It was not one for the purist or the faint hearted! St Austell’s travelling “Massive” whose numbers were greater than the hosts were treated to a display of pure determination and a will to win.

The match started brightly for St Austell who went straight on the attack and a penalty in the first minute was easily converted by Chris Ashwin, the response was that Truro worked their way back to Midfield and started probing their way toward the Saints 22. The next 20 minutes was a war of attrition for both sides cancelling each other out, both struggling to put cohesive phases together. This clearly led to frustration and a brawl on the Saints 22 resulted in Prop Pete Rowe being sin binned for retaliation after being punched, the Truro Captain Ashley Riches also a yellow card. The catalyst for the brawl a neck roll on Sam Rhodes resulting in a red card for Truro Prop Ethan Pattison, I am sure there will be variations on the who did what but this is as how the Referee James Milliner saw it and he had to stamp his authority on the match. The penalty count in the first half was climbing at an alarming rate, a series of errors although not for lack of effort allowed Truro to land a successful kick by Fly Half Ashley Hosking soon to followed by a good try after a flowing cross field move a well timed pass cutting out the Saints defence for Centre Alex Stuthridge to score the half closing out with a Hosking penalty at 11-3 for the hosts.

Both sides had by this stage utilised their replacements and careful management was going to be needed with just 3 interchanges left, Truro immediately on the attack but resulting in stoic defence by St Austell to turn over the attacks with penalties, and on the 50 minute mark it was Saints Full Back Liam Freeman who stepped up to reduce the deficit. The match was always simmering, huge tackles making the injury count worrying for both teams, Chris Ashwin leaving the field with a popped shoulder returning to the affray after having it reset, replacing Shane Johns who had popped a rib! On the hour Freeman again slotted a sweet penalty to take the score to 11-9. The tempo did not decrease nor the penalty count and Truro Flanker Luke Trescothick was sin binned for foul play offering the visiting Saints the opportunity to besiege the Truro line, the Saints scrum a weapon and from this dominance over the Truro front row Max Duggan touched down to spark wild jubilation with Freeman cleanly converting, Man of the Match Miles Davey however 1-18 they all played their part.

Local bagging rights secured for a while, the pride in your shirt, self esteem, confidence all the things you get from a hard win in a local derby that will stay in the memory for years to come. Truro did pip the Saints on the penalty count I am sure coach Ashley Morcom will be on the case.

No match is no more important than the next game where next Saturday the Saints will be entertaining Wadebridge Camels 3pm at Tregorrick Park.