LAUNCESTON 23 SHELFORD 24 (written by Dick Matthews)

SHELFORD MUDDLE THROUGH AT LAUNCESTON

Shelford visited Launceston for the first time and came away with a hard fought but thoroughly deserved win.

Shelford knew all about the size of the Launceston pack but not about the condition of what is called a “pitch” in Cornwall; a field of mud and tussocks. Shelford knew that they needed to come out firing but surpassed ALL their hopes when, right from the Launceston kick off, skipper Nigel Conroy made a searing break and quick handling by the backs led to a try by Naca. Harry Owens duly converted. Penalties were traded before a flowing backs move allowed Bucs to wriggle over for a second try, again converted by Owens.

A 17 – 9 lead at half time was quickly extended when Dane Grey pounced on a loose ball from a Launceston line out and sprinted over from 20metres; again Owens showed his kicking skills and crucially Shelford had a 15 point margin. The next half an hour was spent in heroic and dogged defence and try as they might Launceston couldn’t breach the Shelford wall. After so much pressure the referee produced the inevitable yellow card giving veteran back row forward Sam Hoad a period in the sin-bin. Down to 14 men, a tiring Shelford team conceded a penalty try following a series of 5m scrums. The seasons stand out player, Rupert Ransom suffered a serious ankle injury when he fell off one of the grassy knolls. Shelford battled on but conceded a second try just as Hoad was ready to return.

Shelford then showed real character and camped on the Launceston line for the final 3 minutes, denying the home side any chance of snatching victory away from the visitors, who were jubilant at the end. In this modern age mum’s and girlfriends don’t have to wash the players kit but the laundry man has a mammoth task to get Shelford kitted out for next weeks home game against Ding’s Crusaders, when Shelford hope to make it 3 out of 3 in 2012.