LAUNCESTON head to Newent tomorrow afternoon (2.30pm) looking to continue their excellent start to the season in Regional One South West.

Since an opening day defeat at league new boys Trowbridge which saw them rally in the second half to pick up a brace of bonus points, the All Blacks put on a fine display to see off much-fancied Brixham before overcoming St Austell last weekend in the Cornish derby thanks to Sheldon Higgins’ late try.

However, long away trips to Gloucestershire are never easy. The two clubs enjoyed a rivalry back in 2018/19 campaign where they battled for promotion from the old South West One (West) which ended with Launceston securing the runners-up spot ahead of the Greens. They reconvene with the hosts the only side to have lost all three outings so far having been transferred from Regional One Midlands over the summer.

Comfortable defeats at promoted Weston-super-Mare and Exmouth were followed up by a much-improved display at Trowbridge, going down 29-21.

It means of their remaining 19 fixtures, 11 are at home and the ‘Green Army’ will hope to make their Recreation Ground home an intimidating venue to come to.

Launceston though name a similar side. The front five is unchanged once again, while the sole alteration in the pack sees young flanker Jed Griffin replace former captain Lloyd Duke who drops to the bench where he is joined by brother-in-law Brandon Rowley who has been rewarded for his sensational form for the Castles.

In the backs, fly-half James Tucker is back from holiday as youngster Albie Newton goes back to the second team to start, particularly as Castles player/coach Dan Pearce is needed back in the ones. He starts on the left-wing as Billy Martin goes to 13 to cover the outside-centre Eoin Baker who is set to be out for the next four to six weeks.

George Alvis has racked up the tries so far for the Castles since his summer move to the area, and ironically could make his first team debut at his old club.

Head coach Steve Perry admitted last week’s clash was all about the result and expects a stiff examination at Newent.

He said: “I was really pleased to get the result at St Austell, the boys were telling me they hadn’t won there in three years, so to pick up the win was really important.

“Although we were losing at the break, I thought we played quite well considering we were going up the hill and into the wind, but we kept getting penalised and didn’t defend very well for their tries.

“I thought we were a bit unlucky to be behind at half-time but after the break we moved the ball far more effectively and utilised the space which came from the red card, so we’ve got to be happy with the result.”

Attention now switches to the Recreation Ground as Launceston look for back-to-back victories away from Polson Bridge.

Perry continued: “Trowbridge away shows that you can’t take anyone lightly, so the focus has got to be there. Tomorrow is going to be a real challenge. It’s a long journey and there are works going on on the motorway, so we’re going to have to deal with that and the fact it’s there first home game of the season. But hopefully we can continue the good form of the last two and a half games.

“James Tucker was away last week, but he’s our starting 10 at present and comes straight back in, and it’s nice to have Dan’s experience on the wing which I always think is a big help when you have tough away games.

“We’ve also got a really good experienced bench with Lloyd and Brandon on there as well as Alex Bartlett and Rory Mead, so the squad is looking good. Brandon has been really good for the Castles and deserves his chance.

We’re also giving a debut to Jed Griffin at flanker. He was with me last year at Newton Abbot and has been out in South Africa over the summer, so I said do you fancy coming down and having a look. He played really well at Liskeard-Looe for the Castles and has done well for us so far, so it felt like a good opportunity to give him a start.”

Elsewhere around the club, there’s plenty of excitement.

The Castles – with three wins from three – face an acid test of their promotion credentials when they welcome relegated Penryn to Polson Bridge (3pm) in Counties Two Cornwall.

The Borough went down on the final day from Counties One Western West after losing at Torquay Athletic, but are one of several sides determined to go up. They head to North Cornwall having tasted victory in all their outings.

Amongst those coming into the side from last weekend’s success at their St Austell counterparts are props Olly Martin and Tom Stevens, lock Jake Crabb, back-rowers Tremaine Fry and Fin Cackett, plus backs Rich Jasper and Albie Newton.

Perry added: “I’m looking forward to watching the Castles game on video against a team who are also three from three. Hopefully plenty of supporters will get down there and cheer the boys on.”

The ladies also have a mouthwatering Sunday as they welcome neighbours Okehampton in Women’s Championship South West Two (3pm). The two sides have never met in a league fixture, and if the men’s fixtures are anything to go by, it should be lively.

LAUNCESTON: Ollie Bebbington; Sheldon Higgins, Billy Martin, Jack Easton, Dan Pearce; James Tucker, George Hillson; Mitch Hawken (capt), Archie Doidge, Charlie Short; Devon Bennett-Murray, Dan Goldsmith; Charlie Tummon, Jed Griffin, George Harris. Replacements: Alex Bartlett, Rory Mead, Lloyd Duke, Brandon Rowley, George Alvis.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Rich Jasper; Freddie Ward, James Heale, Joe Vanstone, Mitch Acres; Albie Newton, Ollie Tomkies; Olly Martin, Luke Howe, Tom Stevens (capt); Finn Stiles, Jake Crabb; Tremaine Fry, Andy Rowe, Fin Cackett. Replacements: Simon Burden, Lewis Dennis, Zander Zambuni, Pete Bebbington.