Mal Roberts warns against panic at Launceston

Roberts also plays at full-back for the Polson Bridge outfit

Launceston head coach Mal Roberts says the club must keep believing they can move up the table and avoid relegation.

Launceston are currently bottom of National One, 16 points adrift of safety, having started the season with a 20-point deduction.

Roberts told BBC Radio Cornwall: "We're not hiding from the fact that things are pretty heavily stacked against us at the moment.

"But there's no need for panic as we're not midway through the season yet."

He added: "The confidence in the camp is still as good as it was at the start of the season, although we know that we've got a mountain to climb.

"I think if you put unnecessary pressure on the boys, then I think especially the most junior members of the squad probably don't react in the most positive way."

On Saturday Launceston have a home match against 11th placed Wharfedale.

Roberts said: "For us it's a must-win game we need to get results on the board and start getting points.

"We've said we're going to play high-tempo high risk rugby, and we've just got to get the boys to believe in themselves a little bit and go out and play that kind of rugby."

Launceston were deducted 20 points by the Rugby Football Union after they voluntarily liquidated their limited company.