Sun 9 Apr 2023
A month since Launceston last took the field against conspicuous league
winners Exeter University, Launceston Ladies proved themselves best of the
rest as they signed off their league campaign with another clean sheet victory,
eventually overcoming a gritty Bideford side 0-27.
The reverse fixture seems so long ago having been only the 2nd game of the
season back in October and although Launceston won that game and have
come a long way as a team since then, they knew this was going to be a
battle.
Bideford came out the blocks flying and took advantage of Launceston’s game
rustiness. They broke through Launceston’s normally stout defence and made
it within 5m more than once. It took some superb cover defence to keep the
Bideford roll at bay.
Launceston continued to show signs they hadn't played for a month as their
attacks lacked the final pass or right decision to finish with a score. Bideford
also frustrated Launceston by winning the race to the breakdowns and making
key turnovers as Launceston gained any sort of momentum. The only score of
the half came through scrum half Meg Tucker who showed a wicked turn of
pace and wriggled her way to the tryline. Holly Williams landed the difficult
kick.
HT: 0-7
A reshuffle and change of personnel at halftime sparked Launceston’s game
into life. The Cabettes got themselves on the front foot through Rhian
Thomas, Captain Mel Ruby and Kim Upcott making trademark power runs
through the defensive line. A penalty 10m out gave Amy ‘Podge’ Warman,
moved from 10 to 9, a chance to tap and pop to Kim, who rarely gets stopped
from that far out, to barge her way over for a score. Conversion missed.
With the forwards firing and causing all sorts of issues for the Bideford
defenders, the backs now had more space to play with. Emily Kneale and
Alicia England combining almost telepathically after some back and forth
passes opened the space up for Emily to run in untouched. Conversion
missed.
Fatigue clearly began to take hold in the Bideford camp as Launceston went
up through the gears. Kneale, who had been making her presence and
physicality known since being introduced at halftime, needed just a hint at a
dummy pass to convince the defender to move on as she ran through the gap
left and went in again untouched under the posts. Conversion missed.
The final play of the game saw Launceston once again stretch the defence,
attacking down the right then throwing the ball wide left to, now wing, Meg
Tucker to pin her ears and sprint to the corner for her second. Conversion out
wide was missed but the final whistle went and the season was over.
FT: 0-27
The Cabettes have one final game on the 22nd April when touring team
Penshore Ladies come down from Worcester. Kick off 11:00 am, immediately
followed by The CABs National Cup tie Vs Bracknell. The final chance to see
rugby at Polson Bridge this season.
Forward of the Match: Rhian Thomas
Back of the Match: Holly Williams
Report by: Dan Pearce
