LAUNCESTON retained the annual Borders Cup as two of their three sides secured victory at old rivals Okehampton on Saturday to secure an overall 69-61 success.

The action got underway with the Colts, followed by the second teams before the first team’s 28-15 success got the job done in front of a healthy crowd at The Showground.

The Colts had an impressive scrum in the first half of a very physical game throughout, although they were held to 12-12 just after the break.

However the visitors emerged narrow 22-17 winners with tries coming from Jago Wickett, Zak Ruby, Rene Hill and Alfie Allin.

The Castles – who had seen off Tavistock in a friendly nine days earlier – played well with some standout performances from Dom Theobald and Richard Jasper.

Launceston had a high penalty count which let the Okes into the game, but again, similar to the Colts, the result could have gone either way. However, the Castles slipped at the end and seemingly ran out of energy as the hosts won 29-19. The Lanson try scorers were skipper Tom Sandercock, Theobald and summer returnee, Joe Vanstone.

With Okehampton having a five-point lead overall from the opening two matches, it meant there was plenty of intrigue going into the first team battle.

Oke enjoyed a fine record in the league meetings between the two before their relegation from Regional One South West, and tore into the hosts from kick-off, taking an early lead with an unconverted try.

The hosts chose to kick for points after the CABs gave away a penalty for 8-0, but Launceston responded as new vice-captain George Hillson exploited a gap in Okehampton’s defence before he offloaded to Jack Easton who scored under the posts. Young fly-half Albie Newton converted it to reduce the arrears to one going into half-time.

Launceston saw four disallowed tries from Andy Rowe, Jake Crabb, Rory Mead and Dan Pearce, three of which were held up while the latter was adjudged as a forward pass. However, they did eventually get in front as man-of-the-match George Harris fought his way to the try line despite shrugging off three defenders. Newton kicked the extra points (8-14).

Okehampton scored from the back of the scrum to retake the lead by a point, but with the visitors’ impact players being brought on and each of them playing well and bringing renewed energy, they fought back despite losing lock Cian Baker to a yellow card for offside after the team made too many infringements.

But to Launceston’s credit they continued to battle away and went ahead both in the game and on the day overall as recent signing Devon Bennett-Murray powered over the line from a pick and go behind a ruck.

Okehampton seemed to fade and run out of energy near the end as the Blacks dominated. Full-back James Tucker sealed the deal when he intercepted a pass and scored a try under the posts, much to the joy of the healthy away following. Dan Perce sent the ball sailing between the uprights to make it 28-15 on the field and 69-61 overall which meant the Cornishmen held on to the Borders Cup for another year.

Launceston have no match this weekend before their Regional One South West opener at Trowbridge next Saturday.