By Dan Pearce at the Horsham Playing Fields

WOMEN’S NC1 SOUTH WEST (WEST)

Plymstock Albion Oaks 5 Launceston 67

LAUNCESTON Ladies produced another dominant display on Sunday, dispatching Plymstock Albion Oaks 67-5, to sit top of the table after two games. 

Jimmy Tucker’s side came out flying, scoring twice in the first two plays. Jenna Arnold grabbed the first score from a pick and go, and from the restart Holly Williams made a break to then offload to Abbie Smith, who ran it home from 50 metres. Joey Bartlett converted the latter. 

Launceston continued to pile on the pressure and after being held up over the line twice, Meg Tucker took it upon herself to return the goal line dropout by running around the would-be defence (0-17).

It was Plymstock’s turn to have some ball but Launceston’s defence proved ruthless. Tackles from the likes of Smith, Meg Arnold and Vicki Doidge drove Plymstock back into their own half and eventually drew a penalty. 

Amy ‘Podge’ Warman was keen to keep the momentum and tempo high so promptly tapped and went, making 20 metres before spinning it out to Bartlett to scoot around and score in the corner. Two more tries from Tucker finished off the scoring for the half. The first after some strong direct running from Smith, the ball was spun to the centre out wide to glide in. The second came from a scrum, the ball was whisked wide to Bartlett who switched with Tucker to put her through a hole to gallop in from 70 metres.

Launceston were tested defensively before the break and saw full-back Chloe Samways yellow carded.

The heat sapped the tempo for the second half, but Smith got the scoreboard moving again as she won a collision in the midfield for the ball and ran it up the slope. The conversion was good from Bartlett. 

The ‘retired’ Vicki Doidge proved she can still canter through a gap as she made a break up the field, setting up a good position for the forwards to attack from. Holly Williams, playing her new role as flanker, spotted a gap that she picked and went through for her score. Bartlett’s kick was successful.

The Cabettes continued to find space for their speedsters to run in. Tucker once again in more space than she needed, dodged and weaved her way through, leaving defenders chasing her shadow as she ran over the line from 50 metres out. Bartlett added the extras.

Plymstock’s frustration began to grow leading to a verbal outburst from the Plymstock centre for which the referee deemed a red card was warranted. 

Launceston made use of the extra number as good hands from the backs opened up the Plymstock defence once again. Falling short, Kim Upcott picked it up and steam rolled her way over for her score. Bartlett’s kicking boots gleaming as yet another conversion sailed through. 

The Cabettes’ final score came for debutant Abbie Taylor as the backs once more showed good hands to make use of the overlap, putting Taylor in for her dream debut in the corner. 

The clean sheet was ruined though as Plymstock had the final say, grabbing a deserved score in the last play of the game, but it finished 67-5.

Launceston’s next fixture comes against old rivals Crediton at Polson Bridge on October 13. 

LAUNCESTON LADIES: Chloe Samways, Rachel Hicks, Madi Vine, Meg Tucker, Lauren Carlyon, Joey Bartlett, Amy Warman; Mel Ruby, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold, Avril Crabb, Holly Williams, Vicki Doidge, Abbie Smith. Replacements: Libbie Cole, Briony Eddy, Abbie Taylor.

Forward of the match: Avril Crabb; Back of the match: Joey Bartlett.