Champions!! Bumper crowd roars Saints home!

Despite the dreadful weather over 800 people came to celebrate what has been a magnificent season for the club creating a carnival atmosphere. The last home game of the season had been designated as a “Wear RED Day” with the whole Club joined together with every age group from U7s to the seniors represented. It was an awe-inspiring sight full of colour as players, supporters and vets all mingled together - literally the past, present and future of St Austell RFC all under one (grandstand) roof!

The bumper crowd were treated to an excellent game and both sides deserve huge credit for making light of the difficult conditions in an exciting encounter. The Saints may have scored six tries but Exeter Saracens made them work hard for victory and enjoyed periods of ascendency that deserved more than the one score achieved. Roared on by their passionate supporters and a desire to secure the championship with a win, the Saints got off to a blistering start. Playing into the driving wind and rain the home side moved the ball with pace and precision and it was no surprise when flanker Adam Kellow skipped over for the first try, converted by Matt Shepherd, after 2 minutes. There was no let up and only dogged defence by the Sarries was stopping the Cornishmen. As the Saints clocked up the phases it was prop Mark Martin who spotted a chink in the Devonian defence before driving through the gap with a breath-taking display of blistering pace from the 22. Shepherd slotted the conversion into the stiff south-westerly breeze to make it 14-0. Sarries finally got their hands on the ball and started to probe for an opportunity, their patience was rewarded when winger Joe Burden rounded off a well worked team try when he touched down in the corner. The Sarries were now making full use of the elements to pin the home side in their own half but could not quite find the edge to score again. The Saints delivered a classic counter attack led by Shepherd that allowed full back Sam Tank to fly in under the posts. The scrum half’s conversion ensured that the Saints turned round 21-5 up at the break.
The Saints now with the wind and rain at their backs looked to press home their advantage. Quick thinking by prop Hugh Noott ensured he had an almost instant impact when he came on early in the second half. A smartly taken “tap and go” penalty on the halfway line allowed Noott to stride unhindered deep into the Sarries half before a smart offload to his front row partner. Martin had the crowd on their feet as he bedazzled the Sarries defence with a deft series of side steps before putting Shepherd in under the posts for a converted try. The Saints were now in full flow and minutes later a clever box kick saw a race to the try line by three attackers and it was Shepherd who came up with the ball to claim his second try of the day. The Sarries were now under huge pressure but they never let their heads or commitment levels drop to mount a successful rear guard action that limited the hosts to just one more try. It was scored by young flanker Jack Nelson who has made excellent progress in his first senior season. Referee Darren Currie, who deserves great credit for his sympathetic management of the game in the difficult conditions, blew time to spark wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.

Cornwall RFU Chairman David Martin presented the RFU SW Intermediate Cup to skipper Andy Ashwin and confirmed the Saints as Tribute Western Counties West champions. Promotion will see the Saints play in Tribute South West 1 next season and it will be their first time back at this level since 2000-2001. Next week the Saints travel to Honiton to bring the curtain down on what has been memorable season.

Match Stats:

St Austell: Rowe; Grigg; Martin; Vian; Haley; Kellow; Winterbottom; Pearce; Shepherd; Ashwin (Captain); Chenoweth; Venner; Newberry; McCoan; Tank

Replacements: Noott; Murley; Nelson

St Austell:
Tries – Kellow (2); Martin (11); Tank (20); Shepherd (46, 57); Nelson (72)
Cons – Shepherd (4)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Exeter Saracens:
Tries – Burden (14)
Cons –
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Kellow (32)
Exeter Saracens: Brereton (17)

Red Cards
St Austell: None
Exeter Saracens: None

Referee: Mr Darren Currie (Cornwall RRS)
Saints Man of the Match: Mark Martin