COMING up against near relegation certainties Tavistock appeared to be the perfect chance for Penryn to finally record their second away win of the league season.

But by the time 80 minutes had elapsed on Saturday, it was the hosts who had the upper hand and a maximum five points to boot meaning they jumped off bottom spot in the Tribute Western Counties West.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Borough as they went in at half time two points ahead at 21-19 only to concede three tries after the break to depart with just a losing bonus point.

When these sides clashed back on December 6 at the Memorial Ground, Penryn smashed their way to a 53-7 victory scoring nine tries in the process with Josh Chambers bagging a hat-trick.

The winger was on the scoresheet again for his side in Devon with two dot downs, one either side of half time, while fly-half Martin Strick also went over before the interval.

With three penalties added to their first two tries, Borough built up a steady lead but found their hosts were determined to go down fighting.

The Tics went into the match knowing they would need bonus point wins from all three of their remaining games and hope other results go in favour of them to stand any chance of survival.

They showed good endeavour and spirit in the first half with tries coming from Dan Luffman, Luke Northmore and Chad Brading, two of which were converted by Ollie Wheeldon.

Borough will feel a little aggrieved with two tries which were ruled out by the referee, but even with a small interval lead the win still looked worthy of a bet.

However, in the other changing room the Tics sensed the victory was theirs for the taking and came out with all guns blazing.

Deciding to run with the ball as their main tactic, Tavistock opened up Borough's defence on three more occasions as Luffman and Northmore both went over again and scrum-half Kier Murphy also dotted down.

A converted try from Chambers and another penalty were added to Borough's score, but what the visitors will be most annoyed with is not taking advantage of a period were Tavistock were down to 13 men, during which the Tics went over the whitewash.

Relegation still looks odds-on for Tavistock as still requiring two bonus point wins they travel to third place Tiverton before hosting league champions Teignmouth.

As for Penryn, they will want to cap the season off with a bang with a home match against Wellington on April 11 and a final away trip to Sidmouth a week later.