THERE was delight for Launceston on Saturday at Polson Bridge as they saw off Wadebridge Camels and Penzance and Newlyn to win the Cornwall Super Cup.

The competition was held over from last season and provided all three clubs ideal preparation ahead of the new season which gets underway on September 26 following the RFU’s recent decision to delay the start by a fortnight due to the recent hot weather.

The format was three 40-minute matches split into two 20-minute halfs with each team facing the other once.

The first game saw the Regional One South West hosts take on one league lower Penzance and Newlyn with Launceston winning 21-10 as George Hillson, Billy Martin and summer signing Sheldon Higgins crossed the whitewash. Throughout the game, the Blacks defence was strong and even managed to hold the West Cornwall side up over the line twice.

The CABs attack also functioned well with line breaks from Ollie Bebbington, Hillson and Higgins causing problems. Martin, Dan Pearce and Mitch Sibley also had their moments going forward as they worked well as a team.

Launceston were back on soon after against Wadebridge who – like the Pirates – are in Regional Two South West. The Camels brought a physical game to the CABs, but the Blacks had the measure of them.

The CABs had a dominant scrum after a few changes and the mauls were unstoppable, forcing Wadebridge back in their own half. Despite handling errors, the Blacks’ impenetrable defence kept the Camels out in a 26-0 success that saw four tries scored by Sheldon Higgins (2), Devon Bennett-Murray and George Harris.

Mitch Hawken, Cornwall Senior Cup.
Launceston skipper Mitch Hawken was presented the trophy by CRFU chair Steve Murley.

The third match might have been a dead rubber in terms of the Super Cup, however with both teams in the same league there was an early chance to see what the other has.

A close contest went the way of Penzance 14-12 despite a late yellow card which meant they finished the game with 14 players.

Once the matches were played, Steve Murley, chairman of Cornwall RFU, made the presentations in front of a near 300-strong crowd.

Ollie Bebbington, playing at full-back as opposed to his usual position on the left wing was named player of the tournament for his pivotal role in the attack and his influence in the team’s defence, before new captain Mitchell Hawken received the Cornwall Super Cup.

With their first match of the season at promoted Trowbridge less than three weeks away, Launceston now head to old rivals Okehampton this weekend in the annual Borders Cup with the Colts (midday), seconds (1.45pm) and firsts (3.30pm) all in action.

Reflecting on the day, head coach Steve Perry said: “Both were very competitive games and a really good test.

“It allowed us to evaluate our players and some of the new and young players would have learnt a lot from the experience.

“I felt we took on board the feedback after the first game and implemented that in the second. So overall, I was pleased with the players, but there’s work to do.”

LAUNCESTON SQUAD: Forwards – Mitchell Hawken (capt), Alex Bartlett, Sam Snell, Archie Doidge, Rory Mead, Jake Crabb, Cian Baker, Devon Bennett-Murray, Charlie Tummon, Lloyd Duke, Fin Cackett, George Harris, Brandon Rowley, Andy Rowe; Backs – George Hillson, Albie Newton, Sheldon Higgins, Jack Easton, Ollie Bebbington, Billy Martin, Mitch Sibley, Dan Pearce, Callum Smith, James Heale.