LAUNCESTON Castles suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of league leaders Camborne Seconds on Saturday as the hosts scored 70 points without reply.

While a Cornwall President’s XV, filled with CABs players, were entertaining the crowds at the Rec, a few hundred feet away Launceston’s second team were getting ready to do battle at the Camborne School of Mines Memorial Ground.

Camborne 2s showed the Castles the respect their recent form deserved by fielding arguably their strongest team of the year, stacked with some of their National Two West regulars.

Launceston nearly got off to the perfect start as an early spell of pressure pitched the Castles up in the Camborne half. A deft chip over the top from centre Morgan Woods rolled perfectly into the in-goal area but as Woods dove to touch down, a wicked final bounce took the ball away from his hand and off his chest for a knock-on.

Camborne heeded the warning and ruthlessly went on the offensive and despite a ferocious defensive effort, Camborne proved too fast and too powerful, scoring seven tries for a 43-0 half-time lead.

Launceston knuckled down at the start of the second half and kept the ball away from Camborne hands. The Castles threw everything they had at breaking through the home wall, but despite a few half breaks, the attacks bore little fruit.

It was inevitable the Cherry and Whites would retake possession but the Castles defence made the hosts work hard.

Despite five more tries being added and a 70-point scoreline, Launceston went toe to toe with the runaway league leaders and never made it easy.

The Castles welcome St Austell Sinners to Polson on Saturday, while the first team visit Brixham in Regional One South West.

Launceston’s men-of-the-match: Forward – Lewis Dennis; Back – Harvey Fry.