COUNTIES TWO CORNWALL

Newquay Hornets 12 Launceston Castles 68

LAUNCESTON Castles backed up their opening day victory at Liskeard-Looe by putting 10 tries past Newquay Hornets at the Sports Centre on Saturday.

The Castles made eight changes from the week before as props Sam Snell and Simon Burden came in, as did locks Jake Crabb and Zander Zambuni, flanker Andy Rowe, scrum-half Ollie Tomkies, winger Freddie Ward and full-back Rich Jasper.

The scoring began eight minutes in when outside-centre Joe Vanstone sliced through the Newquay defence after a fine backs move. The try was converted by fly-half Albie Newton who knocked over nine of his ten kicks.

The Castles squad kept great shape throughout and used the set-piece to their advantage with massive scrums and mauls that were unstoppable. This gave the backs the platform to go over the try line with George Alvis, James Heale and prop Tom Stevens finishing off moves for a 26-0 half-time lead.

After the break, the Castles wasted no time as Alvis, Heale and Vanstone all crossed in quick succession to leave themselves 47-0 in front.

Despite the scoreline, Launceston refused to take their foot off the gas and more front foot ball from the pack set up further tries through Newton, No.8 Brandon Rowley and Rowe to make it 68-0.

Newquay clawed back two tries at the death, but it was all in vain as the Castles stay joint top before Saturday’s trip to their St Austell counterparts (4.45pm).

LAUNCESTON CASTLES: Rich Jasper; Freddie Ward, Joe Vanstone, George Alvis, James Heale; Albie Newton, Ollie Tomkies; Sam Snell, Luke Howe, Simon Burden; Jake Crabb, Zander Zambuni; Finn Stiles, Andrew Rowe, Brandon Rowley (capt). Replacements: Tom Stevens, Callum Johns, Tyler Westlake, Harvey Fry.

Tries: Vanstone (2), Alvis (2), Heale (2), Stevens, Newton, Rowley, Rowe; Convs: Newton (9); Pens: N/A.

Castles man-of-the-match: Finn Stiles/Andrew Rowe.