LAUNCESTON joint head coach Ian Goldsmith was keen to underline the importance of a ‘second bite of the cherry’ after the seconds lost their Counties Three Cornwall promotion decider with Camborne Crusaders on Saturday.

Earlier in the week it was announced by the Cornwall RFU that the top two would face off for the right to replace Veor in the league above due to the villagers struggling to field a side.

If successful they would take on Veor’s fixtures for the rest of the season as friendlies but knowing they were up a division, while if they lost they would face the rest of the top seven come Saturday afternoon with the winners of the league joining Camborne next term.

With the first team’s Regional One South West clash at Marlborough called off due to a frozen pitch on Friday afternoon, it meant Goldsmith and director of rugby Ryan Westren headed down the A30 to lend their hand.

Unsurprisingly it also allowed the seconds to be strengthened with the likes of Oli Martin, Dom Ellery and Seb Cox brought into the side from the first team squad, while versatile winger/full-back Dan Pearce was named at 15 as he continues his comeback from injury.

But Camborne also had plenty of shrewd operators of their own who have played at a much better level, and they raced into a 12-0 lead inside ten minutes.

Pearce kicked a penalty as Launceston got a foothold, but Camborne continued to rack up the points either side of the break as they ran out 41-10 winners despite the Castles getting a try with the last play of the game through James Redwood.

Goldsmith admitted Camborne were worthy winners, stating: “We shot ourselves in the foot early on and every time they got into our 22 their catch and drive game was too good.

“We had a couple of chances midway through the first half but either dropped the ball or were penalised and they scored before the break.

“In the second half we had our moments but they were worthy winners!”

However, he was quick to emphasise the importance of regrouping, adding: “The only disappointing really was the naivety we showed at times, but the boys have a second bite of the cherry so hopefully they can show for the rest of the season what they’ve done to get this far!”

Goldsmith had no complaints about the call-off at Marlborough.

He said: “They gave us plenty of notice and did a midday inspection on Friday, but the ground was still frozen and there was snow, so there was no other option.

“We’d have preferred to have played to keep the pressure on Brixham who won at Exmouth, as if we’d have won we’d have only been a couple of points behind.”

However there was good news as second bottom Ivybridge shocked previous leaders Barnstaple 43-40, a result Goldsmith admitted was ‘incredible’.

He added: “Ivybridge’s win over Chew Valley last year was incredible, but considering Ivybridge are worse now and Barnstaple are a far better team than Chew were last season, it’s an incredible result, so fair play to Ivybridge.

“If that result doesn’t sharpen the boys’ mind to the job at hand then it’ll be a real wasted opportunity.”

Launceston’s first team return to action on Saturday when they welcome mid-table Lydney to Polson Bridge (3pm).