Sun 19 Feb 2023
Launceston Ladies completed the derby day double with a flattering 55-12 win
over local rivals Bude.
Bude rocked up to Polson Bridge with a bare 15 squad but played with
absolute dogged determination and a never say die attitude to cause
Launceston some real issues, even becoming only the second team this
season to score points against the Cabettes in the league.
Right from the kick off Bude set their tone by holding on to the ball for 7
minutes of continuous play, phase after phase they denied Launceston any
possession or any break in play. But once Launceston turned the ball over
they were clinical as they worked the ball down the blindside, picking off the
Bude defenders and putting Emily Kneale away for a score. Holly Williams
kicked the extras.
From the restart it seemed like deja vu from last week as Emily broke straight
through the Bude defensive chase and cantered down the pitch before
offloading to the supporting Kim Upcott to trot in from 22m out for her try.
Conversion missed.
Launceston once again surged down the field looking to build on their
momentum but a Bude player went down with a leg injury which halted the
game for 10 minutes as she received treatment. Once the play continued, with
both teams playing with 14 players now, the Cabettes picked up where they
left off and with a strong run from Rhian Thomas she got her hands free for an
offload to Vicki Doidge to score. Holly converted once again.
From here though, Launceston's handling errors began to creep in, giving
Bude a chance to play keep ball. Launceston, understandably frustrated with
the lack of ball, became too eager to win the ball back and started giving away
penalties. Bude’s scrum half Lisa Allin saw an opportunity for a quick tap and
go when Launceston’s defence were too slow to retreat the 10m and
scampered her way through the offside defenders for a score. Conversion
missed.
That wake up call was needed as Launceston immediately returned to attack
mode, putting together some phase play of their own eventually narrowing the
Bude defence before the ball was swung wide to Charlotte Crocker who
stepped inside the scrambling defenders to score. Joey this time making the
kick.
Relentlessly, Launceston kept their foot on Bude throats with waves of
attacking play, forcing Bude to make tackle after tackle. Again, Bude’s defence
narrowed and Launceston were able to take advantage out wide, this time
Meg Tucker going over in the corner. Conversion missed.
The final play of the half saw another barnstorming run from Launceston’s
power house centre Emily Kneale who once again got her hands free for the
offload, this time to Joey Sandercock to scurry over for her score which she
gladly converted for good measure.
HT: 38-5
The second half saw Bude create a number of problems for Launceston,
strong counter rucking and good rush defence seemed to fluster Launceston
resulting in handling errors and lack of structure. This meant Bude started on
the front foot and grabbed an early score, once again through Lisa Allin, which
she gladly converted. Game on.
Launceston began to just keep hold of the ball as best they could. With Bude
disrupting the breakdown, Launceston couldn’t seem to get any continuity in
their play. It took some brilliant vision from flanker Rhian to switch the play to
the blindside and run around the would-be defence to grab her score.
Conversion missed.
This unstructured rugby gave licence for Launceston to play an offload game
in order to keep the ball away from breakdowns. But with the hands not on top
form, the ball began hitting the deck more often. When it came off though,
Launceston looked unplayable and Vicki profited as she found herself in
space after a series of offloads to run over for her second score. Joey’s
kicking boots were on today as she slotted another conversion.
The final score came as Launceston were turned over in Bude’s 22, the
clearing kick landing straight in Holly’s arms and she returned in style as she
broke down the wing to score her second. The touchline conversion missed
but Launceston played out the remainder of the game to secure that all
important win.
FT: 55-12
Launceston remain at home next week as they welcome Camborne to Polson
Bridge.
Forward of the Match: Rhain Thomas
Back of the Match: Amy Warman
Report by: Dan Pearce
