By Ross Hancock

Penryn 20 Wellington 12

Penryn produced one of their finest displays of the season, as they knocked off the top of the table Wellington in a brutal encounter at the Memorial Ground. There were two eye-catching tries for youngster Charlie Levick, but the victory was built on a superb defensive display brimming with physicality.

The away side arrived in the Borough riding high in Western Counties West, having beaten Penryn earlier on in the year after pulling away late on. Both sides came into the game on the back of a fortnight's break fresh and raring to go, though they'd probably need another break to recover at the end of this fierce contest.

Penryn set the tone for their emphatic victory early on, repelling a series of attacks from Wellington who enjoyed a lot of early possession. The away side couldn't find a way through as they were knocked back time and time again. The first points of the game came against the run of play, as Penryn finally got their hands on the ball and advanced into the away 22. Sam Carter kicked a penalty to make it 3-0 and it would spark them into attacking life.

Carter was involved again moments later, as his line break led to the first try. The scrum-half burst through the away defence and despite being hauled down just short, had Charlie Levick on his shoulder who dotted down underneath the posts. Carter extended the lead to 10-0 heading into the break.

Wellington came out revitalised at the beginning of the second 40 and showed their champion credentials, by getting back in the game with an unconverted try to set Borough alarm bells ringing. The Penryn response was excellent though and they soon regained their 10 point advantage. Another clean break got the home side into the Wellington red zone and after a series of abrasive drives from the forwards, Andrew Seviour did the rest to power over for an unconverted try.

Importantly for Penryn, they had taken themselves more than a score in front heading into the final quarter of the game and despite continuing to defend manfully, would find even more joy from their attack. Full back Kyle Bradley broke the line with vigour as he had done all afternoon and fed Levick who added a second try showing great pace to finish. Carter couldn't convert but Pernyn were out of sight at 20-5.

The final few minutes did belong to Wellington who scored following a late rally to make it 20-12, but it was to be Penryn's day as they managed to deny the table-toppers even a losing bonus point. Next up for the Borough is an away trip to Bideford this Saturday.

Penryn: Bradley, Levick, Hitchens, Seviour, Mabbott, Vague, Carter, Strick, Hellier, Rush, Barker, Trevaskis, Hughes, Dixon, Randlesome reps: Cockrell, Bishop, Tupholme

Tries: Levick (2) Seviour

Penalty: Carter

See more club news and fixtures by clicking the red button below.