PENZANCE and Newlyn slipped to defeat on Saturday but did pick up a losing bonus point in West Devon.

After seeing off Ivybridge a week earlier, the West Cornwall outfit travelled in confident mood against a side who could have gone second with victory.

In what was a toughly-fought contest throughout, Okehampton held a 14-6 lead before the Pirates hit back to narrow the deficit to make it 14-13 at the break.

Pirates’ man-of-the-match fly-half Rhys Brownfield had kicked two penalties before dotting the ball down and converting it himself.

The hosts extended their lead to 21-13 in the second half via a converted score, before Pirates prop Ben Taylor that kept it interesting right to the final whistle.

A single losing bonus point was the least the travelling side deserved, whilst they remain seventh in the table having won three of their eight outings.

They now have a near three-week break before hosting Tiverton on November 22.

Speaking after the game, Pirates’ head coach Murray Westren said: “This was a genuinely close game between two even and good sides. It was highly physical, and the lads gave their all, but achieving a win just wasn’t to be.”

OKEHAMPTON: Robert Fishleigh, Oscar Bridger, Brandon Horn, Marley Wade-Parker, Mikey Stevens, Luke Simmons, Ollie Wonnacott; Dan Butt, Jack Rutley, Tom White; Brad Curtis, Sonny Luxton, Jack Ogborne, Alex Cross, Tom McGrattan. Replacements: Charlie Carr , Will Holland, Roman Alford.

PENZANCE AND NEWLYN: Ben Wragg, Jack Keogh, Harris Eddy, Oscar Marr, Cal Gardner, Rhys Brownfield, Ben Durrant; Ben Taylor, Wes Eddy, Joe Best; Ben Martin, Nick Nowell; Tom Hutton, Sam Carroll, Stan Somers (capt). Replacements: Dec Prowse, Jamie Eddy, Harvey Stone.

Tries: Brownfield, Taylor; Convs: Brownfield; Pens: Brownfield.

Penzance and Newlyn man-of-the-match: Rhys Brownfield.