Sun 9 Mar 2025
Launceston Ladies title charge stalled on Sunday as Bath United did their part to keep the race alive. Not even scoring more points than Bath have conceded all season at home was enough for Launceston to get the victory they needed to be champions, going down 33-19 at Lambridge Training Ground.
Contemplation on the 2 and a half hour bus trip to North Somerset gave Launceston time to understand the gravity of what stood before them but as kick off came, that weight seemed literal as the Cabettes were slow to get going. Combined with the fire Bath possessed, seemingly fueled by the loss to Launceston 2 weeks ago, Bath were quickly 2 scores up, one of which was converted.
Launceston needed a spark of their own. A late hit on Amy ‘Podge’ Warman that knocked the wind out of her evidently blew straight into Launceston’s sails as they soared up the pitch from the restart. Finding their rhythm, Launceston began to look dangerous through Rhian Thomas, Vicki Doidge and Jenna Arnold punching holes. The hard work was rewarded by Holly Williams finding her way over the tryline.
With the Cabettes on the ascendancy, the Bath defence was being stressed, giving away penalties. Podge, wanting to keep the tempo high, took a quick tap penalty and shipped the ball wide to Abbie Smith. With the defence disorganised, Smith sidestepped her way through and under the sticks. Conversion was good and the scores now tied.
With half time approaching, Launceston were hunting for a way to take the lead but the home side's big hitters made sure there were no easy yards to be had. One such hit dislodged the ball from Launceston’s possession and a kind bounce found one of Bath’s speedy wingers to canter in from distance and with an impressive kick from out wide, the halftime score saw Bath leading 19-12.
The Cabettes have been in this situation before and were confident despite being behind at the break. They knew if they could stay in touch after 60 minutes, their fitness would see them through. But 5 minutes in, Bath doubled their advantage after a quick tap penalty from the 9. With Launceston players not being 10m, she burst through and ran it in from 40m out. Conversion was good.
The term ‘play to the whistle’ was stretched to the limit after a seemingly obvious knock on from Bath was seen by everyone but the man in the middle. The Launceston players, expecting the whistle to go, all but stopped as the Bath winger continued to make her way to the tryline for another converted score.
Launceston now had a mountain to climb but rang the changes and threw everything they had left in search of the scores needed. The Bath defence though proved immense as everytime Launceston came within scoring distance, Bath found a way to clear their lines. It took the centre partnership of Meg Tucker and Abbie Smith combining like a well rehearsed ballroom dance, offloading back and forth before Tucker broke free to score out wide. Williams with a superb conversion to keep hopes alive.
With time running out Launceston were spent and couldn’t find another score to bring them closer and the game fizzled out to a 33-19 loss.
The Cabettes now have the chance to win the silverware on home soil as their next match see’s them welcome Yeovil to Polson on the 23rd March.
Forward of the Match: Jenna Arnold
Back of the Match: Amy Warman
Report by: Dan Pearce
