THE Castles were unable to make their second half dominance count as the visitors left Polson Bridge with a 29-19 victory.

The home side also paid for a slow start as they conceded inside 60 seconds through Gideon Blacklock, before they conceded five minutes later as another backs move ended with Jack Day running in from 40 metres.

Launceston’s forwards gradually got on top and 25 minutes in reduced the arrears as inside-centre Richard Jasper crashed over from short-range which was added to by midfield partner Morgan Woods.

The hosts were on top for much of the rest of the half, but with five minutes remaining fell further behind as a driving maul ended with Ollie Roots scoring in the corner.

After the break, Launceston dominated the scrums with props Olly Martin and Simon Burden excelling, but despite spending nearly all of the time in the Perranporth half, it took until the 50th minute for replacement scrum-half Rhys Hughes to dive over from close-range after picking off the base of a scrum.

Within five minutes the visitors extended their lead further with a penalty from Ash Carter, and a second driving maul try with 15 minutes remaining from Will Wright meant Launceston needed two scores for a brace of bonus-points.

One arrived with just under 10 to play as a fine run from Woods ended with full-back Mitch Acres going over with the former slotting the kick. However, the Brewers held on for all five points.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Mitch Acres; Jordan Taylor, Morgan Woods, Richard Jasper, Harvey Fry; Dan Pearce, Cody Smith; Olly Martin, Luke Howe, Simon Burden (capt); Harvey Basford, Ben Greene; Tyler Westlake, Lewis Dennis, Chris Hall. Replacements: Josh Elias, Jack Lankston, Finn Stiles, Rhys Hughes.

Tries: Jasper, Hughes, Acres; Convs: Woods (2); Pens: N/A.

Castles’ player-of-the-match: Dan Pearce.