St Austell overturned a fifteen-point half time deficit with nineteen unanswered points in the second period. It was the proverbial game of two halves, with Brixham dominating proceedings in the first period to lead 22-7. With six changes in the starting line-up, it was perhaps not surprising the Saints looked off the pace in the first forty minutes. A few tactical tweaks during the interval and a significant change in application meant the Saints were an entirely different proposition in the second period. It was almost one way traffic, and the constant pressure saw the Fishermen’s defence and discipline wilt under the strain. Two tries closed the gap with the all-important bonus point try coming with the last play of the game to secure a 26-22 win for the Saints.

The home side got off to a good start and the early pressure was rewarded when scrum-half Matt Shepherd scooted over from a tap penalty (7-0). Brixham soon wrestled control and two well worked tries from winger Matt Crosscombe and centre Louie Drennan saw them take a deserved lead (7-14). The Saints struggled to impose themselves and the visitors continued to build the scoreboard pressure with another Crosscombe try to lead 7-22 by half time.

The Saints were determined to score next to ensure the game did not totally run away from them. Hooker Peter Harris crashed over the line but determined Brixham defence held him up. The respite was short lived as the Saints ran the resulting dropout straight back with full back Max Bullen scoring under the posts (14-22). The Saints continued to prod and probe, and their patience finally paid off when prop Matt Boothby crashed over with just over ten minutes remaining (19-22). The belief in the stands and on the pitch was palpable as the home side went in search of the win. Brixham had already received numerous warnings from the referee and two yellow cards in the final stages of the game was evidence of an increasingly desperate rearguard action. It all boiled down to a 5m scrum, the Saints pack trundled forward before Man of the Match Kyle Marriott picked out Dan Tyrrell in the blindside channel. The Cornwall Player of the Year still had work to do but finished in stye in the corner. Matt Shepherd’s touchline conversion brought the final whistle and delight amongst Saints players and supporters.

An important win for the Saints and their first against one of the established Level Five “Big Boys”. Brixham may feel aggrieved about the yellow cards, but it is hard to see what else the match official could have done given the height of the tackles. Next week the Saints make the long trip to Gloucester to take on Matson RFC (Saturday 28 September KO 3pm).