Penryn 59 Lanner 3

Penryn maintained their position at the top of the table in the Cornwall and Devon league for another week, with a comprehensive demolition of Lanner.

Penryn put together some of their best attacking rugby of the season, running in nine tries to secure a bonus point inside twenty minutes. A five point maximum was vital, with neither promotion rivals dropping points as an intriguing end of season run in looms.

The unfamiliar sight of sunshine greeted the players on match day, as it finally seems the bad weather is behind us. Penryn beat Lanner at St Day earlier on in the season, but after a tough encounter on the day and the visitors doing the double over the Borough last season, it was a tricky looking fixture for the home side.

Lanner took an early lead with a penalty goal, but any fears of a potential banana skin were soon dispelled. Penryn began to play to the shape that has served them so well in attack this year and they soon broke through, in the shape of Adam Hughes from short range. Mitchell Vague landed the first of his seven conversions on what was to be a good day for the kicker.

The next try was a cracker and a real try of the season contender. Hughes was again involved, making a superb line break from the kick off as forwards and backs alike linked in open play before Paul Saberton finished the length of the field move in the corner. Vague converted again and Penryn led 14-3. Penryn certainly hadn’t used up their quota for attacking enterprise and they were soon at it again, launching another attack deep in their own territory. The half back axis was working well, as too was the centre pairing of Hitchens and Seviour who wreaked havoc to create space for Viv Wilmott to go over for the first of his two tries for the afternoon.

The influence of the home back row was also starting to have a major impact on the game. Hughes had already caught the eye with a try and sparkling break to set up another, with George Jones providing an excellent link man throughout. Skipper Grant Randlesome rounded off a fine opening quarter from the trio and for Penryn, with the bonus point try. Penryn still had time for more before half time and it was another beautifully worked score. A first phase set piece move opened Lanner up as Wilmott raced through a gap created by the Borough attack and despite options, the flyer pinned his ears back for Penryn’s fifth. Vague converted and Penryn led 33-3 at the break.

Despite the free flowing nature of the Penryn attack, there was a similar pattern to the game that has emerged this season in that the Borough score in clusters. With the job already done, there was a quiet period of about 25 minutes without any further trouble to the scoreboard. Penryn as ever did use this time to showcase their magnificent defence and while not keeping a clean sheet on this occasion, they’d have been delighted again not to concede a try.

The last quarter was much like the first, as Penryn cut loose and Lanner were punished. A tidal wave of Borough attacks brought another four tries as Penryn finished with a flourish. Andrew Seviour scored a customary try with some strong running, before his centre partner Hitchens, who was later named man of the match added a brace either side of another excellently finished try from Kyle Bradley. Vague converted two of the three to secure a handsome Penryn win. Penryn travel to Withycombe a week on Saturday.

Penryn: Bradley, Saberton, Hitchens, Seviour, Wilmott, Vague, Oliver, Patterson, Birkett, Gratrix, Nelson, Trevaskis, Hughes, Jones, Randlesome reps: Goldsworthy, Stanfield, Salisbury

Tries: Hughes, Saberton, Wilmott (2), Randlesome, Seviour, Hitchens (2) Bradley Conversions: Vague (7).