BOSCASTLE edged a pulsating penalty shootout to win their first Launceston Cup crown since 2017.

The St Piran League Division One East rivals were well-matched for much of the game, although it was Kilk who took the lead 39 minutes in when prolific striker Ryan Thomas rounded Nick Lawson and rolled into an empty net.

A disputed penalty converted by Sam Haddy levelled matters three minutes after the break, and although Kilk were the better side towards the end, it went straight to penalties.

Boscastle had a disastrous start as Josh Insley and Rob Heal both missed, but Jared Sofield failed to win it for the Lambs when he hit the bar at 3-3 with the final penalty.

Ten of the next 12 penalties were converted before Josh Insley scored his second to make it 9-8, and victory was assured when the otherwise excellent Ben Thomas hit the crossbar to spark wild celebrations from the villagers.

The game itself saw a cagey start the first big chance arrived on seven minutes as Ryan Thomas found himself in space on the left side of the area, but his effort with the outside of the foot was blocked by Lawson.

Boscastle then created two big headed chances.

On 11 minutes a fine cross from the left by Sam Haddy found former Camelford midfielder Insley, but he nodded wide, while three minutes later left-back Danny Capstick who could only find the side-netting from Jake Dickinson’s free-kick.

Kilkhampton started to dominate possession either side of the half-hour but again it was Boscastle who went close.

Another superb Dickinson delivery dropped to Insley eight yards out, but his powerful effort was straight at Leam Powell, as was Jordan Blanchard’s volley from 20 yards on 37 minutes.

Within two minutes the Lambs were ahead as Thomas found himself through down the right and he made no mistake.

Three minutes after half-time it was level as left-back Kieran Jeffery was adjudged to handle and Haddy’s superb spot-kick found the bottom corner.

A brilliant block by Harry Nancekivell denied Haddy a second on 51 minutes before Matthew Pethick did likewise at the other end to deny Ryan Thomas on the hour.

Kilk were much the better side in the final 20 minutes, helped by a superb display in the middle of the park from man-of-the-match James Dart.

The tricky Jay Needham saw a cross go right across goal before a stretching Dart couldn’t direct the header on target.

Jacob Williams was the Boscastle hero when he got back to deny Ryan Thomas when clean through and the striker dragged an effort inches wide.

Boscastle sub Piran Mears failed to control when well-placed in the box which meant penalties and a third title for the Forrabury Park outfit.

BOSCASTLE: Nick Lawson; Rocco Reynolds, Rob Heal (capt), Jacob Williams, Danny Capstick; Josh Insley, Jake Dickinson, Jordan Sleep; Matt Jolliffe, Jordan Blanchard, Sam Haddy. Subs: Dean Moss, Paul Dray, Matt Pethick, James Bosley, Piran Mears.

KILKHAMPTON: Leam Powell; Harry Nancekivell, Matt Jones, Henry Lumley, Kieran Jeffery; Jay Needham, Ben Thomas (capt), James Dart, Jack Corfield, Jason Heard; Ryan Thomas. Subs: Alfie Cottle, Jared Sofield, Adam Cleave, Keith Feltham, Adam Sleeman.

Man-of-the-match: James Dart (Kilkhampton).

Referee: Neil Hunnisett; Assistants: Chris Sillifant and Nigel Colwill.