This was the Saints’ third final in four years and really was the one that should have ended the quest for cup glory. Despite having the lion’s share of possession and territory in normal time, and almost monopolising play in a dominant 2nd half display, the Saints season long Achilles heel of failing to turn pressure into points scuppered their hopes. Camborne steadied the ship in extra time and once they got their noises ahead through an opportunist try from David Mankee they never looked back.

The Saints got off to an excellent start and pressure at the scrum gave Dan Pearce the opportunity to put the first points on the board. The Saints built up a head steam but were nearly caught out by a counter attack led by Town scrum Taron Peacock. Saints were penalised and fly half David Mankee slotted over the equaliser with his first pot at goal in what would turn out to be a flawless kicking display. The Saints riposte was immediate and sustained pressure eventually saw flanker Ian Venner dive over from a line out (3-10). Dan Pearce nearly extended the lead but his well struck kick smacked against the post, in a game of fine margins that was to prove decisive. Mankee had no trouble in reducing the deficit following an offside (6-10). The Saints enjoyed a prolonged period of pressure close to the Town line and just as a 5m scrum rumbled forward with hopes of a pushover try the Saints’ front row were penalised for standing up causing frustration all round. Camborne finished the half on top and the Saints were made to pay for a lapse in concentration as the interval loomed. A well worked move allowed Alex Ducker to sprint through a gaping hole in the Saints’ midfield to give Town a 13-10 lead at the break.

The Saints started with the second period with purpose and a bustling break from Sam Rhodes made a large dent in the Town midfield. Another Dan Pearce penalty flew agonisingly wide as the Saints pressure continued to build. Camborne defended diligently and resolutely and were never afraid to infringe to curtail the Saints’ momentum. With no hint of a yellow card the penalty count mounted unabated, four times the Saints chose to kick to touch and four times they failed to gather clean ball. With a malfunctioning line out the decision not to kick the points was to prove costly. The final 10 minutes of the half proved to be a frenetic affair with the Saints pounding the Town line. Prop Hugh Noott almost made it over but was correctly adjudged to have been held up. Minutes later came the moment the Saints thought they had won the won the cup. Flanker Paul Winterbottom powered over near the posts but amazingly the referee and his two assistants were unsighted. In the final minute Saints spread the ball wide only for a deliberate knock on preventing the overlap. Dan Pearce slotted the equalizer to bring on extra time.

A cagey opening sparked into life when a Saints clearance kick was charged down with Mankee the first to react to touchdown and give Town the lead (20-13). Now in front Camborne slowed the game right down as it ebbed towards its inevitable conclusion. Another Mankee penalty in the second period of extra time ensured Town secured their third successive cup final 23-13.

Match Stats:
St Austell:
1 Hugh Noott; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Rob Jeffs; 5 Mark Vian; 6 Jack Grigg; 7 Ian Venner; 8 Adam Kellow; 9 Andy Ashwin; 10 Liam Freeman; 11 James Martin; 12 Sam Rhodes; 13 Callum Wilson; 14 Ben Chenoweth; 15 Dan Pearce

Reps:
Adam Barbery; Dan Johns; Ashley Mason-Maxwell; Adam Pearce; Darren Pellow; Paul Winterbottom

St Austell:
Tries – Ian Venner (17)
Cons – Dan Pearce (17)
Pens – Dan Pearce (2, 79)
Drop Goal –

Camborne:
Tries – Ducker (39); Mankee (87)
Cons – Mankee (39, 87)
Pens – Mankee (11, 23)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: James Martin (20)
Camborne: Kenward (79)

Red Cards:
St Austell: Robert Jeffs (99)
Camborne: None

Referee: Mr Kevin Williams (Cornwall RRS)