Withycombe Comeback Not Enough

Withycombe hosted Penryn at Raleigh Park on a day made for running rugby. Although the sunshine was out Withycombe got off to not a very bright start, the depleted Withies squad allowing Penryn to run riot in the first half, but an improved second half performance turned the game into a classic "ding dong" affair. Penryn, whom were supposed to be playing this fixture at home, were made to play the game in Devon for not turning up to the reverse fixture earlier on in the season as punishment from the RFU. Despite the loss, Withycombe still sit fourth in the league table, although are well away from the promotion spots, meaning the business end of the season has nothing on it for the remaining games, only bragging rights and bravado.

After the kick to begin proceedings, Penryn rushed into the Withy 22, and off of a scrum ten metres out they worked the short side and scored their first try from Grant Randleson, which was converted by fly half Mitch Vague. Withycombe managed to stop the rot for ten minutes, Glenn Channing kicking an easy three to make it 7-3. Penryn were straight back on the offensive though, and there would've been try number two had it not been for some astute defence and a ruck turnover from the omnipresent Liam Cullen, the "happy hooker" moonlighting at tighthead is enjoying a purple patch of a season to say the least.

On 25 minutes Penryn broke through after some sloppy defence let James Salisbury in for another converted try, and five minutes later Will Gibson dotted down for the visitors for another converted score, leaving the Green and Blacks in complete disarray! On the half hour mark Withycombe started to make inroads once again after keeping hold of possession. Jake O'Neill started a move from a kick, Caleb Sampson, Cullen, Fridge and Alex Taylor all carrying upfield in quick succession, Channing finally putting boot to ball to pin back Penryn in their own 22. It was a sign of things to come for the second half as there were no more points scored. The teams turned around 21-3 to Penryn.

Captain Neil Williams had some harsh words to say at half time, and rightfully so! There must've been some magic in those words though as Withycombe came out completely rejuvenated. On forty two minutes Channing put a bomb up, and with a good kick chase from Williams the pressure turned into a penalty for holding on. Two quick penalties later and a "show and go" from Channing saw a gap open up like the biblical Red Sea, Channing running it home from thirty metres out to score a converted try to make it 21-10. There was a lengthy rest not long after though as Matt Brambles went down clutching his leg after a kick, the centre finding out he had ruptured his Achilles, so we wish him a speedy recovery. This allowed Si Wroe his debut in the first team after coming through from the 2nd XV, and he didn't disappoint. Sam Manning also made a welcome return after rupturing his ACL around twelve months ago, the prop turned back row looking like he'd never been away in typical Manning fashion!

Penryn woke up after the try and started to run the ball at Withycombe. Si Wroe, Neil Williams and Dan James all throwing their weight around in defence to stop the visitors. Withies had a five metre lineout in Penryns territory, with the maul being driven over for another Withycombe try, Liam Cullen coming up from the pile of bodies clutching the ball. Channing popped the touchline conversion over to make it 21-17 and very muich game on!

Withycombe had the wind and their tails up. The confidence was growing, but they were still made to work. Jack Sullivan was everywhere in defence, the scrum half was found ferreting around Raleigh Park all day! Penryn weren't to be sniffed at though. Although any momentum they could muster was once again scuppered by Cullen, the jackal fiend helping himself to two ruck turnovers in lightening fashion.

On sixty five minutes the Green and Blacks won their lineout. Off the top it went to Caleb Sampson, who again used his body as a proverbial battering ram, and he romped through a tackle and off loaded to Neil Williams, who burst through like a charging rhino and went round a quaking full back and dotted down for an unconverted try, Withycombe scoring 19 unanswered points to take the lead for the first time in the match, the score sitting tentatively at 22-21.

With everything goiing Withycombes way in the sunshine, it would seem there were rain clouds on the horizon. A Penryn lineout was won by the visitors, however Doug Wibberley was deemed to have fouled the Penryn jumper and was given his marching orders for a rest in the sin bin. The resulting penalty was kicked to the corner, and from the lineout Penryn ran a delightful miss move in the centre opened up the biggest of gaps for Salisbury to run through and score completely untouched for another converted score to leave it 28-22 with ten minutes to play,.

On seventy five minutes Penryn went further ahead after Mitch Vague kicked another penalty, and Withycombe now were looking at getting no points from the game whatsoever. However, with only five minutes to go, Withycombe managed some "jouer" of their own. Caleb Sampson started the move with a very Caleb run up the guts. Neil Williams carried as did Channing. From the ruck Williams made a break down the short side, his off load to Lee Tanton allowed Tanton to open his legs. The break looked to be ended, but Tanton somehow managed to get the ball away to Man of the Match Jack Sullivan, who rounded Penryns winger and scurried his way from forty metres out to score the last points of the game, the final score was 31-27 to Penryn.

Next week Withycombe ahve their last home game of the season against league leaders Falmouth. Falmouth will wrap up the league as Champions if they get the victory so it's sure to be a cracker of a game. There is also a reunion for Withycombe players from yesteryear, so with the sun, rugby and beers it's sure to be a slobberknocker of a Saturday. See you all there.