PENRYN welcomed Bideford to the Memorial Ground to start the second half of the league season, back in September Bideford beat Penryn by 12 points in baking hot conditions, writes Jonathan Plummer. 

The return fixture at Penryn on Saturday was a lot cooler and played in a gale force wind into club house corner. Penryn skipper Ryan Burley won the toss and decided to play against the wind in the first half.

It was Penryn who were first to get on the scoresheet, a loose pass by a Bideford player was kicked downfield by in-form wing Matt Hall who managed to win the chase to the loose ball and score by the posts for the first try of the match after 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the conversion hit the post but Penryn had an early lead.

Bideford started to use conditions to their advantage and gain some possession in Penryn territory and they managed to get the next try to level the scores, after several drives by their forwards again the conversion drifted wide in the wind but the scores were level at five all.

That was as good as it got for Bideford as Penryn to control of the match although it was five minutes before halftime that they retook the lead. It was no.8 Andrew Seviour who got his first try of the afternoon after good play by forwards and backs. Seviour managed to power his way over to touchdown under the posts this time centre James Salisbury had no problem kicking the conversion and Penryn had a 12-5 lead as halftime approached.

Bideford had the pressure on for the last few minutes of the half but solid Penryn defence kept them out and the Borough had a crucial lead at halftime playing against the wind.
The first twenty minutes of the second half were a scrappy affair with neither side able to take the match by the scruff of the neck and both sides making mistakes.

Eventually, Penryn started to use the wind to their advantage and gain possession in the Bideford 22. Following good work by Chris Hellier and Ryan Burley at the line out, Penryn got close to the try line. Andrew Seviour got his hands on the ball and dived over for his second try of the match. Once again the conversion came back off the upright.

From the restart, an excellent 70-metre kick by Will Tanswell got Penryn back in the Bideford half. Following excellent drives by the forwards, Seviour was able to go in for his hat trick try and the bonus point try for Penryn.

Penryn were now firmly in control of the match and, with five minutes left, got their fifth and last try of the match after good play by replacement Jack Dunstan and James Salisbury it was centre Mike Fittock who dived over for his first try of the season.

There were no further scores in the last few minutes and Penryn had a convincing victory in difficult conditions. Players of the match for Penryn were Lock Matt Carolyn for several good carries and solid defence and scrum-half Will Tanswell who had an excellent match.

This was Penryn’s last home league match of 2023 and next week play Bude away while Bideford will play Falmouth at home.

Final score: Penryn 27 - 5 Bideford