Saturday, February 3

CRFU Duchy Knockout Cup (first-round)

LAUNCESTON seconds moved into the second-round of the CRFU Duchy Cup after beating their Bude counterparts 11-6 at a muddy Polson Bridge.

This was the third attempt at getting the fixture on; the first time saw Bude’s Bencoolen Meadow home waterlogged before the second installment was abandoned 20 minutes in when Launceston’s Dom Theobald suffered a broken leg.

And although Bude were scheduled to be at home once again, the club didn’t want to have two matches on the first team pitch on the same day. With the second-round scheduled for this weekend, both clubs agreed to play the fixture at Launceston on the bottom pitch.

Once the game got started it was a battle of youth against experience as the home side — littered with plenty of players who have just come out of the successful Colts team — took on Bude’s seasoned pack, many of whom were first-team regulars not so long ago.

With the pitch muddy and Bude keen to play through the forwards, the game wasn’t particularly pretty.

Launceston led 11-3 at the break thanks to a well-worked team try from fly-half Toby May and two penalties from inside-centre Tom Sandercock with Bude replying through Shaun Andrew.

The home side did go close in the first-half to a second try when winger Charlie Wevill went over. However, he was adjudged to have slid his foot into touch in doing so.

After the break the game became even more forward-orientated with Andrew’s kick the only score.

In the end, Launceston held on to set up a clash with Redruth seconds on Saturday, in what is likely to be a stern test.

Coach, Mike Haines, said: “It was one of our hardest games of the season. They had a very experienced pack and were good at slowing the game down and keeping the ball in the forwards.

“However it was great to get the win in what was a really good encounter.

“Both teams played right until the end so hats off to both teams.

“We now look forward to going down to Redruth on Saturday and trying to advance into the next round.”

Launceston —

Try: May

Convs: N/A

Pens: Sandercock 2

Bude —

Tries: N/A

Convs:?N/A

Pens: Andrew 2