SIDMOUTH 34 pts PENRYN 6pts

PENRYN went down to their second successive Western Counties League defeat when they were beaten 34-6 by Sidmouth.

There were several late changes to the Penryn team that travelled to Sidmouth, a club that the Borough had not played for a number of years.

Captain Chris Mann was again prevented from travelling because of ambulance service duties, and was replaced by Alan Richards. Lock Martin Payne was injured in training on Thursday and was replaced by Adam Giles, whilst Travis Ashe came in for Damien Pellow, with Justin Martin joining the subs.

Whilst Sidmouth deserved their win the game was not as one sided as the score suggests, nor was it as one sided as one local news source suggested. Sidmouth did score within one minute of the kick off, and the first 15 minutes saw a very even struggle, but then the very good home three quarter line began to exert itself, resulting in two further tries, one of which was converted, to give them a 17 point lead at half time.

Penryn started the second half with fire and enthusiasm, and for much of the third quarter looked the better team. The forwards worked well, winning two put-ins against the head, but a try was not to be.

However, the visitors did manage two penalty goals, and with the score at 22-6 this seemed a fair result. Then in the final 20 minutes Sidmouth ran in two tries to give them a final score that did not reflect the play or the commitment from The Borough.

For Penryn, the forwards gave another sound display, and will surely get better as the season progresses. In the threes there was a lack of cohesion, but this will also improve as the side plays more games.

There is competition for places, and the signs indicate that a winning combination is not far away. There is no question of players letting anyone down. They don't go out there to lose games or let people down.

Penryn: Alan Richards, Travis Ashe, Peter Webster, Andrew Seviour, Paul Bannister, Taron Peacock, Josh Chambers, Steve Patterson, Gareth Wills, Richard Tresidder, Adam Giles, Kevin Hughes, Allen Jordan, Grant Randlesome, Dan Laity. Subs: Simon Bray, George Jones, Justin Martin.

Penryn scorer - penalties: Taron Peacock (2).

On Saturday the Borough 1st XV play Wadebridge Camels in both 1st and 2nd team fixtures.

The Chiefs are at home in a Western Counties West League fixture, whilst The Saracens travel to Wadebridge for a CRFU Merit Table match.

Wadebridge were promoted from the Cornwall and Devon league as runners up to Paignton, who were champions only on points difference. They lost their first game by one point away at Ivybridge, but overcame Minehead Barbarians by 44-11 last week.

Camels are a young club, being formed in 1955. They and Bude, along with Launceston, indicate the growth of rugby in the Eastern part of the county. Having played Paignton in the opening game of the season the Borough now how difficult this fixture will be.

Penryn Colts are away to St Austell.