LAUNCESTON joint head coach Ian Goldsmith wants his side to ‘stick to the gameplan’ when they visit leaders Exmouth in a bumper pre-Christmas clash in East Devon on Saturday (2pm).

A remarkable day on Saturday saw Exmouth and second-placed Barnstaple lose – the latter to in-form Brixham – and with the All Blacks seeing off Chew Valley, just five points separate the top four.

Launceston ran in seven tries against their Somerset visitors in a 45-15 success as they bounced back from their defeat to St Austell on November 30.

Goldsmith said: “We’d had a couple of really good weeks of training sessions which both helped sharpen the mind and also make the boys a bit more relaxed and confident in each other.

“Conditions have been a bit limited at training due to the weather, but that also worked in that we had to focus on the basics.

“On Saturday we were really good in the first half where we were dynamic and sharp. We looked really lively and there were lots of different involvements from different players.”

He continued: “The game was won by half-time and then we could make some changes with an eye on Saturday.

“But that said it was a bit frustrating as we let them back in it by giving away a few penalties including a yellow card for Tucks (James Tucker).

“Their lineout worked fairly well which allowed them to get some drives going and it took nearly up to the hour to re-establish how we did in the first half.”

Launceston gave a first start to Ollie Martin at prop after Mitch Hawken withdrew due to injury, and Goldsmith was pleased with the Castles captain.

He said: “Ollie did really well. He scrummed well and his involvements were good with his carrying and clearing out of rucks.

“Pete Bebbington also brought a lot of good energy, Billy Martin was very good in the backs and Tom Bottom was deservedly man of the match.

“He claimed a lot of kick-offs where Chew had zero joy, and also carried well. He had been threatening a man of the match award for a while, so it was good to see!”

Goldsmith also praised another healthy Polson Bridge crowd.

He said: “We’re always grateful that they come down in such numbers, including nearly 500 on Saturday, so hopefully they went home happy!”

Launceston head to Exmouth on Saturday for a 2pm kick-off knowing that they are back in the mix, and Goldsmith wants them to enjoy the challenge in East Devon.

He said: “Exmouth had six or seven players missing, but it was still a shock to see them lose, as was Brixham turning over Barnstaple at their place as they hadn’t lost there since being relegated ahead of last season.

“It makes things really tasty now. If Exmouth had won they’d have had a nice lead, but now there’s four teams really going at it which makes it exciting for everybody.”

Not only are Exmouth top, their ground also provides a unique challenge.

Goldsmith concluded: “The first thing you have to deal with about going to Exmouth is that there’s next to zero atmosphere, so you have to make your own.

“But on the field they’re obviously a very good side with a very good pack.

“George Meadows is a very good game manager at ten and outside of him they have plenty of powerful runners, so they’re top of the league for a reason.

“But the crucial bit for us is making sure that we stick to the game-plan and also try and do what we did in the first half against Chew where everybody was really hungry and working hard.

“Then you’ve just got to take the chances when they come and hopefully that’ll be enough.”