Saltash 21

Penryn 38

Penryn Under 14s started their season with a long trip to a much-improved Saltash and continued in the same form as they had finished last season - with a resounding triumph.

Saltash kicked off the fixture but were soon under the pump as Penryn's pack secured good ball, fed it out to the short side where Sam Price sped around his opposite number, left everyone else in his wake and scored the first of his 3 for the day. Sam Hammersley duly obliged with his first of 4 conversions.

From the next kickoff, the home side managed to exert a bit more pressure but still Penryn retained the ball. A great kick and chase from Sam Hammersley and Dan Price led to a lineout within 10 metres of the hosts' line.

A great catch and drive gave Isaac Wagland the chance to break off the back of the rolling maul and touch down near the corner - this was a move that earned the pack and Isaac in particular the Champagne Moment of the day.

The following 15 minutes were more hotly contested by the hosts, they tackled well and ran hard with the ball and rucked very efficiently - outperforming Penryn in the loose on a number of occasions.

The hosts' county centre made a great break through the line and scored close enough to the posts for the conversion to be made.

The Penryn set pieces worked very well over the course of the match, winning a number of lineouts and pushing the Saltash scrum back in every set scrum. It's a shame that at this age group, they are not allowed to push more than a couple of metres as Saltash would not have won one scrum without the referee halting the drive.

The hosts gained in confidence and possession and another line break led to their second try in 6 minutes.

Penryn looked shocked at this stage and it is their great credit that they kicked up a gear and started to exert more pressure at the breakdown, counter rucking with great effect.

The tackling become harder hitting and Saltash began to wilt. The hosts were lucky not to have their tryline crossed on a couple of occasions but eventually Sam Price burst through and around under the posts for his second. At half time the score stood at 14-19.

Penryn kicked off the second half and chased hard. The much improved loose play of Penryn meant a lot of possession and it was no surprise when Sam Price scored his third.

The hosts seemed to struggle playing uphill and apart from a couple of good clearance kicks, spent the majority of the half in their own third of the pitch. The immense pressure applied by Penryn's pack - especially in loose play - finally led to a very rare Penryn penalty just 10 metres out.

Oscar Burt made the call - already moving at speed - and new scrum half, Harry Callaghan, obliged, popping the ball up. Oscar crashed through a number of Saltash players and Jack Truen on his shoulder finished the move, scoring under the posts.

The next 20 minutes was a a great display from the visitors with many of the squad playing out of position due to injury and absence.

New club member, Ben Clark, played in four different positions in the match and held his own every time.

Time and time again, Penryn secured loose ball and credit must go to the hosts' determined tackling as they avoided going further behind. The harsh fitness regime the squad has been through this season began to tell as time and time again Penryn were first to breakdowns.

They pushed the Saltash all over the pitch, both in the loose and set pieces. Every member of the pack deserves special mention for their fantastic efforts. So much so that the man-of-the-match award was given to the pack as a whole. The consistent pressure from Penryn led to Dan Price breaking determined tacklers and scoring under the posts on 56 minutes. It was no surprise when the referee enabled the hosts to have a consolation try at the end to make the final score 21-38.

Penryn team: Harri Truen, Jack Truen, Charlie Levick, Dan Price, Sam Price, Will Pyatt, Sam Hammersley, Ollie Hill, Ollie Kingsbury, Bartek Machnik, Issac Wagland, Toby D’errante, Ben Clark, Archie Bawden, Alfie Bray, Finley McGougan, Oscar Burt, Harry Callaghan.