LAUNCESTON joint head coach Ian Goldsmith wants his side to go back to basics when they round off their Regional One South West campaign on Saturday at title-hopefuls Brixham (2.30pm).

The Fishermen must win and hope St Austell shock leaders Barnstaple to secure promotion to National League Two (West) for the first time, while for the All Blacks a run of seven straight defeats means they need to win to finish in the top four, that after being in the promotion picture themselves until late January.

Goldsmith wants to see them stay in the fight for longer.

He said: “We’ve done pretty well for about 45/50 minutes over the last few games, but the target now has to be to transfer that into a complete performance.

“Our lack of proper, proper strength in depth has been telling, especially when you compare it to the likes of Barnstaple. Their twos are at Level Seven and their head coach Winston (James) has said it’s made a massive difference.

“Our twos getting promoted from Counties Three (Cornwall) will help to start bridging the gap and hopefully they’ll do well in the league above as well.”

Launceston have a dreadful recent record at Astley Park and Goldsmith knows they need to be right at it against a side they beat on the opening day.

He said: “This week at Brixham is about focusing on getting the basics right as that gives you a chance. Against Barnstaple last time out only eight of our 15 line-outs were successful, although our scrum was much improved from when we played them up there. Again, handling errors were a problem as several times we either lost the ball or needlessly kicked it away.

“On top of that, Brixham are obviously a very good side. They’re abrasive up front and have some very strong and powerful backs, and their last-gasp victory at Royal Wootton Bassett last time out means they’ve still got a chance of winning the league.”

Launceston are missing a host of players in the pack, but there is some good news as they prepare for a trip to Barnstaple in the Regional One Papa Johns Community Cup Championship on April 12 and the Cornwall Cup final with Wadebridge Camels at Bodmin on Sunday, April 20.

He said: “We’ve certainly got a lot more competition for places in the backs than we do the forwards at the moment.

“Lloyd Duke, Seb Cox and Leion Cole all remain out, Tom Bottoms will be out long-term after rupturing his Achilles against Barnstaple, while Alex Bartlett is in Australia.

“One bit of good news is that Ethan Pearce-Cowley has served his 20-week ban and is available again and should be involved on Saturday and then in the Cornwall Cup final.

“In the backs, everybody should be available bar Grav (Tom Sandercock) after his knee injury against St Austell, so we’ll see how we get on.”

Bude are also in action on Saturday as they finish their Counties One Western West campaign at home to St Ives (3pm).

The Seasiders have comfortably avoided relegation and if they beat the Hakes and Penryn lose to visiting Wiveliscombe, could end the season as high as ninth.

Bude Seconds are due to entertain their Penryn counterparts in Counties Three Cornwall Shield at the slightly earlier time of 2.30pm.