The fact that the win came over Cornish rivals Camborne made the victory all the sweeter. The form book was blown away on the swirling South Westerly wind that rattled around the stands as the bottom placed Saints weathered the Camborne storm in the first half. Third placed Town could find no way through a determined Saints defence but with the roles reversed in the second half, it was the home side’s greater guile in attack that secured the two tries to seal a memorable triumph.

A fired up Saints side started determined to end the dismal run of results and quickly took the game to their high flying neighbours. A lack of control at the breakdown led to a succession of penalties that allowed Town to clear their lines whenever danger threatened. As the early momentum ebbed Saints had a meagre return of a single Andy Ashwin penalty to show for all their early promise. Camborne were now starting to dominate possession with number 8 David Roberts and lock James Goldsworthy carrying well without cutting completely loose from the cordon of Saints’ defenders. Four times Town sought to drive a maul through the home side and on each occasion they were driven back. The Saints palisade was stretched on occasion but never really looked like being breeched. In the end the Town had to settle for an equalising penalty kick from fly half David Mankee to make the score 3-3 at half time.

There was a feeling in the Saints camp that Camborne had thrown all they had at them and they approached the second half with increasing confidence. Certainly given the swirling wind conditions and the now increasing mizzle, the suspicion was whoever scored first would go on to win the game. The introduction of the fleet footed Dan Pearce had the desired effect with the replacement full back’s elusive running style causing Town all manner of problems after the restart. A third mesmerising run was forced into touch just 10 metres from the Town line. The Saints pack secured the lineout and then literally stampeded over the line with flanker Ian Venner gaining the honour of the touch down. Saints were now on top and pushed and probed for a second score but Town tackled ferociously to keep the red and white horde at bay. A moment of madness on the hour mark tilted the balance in favour of the home side when Camborne lock Ben Kemp was shown a red card for a rash intervention at a ruck in full view of the referee. Saints almost exploited the situation straight away when fly half Liam Freeman nearly capped his best display in a Saints shirt with a try only for the score to be chalked off for crossing in the build-up. As the game entered the final 10 minutes Town winger James Briant suffered a nasty clash of heads but thankfully was able to walk off the field albeit a little groggily to a sympathetic ovation from the crowd. The Saints search finally ended in fine style with a wonderful flowing move that was finished off by Dan Pearce’s superb arcing run into the corner. Town quickly reminded the Saints the game was not over when Mankee hit a second penalty with 4 minutes remaining. Two silly penalties gave Town a foothold in the Saints 22 and with the 80 minutes up they set up a maul that edged slowly, immeasurably so at times, inch by excruciating inch towards the home posts. A converted try would tie the scores and unjustly snatch the win away and so the home crowd held their collective breathe as recent memories of Saints fragility in the final stages came flooding back. Camborne committed 12 players to the maul but despite this it ground to a shuddering halt as the Saints’ ring of steel held true. The referee declared a turnover and the roar of relief at the final whistle seemed to echo around the Clays and Bay.

This was an important victory for the Saints and whilst one win does not a season make, it will certainly help to provide a platform to edge back up the table. There were some fine performances, centre Alex Welland continues his impressive form, Liam Freeman rose to the occasion and Dan Pearce looked back to his imperious best when he came on in the second half. To beat Camborne you have to match their physicality up front; the starting 8 and two replacements did just that as the Saints’ forwards took the game to Town. Skipper Miles Davey led by example and the backrow trio of Paul Winterbottom, Adam Kellow and Man of Match Ian Venner ensured the win did not slip away.

The Saints are now looking forward to another Cornish derby next week when Wadebridge Camels are the visitors in the County Cup Quarter Final (KO 2:30pm).

Match Stats:
St Austell: Noott; Davey (Captain) ; Martin (Mark); Vian; Jeffs ; Winterbottom; Venner; Kellow; Ashwin; Freeman; Martin (James); Welland; Wilson; Chenoweth; Pellow
Replacements: Grigg; Rowe; Pearce
St Austell:
Tries – Ian Venner (49); Dan Pearce (74)
Cons –
Pens – Andy Ashwin (12)
Drop Goal –

Camborne:
Tries –
Cons –
Pens – David Mankee (38; 76)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Adam Kellow (28)
Camborne: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Camborne: Ben Kemp (60)

Referee: Mr Will Thomas (Devon RRS)

Saints’ Man of the Match: Ian Venner Another all action display from the Saints diminutive Number 7; a constant thorn in Camborne’s side and capped a fine performance with the all-important first try of the game.