Launceston 38 Wharfedale 24: Greens denied by late tries

The Greens returned home with a bonus point for scoring four tries, three in the first half, but were eventually overpowered by a well-drilled Launceston side.

With the conditions suiting running rugby, the home side came out firing, scoring the first try in the opening few minutes.

Their lead was shortlived, however, with Wharfedale scoring on their first meaningful attack.

A sweeping move was finished out wide by captain Rob Baldwin after fine handling by the back division.

The Cornishmen, who were dominant in the set piece all afternoon, then marched into a 17-5 lead courtesy of two tries and the boot of fly-half Tony Yapp.

The visitors responded with two well-worked tries of their own, taking the half-time score to 17 apiece.

The first was a carbon copy of Baldwin's try; this time Chris Malherbe benefited from slick handling to power over from two yards.

James Tinknell scored Wharfedale's third to continue his fine try-scoring form after a crossfield kick.

Mark Bedworth added the conversion to surpass 1,000 league points for the Greens.

The second half continued in similar vein to the first with Launceston using their impressive lineout to control proceedings, reclaiming the lead with a well-worked try.

Dan Solomi sneaked over from close range and if support had been on hand for Phil Woodhead after the scrum-half had made a searing break, the outcome could have been different.

As it was, third-placed Launceston seized the initiative with two late tries to end any chance of an upset.

There were a number of plus points for Wharfedale, who went home with a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Tom Wareing, starting his first league game, performed admirably and Woodhead was a constant threat to the opposition defence with his sniping breaks.

The result left Wharfedale in fifth place with 83 points from 27 games.