By Dan Pearce

WOMEN’S NC 1 SOUTH WEST (WEST)

Launceston 65 Newton Abbot 0

NEWLY-PROMOTED Launceston started life in a new division by thrashing Newton Abbot 65-0 at Polson Bridge on Sunday.

A pre-season loss against Ivybridge, who ply their trade in the Women's Championship South West, meant Launceston came into the game with their eyes wide open to the higher level of play required that comes with promotion. 

But the Cabettes stood to the challenge and in front of their sponsors, who they thank enormously, put out a statement.

It didn’t take long for Launceston to get the scoreboard. After Meg Tucker knocked on in the tackle, Launceston’s well-drilled scrummage proved too powerful, winning the ball against the head. The ball was shipped to the back line, Joey Bartlett timed the pass perfectly to allow Tucker the chance to finish what she started. 

The second try was a carbon copy of the first as this time Bartlett made the break. Another knock on, another scrum turnover and Abbie Smith, who was converted from 12 to number eight for the day, scurried down the blindside to open her account for the season (10-0).

Newton Abbot proved tricky at times, but Launceston's powerful forwards will always be hard to stop as Kim Upcott forced her way through for her score. The conversion was good from Bartlett.

The Cabettes began to grow in confidence as the interplay and offloads seemed to all be going to hand. A break around the ruck by Abbie Smith seemed to be halted, but a cheeky backdoor offload found Megan Arnold who was able to dive over (22-0). 

Smith’s power and speed proved too much to handle around the breakdown, finding herself very much at home in her new role. Once again she picked and went and this time went through herself for her second of the day. The conversion was missed (27-0).

Joey Bartlett then rounded off a good first half performance with a deserved score of her own, before adding the extras for good measure (34-0).

Newton regrouped at the break and caused issues at the breakdown by stealing the ball and winning penalties, and it took another power run from Smith to finally break the deadlock as she scooted over for her hat-trick. Bartlett’s kick was good (41-0).

Newton though continued to frustrate at the breakdown and Launceston’s Lauren Carlyon was eventually sin-binned.

But when the corresponding kick didn't make touch, the ball was shipped to Meg Tucker who ran in 70 metres untouched to dot down for her second. Bartlett added her third kick (48-0).

Newton's resilience began to dwindle and Smith decided that wasn’t going to happen as she tackled, stole the ball and ran through the breakdown in one motion to go 30 metres under the posts for her fourth of the day. Bartlett added the extras (55-0). 

Launceston continued to attack with venom and a bit of patience in the Newton 22 paid off as Jenna Arnold picked and securely dotted down over the line. Conversion missed.

The final play and score of the game rounded off a Sponsors Day voted back of the match performance as Tucker glided around the defence and under the posts to complete her hat-trick. 

Sunday sees the ladies visit familiar foes Plymstock Albion Oaks.

LAUNCESTON: Chloe Samways, Lauren Carlyon, Madi Vine, Meg Tucker, Rachel Hicks, Joey Bartlett, Amy Warman; Mel Ruby, Jenna Arnold, Kim Upcott, Megan Arnold, Vicki Doidge, Holly Williams, Caitlin Hancock, Abbie Smith. Replacements: Avril Crabb, Nicola May.

Forward of the match: Abbie Smith (sponsors)/Caitlyn Hancock (coaches); Back of the Match: Meg Tucker (sponsors)/Madi Vine (coaches).