All at Penrith were pleased with their sides showing in their pre-season friendly when they beat Dumfries 36-12 at Winters Park.
They had come out on top against their opponents from over the border by six tries to two and although, as would be expected, there was a bit of rustiness there was also plenty to be positive about.
Penrith were able to field an almost first choice pack and from the first scrum of the afternoon they showed their dominance, bulldozing the visiting pack off their own ball.
They also had the better of the line-outs and with control of the set pieces they dominated possession in the first half. In the backs they weren’t quite as strong, but it gave others a chance to make their case.
They opened the scoring when Sam Wilson broke from an attacking scrum on the 22 and took play to the line, the ball then came right and good work from Joe Kirkup and Jamie McNaughton saw James Newman on the wing sneak in at the corner. Newman is new to the club moving into the area from Tiverton in Devon.
They scored a second after a long period of possession. Instead of the forwards continuing to drive for the line the ball came deep to stand off Isaac Murray who released McNaughton who then set up Rob Coward for an easy run in.
The next try came from a line-out with Wilson again making good ground to the line. The forwards sucked the cover in and when the ball went wide Murray had no trouble putting Coward through the gap for his second.
A fourth try came in similar vein with the forwards battering on the line, drawing in the defenders and then when play was spread Murray and Coward combining giving Newman an easy run in for a second score.
At no time did the visitors effort flag as they defended resolutely but couldn’t get a grip of the game because of the home side’s dominance of the set piece.
They did show some attacking intent in flashes and when they were awarded a penalty on the 22 after the home side had been penalised for crossing, they made the most of it and strong running earned them their opening score.
Dumfries started the second period well and kicked a penalty to the 22. They secured possession and again ran hard to claim a second try.
The home side had rung the changes and weren’t quite the force they were earlier on but managed a couple more scores, the first after stealing line-out possession.
The ball came quickly to the backs and McNaughton saw the full-back out of position, He put in a clever kick to the corner and Darren Lee won the chase to the line.
The final try was down to the forwards from a five metre scrum and after several drives for the line it was Scott Lancaster who came up with the try.
They were a number of things to take from the game. The pack performed impressively and new lock Ant Davies looked like an excellent addition to the squad.
McNaughton looked back to his old self after a season out with a knee injury and a number of youngsters impressed, Sonny Askins and Huw Lloyd in particular.
