Sun 4 Feb 2024
Launceston Ladies Junior Cup run came to an end on Sunday in the Round of 16 for
the second year in row as a trip up country brought about the Cabettes first defeat of
the season. Wiltshire based outfit Melksham Ladies advertised the benefit of playing
in a regularly competitive league by edging out Launceston 22-17 in an intensely
close match.
Launceston set off up the M5 ready to take the game to Melksham and brandish
their Cornish style of rugby on the Wiltshire turf. They got off to the perfect start as
the Cabettes received the kick off and immediately went on the offensive. Keeping
hold of the ball they bashed their way up the pitch, camping on the 5m line for a
number of phases before Amy ‘Podge’ Warman was bundled over. Holly Williams
sweetly struck the extras.
Launceston could have been forgiven for thinking this was going to be business as
usual and start considering ‘how many will we score today?’. Melksham though
showed they’re a different beast to what Launceston have faced so far this season
as they immediately struck back. After some patient build up play, they replied with a
converted try of their own.
A wake up call that Launceston took seriously as for the next 25 minutes Launceston
camped in the Melksham half. The Cabettes threw everything they had at the
Melksham defence but as each attack seemed to be building towards a score,
Melksham conjured a way to clear their lines. The constant pressure though finally
paid dividends for Launceston. Once they sucked in enough defenders the ball was
thrown wide for Abigail Matthews to gas her way around the final defender and into
the corner. Conversion out wide missed.
The final 5 minutes of the half was Melkshams turn to build some pressure. After a
knock on over the Launceston tryline, Melksham grabbed a try in the penultimate
play of the half to level the scores for halftime.
HT 12-12
The game poised for a battle in the second half, Launceston needed to get hold of
the ball and build towards another score. But Melksham knew the importance of the
next score as well and it was they who got the scoreboard ticking in the first play of
the second half when they scored a well worked unconverted try.
The 2 tries either side of the half now threw all momentum in Melkshams favour as
Launceston found themselves behind and chasing the game for the first time this
season. The pressure to score next mixed with Melksham's ability to disrupt and
steal the ball at the rucks led Launceston into a bit of ill discipline and
uncharacteristic mistakes. Launceston continued to be frustrated by an immense
Melksham defence and after a number of attacks were stifled out, a mistake on the
halfway line was pounced upon by Melksham. With the ball hitting the deck it got
hacked through into Launcestons 22. A foot race to recover the ball was in vain as
Melkshams wing was able to dribble the ball to a score. Conversion missed.
With what seemed like a mountain to climb in the final 10 minutes, Launceston’s
pride and grit never faltered as they continued to fight in search of the score to
reignite their momentum. 5 minutes left and Abbie Smith gave the Cabettes a lifeline
and belief they could steal this at the death when she, instead of crashing through
the middle as she had done all game, backed her pace round the outside to dive
over in the corner. The kick from the touchline into the gust never stood a chance.
A score in it and Launceston reinvigorated, they emptied their tanks for the last 4
minutes and flew down the pitch. Praying for a gap to open or a tackle missed they
poured over the Melksham defence but, as they had done all game, cleared their
lines once more to the roar of the home crowd.
FT: 22-17
Although the game ended in defeat for Launceston, the Cabettes left the field with
smiles on their faces and the satisfaction of a hard fought game against a
competitive opponent. Launceston Ladies thank Melksham RFC for their welcoming
hospitality and wish them the best of luck in their cup run as well as the rest of their
season. Back to League action though this Sunday as the Cabettes, motivated by
the competitive prospect of the league above, host Devonport Services at Polson in
the hopes of taking one step closer to the League title.
Back of the Match: Abbie Smith
Forward of the Match: Kim Upcott
Report by: Dan Pearce
