St Austell’s Twickenham dream was left in tatters when they succumbed to an excellent Brighton Blues side. The Blues dominated the opening 30 minutes to build what proved to be an unassailable 21-0 lead. The Saints showed great heart in adversity to give the travelling Cornish Massive plenty to cheer in the second half, but ultimately the home side had enough tactical know-how to close out the game.

It is one of the unwritten laws enshrined in rugby to never complain about the referee but Cornish hearts will always be wondering what might have been had there been a more experienced officiating team in charge for the biggest game in the Club’s history. The Blues are the best side that the Saints have played in recent years so a penalty count of 19-3 in favour of the hosts, 12-0 at the half stage, meant a difficult task had become mission impossible. Contesting at the breakdown is the bread and butter of West Country rugby but the Saints were being continually penalised going into contact. Ultimately that failure to adapt to the referee’s interpretation of the breakdown area prevented them from getting any sort of sustained foothold in the game. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the 19 conceded, the Saints’ coaching staff were left incredulous that Blues were only pinged 3 times, with the first of those awarded in the 61st minute. There are no sour grapes on behalf of St Austell just frustration that the hosts never really saw the best of the Saints. Brighton Blues were worthy winners on the day; committed, well drilled and clinical in their execution in the final 10m they took full advantage of the opportunities that came their way.

Late fitness tests meant the Saints were shorn of top try scorer Alex Welland but there was better news in the back row when Rob Jeffs and Adam Kellow were passed fit enough to play. The Blues kicked off with first advantage of the cold easterly wind in front of a large crowd on England’s South Coast. At the first contact the Saints’ were penalised and with barely 30 seconds on the clock full back Alex Finch put the home side ahead. Minutes later the Saints lost talisman centre James Earp to a nasty Achilles injury. It was a sad sight to see one of the cornerstones of St Austell’s recent success being stretchered off to hospital – we wish “Ginge” a speedy recovery. With play resumed the penalty count continued to rise with Finch taking full advantage to put the Blues into an early 9-0 lead. The home side were dominating territory and possession and when visiting winger Ben Chenoweth was sin binned they took full advantage. A well-executed line out catch and drive created the space for number 8 Luke Edwards to trundle over for the opening try, converted by Finch. Minutes later Saints were down to 13 when centre Ian Venner was shown yellow and the Blues again ruthlessly exploited the situation. The Saints repelled the catch and drive this time but could do nothing about the blind side scrum move that allowed powerful winger Will Fell to fly in at the corner. Finch’s missed conversion meant that after 31 minutes the Saints were 21-0 down and in danger of being blown away. However you do not become SW Intermediate Champions for no reason and the Saints at last started to put some phases together despite the numerical disadvantage. Scrum half Matt Shepherd was at the heart of everything and eventually his constant probing created the gap for Sam Rhodes, on for the injured Earp, to fly through under the posts. Shepherd’s conversion gave the Saints hope and they continued to press but could not find a way through to leave the half time score 21-7.

The Saints started the second half strongly and looked the most likely to score next however they were again undone by the whistle. Two successive penalties turned play from one 22 to the other and lock Chris Vailalo continued his dominance of the front of the line out to present Edwards with his second try. On a day of setbacks the feeling amongst Saints supporters afterwards was this was the one that decided the game with 26-7 looking as steep a challenge as the cliffs at Dodman Point. The Saints dug deep and only last ditch defending by the Blues kept out Chenoweth and Shepherd. For the first time in the game the Blues were on the back foot and quick hands across the back line allowed Rhodes to storm through for his second try. Shepherd’s conversion hit the post but the Saints were still hunting for more and their cause was helped when the Blues’ captain and flanker Will Smith was sent to the bin for use of the boot. Waves of Saints attacks were pushing the home side back and hooker Jack Grigg crashed over with a well-timed powerful run. Shepherd’s conversion was greeted with choruses of “Trelawny” from the travelling Cornish as it put the Saint’s one converted try behind with 10 minutes to go. Nervousness was creeping into the Blues play as the Saints desperately looked for the chance to tie the game. Chenoweth nearly broke through and winger Marcus McCoan looked to have done it only for his progress to be thwarted by desperate tap tackle. With the clock now against the visitors they looked to play a “free ball” in the home 22 after the referee clearly signalled that Blues had strayed offside. Inexplicably the home side were awarded a scrum for a knock on, a decision that still could not be accounted for in the debriefing afterwards. Finch’s soaring clearance kick saw Saints comeback hopes spiral out with it and the visitors looked disconsolate as they retreated from Blues territory. A last minute try for lock Richard Neil added further gloss to the score line and the Saints were crest fallen at the final whistle with the Blues winning 31-19.

Brighton Blues will now go to Twickenham on 4 May and all at St Austell RFC wish them the very best for the Final. The hospitality extended before and after the game to the visiting players and supporters was much appreciated. The Saints arrived home at 5:30 on Sunday morning disappointed but proud to have fought back to make a game of it in the second half. To see so many people travel to Brighton to cheer on the boys was a terrific sight and a humbling experience – the players are so grateful. There is still unfinished business in the league with one more win required to secure the Championship. The Saints will be looking to pick themselves up for another difficult away trip in Plymouth to take on Devonport Services (KO 3pm Saturday 6 April).

Match Stats:
St Austell: Rowe; Grigg; Martin; Pearce; Haley; Kellow; Winterbottom; Jeffs; Shepherd; Ashwin (Captain); Chenoweth; Earp; Venner; McCoan; Tank
Replacements: Murley; Rhodes; Phillips; Nelson; Noott; McNally; Vian
St Austell:
Tries – Rhodes (34, 63); Grigg (69)
Cons – Shepherd (2)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Brighton Blues:
Tries – Edwards (24, 51); Fell (31); Neil (79)
Cons – Finch
Pens – Finch (3)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Chenoweth (23); Venner (29)
Brighton Blues: Smith (66)

Red Cards
St Austell: None
Brighton Blues: None