Penryn got their Western Counties West campaign off to the best possible start with a home bonus point victory over Sidmouth on Saturday. 


It was the first league test at home for the Borough and new head coach Russell Lawrance, and a tough one at that against a Sidmouth side with a point to prove following their relegation from South West One West last season. The game was played in perfect conditions, although the late summer heat would prove to be a test for the players on their first league outing in some four months. 


Following a cagey start from both teams, it was the visitors who had the first chance to get on the board with a penalty goal from Captain Dan Retter. Fortunately the kick sailed wide and the scoreboard remained untouched. 


Penryn were then given their own opportunity to open the scoring and did so, in the form of debutant Nathan Strick who slotted the three points for the Borough. In a tit for tat first period, where opportunities were few and far between, Penryn once again exuded their set piece dominance and particularly at scrum time. It was fitting then, that the first try of the match and the season came off the back of a Penryn scrum. The home pack fiercely drove Sidmouth back from an attacking scrum and were awarded a penalty try that even the most avid Sidmouth supporter would struggle to argue against. Strick added the extras and Penryn led 10-0 at the break. 


Penryn resumed in complete control, knowing that if they got the next score it would probably be too much of a mountain to climb for Sidmouth, but it was the away team who struck. A rare lapse in concentration from Penryn handed possession to the visitors, who made the most of their opportunity with the impressive Will Siddle showing good speed for a flanker to register Sidmouth's first points. Retter added the extras.


The game had become closer than Penryn would have hoped following the half time break, but they reverted to type to extend their advantage once more. Another powerful scrum seemed destined for the try line, but as the visitors escaped a second penalty try the quick thinking of Grant Randlesome from a tap penalty saw another Penryn try regardless. Strick this time failed to add the extras. Sidmouth were handed another lifeline immediately after they conceded, as they were awarded a penalty. Retter landed a penalty goal at the fourth time of asking and the away side were once again only a score away. 


As the game entered the final quarter, Penryn came into their own. Fresh legs and superior fitness told as Penryn displayed their dominance for all to see. Firstly the backs showed what they had been threatening all afternoon with some fine handling on the grandstand side of the ground with Ben Jordan finishing after a superb dummy. Strick again missed but the Borough were beginning to pull away. Penryn secured the win and the try bonus point with what had served them so well throughout the afternoon. 


A powerful and well worked catch and drive move from the lineout saw hooker Ben Birkett cross for his first senior try in eight years and despite another missed conversion attempt Penryn eased their way home to victory. 


The Borough are at home again next week in Western Counties West to St. Ives, 3pm kick off.


Penryn: 15 Chambers 14 Evans 13 Jordan 12 A Seviour 11 Hughes 10 C Hinchley 9 Strick 1 Oldfield 2 Birkett 3 Pattison 4 Hancock 5 Ashwin 6 Jones 7 P Hinchley 8 Randlesome Reps: Tedstone, Hoban, J Seviour
Tries: Penalty, Randlesome, Jordan, Birkett Con: Strick Pen: Strick.