TABARD RFC made the long journey to Cornwall on Saturday, October 20, but failed to make the most of the sunny conditions as they were dismantled 40-15 by a strong Launceston side.

The visitors started well and pressured the home side into conceding a number of penalties, Skinner converting the second of these from 40 metres to give Tabard the lead.

Launceston hit back, kicking a penalty to touch in the Tabard 22, and from the resultant line-out, forced another penalty which was slotted through the posts.

Launceston took the lead shortly afterwards with another penalty, but Tabard roared back with the first try of the match.

Tabard kicked long into the Launceston 22 and, after winning a penalty which was taken quickly, the ball was snapped along the line before eventually reaching Broham who went over.

However, Tabard failed to take advantage of their lead as they allowed the hosts to take control and their impressive Samoan fullback scored to give Launceston a 13-8 lead.

Tabard grittily held on under some relentless pressure and were unlucky to concede another try when the referee failed to spot a Launceston knock-on in the tackle leading up to the score.

The home side claimed another score before the half was up when they broke though the Tabard defence from a line-out 20 yards out to go into the break 25-8 up.

Launceston continued to pressurise in the second-half and although they were denied a try a minute in, they did convert a penalty moments later.

However, Tabard responded in style when a kick found good position in the Launceston half and Johal went over from the resultant line-out to reduce the deficit to 28-15.

Any hope that Tabard harboured of getting back into the game was quickly dashed as Launceston moved into top gear to claim a further two tries and eventually run out 40-15 winners.

October 27, 2001 14:40