Penryn 73, Lanner 14

Penryn recovered from an early scare to chalk up 11 tries and 73 unanswered points, as they put Lanner to the sword on Saturday, writes Ross Hancock.

The visitors had taken a shock 0-14 lead in the opening 10 minutes, but the Borough put things right before half time, going on to clock up their biggest score of the season so far.

Following the superb win at Torquay the week previous, Penryn would have been looking forward to home comforts. They would have to contain a fierce breeze against them in the first 40 though and it didn’t quite go to plan initially.

The visitors used their territorial gains thanks largely to the wind, to put Penryn under real pressure and following two quick converted scores, found themselves 0-14 ahead much to Penryn frustration around the ground.

A riposte was essential and it did come swiftly, with Kirk Oldfield grabbing the first of Penryn’s 11 scores. Tomas Townsend converted on what would be a good day from the tee for the kicker.

Penryn closed the gap further just minutes later, when more good work from the pack saw Ross Hancock go over at the back of a maul. Townsend couldn’t convert, but Penryn now only trailed by two and were on a roll.

The forwards may have been starting to show their dominance in open play, but the backs had begun to find their rhythm too and Viv Wilmott completed the turnaround with a well taken try. Townsend converted as Penryn now led 19-14.

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Despite the poor start, Penryn now had the bonus point in their sights well before half time and they got it, when more strong play from the forwards on the Lanner line saw John Followell crash over for the all-important fourth score and a ten point buffer.

Skipper Grant Randlesome extended the lead to 17 with the final action of the half, as he added Penryn’s fifth which Townsend also converted.

It was a satisfactory end to an initially concerning first period, but Penryn were in no mood to slip up in the second, as they ran riot for large parts. It was the strong work of the home pack to the fore again early in the second period, as flanker Chris Hellier bowled his way over the line for Penryn’s sixth.

George Jones added to his brace at Torquay soon after to make it seven, with Townsend converting both tries. The away side were beginning to look a little leggy, after a blistering spell from the Borough had left them out on their feet.

Looking to attack from deep, Lanner forced the pass and it was the easiest of walk ins for Andrew Seviour. Townsend obliged with two more from the tee as Penryn passed the half century mark.

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The punishment was far from over for the visitors though, as Penryn still had enough in the tank for three more scores. Hellier completed his brace when he shot through a gap and over to score, before Paul Saberton, returning from injury, notched a fine individual try after collecting his own chip.

It was another returnee, in the shape of Ben Trevaskis, who powered over for the 11th and final try of the afternoon, with Townsend landing all three conversion to secure a handsome Penryn win.

The Borough stay in second place, just two points off top spot and return to league action on Saturday, October 20, away at bottom club Hayle.

Penryn: Wilmott, Townsend, Hitchens, Seviour, Salisbury, Hinchley, Strick, Oldfield, Pellow, Goldsworthy, Followell, Trevaskis, Hellier, Jones, Randlesome. Reps: Cockrell, Hancock, Saberton.

Tries: Oldfield, Hancock, Wilmott, Randlesome, Followell, Hellier (2), Jones, Seviour, Saberton, Trevaskis

Conversions: Townsend (9)

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