Sun 4 Dec 2022
Launceston Ladies Match Report
Vs Exeter Athletic 04/12/2022
Launceston Ladies suffered their first league defeat on Sunday, succumbing to
a young, well organised and well conditioned Exeter University outfit 14-22.
This top of the table clash lived up to the hype as the 2 undefeated teams in
the league faced off at Polson Bridge. Neither side had even conceded a point
this season prior to this match but that all changed as these giants went head
to head.
Launceston knew they had to get out the changing rooms fast and
aggressively, with a plan to disrupt the Exeter engine and throw a few
spanners in the works for good measure. The Cabettes did just that using their
bigger, stronger pack to punch holes and make headway down the pitch. But
against Exeter’s thus far impervious defence, Launceston had to show
patience and rely on their experienced players to keep the heads calm as they
looked to find a chink in the armour. Amy ‘Podge’ Warman, as experienced as
they come, knew just when to switch from the forwards grunt to the backs
hands and running lines. 5 metres out, the ball was spun to Emily Kneale. She
drew in a couple of players and timed her offload to Alex Hutchings perfectly
who had cut a sything line against the grain to burst her way through to score
a memorable try. Holly Williams' boot was straight and true to add the 2 points.
With Launceston tails up, they held onto the ball for long periods, starving
Exeter of possession, preventing them from getting their motor running.
Strong carries from the usual suspects of Mel Ruby, Vicki Doidge and Kim
Upcott with Rhian Thomas finding her way over the gainline on the regular
and Meg and Jenna Arnold performing top draw as always. Exeter had
identified the threat of Emily Kneale and Alex Hutchings in the backs and
rightly so as the duo worked well to get Launceston on the front foot. But
Exeter showed why teams don’t score too often against them as their defence
held firm. Their chop tackles were low and accurate and when they had the
chance to double hit, the Launceston carriers were nullified.
Towards the end of the half, Exeter acquired a bit of possession and it was
Launceston’s turn to defend. The Cabettes matched the physicality of the
Exeter attack, allowing no room through the centres together with Joey
Sandercock and Abigail Matthews marshalling the wings, Exeter took to the
direct route. With Caitlin Hancock and Lyn Pridham on the prowl, tackling
everything that came near them, Launceston looked as unbreachable as ever.
But in the final play of the half, Launceston found themselves stretched.
Scrabbling across to cover a break, Launceston over committed allowing
Exeter to identify and execute an overlap for the winger to score on the other
side. Conversion missed.
HT: 7-5
Like a couple of boxers, both teams started the second half a little cagier,
sussing each other out and waiting for the other team to make a move.
Launceston had the edge in the scrum and the hard runners but stopping the
Exeter locomotion when at full chuff was a hard task. Maybe too hard as
Exeter landed a couple of blows in a 4 minute purple patch, scoring twice and
knocking the wind out of Launceston’s fight.
But like any great boxer it’s finding the ability to bounce back after hitting the
canvas. The Cabettes, channelling their inner Tyson Fury, found the guts to
fight their way back up the pitch. Throwing what they had left at Exeter, they
worked their way to Exeter’s 5 metre line and an almost carbon copy of their
first try, spun the ball wide to Alex Hutchings to duck her way over for her
second score and keep the fight alive. Holly Williams nailed the conversion.
With the final round coming to an end, Exeter though landed the knockout
punch. Launceston searching for glory and a winning score, coughed up
possession allowing Exeter to break down the wing and touchdown in the last
play of the game to flatter the score line.
FT: 14-22
Launceston Ladies can hold their heads up high as they showed true guts and
Launceston Rugby Club spirit to give the performance of their lives in front of
a cheering crowd against a very good Exeter Athletic team. The Ladies are
next in action on Saturday 17th December at Polson Bridge against local
rivals Bude.
Forward of the Match: Vicki Doidge
Back of the Match: Alex Hutchings
Report by: Dan Pearce
