Launceston 41 Blackheath 18

Blackheath paid a heavy price for indiscipline as Launceston avenged their narrow 20-19 defeat at Rectory Field in October. Three yellow cards meant the Club, who prior to this match had the best disciplinary record in National League One, playing for 30 minutes with just 14-men, robbing them of the momentum needed to overcome the side third in the table.

The crucial moment came in the tenth minute. After a bright start during which Paul Humphries had given the visitors an early three point lead, flanker Dave Allen was despatched, somewhat harshly, for foul play when trying to extricate himself from a ruck. A Tony Yapp penalty levelled the scores before the Cornish All Blacks used the one-man advantage to send centre Ryan Westren over from a counter deep in their own half.

Back at full strength, Blackheath’s defence was solid, outside-centre Richard Windsor making some particularly impressive tackles, but when prop Simon Legg became the next felon, for a tactical offence, the line could only be held by illegal means and referee Mr Davies awarded a penalty try. Wing Ben Turner’s try just after the interval was probably enough to seal the result, but just to make sure, Launceston added a further ten points while Blackheath were again reduced to 14-men (through flanker Josh Lord and the exemplary boot of fly-half Yapp) before Turner put the icing on the cake with his second try after a great break down the right flank.

Polson Bridge can be an intimidating venue to visit and under the inspirational leadership of second-row Tom Bason, the Club rallied as the Cornishmen eased back. Late tries from Humphries, replacement prop James Cleverley, and Tyson Lewis, the wing rounding off a lovely cross-field move, giving the visitors a brief sniff of a four-try bonus point. But time ran out, and Blackheath will need to rekindle their best form with the visit of league leaders Esher to Rectory Field next Saturday in a 2.30pm KO.

Scorers: Launceston Tries: Westren, Penalty try, Turner 2, Lord. Conv: Yapp 5. Pens: Yapp 2. Blackheath Tries: Humphries, Cleverley, Lewis. Pens: Humphries.