Penryn 64, Plymouth Argaum 0

Penryn racked up another big score and yet another defensive shut out, as they put Plymouth Argaum to the sword in the Cornwall Devon league.

With a slip up from fellow promotion chasers Saltash at the weekend, the result keeps the fight for promotion very interesting as a showdown looms between the Borough and the Ashes in three weeks’ time.

It was always likely to be a tricky task after Penryn scored over 100 points the week previous, and with the likes of George Jones and Grant Randlesome absent, it was a chance for those who came in to make their mark.

It was a chance the young side took emphatically.

As the weather continues in its unpredictability, the Borough had to navigate a heavy home pitch on a wet and horrible day. It didn’t take long for them to get down to business though.

With no disrespect to Wessex, it was always likely that Penryn would find it more difficult to break down the Plymouth outfit and so it proved in a contrast to the previous weekend. Penryn had to be more patient on this occasion, but it paid dividends on ten minutes when Sam Hitchens crossed for the first score of the afternoon. Mitchell Vague added the first of his seven conversions.

Penryn doubled their lead five minutes later and it was that man Hitchens once again, as the centre flew over for Vague to once again convert. Penryn were beginning to turn the screw at this point and soon added another. It was an excellent day for the forwards in the set piece and as an ominous maul rolled towards the line Ross Hancock broke off to squeeze into the corner, with Vague failing to convert on this occasion.

Penryn completed the bonus point on 30 minutes and Hitchens had his second consecutive hat trick, following a lovely flowing move involving Kyle Bradley.

If it seemed a case of job done before the break, Penryn showed their spirit in defence which has been a hallmark of the season, by keeping out the visitors who threatened for over 20 phases. The borough led 24-0 at half time.

If the end of the first half didn’t break Argaum’s resistance, the beginning of the second would have done. The Penryn pack drove the visitors a full 10 metres in the scrum and over the line, for Adam Hughes to flop on the ball for the score which Vague converted. At 31-0, there was clearly no way back for the visitors and it was another opportunity for Penryn to enhance their points difference, which is now the best in the league along with the highest number of points scored and lowest number of points conceded.

The tries came thick and fast in the last quarter, with the returning Andrew Seviour grabbing the first of five more Penryn scores. Hitchens then added a fourth try to his own personal tally, which takes the centre to a remarkable seven tries in two games. Vague converted both. There was a brief lull from the Borough, but that ended with a try for George Mitchell which the home side worked hard for to bring up the half century.

With a tiring defensive rearguard from the visitors, Penryn still found the time to strike twice more. Firstly Tomas Townsend saw some space at the back to collect his own chip ahead to dive in, before Hughes completed his brace from a charge down close to the line. Vague converted both and Penryn finished with another impressive points tally.

Penryn: Saberton, Mitchell, Hitchens, Seviour, Salisbury, Vague, Townsend, Degenhardt, Birkett, Patterson, Hancock, Trevaskis, Nelson, Stanfield, Hughes reps: Oldfield, Paine, Bradley

Tries: Hitchens (4) Hancock, Hughes (2), Seviour, Mitchell, Townsend

Conversions: Vague (7)

The Borough travel to Withycombe on Easter Saturday.