Match Preview

By Archie Connolly

Launceston vs St Austell - League Final, Launceston Rugby Club at 7:30pm

This Friday night the 1st and 2nd placed teams in the Colts League will play off for the trophy and right to call themselves league champions 2016/17.

Both sides have enjoyed solid campaigns with the Saints going unbeaten so far in Cornwall and Launceston's only defeats having come against the Saints. Those encounters were highly competitive and hinged on the Saints being more clinical in key moments whilst Launceston probably rued missed opportunities and felt they could have won on both occasions.

In the respective fixtures St. Austell pulled away at the end of those games to make the score line more emphatic, (31-10 and 31-16) but the Saints know, especially in the second game, that they were pushed right to the wire and fully expect a hard-fought game. Saints know that if they don't play well they will be punished by this strong Launceston outfit.

The Saints are confident in their own abilities and will relish the challenge of playing in front of a partisan home crowd. Despite the setback at Guildford, St Austell are still in fine form and in the second half of that game and against Liskeard in the cup they looked back to their early season best. The side should be at full strength although, like their counterparts, each team has a few players coming back from Canada so some players might have to be managed after their efforts abroad.

Both sides have big forwards who will look to claim plenty of territory and if the Saints can win the battle upfront they will be hopeful they can unleash their back three of Fraser Nottle, Jake Carr and Jack Ryan into space from front foot ball.

On the whole this should be a fascinating game and should showcase the strength of the rugby being played currently by U18's in Cornwall. This could be one of two finals these sides play this year with Launceston already having booked their place after beating the Colts Sinners on Saturday. The Saints will look to join them but will first have to navigate the victor of Redruth or Bude.

The Saints are determined to round off a brilliant league season with the ultimate prize of the trophy which escaped them last year. The Colts know they will have plenty of support coming up to cheer them on and are eager to put in a display which shows why they finished the regular season on top with maximum points. All the hard work put in at the start of the season comes down to Friday and everyone is ready to go and fired up for what should be a thoroughly entertaining game which the Saints will hope see the trophy return to Tregorrick Park.
COYS!

Webmasters Notes: Please make the effort if you can to get up there and cheer our Youth on!

7:30pm Kick off Friday 7th April

The game is being played at:
Launceston Rugby Club
Polson Bridge
Launceston
Cornwall
PL15 9QT