The contest kept a crowd of nearly 800 enthralled from start to finish and was helped no end by an excellent performance from referee Ben Wiles on an exchange visit from Hampshire. With a strong South Westerly wind blowing the length of the field, the pre-match fears were that it would be the proverbial “game of two halves”. Despite the blustery conditions both sides showed great attacking endeavour against the elements to deliver 10 tries in a game that was a credit to Cornish rugby.

The Saints started with the wind and “Town” found themselves in the teeth of a Tregorrick storm. Roared on by a vociferous derby day crowd the home side’s opening salvos soon drew the first score of the day. The visitors tried to run a ball out of defence but winger Ashley Taylor showed great strength to turnover possession. The ball was moved quickly along the line and centre Darren Pellow, making his first start for the Saints, finished with style. Skipper Matt Shepherd added the conversion. The home side soon extended their lead, winger Ben Chenoweth was just held up on the line but the Saints’ forwards were quickly on the scene with flanker Ian Venner stealing over to make the score 12-0. Camborne hit back almost immediately, an excellent scrum platform allowed them to launch their backs and make inroads into the Saints’ half. Full back Joe Parma hit the line at speed and his powerful run saw him stretch over the line. An excellent conversion into the wind by fly half David Mankee brought the visitors right back into the contest. The home side seemed flustered and were now on the back foot, a penalty for offside allowed Mankee to set up a line out deep in the Saints’ 22. A well-executed catch and drive enabled flanker James Goldsworthy to crash over to tie the scores to the delight of the travelling Town supporters. The home side responded excellently to deliver an exciting passage of play; their fast moving off load game had the visitors chasing shadows for nearly 5 minutes. Increasingly desperate defence saw the Referee signal home advantage three times before number 8 Paul Winterbottom slid in. Matt Shepherd’s conversion restored the Saints lead at 19-12. Right on half time Ashwin and Shepherd turned scrappy line out ball into gold to send Darren Pellow away. The centre outpaced the visitors’ entire back line to score in the corner to make the half time score 24-12.

The half time debate in the stands was whether a 12 point margin was enough to withstand Camborne’s forwards when they had use of the wind. Those fears were realised straight from the kick off when the Saints conceded a penalty, Mankee hit the touch and it was hooker Sam Bartle who finished off the line out routine. The Saints’ retort was again emphatic, lock Adam Kellow made a surging run that sucked in the Town defence creating gaps out wide. Quick thinking by Matt Shepherd sent Darren Pellow away and there was no stopping the ex-Redruth man as he secured his hat trick to put the Saints 29-17. Camborne continue to apply territorial pressure but stout home defence meant that they only had a Mankee penalty to show for all their hard work. Calamity struck during a Saints counterattack when scrum half Andy Ashwin was judged just a little too anxious to secure the ball and was deemed offside. The yellow card that followed felt harsh but Mankee’s superb kick to touch was a hammer blow. The initial surge from the line out was held up, but the visitors retained control and Goldsworthy eventually forced his way over. Mankee’s conversion brought the scores to 29-27 with 20 minutes to go and with just 14 men on the field the home supporters could have been forgiven for fearing the worst. The roar from the crowd triggered fresh reserves of energy and commitment as the Saints’ went on to dominate the last quarter with an outstanding display. Excellent discipline starved the visitors’ of Mankee’s boot, eradicating the threat of the line out catch and drive. Full back Dan Pearce’s 30m jinking run was only stopped by a high tackle and it was the Saints turn to give the Town a taste of their own medicine. The penalty set the line out up and it was the home side that trundled over for top try scorer Ian Venner to grab his 8th of the season. The home side closed the game out to secure a fabulous 34-27 victory and they fully deserved the acclaim from the Tregorrick faithful at the end.

The result lifted the gloom after a traumatic build-up, a freak training ground accident saw centre Curtis Newberry have a nasty leg break. Hopefully the win will lift Curtis’ spirits in Treliske along with the best wishes from everyone at the Club. Next week the Saints make the relatively short journey to Devon take on Cullompton (KO 2:30pm).

Match Stats:

St Austell: Noott; Davey; Martin; Pearce (A); Kellow; Jeffs ; Venner; Winterbottom; Ashwin; Shepherd (Captain); Chenoweth; Welland; Pellow; Taylor; Pearce (D)

Replacements: Vian; Rowe; Tank

St Austell:
Tries – Darren Pellow (4, 39, 45); Ian Venner (12, 71); Paul Winterbottom (34)
Cons – Matt Shepherd (4, 34)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Camborne:
Tries – Parma (15); Goldsworthy (22, 59); Bartle (42)
Cons – Mankee (15, 59)
Pens – Mankee (55)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Ashwin (56)
Camborne: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Camborne: None

Referee: Ben Wiles (Hampshire Society)

Saints Man of the Match: Mark Martin