Topsham 8, Penryn 17

Penryn negotiated a tricky trip to Topsham as they recorded an important away victory, but could be left ruing a bonus point that got away right at the death, writes Ross Hancock.

Kiwi Debutant Tom Wallace nearly capped a fine first outing for the Borough with a try, but despite it looking good from a Penryn point of view the official wasn’t in a position to award the score and the extra point passed the visitors by.

The result leaves Penryn a point off first placed Bude and level in second alongside Honiton, with crucial fixtures against both sides on the horizon. Penryn had an excellent start to 2019 with a bonus point victory over Tavistock last week and were looking for a first away victory of the calendar year.

It was a strong looking Borough side who made the trip and they looked to stamp their authority on the game from the off. It didn’t take long for Andrew Seviour to bust through several defenders for a trademark score, to give the visitors a well-deserved lead as Paul Saberton converted. The home side were spirited throughout and did respond with a penalty goal, though the away defensive line looked comfortable. To make matters worse for Topsham, they also lost a man to the bin for repeated infringements.

Penryn then clicked into gear with half time approaching, effectively taking the game away from the home side. Josh Chambers continued his rich vain of try scoring form first of all, before Hayden Wilkinson burrowed over following strong work from the forwards. Neither try was converted, but Penryn had a 3-17 lead to take into the break.

It seemed as if the bonus point try for Penryn was a formality, but it was anything but in a largely forgettable half of rugby. The hosts had the lion’s share of possession from the off in the second period, but struggled to make their pressure tell against a resolute Borough defence. They did eventually muster a try that went unconverted, but the sheer energy it took from the home side still left them a mountain to climb being two scores behind.

Penryn continued to plug away in search of the fourth try that would secure the extra point, but it was to no avail as the home side continued to frustrate the Borough. That frustration was compounded when Aaron Cockrell was sent to the bin. Saberton went on a mazy length of the field run in the dying stages to set up debutant Wallace for what would have been a remarkable score. Such was the pace of the Borough break, the referee was unable to get close enough to see a clear grounding, despite Penryn protestations which brought an end to the game. Penryn face off against Torquay Athletic at home this weekend.

Penryn: Saberton, Chambers, Hitchens, Wallace, Bradley, Seviour, Townsend, O Morgan, I Morgan, Oldfield, Wilkinson, Homer, Hughes, Jones, Randlesome reps: Cockrell, Hellier, Johnson