Teignmouth vs Penzance & Newlyn RFC – Match Report

Young Colts Make Their Senior Debuts

By Phil Westren 

Teignmouth 34 – Penzance & Newlyn 24

Venturing across the Tamar for their penultimate Regional 2 South West league match of the season, Penzance & Newlyn suffered a 34-24 defeat against Teignmouth.

Already assured of their commendable survival in their first season playing at a higher league level, for this tenth versus eighth affair the Pirates took the opportunity to give debuts to three young Colts, namely second-row forward Tama Griffiths and replacements Rocco Somers, brother of team skipper Stan Somers, and Cadan Thomas. Another Colt, wing Callum Walsh, has already impressed with opportunities given him this season.

Try-scorers for the Pirates were number 8 Jamie Eddy (2) and hooker Connor Bick, whilst fly-half Rhys Brownfield kicked a penalty and three conversions.

In total 17 of the Pirates 18 players featuring in their latest match have come up through the club’s Mini-Junior Section, which is huge credit to Penzance & Newlyn RFC, the coaches and everyone involved in developing such local talent.

Commenting after the game, Penzance & Newlyn’s head coach Murray Westren said:

“Although it was a frustrating day on the pitch, it was great to be introducing three debutant colts into men’s rugby and, overall, we certainly didn’t lack for effort.

📷Four Pirates Colts who featured at Teignmouth are l-r: Rocco Somers, Callum Walsh, Cadan Thomas, and Tama Griffiths.

“We generally played well enough, although we let them into our ‘22’ a little too often, and on the day were not quite good enough in theirs.

“Nevertheless, once again the progression opportunity and experience afforded our young lads, and learning what it takes to play men’s rugby, can only bode well for the future. That was really pleasing.” 

Penzance & Newlyn:   15 Ben Wragg 14 Callum Walsh 13 Josh Semmens 12 Oscar Marr 11 Harvey Stone 10 Rhys Brownfield 9 Dan Rhys Evans; 1 Dylan Arthur 2 Connor Bick 3 Joe Best 4 Ben Martin 5 Tama Griffiths 6 Stan Somers (captain) 7 Wes Eddy 8 Jamie Eddy.

Replacements:   16 Dave Penrose 17 Rocco Somers 18 Cadan Thomas.

Man of the Match:   Wes Eddy.

📷Pictured is Pirates man of the match Wes Eddy who received his award from Rhodri McAtee.