Falmouth 13, Penryn 10

Falmouth secured a first victory over arch rivals Penryn since Boxing Day of 2007 in a close fought, top of the table clash. Falmouth entered the game on top of the Devon and Cornwall league, unbeaten in all four matches, with the Borough snapping at their heels just two points behind after three bonus point wins on the bounce.

It made for a mouth-watering clash, with the two sides normally having to wait until Boxing Day to face off, having not been in the same league as one another for seven seasons.

The home side started the faster, catching Penryn cold.

Some good midfield carries sucked in the Penryn defence and the home side had just enough space for wing Tom Edmunds to sneak into the corner for the game's first points. Captain Justin Irons couldn’t add the conversion.

Despite both sides' ambitions to play good rugby, the usual derby day niggle was in evidence and Penryn prop Ryan Burley saw yellow for his ‘careless’ use of the boot. Irons added three points to take the home side to more than a score in front.

Penryn full back Matt Horton hit back with a penalty, but Falmouth again punctured the Borough defence when Tom Simmons broke from the scrum and fed full back Dave Jones, who scorched over in the corner. Irons again couldn’t convert, but the Eagles led 13-3.

Despite the home side’s dominance, there was a sense that they would need to score again to allay any fears of a Penryn comeback and secure themselves a famous win.

If the home nerves were jangling, Penryn’s second half response did nothing to ease the concerns, as the pack took control. Despite an early missed penalty from Horton, Penryn were beginning to see more of the ball and started to work through their attacking patterns. When Falmouth lost Ashley Searle to the bin, the Penryn forwards took things up a notch at scrum time.

Despite Irons filling in to ensure the home pack were at full complement in the scrum, it did nothing to stop the Borough surge who left the referee with little option but to award a penalty try. Horton converted and all of a sudden it was a three point ball game.

Falmouth were hanging on a bit now, as Penryn continued to press. They did in fact have an opportunity to draw level, but Horton’s penalty effort went agonisingly wide for the visitors. Despite the miss though there was still time, as the forwards pounded on the door to find that winning try.

The home defence was resolute but Penryn still inched forward with wave after wave of attack. Just as it seemed the Borough were about to break Falmouth hearts at the death, the home side plucked a crucial turnover and despite some frantic digging, managed to kick the ball into the stands to secure a huge victory.

Falmouth remain unbeaten at the top but with a bonus point, Penryn remain in touch, just five points behind in second.

Falmouth: Jones, Edmonds, Kindjarski, Ackner, Brewer, Irons (capt), Spiller, Searle, Geach, Cock, Baglow, Ward, Tonkins, Bailey, Simmons. Reps: Church, Dobson, Firth.

Penryn: Horton, Chambers, Hitchens, Seviour, Paine, Vague, Peacock, Burley, Birkett, Goldsworthy, Hancock, Trevaskis, Randlesome, Jones (capt), Rose. Reps: Williams, Oldfield, Strick.

Scorers: Falmouth: Tries - Edmunds, Jones. Pen: Irons. Yellow card: Searle

Penryn: Try - Penalty. Con: Horton. Pen: Horton

Yellow Card: Burley