COUNTIES TWO CORNWALL

Launceston Castles 76 St Agnes 0

LAUNCESTON Castles continued their perfect start to the season with an emphatic 11-try victory over newly-promoted St Agnes at Polson Bridge.

The visitors started well and gained early territory, but it wasn’t long before Launceston got their hands on the ball and showcased their attacking quality with stand-in captain George Bone setting the tone for the match by charging over for the opening score.

This became the story if the half as St Agnes held on to ball for as long as they could, but as soon as the Castles took possession they were ruthless. Scores from Dom Theobald, Richard Jasper, Sam Snell and Albie Newton, plus Newton’s perfect kicking record meant Launceston went in at half-time in full control at 35-0.

Bone demanded no mercy as they came back out in the second half, and the hosts took just five minutes to restart the scoring as Jasper went over for his second. Further scores from Finn Stiles, Alex Bartlett (2), a second for Snell and Lucas Cackett kept the scoreboard rolling in Launceston’s favour as outstanding defence denied the visitors any consolation.

A penalty from Newton on the final whistle made it 76-0 to push the Castles up to third in the league with a game in-hand on Helston and Penryn.

The Castles are back at home on Saturday as the welcome St Just to Polson Bridge (2.30pm) in what promises to be a much-closer affair.

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Rich Jasper; Freddie Ward, Joe Vanstone, Callum Smith, James Heale; Albie Newton, Ollie Tomkies; Sam Snell, Luke Howe, Alex Bartlett; Zander Zambuni, Jake Crabb; Finn Stiles, George Bone (capt), Dom Theobald. Replacements: Simon Burden, Rhys Hughes, Pete Bebbington, Lucas Cackett.

Tries: Bone, Theobald, Jasper (2), Snell (2), Newton, Stiles, Bartlett (2), Cackett; Convs: Newton (9); Pens: Newton.

Castles’ man-of-the-match: Dom Theobald.