For a change of pace and because we still haven't found our own match report writer we have a guest delivering one for you this week!
After 30 years of playing and refereeing finally took their inevitable toll on my body I took on the role of Publicity Officer for my last club, Hope Valley RFC, who are based in the heart of Derbyshire's Peak District so on one of my occasional visits to Tregorrick, I figured "Why not see if they want a guest reporter" - here's my offering, hopes it's okay
Regards
Ian Broad
When my wife suggested a pre-Christmas week in Cornwall that coincided with my Club, Hope Valley RFC's cup fixture, I made two provisos, one that I could drink unlimited Cornish Rattler, two that I could watch the St Austell game. Her replies were "No" and "Yes" so I took my place on the Tregorrick Park balcony as Saints lined up against Falmouth and thought "Why not have a busman's holiday and write a match report?".
In conditions that even in Derbyshire's Peak District we'd class as "a bit damp" the game kicked off and, with the season of "peace on earth and goodwill to all men" rapidly approaching several of the forwards soon decided to "introduce themselves to each other". Peace restored, it was obvious that the visitors were going to struggle to contain Saints powerful runners so captain Miles Davey decided to make their task easier by taking a yellow card and a ten minute rest.
Undaunted Saints continued to attack at every opportunity and, on 15 minutes, some fluent handling created space wide on the left which Ben Plummer exploited for an unconverted try (5-0). With time winding down on the first yellow card Saints earned a second when the referee decided to ignore a tackle that continued well onto the side lines and instead penalised Cav Boyer for retaliation. This time, despite some resolute Saints defence, Falmouth were able to exploit the extra man as their full back entered the line for an unconverted try (5-5).
Restored to full strength Saints' rampant pack drove a maul 20 metres before prop Hugh Noott rampaged off the back of it, the recycled possession finally reaching Liam Freeman who crossed for a try, converted by Cavan Boyer (12-5). Still Falmouth were unfazed, only a poor pass preventing another score, but they were soon to equalise as a series of close range drives resulted in their prop crossing for a converted try.
Saints could have settled for the draw and a half time reorganisation, but instead drove deep into opposition territory and a clever shortside pass from scrum half CJ Boyce saw Liam Freeman again cross for a try, impressively converted from wide out by Cavan Boyer for a deserved half time lead (19-12).
No doubt stung by the half time team talk, Saints were soon on the front foot and, with Falmouth forced into changes, a dominant driven scrum gave No8 Kyle Marriott a score that effectively secured victory (26-12). With both sides tiring in testing conditions and Saints now ringing the changes, the game stagnated into bouts of poor tactical kicking and, despite Saints' continued dominance, it was over twenty minutes before the next score came and it came, somewhat surprisingly, to Falmouth, who forced their way over from a lineout, the conversion attempt rattling the post to maintain the home team's two score advantage.
This threat to their lead spurred Saints into action and it was from another close range lineout that prop Mark Martin crashed over, Cavan Boyer continuing an impressive kicking performance with the extras to secure the league points (33-17). There was still time, however, for Falmouth, who to their credit never stopped battling, to score a consolation try and earn a losing bonus point as time and the light faded into the Cornish mist, leaving Saints with a hard fought victory and plenty to work on before their trip to Kingsbridge.
Man of the match: Deservedly awarded to Flanker Rob Jeffs for an impressive all round performance and the constant theft of Falmouth's lineout ball.
Webmasters Comment - Nice to have a different perspective and thanks very much to Ian Broad for supplying this report. If you are interested in picking up the role of match report writer please get in touch. Saints are next at home to Saltash on 15th December which promises to be a fantastic day of rugby, Christmas jumpers and festive spirit! Make a note to write that day off and spend it at Tregorrick Park amongst friends!