LAUNCESTON Castles let slip a 22-point lead as third-placed Falmouth fought back to secure a share of the spoils.

Before the start of the game, the Castles would have taken a draw after a number of last minute drop-outs, but they rallied together, produced a controlled performance and took their chances emphatically.

The North Cornwall side started the game taking up early territory, letting Falmouth know they were in for a fight today. But after giving away a couple of penalties, the Castles found themselves deep in their own 22 and a few powerful scrums later, Falmouth were under the sticks to open the scoring with full-back Ethan Williams adding the extras for 7-0.

The Castles didn’t let the score rock them as they returned straight back to the Falmouth 22 and mounted their assault. After a number of penalties kicked to the corner, the referee finally had enough and brandished a yellow card to the Eagles for multiple offences. Launceston took advantage of the numbers and drove their maul over for hooker Luke Howe to dot down. Morgan Woods added the extras and soon after added three more points from the tee to take the lead.

The visitors had their tails up and from the restart went on the attack. Fly-half Dan Pearce made a break up the field only to be brought down by full-back Williams. An attempted offload from the deck was deemed to be slapped down by the same player, resulting in a penalty try and a yellow card for his troubles. meaning Launceston went into the break 17-7 ahead.

Launceston started the second half preparing themselves for a Falmouth onslaught to sway the momentum in their favour, but it was the Castles that carried their purple patch over. Another break from Pearce in the opening play, this time going all the way, extended the lead.

With their tails up, everything seemed to stick as the Castles offloaded their way to another score, this time through winger Freddie Ward to continue his impressive scoring record this season. Woods’ kick was off target.

Despite the visitors seemingly cruising to victory, the Eagles showed why they are third in the league and mounted their comeback immediately with two quick scores giving them hope.

The pressure soon told as a clash of heads saw winger Mitch Acres groggily leave the pitch soon followed by a yellow card for scrum-half Corey Sillifant.

Falmouth grabbed another score to take them to within five, making for a nervy last 10 minutes.

Launceston put everything on the line to hold out the much heavier forward back, but after Tom Walton also saw yellow. In the final play, a scrum on Launceston’s five-metre line with the final play was too much to defend as Falmouth levelled up with the kick to go.

The first miss of the day for Williams meant the scores stayed level.

Launceston return to Polson Bridge on Saturday when they welcome second-placed Helston (2.30pm), looking to avenge their heavy defeat from earlier in the season.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Knight; Acres, Co Smith, Woods, Ward; Pearce, Sillifant; Stevens, Howe, Basford; Theobald, Greene; Westlake, Stiles, Ca Smith. Replacements: Walton, Duke, Hall, Chisango.

Tries: Howe, penalty try, Pearce, Ward; Convs: Woods (2); Pens: Woods.

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