National Two South

Cornish All Blacks 8

Cambridge 33

Polson Bridge

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LAUNCESTON put up a good fight against joint top of the table Cambridge in atrocious conditions at Polson, but the professionalism of the visitors ensured they returned home with a 8-33 victory.

The home team put in a passionate display in the first half, with exemplary defence skills that kept a rampant Cambridge side at bay.

Play was predominantly in Launceston’s half, and there were numerous opportunities for Cambridge to score, but Launceston fought hard to stop them from finding touch.

Thirty minutes in and the score was still nil-nil, but Cambridge’s Michael Aryton caught the Launceston players on the hop when he picked up a long ball to go over for a try. The conversion was made by Gerhard Boshoff.

Both sides missed a penalty kick, and at the half time whistle, Cambridge were in the lead.

Launceston started the second half in fine form with a penalty kicked through the posts by Fraser Honey. Things took a turn for the worst shortly after when referee Adam Leal gave Rob Dugard ten minutes in the sin bin.

Cambridge were tough opposition, and the advantage in man power helped the visitors to score their second try, this time by Albert Portsmouth, again converted by Boshoff.

Launceston replied with their only try of the game, after being awarded a string of penalties. A concerted effort following a line-out moved play close to the line.

The Launceston players raised their arms in celebration at Jamie Salter’s try, and after clarification from a touch judge, the referee awarded the points.

Any chance of a win was snatched from Launceston’s grasp when Cambridge scored two converted tries in quick succession — one by Boshoff and a second for Portsmouth, with Boshoff kicking both conversions.

Launceston made a couple of costly errors and Cambridge finished the game with a fifth try, scored by replacement Lawrence Hutchinson.

Although the Launceston side knew it was going to be a hard encounter, the side wasn’t deterred, but they were ultimately beaten by the better team on the day.

Launceston’s captain, Richard Friend praised his side’s hunger during the 80 minutes: "In the first half I think we had the better of them. They threw everything at us, even the kitchen sink, but nothing was working for them.

“Our defence in the first half was outstanding. The hunger, the want and the desire to keep Cambridge out was brilliant.

"I think their two quick tries was what killed us. I think that was the changing point of the game. They’re not a top side for no reason. But hats off to our boys. They are really working hard every Tuesday and Thursday - they’re putting in their all. We really want to keep the club out of relegation. We’re not even half way through the season yet. When that win does come, I think there will be many more to follow.”

Next week Launceston are on the road when they take on Bishops Stortford.

Launceston: Tries: Salter (58), pen: Honey (41)

Cambridge: Tries: Ayrton M (31), Portsmouth (52, 65), Boshoff (63), Hutchinson (77), conv: Boshoff (31, 52, 63, 65).

Half time: 0-7, full time: 8-33.

Man of the match: Richard Friend.

Attendance: 433

Teams:

Launceston — McGinley, Chapman S, Westren, Dawe (Honey 40), Kneebone, Swash, Friend, Dugard, Salter (Bulut 60), Chapman L (Dugard 60), Tripcony (Parish 74), Hamber, Lee (Keat 50, Duke J 60), Duke L, Childs (Lee 74).

Cambridge — Furbank (Hutchinson 29), Stokes (Furbank 67), Portsmouth, Ayrton J, Ayrton M, Boshoff, Liebenberg (Gillick 67), Coutts (Jones 60), Griffiths (Taylor 1), Jones (Seal 26, Coutts 74), Bretag-Norris, Moon, Daynes (Walker 74) Walker (Meek 67), Adams.