A converted try in the seventh minute of injury time sent Henley Hawks spinning to a 20-15 defeat away to Penzance and Newlyn in the clash between the newly-promoted teams.

Hawks, trailing for most of the game, fought back to lead 15-13 through a Barry Reeves drop goal in the 81st minute, only to concede a late try scored by Rob Thirlby, the speedy Pirates full back.

This was scant reward for a Hawks team who had recovered from a 13-3 deficit and had seemed about to end Penzance's two-year unbeaten home record.

In a game littered with errors, Pirates' new fly half James Shanahan had a nightmare in the first half, despite scoring a try when the Hawks fumbled the re-start kick, following Reeves's opening penalty.

Henley, whose skipper Mark Venner had to leave the field with an injury after 12 minutes, conceded eight points after the break through a penalty by Thirlby and a try from winger Matt Jess.

The reliable boot of Reeves then came into play as he slotted three penalties and that drop goal.

But Penzance made the most of turnover ball to score the match-winning try.