BRACKNELL RFC's South West Premier survival hopes suffered a major setback as they were beaten 22-0 at Launceston.

The only score of the opening half came via a Tornin Clarke interception try, with Launceston moving further ahead five minutes into the second period when Dan Pearce landed a penalty.

The hosts' second try came courtesy of a rolling maul from a line-out, Harry Lightfoot dotting down, and things got even worse for Bracknell when skipper Michael Clarke was sin-binned with 10 minutes remaining.

Launceston took the opportunity to heap further misery on the visitors when prop Greg Thomas crossed for the final try of the afternoon.

The defeat leaves Bracknell nine points adrift of third-bottom Exmouth with only five games remaining, with their next fixture at home to second-placed Maidenhead on Saturday, March 21.

CROWTHORNE dropped to fourth in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Two South table after losing 15-10 at Rams 4ths.

The Crows visit Reading 3rds on March 21.

LONDON Irish were thrashed 39-0 at Sale Sharks in their Gallagher Premiership game on Friday night.

Exiles hot themselves in the foot twice in the first half as interceptions led to Sam James and his brother Luke both crossing for converted scores.

A Rob du Preez penalty extended the hosts'a dvantage to 17-0, and they grabbed their third try when hooker Rob Webber went over at the back of a rolling maul.

Sam James dotted down for his second try to secure the bonus-point, and Denny Solomona and Byron McGuigan then added further gloss to the scoreline late on.

Eighth-placed London Irish do not have a game this weekend, returning to action at Bath on March 21.