Torquay Athletic 22, Penryn 23

Penryn staged a stunning second-half fightback to record what could be a priceless away victory come the end of the season, as they toppled Torquay, writes Ross Hancock.

Following the Tics' relegation from Western Counties last season and the Borough missing out on a return to the division by a single point, this was always going to be a close fought battle between two promotion hopefuls.

Both sides had made a similar steady start to the season with three wins and a defeat to their names and no doubt keen to lay a marker down with such an early showdown in the season. Penryn travelled to Devon without some first team regulars, including skipper Grant Randlesome, but with enough in their armoury to trouble any side in the division.

The visiting Borough started the better and were first on the board, as Mitchell Vague, who had an excellent day from the tee, made it 0-3. There were some familiar faces in the opposition ranks causing Penryn problems and they duly struck to take the lead at 7-3. Vague then traded penalties with the home outside half to keep it finely balanced at 10-6.

In a fierce contest, the game was always likely to be decided by key moments and Torquay would have thought they had found theirs when they struck again before the break with a powerful score to make it 17-6. In a spiky game Kyle Bradley and his opposite number saw yellow for an off the ball scuffle. Vague had a chance to make it 17-9 but missed his only kick of the afternoon to leave Penryn 11 behind at the break.

With the game appearing to slip away, the visitors took a controlling grip of the game that they wouldn’t let go. By the time the home team next saw the ball they would be the wrong side of 17 unanswered points and wondering where their lead had gone. Penryn effectively decamped into Torquay territory from the off in the second forty and were beginning to muscle penalty after penalty up front.

With three points no longer an option, the away side battered away at the door until they broke it down, doing exactly that when George Jones fired over from short range for Vague to convert. With the bit between their teeth, Penryn sensed blood and got themselves back into the red zone and with the penalty count rising the hosts lost another man to the bin. Using that advantage, Penryn regained the lead and it was Jones again who crossed with another Vague conversion making it 17-20.

It would be no exaggeration to suggest Torquay had not touched the ball in 20 second half minutes and things were not about to improve for the hosts. The Borough forced another penalty and Vague’s boot extended the lead by three.

Despite Penryns dominance, it was perhaps inevitable the home side would have chances in what remained of the contest. The Tics got that chance minutes after Penryn extended their lead to six and they took it as they drove over. The conversion dramatically bounced back off the post to set up a grandstand finish, with Penryn a point ahead.

After some near misses in recent seasons, Penryn were not to be denied as they stood firm in the final exchanges to hold on for a crucial victory that will hopefully serve as a springboard for the rest of the season. Next up for the Borough is the visit of Lanner this weekend.

Penryn: Vague, Bradley, Hitchens, Seviour, Salisbury, Strick, Oliver, Cockrell, Pellow, Gratrix, Hancock, Nelson, Hellier, Stanfield, Jones reps: Goldsworthy, Hinchley, Wilmott

Tries: Jones (2)

Cons: Vague (2)

Pens: Vague (3)