Exeter University 24, Penryn 17

PENRYN secured what could be a crucial bonus point come the end of the season, finishing within seven points of runaway Western Counties West leaders Exeter University, in what was a gutsy performance. It was top versus bottom in a game that looked ominously tough on paper for the Borough, but in the three previous meetings between the two sides it has always been a lot closer than the league table would suggest.

The Borough travelled to Devon following a disappointing loss against Wadebridge, in a bottom of the table Cornish derby last week and travelled with a much changed squad from the week before, due to injury and unavailability. The student outfits fortunes have been very different of late though, they hold a ten point lead at the top of the table having put forty points on fellow high flyers Torquay last week. Despite the odds being stacked against the Borough they started well and immediately went on the attack. The away forwards battered away at the Exeter line with several attacks, but the home defense stood up well. Penryn were rewarded with a penalty and took a 3-0 lead in the shape of Martin Strick’s boot.

The students hadn’t had an opportunity to attack yet, but when they did, they threatened despite the short and narrow pitch. A first converted score was quickly followed by a second and those who travelled with the Borough, began to fear the worst. Penryn were not there to make up the numbers though and they fought back once more. Again it was the forwards who hammered away, but when the Penryn three quarters did see the ball, it looked as though centre Andrew Seviour was over only for the referee to adjudge he was held up. Exeter raced away, before eventually driving over to score again before the break, leaving Penryn trailing 19-3.

The second half was an even bigger ask for the Borough, as Exeter now chased a fourth try for the bonus point having found their rhythm before the interval. But again the students wouldn’t have it all their own way. The physicality of Penryn was a theme throughout as they kept many an attack at bay. The home side opted for a 5m scrum in an attempt to drive the Borough over, but they were having none of it as they won a penalty of their own which seemed to galvanize them for the rest of the afternoon. From the resulting penalty Penryn secured good ball from the line out and launched another attack. After patient build up it was hooker Ben Birkett who found himself through a hole and he powered his way over before being mobbed by his team mates. A Strick conversion reduced the gap to nine.

Penryn continued to frustrate Exeter as the clock ticked towards full time and with a losing bonus point in site, the Borough continued to fight. It was Exeter though who secured a bonus point, the sheer number of phases eventually told as they crossed for a fourth try. Defiant to the end, Penryn continued to slug it out until the final whistle, knowing a converted try would be enough to take home what seemed an unlikely point. A final effort was required as the ball was kicked to touch with the Borough setting up a strong driving maul. The pack crept toward the visitors line slowly but surely and crashed over, with Jordan Rose credited with the score. That meant scrum half Callum Hinchley would need to nail the conversion for the bonus point, which he did in nerveless fashion. The point was a real fillip for Penryn, who now host Tiverton on Saturday.

Penryn: Chambers, Hellier, Vague, Seviour, Salisbury, Strick, C Hinchley, Oldfield, Birkett, Burley, Hughes, Trevaskis, Randlesome, P Hinchley, Rose reps: Tedstone, Hancock, Hoban

Tries: Birkett: Rose

Conversions: Strick, C Hinchley

Penalty: Strick