A SECOND successive 26 point defeat was received by Penryn as they had a disappointing afternoon in Devon against Okehampton.

After falling 29-3 to Kingsbridge in their previous match, Borough were looking for a reaction, but it was always going to be a tough task with a plethora of players unavailable.

The home team had a point to prove too, off the back of an away loss to Sidmouth the previous week.

Both sides were level on points going into the game in mid-table positions, so it was a good chance for either to push up the table and away from one another.

Penryn started brightly, with positive play despite a pitch which has a large slope and more resembled a bog after the recent heavy rainfall.

After the opening quarter, the scorers were still untroubled with Penryn looking the more likely, but it was the home side who would draw first blood.

Inspired by player-coach and ex-London Welsh forward Gareth Evans, the hosts notched two quick fire tries to build a 14-0 lead and leave Penryn in the all too familiar position of facing a mountain to climb.

The teams should be praised for trying to play positive rugby on the pitch, but Okehampton used the conditions, which would have been far more familiar to them, much better.

A late Penryn penalty attempt was missed to leave them 14-0 behind at half time.

Borough had to play up the slope in the second period and started the half brightly once again.

A strong surge from deep and some superb interchanging passes and offloads took Penryn into Okehampton territory as they seeked to mount a comeback.

But the tenacity of the Okes at the breakdown, which was a feature all afternoon, saw them turn over Penryn ball and launch an attack via a kick to the corner.

The poor conditions and an awkward bounce left the last line of Borough’s defence stranded and there was not a lot that could be done about the ensuing score.

This was a hammer blow to Penryn, looking to get back into the game and it went from bad to worse soon after.

Another turnover in midfield caught the Borough cold out wide and Okehampton sauntered in for the bonus point try, thus killing off the game.

In typical Penryn fashion though, they showed tremendous character for the final 25 minutes.

The visitors had all the territory and possession, but like the week before just could not get the points to show for it.

Again the scrum went well, despite changes in the front row, and the rear guard action in defence in the final five minutes, when the Okes had a spell on the Penryn line was commendable.

There are positive signs for the Borough, but it has not been their fortnight.

Penryn return to league action, at home to Tavistock on December 6, and take on Bude away in the quarter final of the county cup this Saturday.

PENRYN: 15 Creeden, 14 Hughes, 13 Jordan, 12 Vague, 11 Jowett, 10 Seviour, 9 Hinchley; 1 Cockerell, 2 James-Mills, 3 Beasley, 4 Ashwin, 5 Hancock, 6 Hoban, 7 Jones (c), 8 Randlesome.

REPS: Oldfield, Instance, Evans.