By Lucy Beacham

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

Launceston 43 Okehampton 7

LAUNCESTON warmed up for Saturday’s Regional One South West opener at home to newly-promoted Topsham by easing past neighbours Okehampton in the Border Cup.

The All Blacks scored seven tries, which included a brace from hooker Rory Mead, as they saw off their one-league lower opponents who have been a scourge of the Cornishmen several times in recent years.

With Okehampton being unable to raise a ladies side, it meant it was just the Colts and first team in action at Polson with the cumulative scores deciding who wins the cup which is in its second staging.

Launceston were looking to retain having seen battles between the first and second teams and Colts end 112-51 in their favour, and also were looking for a response following last Saturday’s Cornwall Super Cup final defeat at Wadebridge Camels.

The Blacks came out with confidence as they kept ball in hand and going through the phases, even with the tricky damp conditions and took an early lead as summer signing Rory Mead dotted down following a five-metre lineout. James Tucker converted it to make the score 7-0.

Despite many handling errors from both teams due to the tricky weather conditions, Launceston came out the better side and 16 minutes into the game saw winger Billy Martin cross after slipping through a gap in Okehampton defence. Tucker also converted for 14-0.

After a few substitutions, CABs No.8 Brandon Rowley scored following a dominant maul and Tucker kicked the conversion, extending their lead to 21-0 going into the half-time break.

Much to everyone’s relief, the rain eased slightly after the restart, and the Blacks started well.

Within four minutes they were dangerously close to scoring, before visiting prop Pat Nash was sin-binned for offside and almost immediately after, flanker Jack Ogborne,was yellow-carded for talking back to the referee.

The Blacks was given a lineout in Okehampton’s 22, and although Mead’s throw went over everybody, Mitch Hawken ran around behind to scope the ball up and making the most of the gaps in the defence to dive over the try line. Tucker missed the kick.

With Okehampton still suffering with the dramatic reduction in numbers, Mead crossed again after many phases and Tucker who was struggling with the conditions, missed the conversion (31-0).

Flanker Charlie Tummon was the next home player to cross following a lineout in Okehampton’s 22, and this time it was converted for 38-0.

After more errors and substitutions, the hosts grabbed their seventh and final try through outside-centre Callum Smith.

The conversion went awry but they were 43-0 up with not left to play.

Okehampton got some ball late on and began testing the Blacks defence, eventually finding a gap after a few phases. Lock Brad Curtis was the scorer with Luke Simmons adding the extras.

Launceston retained the Border Cup after two good games of rugby, that despite the Colts going down 33-22 in the morning game.

LAUNCESTON: Ben Bryant, Billy Martin, Callum Smith, Morgan Woods, Ollie Bebbington, James Tucker, Tom Sandercock (capt), Levent Bulut, Rory Mead, Mitch Hawken, Cian Baker, George Bone, Charlie Tummon, George Harris, Brandon Rowley. Replacements: Charlie Short, Ben Hancock, Alex Bartlett, Lloyd Duke, Corey Jenkinson

Tries: Mead (2), Martin, Rowley, Hawken, Tummon, Smith; Convs: Tucker; Pens: N/A.