Penryn 24 - Paignton 48

Penryn lost their first home league match in more than 16 months by a determined Paignton team at the weekend.

Paignton, who came into the match with three wins from three to start the season, were sitting in second place in the table.

Penryn, who did the double over Paignton last season, had a first half to forget as Paignton ran in six tries and scored 40 points.

Penryn gave a debut to winger Jack Jones who has recently signed from Dubai Tigers. There was also a first matches of the season for centre Nathan Strick and Sam Hitchens who came of the bench in the second half.

It was almost perfect conditions at the Memorial Ground with the sun shining and only a gentle breeze.

It was Penryn who actually started the match the better and were on the front foot for the first five minutes after several phases of play in the Paignton 22. The ball was spread to the left wing and no.8 Oli Mount scampered over, the conversion missed but the Borough had the early lead.

That was as good as it got for Penryn in the first half as Paignton ran in six tries in a blistering 30 minute spell. Paignton speedy winger Henry Hoare got a hat trick of tries with some elusive running. There was also an individual try for scrum half Dewan Stoop who ran in from half way.

There were additional tries for prop AlexPozniak and fly half Brad McKee, who had an excellent match. McKee also added ten points from the boot with five conversions, as Paignton had a 40 points to five half time lead.

To their immense credit the young Penryn side had a much improved second half performance and were the much better team. There was a debut try for Jack Jones four minutes into the second period after some good hands from the Penryn backline.

Penryn were now well on top, with the forwards making powerful runs and regularly breaking the Paignton defence. A third Penryn try came after more good work from the Penryn pack; the ball was fed out from a driving maul and skipper James Salisbury crossed the line. Salisbury added the extras and a unlikely comeback was on the cards against a tireing Paignton side.

Penryn thought they added a fourth try two minutes later from a lineout ten metres from the line, a rolling maul headed over the tryline and Penryn celebrated the try. Unfortunately for the Borough the referee was unsighted so could not award the try, much to the home crowd’s disappointment.

This proved to be a turning point in the match as it was Paignton who got the next try much against the run of play.

From a scrum on half way, the Penryn pack drove Paignton back ten metres as the Paignton scrum disintegrated. Unfortunately for Penryn the ref’s whistle never came and as the ball squeezed out of the scrum. The Paignton backline pounced spread the ball wide and scored in the left hand corner by centre Harry Law.

Penryn put this disappointment behind them as they went in search of a bonus point try. This came half way through the half following another rolling maul and replacement Chris Hellier got the touch down; Salisbury added the conversion.

Paignton rounded off the scoring when Brad McKee kicked a penalty after Penryn were caught offside. The last ten minutes was a feisty affair as both sides received yellow cards but neither side could add to the scoring.

Penryn will rue their first half performance as Paignton built up an unassailable lead, but can take pride in a gusty second half effort and securing a bonus point. Paignton are a strong side who will be looking to secure promotion this season, after missing out last season only on points difference.

There is a week off for Penryn this week before they head to play league leaders Plymstock Albion Oaks the following week.