OKEHAMPTON 22

Try: Cox, Turner, McGratton
Con: Poynton (2)
Pens: Poynton

PENRYN 24

Try: J.Seviour, A.Seviour, A.Ducker
Con: J.Seviour (3)
Pens: J.Seviour

Penryn started 2013 in the best possible fashion with an impressive away victory at high flying Okehampton.

Having previously struggled on the road, it’s now three away wins on the trot for the Borough and five including home fixtures as Penryn shoot their way up the table.

For the fourth consecutive week there was an absolute swamp of a pitch to contend with following the bad winter weather, as well as a stiff breeze and a difficult slope.

Penryn implemented their game plan from the coin toss, opting to play uphill and against the wind in the hope that a strong first half performance would see a reward in the second half.

The game plan couldn’t have gone more to plan, although it was the home side who took a 3-0 lead.

The first half may not half been to memorable for the spectators watching but Penryn grafted tirelessly, especially up front where they dominated the hosts for the most part. The Okes missed two further penalty goals that would have given them a comfortable lead, but Penryn kept themselves in the game with strong defence and countless forward drives in attack.

As the half grew wearily on in the difficult conditions Penryn struck a crucial blow. Fly-half Jake Seviour brushed off a tackle following a good spell of pressure from the visitors and went over to convert his own try and give the Borough a golden score going into the break.

The message at half time was the slope and the wind wouldn’t win the game for Penryn but it could help if they showed the same endeavour.

It didn’t start particularly well though, as Okehampton wiped out Penryn’s try late in the first half with one of their own, to lead by three and lay the gauntlet down for the rest of the half against the elements.

Penryn had to score next to ensure the good work of the first half was not undone and a game that was there for the taking didn't slip away.

They did just that, and with the forwards punching holes in midfield  space opened for Andrew Seviour to score out wide with brother Jake converting to give Penryn a 14-10 lead.

The pendulum swung back the way of the hosts soon after in what was becoming a real see-saw match. 

Penryn defended valiantly on the line after a series of scrums and after holding up the initial surge, succumbed to a try the following phase.

The conversion was good and the Okes now led 17-14.

Penryn never panicked though and got back on level terms with a Jake Seviour penalty in the final quarter, before a slice of luck turned the game.

Another searing attack from the Penryn back line saw Josh Chambers desperately close to giving Penryn the lead, the ball went loose, but a fortunate ricochet landed straight into the arms of Alex Ducker who dived in with Seviour again kicking the extras. 

Penryn had five minutes to hold off the Okehampton onslaught, which they looked to have managed before a frantic last play.

The ball found its way to the grandstand side of the pitch as the home fans roared their winger down the touchline and into the corner for the most dramatic of scores.

Deathly silence fell on the ground for what would have been a levelling kick, but it dropped short only for the referee to allow one more play.

Penryn were penalised and defended aggressively, to force a mistake or a turnover and would have been nervous to see the hosts creep their way up the field. However when the ball came loose and it was hoofed off the pitch there was to be no denying a superb win for the Borough.