Christmas Cracker gets the Party started!

Report by Paul Hayes
Photo by Dave Philips

St Austell 43 Kingsbridge 24

Top of the table clashes often do not live up to their star billing, but St Austell and Kingsbridge served up an absolute cracker of a game that enthralled a large crowd from start to finish. There was nothing between the two sides for the first 60 minutes and with both teams committed to attack the lead changed hands no less than five times. It was only when Kingsbridge started to wane under the continuous intensity of the game in the final quarter were the Saints able to pick off the visitors with two late tries.

Kingsbridge had first use of the strong wind and after reclaiming the ball from the kick-off, the visitors carefully racked up the phases to build an attacking platform in the home 22. With the Saints defenders drawn in to the contact areas, the ball was sprung wide and mighty lock Tom Meatyard was lurking out in the centres to thunder in on the angle to round off a well drilled move to open the score (0-7). Saints pulled three points back through James Tucker’s trusty boot when Kingsbridge entered in from the side at the restart (3-7).

The home side continued to apply the pressure and the search for a score was answered by a candidate for the try of the season. Andy Inch rose majestically at the tail of a line out on the 10m line on the Town side of the pitch. The flanker directed the perfect pass off the top of his jump into the hands of CJ Boyce. Lock Adam Kellow drove beyond the gain line in midfield and a quick ruck allowed the ball to be spun speedily along the back line. Centre Sam Parsons crashed the first up tacklers and off loaded to his midfield partner Ben Plummer. An exchange of passes with winger Max Bullen by-passed the defence before the ball was sent wide to full back Frazer Nottle who hurtled down the tramlines on the Clubhouse side to score in the corner. James Tucker’s touchline conversion hung in the wind before curving between the posts like a Brazilian free kick at altitude in the Andes (10-7).

Not to be outdone, Kingsbridge surged back to regain the lead through centre Ben Glover who rounded off an excellent move to score under the posts (10-14).

James Tucker added three points when Kingsbridge strayed offside at a line out (13-14) and the home side were soon on the prowl for more. A penalty took play deep into the visitors’ 22, the initial catch and drive surge was held up, but lock Adam Kellow took the ball on to the try line enabling prop Peter Rowe to finish off the good work. James Tucker’s conversion thumped the posts, a rare miss for the youngster on a difficult day for the boot due to the wind (18-14).

Kingsbridge finished the half on top, the home defence held firm, but the pressure eventually told with fly half Ben Newman closing a brilliant half of rugby with a penalty to punish a Saints’ offside (18-17 HT).

With the wind at their backs Saints seized the territory straight from the restart to apply pressure on the Devonians. Flanker Andy Inch finished off some good driving play from the forwards to extend the home lead (23-17).

Hopes that the Saints would finally gain some clear water on the visitors were shattered in somewhat bizarre circumstances. No doubt inspired by their excellent first half try, the Saints backs looked to launch another counterattack from deep. On this occasion the normally fluid passing let them down gifting an early Christmas present for Kingsbridge’s James Oggelsby. The replacement winger had only been on the field for barely a minute when the ball literally popped into his hands, allowing him to race unhindered to the try line. Ben Newman’s conversion put the visitors back into the lead (23-24).

The home side looked to have hit back almost immediately when winger Max Bullen touched down after chasing his judicious chip kick, but he was adjudged to have knocked on in the grounding. The home side were now starting to get a grip on proceedings, thanks in part to their supremacy at the scrum. The Saints had starting to edge the set piece in the second half but as the game wore on the home pack continually put Kingsbridge on the back foot. Two offsides allowed James Tucker to add six points to push Cornish noses’ back in front (29-24).

The clincher came with five minutes to go, when sterling work by Adam Kellow and Andy Inch caused havoc to the Kingsbridge defensive structures. With the doors blown off, scrum half CJ Boyce ducked, dived and weaved his way beyond the despairing reaches of the remaining Kingsbridge defenders on his way to the try line (36-24). With the visitors now forced to run from deep in a gamble for bonus points, Sam Parsons scooped up a lose ball following a stray pass. The jet-heeled centre motored 30 metres to the try line to round off a brilliant contest (43-24).

Both sides deserve great credit for a putting on a magnificent game of rugby, that provided the perfect backdrop to the annual Saints Christmas Party in the evening. Referee Nigel Boyd superbly managed the match, allowing the game to flow whenever possible and recognising the importance of the fixture to both sides by dealing with any flash-points in a sensible and pragmatic manner. While the final score line may have been harsh on Kingsbridge, the Saints were deserved victors and the bonus point win sees them hop over the Devonians into second place, just one point behind leaders Wellington.

Next week the Saints travel to Penryn for their last game of 2019, and the Cornish Derby has been given some extra spice as a “double header”. The Saints were drawn away at the Borough in the County Cup Quarter Final and with both Clubs anxious to avoid a fixture pile-up, it has been agreed that the result will also decide who advances to the semi-finals. Both sides are in great form, so a thunderous contest is in prospect and no doubt “Goodwill to all men” will be suspended between the kick-off at 2:00pm and the final whistle!

1 Peter Rowe; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Mark Vian; 5 Adam Kellow; 6 Andy Inch; 7 Cameron Taylor; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 James Tucker; 11 Alex Welland; 12 Ben Plummer 13 Sam Parsons; 14 Max Bullen; 15 Fraser Nottle
Reps (All used):
Mike Shakespear; Dan Tyrrell; Harry Pyatt

Saints Star Man: Andy Inch – Powerful performance from the Saints blindside, carried the ball well in attack, diligent in defence and a source of quality ball from the line out.

St Austell:
Tries – Frazer Nottle (16); Peter Rowe (34); Andy Inch (45); CJ Boyce (75); Sam Parsons (78);
Cons – James Tucker (16, 75, 78)
Pens – James Tucker (6; 24; 62; 70)

What’s Coming Up

Boxing Day – Annual Sinners v Lankelly fixture is at Tregorrick this year! Turn it into a walk to blow the cobwebs away and enjoy this fun fixture. Bar open and free entry.

Sponsors Day - Saturday 4th January 20. If you’re one of our sponsors then you’re invited to a spot of lunch on us! If you’re not one of our sponsors and are now thinking ‘why aren’t I?’ get in touch at st_austellrfc@outlook.com to find out the opportunities. If you haven’t received an invite then get in touch via the same email and we'll sort you out.

Ex-Players Day - 11th January 20 – Ex-players Day at Tregorrick. Full details of the Senior Players Award Scheme are now released. In summary if you’re an ex-senior level St Austell RFC player this is going to interest you. As long as you have played one or more games for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd XVs or Vets you are entitled to an award. More details about the awards and the ex-players day are HERE.

Dates for your diaries:
8th February 2020 is our away trip to Wadebridge. More to follow on this but essentially clear your diary as we are going on a road trip!
17th-19th April 2020 is our ever expanding Ale, Cider and Gin Festival. Stacks of live rugby, food, live music and a superb selection of drinks to try.
Tuesday 21st April 2020 we host Cornwall v Devon at Tregorrrick Park in the Tamar Cup KO 7.45pm.