By David Sillifant at Blackmore Field

REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST (SATURDAY)

Sidmouth 38 Launceston 19

FOUR tries in just 12 second half minutes condemned previous leaders Launceston to defeat at strugglers Sidmouth on Saturday afternoon.

Launceston headed to East Devon without three key players in skipper Tom Sandercock (broken finger), prop Charlie Short (banned) and Ben Bryant (university), the latter replaced by debutant winger Kuda Chisango.

Argentinian full-back Jose Luis Juarez was fit enough to return from a hamstring injury which meant James Tucker took Sandercock’s spot at fly-half, while flanker Dom Ellery came in for Short with Alex Bartlett and Tom Bottoms moving to tighthead-prop and the second row respectively.

The game was the first ever meeting between the two sides and Launceston led within three minutes as impressive scrum-half George Hillson quickly went from a free-kick, and managed to offload to Tucker who dived over. Hillson added the extras himself.

But within three minutes the Chiefs were level.

Fly-half Jake Smith sent a cross-field kick out to the left where winger Cian Warren collected in space and did the rest. Smith added an easy kick for 7-7.

Almost straight away Juarez had to go off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Richard Jasper.

The Devonians had the slope in their favour in the first half, but despite knocking on the door for large spells, failed to take advantage although prop Ollie Derryman was held up over the line on 25 minutes and a poor pass to Warren denied him a certain second.

Bartlett was yellow-carded by referee Ollie Parsons on 28 minutes, but Launceston were rewarded for their graft in defence as they scored on 36 minutes. After both Tom Bottoms and skipper for the day Brandon Rowley went close, Hillson’s pass was taken by Lloyd Duke to dive over from close range. Hillson’s kick went wide to the left.

Hillson missed apenalty from halfway with the final kick of the half, but the visitors led 12-7 at the break.

The All Blacks had the conditions in their favour in the second half and within 60 seconds home centre Lewis Hole was sin-binned for a high tackle on opposite number Billy Martin.

Sidmouth repelled the Launceston pressure and then levelled on 55 minutes as a driving maul was finished off. Smith’s kick was short (12-12).

Launceston went back ahead on 59 minutes. Tucker chipped over the top in midfield before collecting in the 22, and although they didn’t score from that, Hillson took a quick tap penalty and reached the line before converting himself (12-19).

But from there the visitors imploded as Sidmouth ran riot.

On 62 minutes fly-half Smith, who had just hit the bar with a penalty moments before, broke through a gap after collecting on the Launceston 22. He added the extras for 19-19.

Within two minutes fine work from winger Fin Lashbrook and full-back Jake Allen ended with Lashbrook crossing in the left corner.

Five minutes later it was all but game over when another driving maul was scored, and the final try came four minutes from time when Hole exploited a gap in the covering defence.

Launceston had some late pressure as they sought a bonus point try, but they eventually knocked on as they fell to just a second defeat of the season.

LAUNCESTON: Jose Luis Juarez, Zerran Hammond, Billy Martin, Cam Fogden, Kuda Chisango, James Tucker, George Hillson; Mitch Hawken, Levent Bulut, Alex Bartlett, Dan Goldsmith, Tom Bottoms, Dom Ellery, Lloyd Duke, Brandon Rowley (capt). Replacements: Oli Martin, Leion Cole, Richard Jasper.

Tries: Tucker, Duke, Hillson; Convs: Hillson (2); Pens: N/A.

Launceston man of the match: George Hillson.