THE Castles returned to winning ways with a last-gasp try to edge St Austell Seconds and leapfrog their opponents in the table.

Launceston came out of the blocks with intent as with the first attack of the game, hooker Luke Howe steered a driving maul to the line. Player/coach Dan Pearce added the extras for 7-0.

The Sinners though took control of the ball for long portions of the half and after a sustained period of pressure, Calum Durant way over the try line.

The Castles though saw a break from returning full-back Richard Jasper earn a penalty in front of the posts for Launceston which Pearce slotted.

A score from Rowan Bird just before the half-time whistle meant the teams went into the break all square at 10-10.

Both defences proved tough to break down but it was St Austell’s ill-discipline and back chat which saw a penalty marched back to within kicking distance as Pearce added three points from 40 metres out.

With just under 10 minutes left it was Launceston’s ill-discipline that put the Sinners in prime location five metres from their line, and another driving maul ended in a converted score from Garry Hooper – converted by Charlie Reynolds – for St Austell to take the lead.

The Castles threw the kitchen sink in their pursuit for a try, but the Sinners were defiant. Finally, a crack appeared and man-of-the-match Lloyd Duke was rightly the one to crash through it as the clock turned red.

The Castles are next in action at Bodmin on Saturday, February 28.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Jasper; Ward, Ca Smith, Co Smith, Fry; Pearce, Sillifant; Stevens, Howe, Burden, Lankston, Greene; Westlake, Dennis, Duke. Replacements: Basford, Hargreaves, Hall, Knight.

Tries: Howe, Duke; Convs: Pearce; Pens: Pearce 2.

Castles’ player-of-the-match: Lloyd Duke.