Penryn 66, Plymstock AO 7

Penryn RFC clinched the Cornwall/Devon League title in style on Saturday with a ten-try thrashing of Plymstock Albion Oaks at the Memorial Ground.

Having won promotion the previous weekend, the Borough went into Saturday's game knowing that a win would see them crowned champions in their final match in the division before moving up to Western Counties West.

There may have been a few nerves ahead of kick-off, knowing that a slip-up could allow Honiton to swoop in and snatch the title at the eleventh hour.

Falmouth Packet:

A large crowd turned out at the Memorial Ground to see Penryn secure the title. Picture by George Fortey

But those fears were quickly put to bed as Penryn ran in ten tries, with Kyle Gratrix, Tom Townsend, Adam Hughes and Josh Chambers all scoring before the break. Townsend converted three out of four to give the hosts a 26-7 lead at half-time.

It was more one-way traffic after the break as Chambers went over twice to complete his hat-trick, while Sam Hitchens and Tom Wallace both scored two. Townsend added another five conversions to complete the scoring with the celebrations already well underway.

The win also acted as revenge for Penryn's 25-20 defeat at the Plymouth side on the opening day of the season, one of just two defeats suffered by the Borough all season.

Penryn will join local rivals Falmouth in next season's Western Counties West next season. Among the Borough's other opponents will be fellow promoted side Honiton, last season's promoted Cornwall/Devon duo Wellington and Saltash, and fellow Cornish clubs St Austell and Wadebridge Camels.

Falmouth Packet:

Celebrations at full-time. Picture by George Fortey

A jubilant Penryn coach Ian Morgan said after the game: "We talked about it at the start of the season, we missed out by a point last year and we were a bit disappointed with that.

"We've kicked on this year, the boys have regrouped and we thoroughly deserved this, we've worked so hard for nine months and it's really pleasing to see them celebrating."

Although Penryn already had promotion in the bag, Morgan was relieved to see his side land a deserved title on Saturday.

"I think even if we hadn't been promoted last week and we hadn't won today it would have taken the shine off it a little bit," he said. "It was nice to win it at home."