LAUNCESTON slipped to an opening day defeat as newly-promoted Topsham ran out 19-8 winners at Polson Bridge.

The All Blacks, who finished fifth last season, were looking to build on their encouraging 43-7 victory over Okehampton in their final pre-season outing, and handed first league starts to three new signings in the pack in the shape of hooker Rory Mead, Ben Hancock, who lined up in an unfamiliar second-row position, and flanker George Harris.

A fourth summer recruit – Morgan Woods – was on the bench.

In front of a healthy crowd of more than 700 on Sponsors Day – the visitors started well and were over the line inside three minutes, however the home defence managed to hold it up.

Launceston took the lead through a James Tucker penalty, but on 13 minutes the Devonians were in front as winger George Tucker broke through to score (3-5).

After the kick-off Topsham wasted no time in getting back in the Blacks half and within four minutes were over the try line again after a dominant scrum that allowed hooker Ethan Barnaschone to dot down. Scrum-half James Martin kicked the conversion, extending their lead to 12-3.

It was shaping up to being a physical game with turnover balls from both teams and rolling mauls with the defending team coming out with possession.

However, Launceston lost influential inside-centre Cam Fogden to injury on 22 minutes with Woods coming on his place.

The home side’s luck was out as shortly after as debutant Harris injured his hamstring, with Alex Bartlett brought on to replace him.

Launceston needed to get through to half-time but conceded on 36 minutes as No.8 Robin Edbrooke broke through and reached the line ahead of the excellent Charlie Tummon. Martin added the extras for 19-3.

The Blacks gave themselves a chance before the break as fly-half James Tucker exploited a gap in defence and just as he was about to be tackled, offloaded to Bebbington to do the rest. The conversion went awry, not helped by a strong wind.

The second half was a stop-start affair with the home side making little headway in terms of reducing the Topsham lead.

Charlie Short was sin-binned for giving away too many scrum penalties, but Launceston held the visitors and didn’t concede points during the yellow card.

Topsham were dominant in the scrums, which was stemmed somewhat by a change around in the home pack, and eventually were forced on to the defensive in the dying stages.

Some excellent runs by the likes of Bebbington, Tucker and home man-of-the-match Hancock, coupled with some forward power from Short, Brandon Rowley and Tummon, made the defenders work hard.

It looked like Launceston would end with a losing bonus point when Tummon appeared to have scored with 84 minutes on the clock, but the referee said it was held up, and that was that.

The Blacks travel to Gloucester-based Matson on Saturday looking for their first win of the season.

LAUNCESTON: Ben Bryant; Billy Martin, Callum Smith, Cam Fogden, Ollie Bebbington; James Tucker, Tom Sandercock; Levent Bulut, Rory Mead, Mitch Hawken; Ben Hancock, George Bone; Charlie Tummon, George Harris, Brandon Rowley. Replacements: Charlie Short, Alex Bartlett, Morgan Woods.

Tries: Bebbington; Convs: N/A; Pens: Tucker.

Launceston man-of-the-match: Ben Hancock.