LAUNCESTON Castles ended January with a much-needed bonus-point win against mid-table Newquay Hornets.

With Polson underwater for most of the week, the Castles took advantage of a slot available at Callywith College, Bodmin to play on their 4G pitch for the already re-arranged fixture. The move proved to be the right choice as Launceston overcame a strong second half resurgence to run out 29-21 victors on the rubber crumb.

Launceston brought the momentum from a string of good performances and dove straight into the Hornets nest as they gained early territory and pressure. The pressure soon turned to points as prop Olly Martin picked and drove over the whitewash. Player/coach Dan Pearce converted.

The pace of the game was fierce on the immaculate surface with both teams attacking with venom, but it was Launceston’s defence that proved the tougher to break down. The Castles though were taking their chances as from a maul on Newquay’s 22, Lewis Dennis found the blindside unguarded as he broke from the pack and strolled in for his first senior rugby try.

Launceston’s defence continued to work hard throughout as young winger Harvey Fry made a tackle-turnover five metres out and veteran No.8 Lloyd Duke holding the ball up over the line to keep denying a first half score for the Hornets. On the stroke of half-time Launceston ticked the scoreboard over once more with a 40-metre penalty kick from Pearce to take a commanding 15-0 lead into the break.

Launceston’s intent to double up scores either side of half-time were dashed as Newquay breached the Blacks defence and grabbed the first try of the half, giving them the momentum as they soon doubled up the score to close the gap to a point.

The Castles rode Newquay’s purple patch by keeping the ball and going on the offensive. A turnover on the Hornets five-metre line though soon turned into an attack by Newquay which they took full advantage of by taking the lead.

The Hornets though ran out of sting as Launceston played the remainder of the contest in Newquay’s half. Some strong build-up play soon saw hooker Cian Baker break through the defence and reach for the line. Pearce added the extras to re-take the lead. The North Cornwall side then got the next score through Finn Stiles as he cut a line off an inside pass to burst through and dot down under the sticks.

Pearce again added the two points and then it was a case of the Castles playing keep ball for the five minutes in their own 22. However, they got the job done.

The Castles’ tough run continues on Saturday as they travel to league leaders Camborne Seconds at Camborne School of Mines (2pm).

Elsewhere around the club this weekend, the first team have a bye week following Saturday’s postponement against Cornish rivals St Austell, while the ladies are away on Sunday to Havant in Women’s Championship South West Two.

As for Bude, the first team will welcome neighbours Bideford on Saturday in round three of the RFU Community Cup Counties Two Championship (2.30pm), the seconds welcome their Truro counterparts in the Counties Three League Cup (1pm) and the ladies visit Bideford on Sunday in Women’s NC 2 South West (West) (2.30pm).

Castles’ man-of-the-match: Cody Smith.