Sat 25 Feb 2023
Launceston ladies put themselves at the top of the league this weekend after
seeing off a physical Camborne side, mirroring the away result earlier in the
season, 56-0.
Launceston knew that for this game there would quite a few unavailabilities for
various reasons but in true Cabettes spirit, Poppy Speare delayed her move
away by a day and Avril Crabb stepped in in the ninth hour after shuffling other
commitments, making a huge impact on how this game panned out.
Camborne though suffered last minute injuries and illnesses, unfortunately
meaning they were unable to field a competent front row, resulting in
uncontested scrums.
With the lack of finishers, Launceston knew they had to take every early
chance they could to build a score. So when Camborne gave away a penalty
right in front of the posts, Holly Williams stepped up to coolly slot the 3 points.
Emily Kneale, proving to be a potent weapon in Launceston’s arsenal, was
keen to ensure she did a number on her former club and it didn’t take long for
her impact to be felt. After breaking through the would be tacklers, she
stormed up the field before eventually getting crowded by the Camborne
cover. The ball recycled at the ruck was worked to Rhian Thomas to score in
the corner. Conversion missed.
Camborne found themselves in possession of the ball for the first time but
were unable to keep it in hand. Launceston used all the advantage given by
the referee as the Cabettes quickly switched to attack, finding Emily in more
space than she needed to break up the field. Again the Camborne defence
scrambled well to stop her but the ball was thrown wide and although the final
pass wasn’t perfect, Mia Wray was able to take the catch, pirouette her way
around her opposite number and cruise in for her first score. Conversion
missed.
Launceston’s hard runners in Kneale, Vicki Diodge, Mel Ruby and Rhian
Thomas proved intimidating figures to tackle. Taking full advantage of this they
charged through the Camborne defence, requiring 3 or 4 players to bring them
down, leaving space for Launcestons’s fleet footed back line to reward their
hard work with points. The Cabettes next two scores were a result of this
game plan with both Holly Williams and Charlotte Crocker crossing the
whitewash. Williams converted both for good measure.
Towards the end of the half, Camborne got a hold of the ball and tested the
Launceston defence. The Camborne 13 proved a handful with her speed but
some stout defending, from the likes of wing turned flanker Poppy Speare
getting stuck in, kept her at bay. One particular text book side on tackle from
wing Alicia England stopped a certain try by the outside centre and left
Camborne short of a score at halftime.
HT: 27-0
Launceston brought on their finishers for the start of the second half and the
fresh blood kept the Launceston machine steaming and made their presence
known as the Cabbettes flew down the pitch via Charlotte Crocker. She
weaved her way into the 22 before being chopped down just short. Mia Wray
in perfect support picked the ball from the back of the ruck and scurried in
unopposed. Holly Williams with her 4th kick of the day.
Another break down the field took a monstrous hit from the Camborne captain
to stop Holly Williams. Referee Andy Bickle knew a moment was needed to
regain the air lost and nurse the sore ribs before restarting the play with a
scrum to Launceston. The midfield platform was the perfect place to launch
the backs attack and with Emily Kneale in fine form, she ran through the
Camborne backs and under the posts for a deserved score. Joey Sandercock
took over the kicking duties and added the extra 2.
That hit seemed to fire the Camborne defence up though and tackles came
hard and fast, turning the game messy. But Launceston soon regained their
composure and in turn their structure, sending their hard runners through the
heart before spinning it to the backs, this time sending the bruised Holly
Williams over for a score. Conversion missed.
Both teams began to suffer with the lack of finishers, at points the Camborne
pack littered across the park after giving their absolute all and Launceston’s
potent runners seemingly gassed out. But Launceston, trusting their structure,
continued to find their way down the field and then unleash the backs for 2
more scores, both expertly finished by wing Mia Wray before the final whistle.
Neither converted.
FT: 56-0
Launceston showed their strength in depth and team spirit to come together
and overcome a workmanlike Camborne that, despite being in the early
stages of development, proved a tough opposition to overcome.
The Cabettes have a week off before ‘le crunch’ as they face Exeter Athletic
away on Sunday 12th March, 3pm kick off.
Back of the Match: Mia Wray
Forward of the Match: Poppy Speare
Report by: Dan Pearce
