By Dan Pearce at Polson Bridge

WOMEN’S NC 1 SOUTH WEST (WEST)

Launceston 67 Penryn 0

A FEELING of emphatic redemption buzzed around Polson Bridge on Sunday afternoon after the ladies avenged their only defeat with an assertive 67-0 dismantling of their Cornish rivals Penryn.

After arguably Launceston’s worst performance for some time in the reverse fixture back in October, the ladies were chomping at the bit and produced one of their best performances of the season in the process.

The Cabettes unleashed all their intent by destroying the opening scrum of the afternoon. From the resulting penalty, Launceston marched down the pitch, showing great hands in the process for Meg Tucker to dive over in the corner. The conversion was missed.

With the adrenaline pumping, Launceston could do no wrong as every pass went to hand and every ruck produced fast ball, opening up the field for Abbie Smith and Holly Williams to grab a try apiece. Williams converting her own (17-0).

Holly Williams.
Fly-half Holly Williams crosses for the third try of the afternoon. Picture: Paul Hamlyn (Paul Hamlyn)

Penryn though showed their capabilities with their first substantial attack and hammered at Launceston’s defence, making it over the whitewash, only to be deemed held up.

Soon after Tucker went 60 metres for her second, she weaved her way from a cool 40 metres for her hat-trick. Not to be outdone though, Smith burst her way through to grab her second on the stroke of half-time. Williams, on form with boot, landed all three for a 38-0 half-time lead.

The ferocity in the contact meant the injuries mounted up for both sides, but the strength in depth of the Launceston squad shone through as no sooner was the bench emptied, the scoring restarted. Rachel Hicks the first to benefit with a score in the corner before replacement Joey Bartlett gathered a loose ball for her score. Both conversions went astray.

The Cabettes, still hungry for more, set free Smith once more with a well executed switch move as she completed her hat-trick from 50 metres out, which was added to by Williams.

Even in defence Launceston piled on the pressure with scrum-half Amy Warman dominating her opposite number, while flanker Caitlyn Hancock was right behind her and soon scurried over for her first try of the season.

Launceston’s final score epitomised their performance. Three replacements combined and showed deft handling as Emily Kneale broke through and offloaded to the returning Rhian Thomas who, despite being tackled, had an arm free to hand the ball to the onrushing Libbie Cole for her first ever try for The Cabettes. Williams added the two.

A late surge from Penryn had Launceston defending their try line in the final few minutes of the game. Despite yellow cards for Josie Ninnis and Thomas respectively, the Cabettes held out to nil their opponents.

A quick turnaround as a third attempt to welcome Bath United to Polson Bridge falls on Sunday in a rearranged fixture (2.30pm).

LAUNCESTON LADIES: Chloe Samways, Rachel Hicks, Meg Tucker, Abbie Smith, Madi Vine, Holly Williams, Amy Warman; Mel Ruby (capt), Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold, Vicki Doidge, Abby Matthews, Caitlyn Hancock, Briony Eddy. Replacements: Libbie Cole, Ann-Marie Risdon, Josie Ninnis, Jess Bartlett, Emily Kneale, Rhian Thomas, Ellen Armstrong.

Tries: Tucker (3), Williams, Smith (3), Hicks, Bartlett, Thomas, Cole; Convs: Williams (6); Pens: N/A.

Players of the match: Forward – Jenna Arnold/Caitlyn Hancock; Back – Abbie Smith.