Penryn’s last league match of the year was away at Cornish rivals Bude, Penryn looking for their first away win of the season, writes Jonathan Plummer. 

Penryn travelled full of confidence following a comprehensive win over Bideford the week before. Penryn were without top try scorer Matt Hall but Captain Adan Strick was back after a three-month injury layoff.

It was Bude who started the match on the front foot and two early penalties for Penryn infringements gave them an early 6-0 lead.

Penryn started to come in to match and did have chances to put points on the board but missed penalties off the tee and not taking their try-scoring chances meant they remained pointless. In fact, it was Bude who extended their lead midway through the half following a kick ahead by the fly-half,  the Bude winger managed to claim the ball from the covering Penryn defenders and outstrip the defence to score under the posts. The conversion was successful in giving Bude a 13-0 lead.

Penryn were hampered to an injury to centre Mike Fittock and had to be replaced by Jack Dunstan. Penryn had more chances before the half was finished but resolute Bude defence kept them out to give Bude 13 nil half time lead.

Penryn started the second half in much better form and after just 3 minutes got their first try of the match after good work from the back line,  replacement Jack Dunstan found himself in space on the left wing and. he managed to evade the covering defenders to score in the corner, an excellent finish. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed but Penryn had a foothold in the game.

The next twenty minutes was a very even contest with both sides cancelling each other out.  Bude got the next try after a Penryn infringement a quickly taken tap penalty took Penryn by surprise and the Bude player managed to evade several would-be tacklers to score under the posts. The conversion went over and Penryn were 20 points to 5 behind and facing an uphill challenge.

Penryn managed to reply just five minutes later after a sustained period of possession Penryn fly half Rob Banks was at the end of an overlap and he touched down in the corner. An excellent touchline conversion by James Salisbury went over and Penryn were right back in the match.

Penryn were now firmly on the front foot and had plenty of possession and territory and with five minutes left centre James Salisbury made a powerful run and he sprinted clear to dive over by the posts. Salisbury converted his own try and Penryn were only a point behind with five minutes left on the clock.

As the match entered injury time the match was still in the balance, With Bude in possession, Penryn thought they had won a perfectly well-timed turnover but the referee thought otherwise and awarded Bude a penalty much to the disbelief of the Penryn players. Bude kicked the penalty to give them a four-point buffer.

Penryn threw everything at Bude in the remaining few minutes but it was Bude who had the final say with a breakaway try down the right wing, the conversion was successful and the final whistle blew.

This is another away match that Penryn had the chance to win but poor defence and not taking their chances when available cost them dear but Congratulations to Bude who deserved their win.

Penryn’s next match is the eagerly awaited Boxing Day derby match against Falmouth on Tuesday, kick-off is 2.00pm at the memorial ground.

In the meantime President Tim Nicholls, Chairman Matthew Gray and the rest of the Penryn committee would like to wish our Supporters, Volunteers and Sponsors a very Happy Christmas and look forward to your continued support in 2024.
Report by Jonathan Plummer