News
Penryn College Rugby Team Reach Quarter-Finals of National Competition
16 January 2019Penryn College’s Year 10 Rugby Team registered a memorable 22-21 victory over Bournemouth School in the fifth round of the Schools U15 Vase at Penryn RFC’s Memorial Ground on Tuesday afternoon.
After trailing 21-10 at half-time, two second-half tries from Ben Roberts and Logan Cairns ignited an inspiring comeback, meaning Penryn are one of eight schools remaining in the national competition, and just one win away from reaching the semi-finals, which will be played at Allianz Park – the home of Premiership side Saracens.
The enthralling encounter began at a ferocious pace, with Bournemouth registering their first converted try inside five minutes, before an instant response from Penryn following Tyreece Gallaway’s try, converted by Harvey Penhallurick.
The sensational battle continued, with both sides showcasing their attacking and defensive prowess. But it was the visitors who regained the lead with 20 minutes on the clock, after their converted try.
Penhallurick’s impressive penalty kick reduced the deficit to four points, with the scoreboard reading 14-10 in favour of Bournemouth, but the visitors increased the lead seconds before the half-time whistle, following another converted try.
Penryn entered the second period trailing 21-10, but came out of the traps quickly – attacking with both speed and skill – and their efforts were rewarded on 40 minutes, as Ben Roberts’s try, converted by Penhallurick, brought the hosts back into what was quickly becoming a classic Schools Vase encounter.
With momentum on their side, Penryn were hungry for victory, and with just 10 minutes remaining – for the first time in the encounter – the pendulum swung towards the red and black of the hosts, as Cairns registered Penryn’s third try of the match to make it 22-21.
The final stages of the encounter saw Bournemouth apply the pressure on Penryn, making for an incredibly tense conclusion, but the hosts displayed their character and determination to come away with a memorable victory – sparking fantastic celebrations long after the final whistle.
Penryn will travel to Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove in the quarter-final clash on Friday 8 February.