Penryn 28, Topsham 6

Penryn made it three bonus point victories in succession, as they saw off a spirited challenge from newly promoted Topsham in atrocious conditions, writes Ross Hancock.

The heavy rain and strong winds limited the home game plan and despite being made to work hard by the Devon outfit, the Borough always looked in control as they kept their opponents try-less for a third straight week.

The home side made an encouraging start to the game and were soon ahead when strong driving play from the pack close to the Topsham line, saw George Jones go over for the game’s first score. Mitchell Vague converted to give Penryn a deserved 7-0 lead.

The visitors were determined not to be bullied though and their big pack stood up to the Borough challenge to make life difficult for the hosts.

Penryn defied the conditions for a lovely second score, transitioning into attack well from a testing kick into home territory. Good running by Kyle Bradley and Vague was matched by an equally impressive support line from Chris Hellier, who slid under the posts for a well worked team try. Vague made it 14-0 with the conversion.

Mistakes were always likely in the wet conditions and Penryn couldn’t quite rack up the points they threatened to. Instead, Topsham profited from some decent work at the breakdown to get on the board with a penalty goal to make it 14-3 to the hosts and that’s how it stayed until the interval.

Penryn started the second half as they finished the first, with real vigour and intensity to heap the pressure on Topsham. The away side buckled in the face of that pressure and Hellier completed his double with another pleasing score. Vague took Penryn out to 21-3, needing just one try to secure the bonus point.

The next points though, went to Topsham, as the visitors again kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears to 21-6. The away side continued to frustrate Penryn, in what was a physical half in worsening conditions as time ticked away with Penryn in pursuit of that elusive bonus point score.

It did come though, with the Borough showing good patience, much as they had to the previous week against Tavistock. Hooker Kyle Gratrix, who had moved across to prop, fed James Salisbury with a lovely pass into the wide channel and the winger beat his man to finish under the sticks and secure the extra point. Vague converted for 28-6 and it was job done.

Penryn showed great hunger and desire at the end of the game to keep out a resilient Topsham, but there was to be no consolation try for the visitors.

  • Penryn travel to promotion hopefuls Torquay in a crucial game this Saturday.

Penryn: Vague, Chambers, Bradley, Seviour, Salisbury, Strick, Hinchley, Cockrell, Gratrix, Burton Nelson, Followell, Jones, Hellier, Randlesome. Reps: Glyn, Hancock, Townsend

Tries: Jones, Hellier (2), Salisbury

Conversions: Vague (4)