Penryn fell to a second defeat of the season on Saturday, with the visitors Teignmouth taking the spoils on a tricky afternoon in Western Counties West.

You’d have to go back to April 2018 for the last home reverse for the Borough and on an afternoon where squad depth was tested to the full, Penryn didn’t quite have the answers.

The Borough have worked hard to build a squad packed full of depth for the tougher demands of the league this season following last years promotion and it looked to have paid dividends early on, without some key men. Penryn started the game at a lightning pace and were asking the visitors some serious questions, which eventually ended up with Penryn in the lead thanks to a Grant Thirlby penalty.

The home side were probably better value than their 3-0 lead suggested, but they were soon made to pay. In testing conditions, a loose period from the hosts gave Teignmouth ball and field position from which they ruthlessly took advantage. Two quick tries and a conversion before the break gave Penryn a mountain to climb at 3-12.

There was more encouragement for the home side after the break, as they again had good spells of pressure whilst looking for a route back into the game. Another Thirlby penalty put Penryn to back within a converted try and in bonus point range. Penryn were frustrated by Teignmouth however, who squeezed the life and the Borough’s chances out of the game and deserve credit for their gritty performance.

With time ticking away and chances fading, Penryn would have to make do with a losing bonus point on an afternoon that wasn’t exactly a spectacle for the supporters. It is a reminder for Penryn about the tough nature of the league, but also a chance to refocus ahead of a trip to Tiverton this weekend.

Penryn: Saberton, Chambers, Johnson, Thirlby, Salisbury, Strick, Carter, Illsley, Skinner, Burley, Collins, Lamsin, Glynn, Hellier, Hughes. Reps: Cockrell, Howson, Hinchley.

Pens: Thirlby (2)