FALMOUTH 3pts PAIGNTON 14pts

TABLE-TOPPING Cornwall and Devon League side Paignton deserved their away victory against Falmouth, but were made to fight all the way by a home side who with a little thought could easily have won this crucial game.

The "Chiefs" should reflect on how they could have controlled the game far better in the first half. With a strong wind at their backs they more often than not insisted on pussy footing around in their own half when the 16th man - Mr Windy - was available to lend a helping hand!

The home forwards were up against it from the first scrum against a heavier pack, but more than matched their bigger visitors in the lineout, pinching a large percentage of ball where Steve Instance was prominent.

Paignton played the possession game and starved Falmouth of opportunities but there were moments of inspiration when scrum half Liam Chapple and no 10 Richard Hambly went close but for great defending by a determined visitors' defensive line.

Falmouth drew first blood when they were awarded a penalty for handling at a ruck. Captain and centre James Instance took the three points.

Just when Falmouth were looking creative they suffered a big blow to their aspirations when inspirational hooker Tim Gay had to retire with an injured shoulder to be replaced by Gareth Pond. Scott Langdon took over the duties in the front row.

This upset the rhythm and The Cherries held on, denying important possession to frustrate until half time.

Playing into the fierce wind in the second half Falmouth maintained the tempo, but lost the lead when big No 8 Peter Mortimer, who turned out to be the key difference between the sides, broke out to race under the posts for fly half James Onslow to add the extras.

This shook Falmouth, who had their best spell against the elements, camping for a full 15 minutes in the visitors' 22. Every trick in the book was used, catch and drives committing 13 men to the maul was worth some reward, but they had no luck and just failed to score on several occasions.

Paignton, very astutely, then used the "16th man" to their advantage, frustrating the lighter home forwards as their energy was sapped away and finding themselves back on their own base line. When conceding a scrum Mortimer picked up and fed Onslow who dived over, converting his own try.

With 20 minutes to go and 3-14 down Falmouth suffered another setback when prop James Cremin left the field to be replaced by the youthful Richard Warwicker.

Although Falmouth never gave up, the The Cherries kept them penned back in their own half with intelligent use of the wind, but still willing to run the ball some enterprising rugby ensued.

Centre James Instance and Mike Slater created gaps when on a dry day the scores might have been reversed but it was not to be.

For Falmouth Chris McColl, the stand-in lock, acquitted himself admirably.

The Cornwal and Devon League is a hard league with the top eight clubs all quite capable of beating one another and a promotion place is still possible, but after this home defeat losing is not now an option.

If Falmouth are to make anything of the position they find themselves in they will have to shed the habit at away games of taking a team tuppence short of a shilling with often preferred choices not available.

So get back on track, play for the shirt, it all starts at Honiton this Saturday - "connect the brain and think like a sailor."

Falmouth: J Cremin, T Gay, T Colvin, K Hughes, C McColl, S Langdon, A Lancaster, S Instance, L Chapple, R Hambly, G Leaver, J Instance (capt), M Slater, D Pellow, M Dawes. Replacements: R Warwicker, T Spiller, G Pond.

Hell-Fal Colts had an interesting game away to St Austell when losing by 13 points to nil.

There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel as chances were created to win the game, but lacking the required flair to finish.

On Saturday the Colts travel to Polson Bridge for a match with Launceston Colts in the Cornwall u18 Cap.

Meet for transport at 11.30am.