Penryn 28 - Midsomer Norton 29
Penryn welcomed Midsomer Norton from Somerset to the Memorial Ground on Saturday in what proved to be one of the most entertaining matches of the season, with the result in the balance right up to the last kick of the match, writes Jonathan Plummer.
Penryn had beaten Falmouth the previous week while Midsomer Norton had got past Cleeve to set up this quarter final meeting in the Papa Johns Cup.
The rain in the morning had thankfully cleared and the pitch was in a great condition for running rugby.
Penryn started the brighter of the two sides and will feel disappointed not to score first after a five metre line out move. Unfortunately the try scoring pass was knocked on and Midsomer Norton cleared their lines.
Midsomer Norton got their quick and elusive backs into the match and scored the first try after they broke through the midfield and centre Kieron Humphries touched down. The conversion missed but Midsomer Norton had the early lead after six minutes.
Just three minutes later and Midsomer Norton had another try after a move in the backs. This time Rob Viol dived over and Tom Rideout kicked the conversion to give the visitors a 12 nil after just ten minutes. Penryn were not helped to an injury to scrum half Sam Hewitt who was forced to leave the pitch.
Penryn started to get into the match and after another five metre line out this time there was no mistake, and second row Peter Cockrell dived over for a well taken try. James Salisbury converted and the Borough were right back in the match with 20 minutes gone.
This was a breathless encounter with both sides going right at each other. On the half hour mark Penryn thought they had got their second try but the referee ruled that the ball had been held up over the try line by the Midsomer Norton defence.
As the game approached half time the gap remained just five points, but just before the break Midsomer Norton broke the Penryn defensive line again and winger Henry Jeffrey scored the try. Tom Rideout added the extras to give Midsomer Norton a 19 - 7 advantage at halftime.
Penryn came out with great intensity at the start of the second half determined to get into the match, and the Penryn pack started to get on top especially in the scrum. Salisbury reduced the deficit with a penalty.
Then 12 minutes after the break, after several drives from the forwards, the ball was spread wide and centre Salisbury dived in for a try. He then converted his own try and Penryn trailed by just two points.
Penryn subsequently took the lead after Midsomer Norton gave another penalty away and Salisbury kicked the three points.
Midsomer Norton hit straight back and after a Penryn clearance kick was charged down, the ball was spread wide and Rob Viol got his second try of the match. The conversion missed but the visitors were four points ahead.
This was an end to end match and Penryn looked as though they had scored again when Andrew Seviour intercepted a pass and was heading for the try line. Unfortunately for Penryn the ref ruled the try out after he spotted a knock on in the build up.
Penryn settled for a penalty and Salisbury again made no mistake and the Borough were just a point behind heading into the last ten minutes.
Once again Midsomer Norton hit back just two minutes later and Kieron Humphries got his second try after poor Penryn defence. The conversion slipped wide meaning that Midsomer Nortons lead was six points with five minutes left.
A converted Penryn try would still be enough to see them advance to the semi final and they threw everything at the Midsomer Norton defence.
Then in the last minute of injury time Penryn made a break down the left and Ben Roskilly dived in at thecorner. The match came down to the conversion right next to the touch line. It was a great effort from Salisbury under pressure but unfortunately for Penryn the ball went the wrong side of the post.
As the final whistle went Midsomer Norton celebrated their best win of the season. They advance to the semi final and Penryn wish them luck next week when they play Combe Down.
Penryn will feel disappointed not to make it through but missed chances and poor defence cost them in end.
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