LAUNCESTON front-rowers Kim Upcott and Jenna Arnold marked their 50th caps with a win as the Cabettes edged past high-flying Newbury on Saturday afternoon at Polson Bridge.

The visitors headed down from Berkshire second in the table, but after a dramatic afternoon, they had fallen to a third defeat of the season as Launceston’s good season since promotion continued.

Despite the poor recent weather, the pitch was playable, and the hosts started strongly, looking to throw the ball around and stretch the Newbury defence.

Soon though, the Cabettes showed their true power through their forwards as a number of crushing runs and dominant scrums set up the home team deep into the Blues territory. A five-metre scrum seemed destined for a push over score, but No.8 Alex Hutchings spotted a gap and went straight through for an unconverted try.

Newbury responded instantly with a converted score to show their threat in attack, so the Cabettes set about keeping the ball for long periods to starve their opponents. A sustained period of pressure from the Launceston forwards sucked in enough defenders to open some space for wing Madi Vine to dive into the corner shortly before half-time.

As the pitch conditions deteriorated and defences for both teams proving relentless, it was getting harder for either team to gain territory. An arm wrestle for the first 20 minutes of the second half ensued, but it was Newbury that broke the deadlock with a try and excellent conversion.

Launceston responded through powerhouse Upcott as she immortalised her 50th cap appearance with a try to regain the slenderest of leads at 15-14.

Newbury then showed why they had lost just twice all season, building plenty of pressure albeit with no initial reward.

However, a penalty inside Launceston’s 22 gave the Blues a shot at goal. And although that was missed, the hosts soon gave another penalty which was converted to put the visitors in front going into the final five minutes.

It was kitchen sink time as Launceston’s electric backs, who had been nullified by the pitch conditions and the Newbury defence all day, looked to find space. But outside-centre Meg Tucker only needs half a gap and with two minutes left she broke free.

Screamed on by the crowd, she weaved her way into the 22 but was unable to escape the clutches of the Blues full-back. However, her sister Grace was well in support from the wing and a deft offload of the deck from Meg meant Grace could dive over to snatch the lead and ultimately the game.

With enough time on the clock for Newbury to get another score, Launceston had to play keep ball for the final few plays, but the Cabettes held their nerve to claim a memorable victory.

Launceston are back in action in a rearranged contest this coming Sunday as they welcome Cheltenham Tigers Seconds to Polson Bridge.

LAUNCESTON: Suz Franks; Madi Vine, Meg Tucker, Abbie Smith, Ellen Armstrong; Rachel Hicks, Amy Warman; Libbie Cole, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott (capt); Meg Arnold, Jess Harrison; Caitlyn Hancock, Nicole Rowland, Alex Hutchings. Replacements: Josie Ninnis, Ann-Marie Risdon, Charlotte Belsey, Briony Eddy, Grace Tucker, Poppy Speare, Abigail Matthews.

Tries: Hutchings, Vine, Upcott, G Tucker; Convs: N/A; Pens: N/A.

Launceston’s players-of-the-match: Forward – Alex Hutchings; Back – Grace Tucker.