IT proved a frustrating afternoon for Penzance-Newlyn as they slipped to a 24-18 defeat at home to Tiverton.

On an afternoon when the weather was much improved than what might have been expected at the Mennaye Field, it was the Pirates who opened the scoring with less than two minutes on the clock.

Attacking down the left, the hosts used their determined pack to position themselves to within strike range, the fruits of which saw hooker Kenny Jones scored an unconverted try in the old Western National corner.

It was a case of so far, so good. However, Tiverton pulled three points back when, after making their first visit inside the Pirates’ ‘22’, fly-half Callum Stone slotted a penalty kick on offer from the left of the Penzance posts.

Strong ball carriers already impressing in this encounter were lock Ben Martin, for the Pirates, and his opposite number Jonny Fairclough for Tiverton, who were now settling into the match. Indeed, the Devon side would soon take the lead when space was created for centre George Whiting to fire out a pass to enable wing Toby Matthews to score a converted try.

From the restart, man of the match Joe Best ran powerfully for the Pirates, as would his fellow prop Dec Prowse, and from a penalty award and a successful strike by fly-half Rhys Brownfield three points were soon pulled back.

The contest continued to be a keenly-contested affair and it was the Pirates who soon regained the lead when Best powered his way over at the Newlyn posts. Full-back Sam Cahill added the extras.

Hopes were high within the home quarters that they would then register a third try, but sadly it didn’t materialise, as didn’t an attempted penalty kick by Cahill that unluckily rebounded off one of the posts.

In the build up to half time, Tiverton then regained the lead when centre Callum Findlay scored a converted try to the left of the Penzance posts.

With a 15-17 scoreline at the break, the likely outcome was still too close to call. However, the Pirates cause suffered a 10-minute blow when early in the second period centre Oscar Marr was shown a yellow card by exchange referee Chrissy Clark.

As the shadows lengthened in the afternoon sun, the Pirates did their best to haul themselves back in front. They pushed and probed in all departments, but were held up over the line on three occasions by some resolute defence from Jon Hill’s side.

At the other end, a final try of the afternoon was scored wide out left by Tiverton wing Josh Vanstone. Stone added a fine conversion to give his side a nine-point advantage heading into the dying embers of the contest.

For the Pirates, a win was still not impossible. They continued to press hard in attack and although a try eluded them, a late drop goal from Brownfield ensured his side of a deserved losing bonus point.

Penzance-Newlyn: S Cahill; B Wragg, J Semmens, O Marr, C Gardner; R Brownfield. B Durrant; D Prowse, K Jones, J Best; B Martin, J Eddy; T Hutton, S Carroll, S Somers. Replacements: B Taylor, J Lambourn, J Norways.