycle moved the ball to the onrushing Jake Crabb to carry over the line. Pearce slotted another two.

Another penalty from Wadebridge kept Launceston six points behind going into the final 10 minutes. Wadebridge upped their attacking effort but Launceston defence suddenly became impenetrable.

With four minutes to go Launceston found themselves attacking Wadebridge’s 22 knowing they needed a converted try.

The Camels continued to frustrate Launceston’s attack, and with the clock in the red it was now or never. A barrage of pick-and-goes were all halted until stand-in captain Martin stepped up and drove over the whitewash. Pearce calmly slotted the kick to steal a memorable victory.

The Castles round off their season at home to mid-table Liskeard-Looe on Saturday (2pm).

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Richard Jasper; Freddie Ward, Cody Smith, Callum Smith, Rhys Hughes; Dan Pearce, Ollie Tomkies; Olly Martin (capt), Luke Howe, Tom Stevens; Jake Crabb, Alex Bartlett; Tyler Westlake, Lewis Dennis, Lloyd Duke. Replacements: Ben Greene, Harvey Basford, Chris Hall, Mark Knight.

Tries: Stevens, Duke, Westlake, Crabb, Martin; Convs: Pearce (4); Pens: N/A.

Castles’ man-of-the-match: Tyler Westlake.