Marlborough RFC – a decent battle but lost from the start!

Launceston RFC welcomed Marlborough for their inaugural visit last Saturday.  Not a great start for Marlborough, giving up two converted tries in the first eight minutes through penalties and handling errors.  The team started to comeback but a penalty and a yellow card for a high tackle let Launceston expand their lead to 17 points.

Despite being reduced to 14 men, Marlborough’s James Marshall led the beginnings of a comeback by scoring a try but Launceston swiftly answered with another converted try of their own.  Conner Hull then scored an outstanding solo try, which Sione “Jay” Matakaiongo converted, bringing the half-time score to 24-12 in Launceston’s favour.

Marlborough started the second half strongly with an energetic try from Conner Hull, also converted. However, Launceston’s scrum-half scored another try after numerous missed tackles by Marlborough.  Marlborough fought on, with Dylan Davies scoring a try, but Launceston was awarded a penalty try following an intentional knock-on by Sefanaia Volau, who received a red card.  Astonishingly, more tries on both sides followed as time ran out for the boys to end Launceston 43, Marlborough 36.

Photos by kind permission of Leila Nairne