The penultimate league match of the season for Penryn Ladies saw a bottom of the table clash that the Cornish side had to win to secure their place in National Challenge 1 for next season.
Penryn showed they were up for the challenge from the kick off when fly half, Copper-Gardener caught the ball cleanly (just one of many clean takes she took throughout the match) and took it straight to the Chew Valley defence. She was backed up with some solid support from the forward pack, enabling quick ball to be fed, first to pod runners and then recycled to the back line, who were able to gain valuable ground toward the try line.
Chew Valley defended well and were able to turn the ball over in the ruck, making some good runs back at the home side. Penryn however, defended with the same intensity as they started their attack, and with some crunching tackles (in particular from second row Bosustow and flanker Saberton) managed to eventually force the error and regain the ball. This started a sustained period of attack from Penryn, with backs and forwards linking well to work the ball into space, breaking through the Chew Valley defence phase after phase. This relentless attack was finally rewarded with a forwards try over the line for Hooker Derrante.
Scoring first gave the Cornish side a boost of confidence and energy, which saw them attack again from kick off. A well worked move from the back of the scrum gave Penryn valuable territory, and with secured ball at the break down, this gave the team quick ball to put the backs in space, allowing winger Baggs to link up with centre Hawkins who run in a try under the posts, which was successfully converted by Thompson. The rest of the half saw Chew Valley attempt to punch their way back up field, with some strong forward carries and hard back line runners, but Penryn’s solid defence and their dominance in set piece, especially the scrums, prevented the visitors from converting their attacks into points. Penryn also failed to gain any further tries for the remainder of the half despite some excellent runs from centre Mckelvey and replacement winger Beynon, as well as a superb Marcus Smith like chip and chase from flanker Thompson.
The second half saw Penryn ladies fire out of the blocks with an exceptional chase from the restart from full back Salem, who put the receiver under so much pressure they fumbled the ball, allowing Penryn to attack from the resulting scrum with a series of catch and drives, which resulted in Derrante going over for her second try of the match. Complacency set in for a time with Penryn taking their foot of the gas, allowing Chew Valley’s hard runners through their previously tight defence. After several phases of strong attack the visitors eventually earned their first try, which was not converted. This score spurred the Cats on and pile on more pressure in the home sides half. Chew Valleys aggressive attack forced errors from Penryn at the break down, resulting in a quick tap and go to score their second try, again unconverted.
With their lead narrowing to just a converted try, Penryn suddenly woke up and returned to their form of the first half. Renewed pressure from kick off and more crunching tackles, (this time from replacement back row Evans amongst others) ensured Penryn to regain possession, hitting the Chew Valley defence again with force. This eventually opened up the space for replacement back Wills, who danced her way to the try line for a superb solo try that was unconverted.
The final stages of the match were played out in the oppositions half, with Penryn mainly in possession. Both backs and forwards worked together to move the ball closer to the try line, but on the rare occasion they lost the ball, solid defence and strong counter rucking ensured they won it back. The continued strength of the Penryn scrum enabled the successful partnership of Captain Hampton and Dennis at 8 and 9 respectively, to work the ball out to centre Hawkins to score the final try of the match.
Every single member of the 22 player squad made their mark on this victorious performance, and the team has so much to be proud of this season, their first at this higher level.
Penryn ladies have one remaining league fixture of this season, at home to St Mary’s Old Boys on Sunday 24th April. They are already looking to the future and next season, when they hope to improve on their league position and compete even more fiercely and successfully. Summer training sessions and tournaments are already being arranged to keep the team together over the off season, plus the planning of recruitment activities to grow the squad.
Anyone interested in joining this friendly and ambitious side should follow us:
Instagram @Penryn_ladiesrfc
Facebook @PenrynLadiesRugby
Twitter @PenrynLadiesRFC
Match Report: Louise Dennis
