Playing their final game in 2025, the Pirates of Penzance & Newlyn RFC were left frustrated that, despite a strong finish, and them very much in the ascendancy, a sudden lack of time prevented their chance of securing a much sought-after win.

Two converted tries saw the Camels lead 14-0 at the break, before into the second half the Pirates registered their first points of the match thanks to a penalty kicked by fly-half Rhys Brownfield.

The Wadebridge side next extended their lead with an unconverted score, which drew a response from the visitors when wing Joey Norways made it to the line for a converted try that made it 19-10.

A third and final converted try for the Camels extended their points advantage, but the never-say-die Pirates admirably kept their focus, dug deep, and scored two converted tries to narrow the deficit to just two points. Man of the match scrum half John Tyler, who is recognised generally as a winger, scored the first, and it was full-back Ben Wragg who bagged an excellent final try of the match. The Pirates were on fire, and one more score could have won them the game, but frustratingly, and with unfortunate timing issues seemingly not helping their cause, it was not to be.

Speaking after the match, Penzance & Newlyn’s head coach Murray Westren commented:

“There were a few changes in our line-up today, so credit to the boys for sticking to the task and refusing to drop their effort.

“The end result was frustrating, as has often been the case this season. It just feels we have played a lot of good rugby but without a lot of reward, so hopefully that is something that will change as we head into the New Year.”

Penzance & Newlyn: 15 Ben Wragg 14 Joey Norways 13 Harris Eddy 12 Josh Semmens 11 Harvey Stone 10 Rhys Brownfield 9 John Tyler; 1 Ben Taylor 2 Wes Eddy 3 Declan Prowse 4 Nick Nowell 5 Jamie Eddy 6 Tom Hutton 7 Sam Carroll 8 Stan Somers (captain).

Replacements: 16 Joe Best 17 Jude Hardy 18 Jack Keogh.

Scorers: tries: Norways, Tyler, Wragg; cons: Brownfield (3); pen: Brownfield.

(The image displayed is of Pirates’ man of the match John Tyler receiving his award from coach John Stevens)