Sat 16 Sep 2023
With the club hosting their annual sponsors day, what better way for the ladies
to open their league campaign than following the men’s game against local
rivals Bude. A bumper crowd remained to watch the Cabettes run out 41-0
victors.
Bude arrived with a scratch 15 and with key players like Lisa Allin, Alex
Gallegher and Tia Larson all unavailable it was always an uphill battle against
a fired up Launceston team boasting a full roster. But as always Bude laid
everything on the line and gave Launceston a competitive game.
The mizzle still hazing down under the lights, the ladies entered the pitch
eager to follow the mens result. Feilding 3 young debutants in the form of
Ellen Armstrong, Madi Vine and Abby Smith, products of the clubs U18 girls
team, they looked to mix the youthful exuberance with experienced heads to
get the job done. The opening exchanges were messy due to the greasy
conditions, neither side able to build much phase play. But Launceston as they
so often did last season found a way as Holly Williams opened her account for
the year to scrabble over through the chaos. Conversion Missed.
Launceston headed straight back into Bude’s half, but again found it hard to
keep hold of possession and find their rhythm. They looked to feed the wider
channels but Budes cover defence proved outstanding. Eventually Joey
Sandercock pounced on her opportunity and found a way over the line.
Conversion made by Holly Williams.
Again Launceston set up base camp in Budes 22 but with the forwards not
quite firing and cover defence holding in the wide channels, Bude, as
predicted, proving a tough nut to crack. A scrum 5m out in Launceston's
favour provided the platform for Launceston to assert some forward
dominance. Vicki Doidge breaking off the base and sucking in defenders gave
Amy ‘Podge’ Warmen a chance to scoot over for another score. Conversion
missed.
At this point, Bude’s defence began to crack as injuries started to creep in and
without substitutions ended up with a numerical disadvantage. Launceston
managing to find the spaces left by the unoccupied players and with less
numbers to hang off Mel Ruby as she made her trademark barreling runs, it
was inevitable she would bag a score of her own. Conversion successful from
Holly Williams.
The final score of the half came from the sublime Meg Tucker as once again
Launceston shipped the ball wide but Meg had the presence of mind to cut
back and snake hips her way through to the line. Conversion missed
HT 34-0
Bude, obviously battered and bruised but still with fight left in them, started the
half with players struggling from injuries. Launceston got themselves on the
front foot but play was hampered by the injuries, even to the point where
scrums went uncontested and after Meg Tucker blitz down the wing to dot
down for her second, Holly Williams converted, both teams came to the
agreement the league contest was over at 41-0 and played the remainder of
the fixture as a friendly.
This gave an opportunity for Launceston to lend players to Bude and give
everyone some much needed game time. Scores for Vicki Doidge and Briony
Edy topped off sterling performances by them and the final score of the match
went to Meg Tucker, even if she was playing for Bude at this point! It’s
undecided if this counts as a Hat-trick?
Launceston can feel like job done but know there are work-ons to prepare for
the next game on the 1st of October away in the cup, opponents TBC.
Forward of the Match: Megan Arnold
Back of the Match: Meg Tucker
Report By: Dan Pearce
