Penrith looked to kick start their season, after two defeats on the road, when they hosted Guisborough on Saturday who hadn't recorded a victory in their first three games. The Cumbrians did get the win they were after but it was far from a regulation bonus point win.
The home side couldn't have started any better scoring from the kick off, they secured the kick, Adam Howe drove the ball in then it came to the threes. George Graham at stand off made a half break and played the ball out of contact to Matty Boustead who sped into the attacking half, he set Isaac Murray away into clear air and he looked to be in for the try but was run down just short of the line but managed to play the ball back inside to his younger brother and Jonah scored with ease.
Penrith scored a second try after ten minutes, they won an attacking lineout in the left corner and a series of phases worked the ball across the pitch as they drove for the line. Play was then switched rapidly to the left, Fin Binks and Richy Dadley did well well to keep the movement alive in the left corner and when it came right again Boustead crashed through a defence at sixes and sevens to score.
The visitors were not playing like a side without a win and struck back shortly after, a break by their scrum half got them in behind the home side's first line of defence and they took full advantage to open their account with a well taken try. Penrith however remained in control and scored a third try from a flowing move after winning lineout ball on half way, the ball came wide to the right, Boustead and Jonah Murray put some pace on the ball and set winger Josh Swinson away who when the cover got across got the ball back inside to Jonah Murray who claimed his second try.
The home side then scored from the restart to look firmly in control, they moved the ball left, Graham and Boustead made ground before Binks was released into space and he showed his pace to almost make the corner, although caught just short he was able to find Isaac Murray on his inside who touched down for the bonus point try. There was no further scores before half time although the visitors were looking more dangerous as time went on. Penrith led 20-7 and had not been able to add a conversion to their four tries.
Things started to look a bit more competitive just into the second period, the home side lost the ball in contact and the sharp Guisborough scrum half took full advantage and was able to pick his way through broken play to score. Penrith came back with a fifth try after winning good scrum ball on the 22. Jonah Murray had made a good break to take play to the line. The forwards had several drives to the line, the ball came to Jack Gaskell who slipped it to Isaac Murray who threw a long pass to hooker Ben Campbell standing wide on the wing and he scampered in at the corner. A more difficult conversion went wide but the home side led 25-12.
At this stage the home side rather lost their way, they were giving away possession too easily and conceding needless penalties and allowed the visitors right back into the game. They were able to take advantage after kicking a penalty to the corner and working the catch and drive from the lineout well to score the try and trail by less than a score at 25-19.
The visitors had their tails up and sensed there was the chance of the win, they took a one point lead when awarded a penalty try for a high tackle as they attempted to cross in the corner. The home defender was yellow carded so with just under a quarter of the game left and 14 men they had a fight on their hands.
The game went into the final ten minutes and the home side won a penalty in the centre of the pitch between the half way and 10m line, they had already missed five attempted conversions but Isaac Murray took on the challenge as it was well within his range. He struck it sweetly and it sailed over for a two point lead.
At this point Penrith's two senior forwards, props Gaskell and Howe, took matters into their own hands and pinned the visitors back keeping things tight and driving in the ball time after time themselves to see the game out. The Cumbrians did slip up giving a penalty away and allowing the visitors out of their 22 but they regained possession and it was Gaskell who booted the ball into touch to end the game.
It was not the free flowing game many expected but Penrith did score some nice tries and they did have the bottle to come back after almost giving it away.