REDRUTH one week followed by Truro the next; things don’t get much tougher for a small club like Penryn, but this is what the fixture schedule had in store for this group of youngsters.

With Truro having 20 players to call on and with Penryn only having 15, it was always likely that the visitors would run out of steam, and so it turned out at the end of the match but that was not before Penryn had played some of their best rugby of the season.

The game started badly for Penryn when the home side scored within a few minutes of the kick off, but with the tremendous team spirit that has developed recently, Penryn were soon camped on the Truro line following a strong run from Jori Bennett that was finished off in style by Aron Young who crashed over for a try.

Thomas Freeman then restarted with a high hanging kick, and with Sam Lavall chasing and Benji Roberts in close attendance the two of them caused panic in the home side’s defence that ultimately led to a five metre scrum to the defending side. Scrums at this age group are uncontested for safety reasons, but once the ball is out it is fair game for anyone to compete for it, and it was Thomas Freeman putting pressure on the defence that led to an interception try for the Penryn player. Next on the score sheet was Solomon Littlejohn who had his best game of the season, who went through the centre of the Truro back line for well taken try.

During the first ten minute session Penryn were very much in control of the game having the majority of the possession and showing the greater attacking potential, but following the break Truro replaced their entire team which was the first sign of the home side coming back into the game.

The second 10 minute period started with Penryn still very much in control, with both Solomon Lttlejohn and Benji Roberts crossing the line to further extend the visitors lead. However, not be out done, the home side created several opportunities that resulted in three tries in a row to leave the half time score at 5 - 4 to Penryn.

Following the break Truro were able to completely refresh its team, and with it came the turning point in the game, that despite a brilliant solo try from Jack Dunstan, the home side ran in a further four tries to take what turned out to be an unassailable lead.

To their credit, Penryn entered the forth quarter looking a little fatigued but despite being confronted with another set of fresh legs these youngsters from the Borough gave as good as they got and held the home side to only one try.

Overall, this was a very encouraging performance for Penryn showing that teamwork is the key to any side’s success, and with the likes of Piran Glasby and Flinn Congdon gaining confidence with every game it highlights the fact you don’t have to score a try to make a major contribution to a match.

Match day squad (tries) : Jori Bennett, Jack Casswell, Flinn Congdon, Liam Creedon, Jack Dunstan (1), Thomas Freeman (1), Joseph Hinkley, Sam Laval, Solomon Littlejohn (2), Jack Martin, Benji Roberts (1), Aron Williams (1), Ciaran Young.