GRIZZLED veterans who have watched Falmouth for many years were scratching their heads trying to remember a game which featured so little rugby but ended in such a nail biting finish, writes James Instance.

On Saturday the lead changed hands five times in the final ten minutes before Justyn Irons kicked the winning penalty, in the seventh minute of extra time, to defeat Plymouth Argaum and maintain the Eagles unbeaten start to the season, taking them to second place in the Cornwall/Devon League.

Opening exchanges were physical, with both packs slugging away at each other and Eagles stalwart Steve Instance using his bulk to good effect.

The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when a Plymouth line out provided quick ball for a charge into the midfield, reversed back to centre Courtney Richards who broke through several tackles to score, with the conversion was missed.

The next play foreshadowed the rest of the match as from kick-off, Argaum conceded a penalty for offside and Irons slotted the first of his eight kicks.

Argaum immediately repeated the offence, Irons stepped up and Falmouth were 6-5 ahead.

Then after 25 minutes, Argaum conceded a penalty 5m from the tryline and winger Raphael Baragwanath took a quick tap penalty and outpacing the cover defence, offloaded to Kieran Rodda to score in the corner with Irons converting.

Falmouth conceded a penalty from the restart and Tom Richards taking his opportunity of another three points before the visiting forwards delivered a catch and drive 15m up the field, leading to another penalty which was kicked home.

However, Falmouth grabbed three points straight back as they won a penalty from the restart to lead 16-11 at half time.

Simon Bailey and Tom Edmonds were forced into try saving tackles not long after the break, but Williams soon found his range again from the kicking tee for another penalty.

He soon put Argaum ahead when he received the ball from a good driving maul and darted in by the posts, adding the conversion.

After a period of stalemate, Irons closed the gap with a penalty and sparked a final few minutes of manic rugby.

Another three points put the Eagles ahead only for Argaum to jump back ahead two minutes later.

However, an offside call as the clock hit the 80th minute gave Irons another kick at goal, which he duly converted making it 25-24, but Ashley Searle was called for the same offence at the restart and Williams booted the ball between the posts from 40m out.

Just when the visitors thought they had bagged the win though, heartbreak came as in the final play of the game, an Argaum player dived in at the side of a ruck, prompting another penalty which, under immense pressure, Irons scored to send the hosts into jubilant scenes.

Next up for the Eagles is a visit to third place Bude on Saturday.

FALMOUTH: 15 Rodda, 14 Carne, 13 Baragwanath, 12 Spiller, 11 Caruana, 10 Irons (c), 9 Bullock; 1 Searle, 2 Pollard, 3 Martin, 4 Instance, 5 Dobson, 6 David, 7 Bailey, 8 McColl.

REPS: Edmunds, Collett, Lea.

TRY: Rodda.

CON: Irons.

PENS: Irons (7).