PENRYN made it four wins from four in 2024 in this tight contest with local rivals St. Ives to continue the Borough's impressive run of form since the turn of the year, writes Jonathan Plummer. 

Once again, it was Penryn’s solid defence that won them the match, restricting the Hakes to just three points. St. Ives won the previous match at Alexandra Road last October but Penryn were determined to make amends at their place.

It was a dry day but the wind was blowing in clubhouse corner on a sticky pitch. Both side's defences held firm in the opening quarter as neither side could make inroads into the attacking third. The breeze was making the lineouts a lottery as both teams struggled to get any clear point-scoring chances.

It was just after the half-hour mark that Penryn finally broke the deadlock when the Penryn backs got some quick ball and after some great handling winger Kyle Johns found himself in space on the left wing and he showed excellent pace to touchdown in the corner. The conversion hit the post from out wide but the Borough had the lead in this tight contest.

In the last few minutes of the half, Penryn went in search of another try but a good St. Ives defence held them out till halftime.

At the start of the second half, Penryn went straight on the attack and only St. Ives being offside kept them out. Skipper Adam Strick opted for a shot at goal and James Salisbury took the chance to extend Penryn’s lead to eight.

Penryn’s Forwards kept them on top combined with fly-half Nathan Strick’s excellent positional kicking keeping the Hakes on the back foot.

Salisbury kicked another penalty midway through the half after another St. Ives infringement to extend the lead to eleven.

St. Ives came back into the match in the last quarter and had several attacks at the Penryn try- line but last-ditch tacking by the Borough held them out. St. Ives did get on the scoreboard with ten minutes to go when Adam Harris kicked a penalty.

The Hakes went in search of more points in the dying minutes but Penryn held firm for another hard-fought victory.

Penryn’s win means they move above St. Ives in the league up to a season-high fifth place. Man of the Match went to Penryn fly-half Nathan Strick who put in an excellent display.

Penryn have a week off next week, their next match being another Cornish derby when they head for the Mennaye to play seventh-placed Pirates Amateurs on February 17.