Round-robin tournament involving Launceston, Wadebridge Camels and Penryn — Saturday, August 25

A ‘ROUND-ROBIN’ tournament of three 40-minute games were played at Polson Bridge in the warm summer sunshine on Saturday, just a week away from the start of the competitive league rugby season which gets underway this weekend.

In the first game, Tribute Western Counties League (West) side Wadebridge Camels proved to be too fast and tactically more astute than their Tribute Cornwall and Devon League opposition Penryn as they won 29-5, before home club Launceston took centre stage.

Launceston 34

Penryn 0

PENRYN made some changes to the side and initially seemed to had strengthened their starting 15 against the Cornish All Blacks, who play two levels above Penryn.

For ten minutes there was no score, until full-back Reuben Edwards scorched up the wing to open the scoring.

Launceston then went on to play some slick, powerful rugby to cross the try line a further five times.

Launceston —

Tries: Reuben Edwards (2), Martin Kneebone, Rikki Bentham (2), Ryan Westren

Convs: Glenn Coles (2)

Pens: N/A

Launceston 21

Wadebridge Camels 3

LAUNCESTON made numerous changes to the starting 15 and also throughout the 40-minute period.

This was a chance for the whole squad to get some final game time before they head to Lydney next Saturday for their Tribute South West One (West) opener, but it did seem to disrupt cohesion, and the game lacked the continuity of the previous game.

However, Launceston dominated and took their scoring chances well, with the elusive Reuben Edwards and Dan Pearce showing some great footwork and speed to the delight of the home faithful.

Their defence was also remarkable, to keep the opposition from scoring any tries in both games, although Owen Wilson did manage a penalty for the Camels.

Launceston —

Tries: Chae Jenkins, Reuben Edwards, Dan Pearce

Convs: Dan Pearce (3)

Pens: N/A

All three games were well refereed by Devon Rugby Society official, Nigel Boyd with the man of the tournament award going to Reuben Edwards.

Reflecting on the day, joint head-coach, Ryan Westren, said: “We showed plenty of character after coming unstuck at Barnstaple although circumstances made that tough for us.

“What we said to the players was that we wanted to show the opposition what Barnstaple were like to us.

“They were very efficient and we wanted to be the same, and we did it really well. When you’re the dominant side like we were, we wanted to go through our processes like we would normally, not get ahead of ourselves and make sure we worked as a team.

“We did that, stuck to our patterns and I feel that we made some progress as a team.”

Reflecting on pre-season as a whole, Westren has been pleased.

He said: “We’ve had three types of opposition. Barnstaple showed us exactly where we need to improve, and that probably taught us the most and we needed the weekend to go well as a confidence boost.

“As a side we’re in between, and it probably showed that we’re in the right league at the minute.”

Looking ahead to their league opener at Lydney on Saturday, Westren expects to have plenty of selection dilemmas and knows what to expect.

He said: “As far as we’re aware, apart from if we have any last minute problems, we should have a full squad to choose from which is the first time this season.

“We’ve come up against Lydney a few times. It’s a tough place to go as most Gloucestershire grounds are. We know we couldn’t have had a much harder start but we’re looking forward to going up there and starting our league season.

“I think they’ve had a few changes, but historically they’re strong up front and have a lively set of backs and they have the added bonus of a good set of fans who get behind them.”

Deciding which 18 travel will cause plenty of headaches.

Westren said: “There are going to be some big calls as a few people have really come in up and put their hands up while there have been players missing at times which has given other people a chance to perform.

“Tuesday night will give people their final chance to prove themselves and solidify their spot.

“On Tuesday we’ll work as normal and focus on tightening up a few things and then Thursday will be all geared towards the weekend’s game.”

One of the men looking to be in contention is new signing Hugh Hamilton-Green, who is 19 and plays in the second-row or back row.

Westren explained: “Hugh was a bit of a chance signing. He was training at my gym and his dad lives in the area.

“He goes to Bristol Uni and asked to train with us for pre-season and he’s taken to it like a duck to water. We should be able to have him involved for the rest of the season when he is available.

“He’s a good player to call on and is definitely in line to be in the squad. He played really well on Saturday, showed he’s got a good engine and work-rate and isn’t afraid to mix it up.”

Saturday’s game at Lydney kicks off at 3pm.

l BUDE start their Tribute Cornwall and Devon League campaign on Saturday (3pm) at Tavistock.

Their scheduled friendly at home to Essex club Hornchurch didn’t go ahead as originally planned due to the visitors deciding not to come down.

Any hopes of finding a replacement club were thwarted, meaning they have not played since Saturday, August 18.