AFTER two losses, Launceston Ladies returned to winning ways in front of a large home crowd with an outstanding performance against a much-fancied Havant team.

The Cabettes made home advantage count playing in the Cornish mud against a team used to plying their trade on their artificial pitch to run out 24-12 victors.

The physicality of this league will exercise teams’ strength in-depth over the course of the season and with regulars Briony Eddy, Nicole Rowland and Rhian Thomas all unavailable, Launceston’s much-changed pack were put to the test.

It would be another regular though that got Launceston off to the perfect start, taking centre Meg Tucker just 40 seconds to add to her tally this season. With Havant defenders seemingly stuck in the mud, Tucker simply glided through with a trademark mesmerizing run from 60 metres out. Caitlyn Hancock added the extras.

With the five-hour bus journey for Havant still in their legs, Launceston capitalised on their slow start and soon added a second after some quick feet from Abbey Smith as she ran in under the posts following good work by the forwards. Hancock's extras meant Launceston had a 14-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes.

That lead though was soon reduced as Havant found their legs and some possession to show why they are such a threat with an unconverted score of their own.

An arm wrestle ensued for the remainder of the half as Launceston’s forward domination was cancelled out by a well-structured Havant defence and despite some wonderful attacking rugby, the score remained 14-5 at the half-time whistle.

Havant came out of the blocks sharper than they did for the first half, creating pressure, while some ill discipline from the Cabettes, forced the hosts deep into their own half.

A charged down clearance kick was dotted down by Havant for a converted score which brought them towithin two points of the lead.

Having seen leads agonisingly slip through their fingers in recent weeks, Launceston were determined not to let that happen again as every Cabette laid their bodies on the line in the final third.

Their efforts were rewarded when they finally managed to break through Havant’s defences as Joey Bartlett dove into the corner. The conversion from out wide fell short.

Buoyed by this score, Launceston gave no quarter and kept the pressure on by forcing them deep into their own half. A turnover gave the hosts a chance to attack and from five metres out, captain Kim Upcott glossed her outstanding performance with a score of her own.

The conversion ricocheted off the crossbar but the damage was done as, despite a late onslaught from the Hampshire side, the Cabettes saw the game out as deserved winners.

Launceston will look to carry this momentum at undefeated league favourites Newbury Blues on Saturday, November 8.

LAUNCESTON LADIES: Bartlett; Franks, M Tucker, Smith, Vine, Hicks, Warman; Cole, J Arnold, Upcott (capt); M Arnold, Harrison; Gilmour, Hancock, Hutchings. Replacements: Speare, Risdon, Ninnis, Belsey, G Tucker, Larson, Duke.

Tries: M Tucker, Smith, Bartlett, Upcott; Convs: Hancock (2); Pens: N/A.

Players’-of-the-match: Forward – Jess Harrison; Back – Amy Warman; Spectators’ – Tia Larson.