Penryn 48, Tavistock 19

Penryn got off to the best possible start in 2019, with a comfortable bonus-point victory at home to Tavistock on Saturday.

Key weeks in the Borough’s season lie ahead and with Torquay upsetting league leaders Bude at the weekend, it was imperative that Penryn capitalised to tie things up at the top.

In truth, it never looked like being anything other than a routine five points as the home side chalked up eight tries, despite a plethora of absentees. Penryn went into the game unbeaten since early November and despite draws in their last two fixtures – in the league at South Molton and the Boxing Day derby with Falmouth, they showed no sign of early nerves.

The hosts intentions were clear and they so nearly got off to a flier, with slick handling taking them close to the Tavistock line in the opening minute. They wouldn’t have to wait long though, as more good play sent Kyle Bradley waltzing over the line to give Penryn a deserved early 5-0 lead. Tavistock did add to the game, carrying hard with the little ball they had to test the Borough defence, but they were perilous to stop the flowing home side attacks.

Josh Chambers, fresh off consecutive home hat-tricks, was in the tries again, adding a slick double to his growing tally for the season. Paul Saberton converted both tries to take Penryn out to 19-0 ahead.

It looked ominous for Tavi with another big score and clean sheet looming large, but they hit back just before the break for a converted try their hard work probably deserved.

Not content to let them back into the game as contest though, Penryn had time to secure their bonus point try with the final play of the half thanks to Saberton, who finished off George Jones’ break.

Much like the first 40, Penryn started quick and were again getting the scoreboard ticking. With the backs getting all the glory so far, Adam Hughes got in on the act turning a couple of defenders inside out to finish well as Saberton again converted. Saberton then converted his own try soon after with a long range effort as the Borough raced out to a 38-7 lead.

Saberton rounded off a fine day individually, registering a personal tally of 23 points with his hat trick try, showing good speed against a tiring visiting defensive line. Chambers made it a third consecutive home hat-trick moments later with another pacey finish that was too much for Tavistock to cope with.

There was a spirited ending from the away side though, who chalked up too late tries to add respectability to the scoreboard, which will have no doubt irritated the Borough. All in all, it was a job well done for Penryn with any Christmas and New Year cobwebs well and truly blown out.

Penryn: Saberton, Chambers, Bradley, Seviour, Salisbury, Banks, Hinchley, Patterson, Pellow, Goldsworthy, Cockrell, Hughes, Glyn, Jones, Randlesome. Reps: Oldfield, Howson, Wilmott.

Tries: Bradley, Chambers (3), Saberton (3), Hughes

Conversions: Saberton (4)

  • Penryn travel to Topsham this weekend in another crucial game.