Taunton 13pts PENRYN 41pts

PENRYN completed the double over Taunton with a blitz of scoring in the last five minutes, and have put 101 points past them in the two matches.

The visitors ran in five tries at Taunton's new complex at Hyde Park, all converted, and with the addition of two penalty goals, ran out winners by 41 points to 13.

However, it did not start that way. The home club, who are desperately trying to avoid relegation, were ten points up after 20 minutes and with no Borough score before half time it began to look as though they would pull it off. In the end Borough's superiority in all departments saw them through to a very convincing away win.

It began quite well with the visitors exerting pressure, but the pressure was not turned in to points on the board. Borough could have been 20 points up in as many minutes, but stout defence and silly mistakes prevented any score. Then in one raid in to Penryn territory, Taunton were awarded a penalty from an infringement, and fly half Jason Dick had no difficulty in scoring.

A few minutes later Borough's supporters were taken aback when Taunton added a try. Scrum half Mark Winter chipped ahead, found space and passed to winger Steve Ladd, who ran through the Borough defence. Jason Dick had no difficulty in converting and Borough were ten points down in almost as many minutes.

It stayed that way until half time with each side striving to get the upper hand.

After the break it was a different story, with the Borough gradually getting on top of a side that visually tired in the last 20 minutes.

Five minutes in to the half Borough were pressing hard, with the forwards only four yards from the Taunton line. The referee awarded Borough a penalty and then immediately changed this to a penalty try when there was an infringement by a Taunton player.

Scrum half Dave Pascoe had no difficulty in adding the points and Borough were back in the game.

Five minutes later Penryn were awarded a penalty when Taunton dropped the scrum. From the tap lock Kevin Hughes, not always known for his speed, broke through the Taunton defence and ran 25 yards to score. Dave Pascoe added the points and the Borough went in to the lead for the first time.

In the next 20 minutes a rash of penalties were awarded, with Taunton converting one and Penryn two. Then, with the result still in doubt, but with the score 20-13 to Borough, Pascoe broke clear from a scrum just outside Taunton's 22 to put Chris Mann in under the posts.

Pascoe converted and then slick work involving Pascoe, Richard Hambly and Nick Brown, who had come on as replacement for James Greville-Smith, gave Chris Mann a try under the posts and the visitors another seven points.

Finally from a scrum on their own 22 Brown made a break and passed to winger Darren Pellow, who had a clear run from half way, giving Pascoe another easy conversion and Borough a very convincing away victory.

In the end Taunton had little to offer outside the scrum and Borough's fast three quarter line were able to dominate play. The much lighter, fitter Penryn pack dominated the tight play, and excelled against the biggest opponents this season. Taunton's eight totalled 133 stone, as heavy as many premier sides can boast.

The results at the top of South West 2 West were almost like nectar to the Borough. Brixham lost 15-18 at Stroud, whilst league leaders Gloucester Old Boys went down by 20 points to 21 at home to neighbours Berry Hill. Coney Hill won narrowly at Cleve, and remain a threat, but all of this puts Penryn in to second place, one point behind the Old Boys, and very much back in the promotion stakes, certainly with a chance of achieving the play off spot, and a possible away play off against Maidenhead or Swanage and Wareham. Each of these two are way ahead in South West 2 East and it is unlikely that either side will be caught.

The last seven league Saturdays of the season certainly look as though they will be exciting, and it could all go down to the last games on April 17, when the Borough travel to play the Old Boys and Brixham are at Coney Hill.

The play offs will take place on 24 April.

Penryn: Chris Mann, Darren Pellow, Mike Slater, Sheldon Waetford, James Greville-Smith (Nick Brown) 49), Richard Hambly, Dave Pascoe, Darren Jacques, Andrew Laity, John Court, Darren Stanley, Kevin Hughes, James Mann (Tristan Lark 60), Allen Jordan, Ben Short. Sub not used: Richard Burns.