Penryn 11, St Austell 20

It was a double blow for Penryn against St Austell as the Saints took both the league points and a place in the next round of the Cornwall Cup, in atrocious conditions at the Memorial Ground, writes Ross Hancock.

The game served as a ‘double header’ with the pair drawing one another in the cup close to the return league fixture and both teams agreed the result would stand for both competitions. It meant that a drawn game would stand as a league result, with the possibility of extra time to clear up cup progression.

It was an entertaining clash earlier on in the season, which saw the Saints pick up the spoils and they were to enjoy another successful afternoon at the Boroughs expense. A difficult afternoon beckoned as heavy rain had made the pitch extremely heavy, with the rain unrelenting through much of the match. It wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of supporters though as a big crowd flocked in to watch a mouthwatering clash.

Penryn started well and soon got on the board thanks to a Sam Carter penalty to lead 3-0, but it was the last time they’d be in front for the afternoon. The powerful visiting pack were beginning to turn the screw and with Penryn under pressure, St Austell forced their way over for the first try of the afternoon which was converted.

The Borough fought valiantly in difficult circumstances to make it to the break just four points behind, but the Saints struck a crucial blow. More strong work from the away pack yielded another score and a four point gap became nine and looked a difficult deficit to overturn in the second 40.

The comeback mission didn’t start badly. The home team put together good phases and advanced well into visiting territory - rewarded with another Carter penalty to get back within a score at 6-12. That mission gained serious momentum as the half wore on and the Borough grew more and more into the game. Chances would be few and far between in the conditions, but Penryn took theirs as James Salisbury finished well in the corner. Carter’s conversion would have given Penryn a remarkable lead, but the kick went agonisingly wide.

With just a point in it, all the momentum was with the home side, but it was the visitors who would wrestle it back and ultimately confirm their win. A quick fire unconverted try and penalty goal took the score to 11-20 and with time against them, left Penryn unable to come back. Attentions now turn to Boxing Day against Falmouth, where a win would cap off a great 2019 for the Borough!

Penryn: Saberton, Chambers, Hitchens, Seviour, Brooks, Thirlby, Carter, Burley, Hellier, Pattison, Hughes, Bishop, Jones, Dixon, Randlesome. Reps: Tedstone, Salisbury, Levick.

Try: Salisbury; Penalties: Carter (2)