Penryn 20 pts St Austell 15 pts
A dramatic stoppage time try by Penryn skipper Jordan Rose earned his side a thrilling win against Western Counties West leaders St Austell at a chilly Memorial Ground, writes Rhod Mitchell.
It was only the second defeat of the season for St Austell, though at least the losing bonus point they took from a fiesty Cornish derby was enough to extend their lead at the top to nine points from Bideford, whose game at bottom club Honiton was postponed.
Overall, it was a fine performance by the young Borough side who never took a step backward in the heavy conditions.
Bu it was the visitors who drew first blood with a tenth minute penalty from scrum-half Matt Shepherd and they quickly extended their advantage to 8-0 when some intense forward pressure ended with prop Hugh Noott going over a try near the posts, which Shepherd converted
Penryn though refused to panic and some strong play by their forwards saw flanker George Jones get the touch down under the posts, with fly-half Matt Horton converting to leave the home side just 10-7 down after 22 minutes.
However, almost immediately St Austell scored their second try of the afternoon with left wing Alex Welland going over wide out, with Shepherd this time unable to convert.
A Horton penalty saw Penryn trail just 15-10 at half time and they were given a boost at the start of the second half when St Austell back row forward Adam Kellow was yellow carded for foul play.
But Penryn were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority and it was not until ten minutes from time that they drew level with a fine try from speedy winger Alex Ducker, with Horton's conversion from wide on the left hitting the post leaving the scores tied at 15-15.
It was Penryn who finished the stronger side as St Austell defended manfully before, in the third minute of added time, the home side flung the ball along the line and although Ducker was hauled down just short, Rose was on hand to collect the loose ball and dart over for the matchwinning score as they made it seven home wins out of eight in the league this season.
It was a thrilling end to a entertaining encounter watched bya healthy crowd.
A dramatic stoppage time try by Penryn skipper Jordan Rose earned his side a thrilling win against Western Counties West leaders St Austell at a chilly Memorial Ground, writes Rhod Mitchell.
It was only the second defeat of the season for St Austell, though at least the losing bonus point they took from a fiesty Cornish derby was enough to extend their lead at the top to nine points from Bideford, whose game at bottom club Honiton was postponed.
Overall, it was a fine performance by the young Borough side who never took a step backward in the heavy conditions.
Bu it was the visitors who drew first blood with a tenth minute penalty from scrum-half Matt Shepherd and they quickly extended their advantage to 8-0 when some intense forward pressure ended with prop Hugh Noott going over a try near the posts, which Shepherd converted
Penryn though refused to panic and some strong play by their forwards saw flanker George Jones get the touch down under the posts, with fly-half Matt Horton converting to leave the home side just 10-7 down after 22 minutes.
However, almost immediately St Austell scored their second try of the afternoon with left wing Alex Welland going over wide out, with Shepherd this time unable to convert.
A Horton penalty saw Penryn trail just 15-10 at half time and they were given a boost at the start of the second half when St Austell back row forward Adam Kellow was yellow carded for foul play.
But Penryn were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority and it was not until ten minutes from time that they drew level with a fine try from speedy winger Alex Ducker, with Horton's conversion from wide on the left hitting the post leaving the scores tied at 15-15.
It was Penryn who finished the stronger side as St Austell defended manfully before, in the third minute of added time, the home side flung the ball along the line and although Ducker was hauled down just short, Rose was on hand to collect the loose ball and dart over for the matchwinning score as they made it seven home wins out of eight in the league this season.
It was a thrilling end to a entertaining encounter watched bya healthy crowd.