The Saints paid the price for a lethargic start and an error strewn first sixty minutes that enabled a determined home side to build up a 24-0 lead. A modicum of pride was restored for the visitors by a final quarter revival in the shape of a Cavan Boyer hat-trick. The teenager was in imperious form at fly half when he entered the fray after a long injury lay off. But as one ambulance door closed another one opened with centre Callum Wilson carted off to Treliske with a bad shoulder injury as the Saints injury nightmares show no sign of abating just yet.

The game started 20 minutes late in farcical circumstances when it became apparent that no referee had been appointed by the CRFU. With the Cornwall Cup quarter final on the brink of being called off, a qualified referee was found in the stands in the shape of Penryn RFC Fixture Secretary Jonathan Plummer. After a brief pitch side conference both sides agreed to proceed and the game went ahead, however the visitors were soon having second thoughts when they huddled under the posts waiting for a Penryn conversion after just two minutes! The home side got off to a powerful start playing down the renowned Memorial Ground slope and it was winger Will Paine who went over for an unconverted try. The Saints weathered the initial storm and soon built up a head of steam to earn a penalty just in front of the posts inside the home 22. The decision was made to opt for a scrum rather than take the points and to the delight of the home crowd, Penryn snaffled the ball as the back row move broke down to clear their lines. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides enjoy periods of ascendency without ever being able to break the defensive shackles. By the half hour mark Saints were shading the territory in what was becoming an increasingly breathless contest played at a frenetic pace. An attempted drop goal by Andy Ashwin skewed wide as the visitors’ efforts to get on the scoreboard continued to be frustrated by a determined defence. With half time looming the home side blew the visitors away with two quick fire tries. Number eight Grant Randlesome finished off a flowing move for a try converted by Nathan Strick and then straight from the restart centre Andrew Seviour ghosted through a statuesque defence to make the half time score 19-0.

The Saints injury jink continued as they lost prop Pete Rowe, flanker Ian Venner and fly half Andy Ashwin in quick succession early in the second half. Despite the realignment the visitors enjoyed the better of the opening salvos but they were soon made to pay for failing to secure points during this period as the momentum swung back to Penryn. The home side patiently played the phases before creating the space for Seviour to slide over for this second try just after the hour. The visitors finally woke up and they have their teenage protégés to thank for that as scrum half Callum Hayne and fly half Cavan Boyer sparked a final quarter revival that at least reduced the shade of red on embarrassed St Austell faces. First Cavan Boyer carved his way to the try line with a sublime slalom run, a burst of pace delivered the second to put the Saints 24-14 behind with just over 10 minutes to go. Penryn regained the ball and an offside gifted the home side three points that ensured their healthy buffer was maintained (27-14). A charging run from prop Mark Martin created the hole for Cavan Boyer to complete his hat-trick and keep the Saints’ faint hopes alive at 27-19. Penryn though closed the game out to deservedly claim their place in the semi-final.

This was a poor display from the Saints who simply did not match the desire and commitment of the home side. It is time to dust themselves off and get ready for a third successive Cornish derby when they travel to Saltash (Saturday 24 October 2015, Kick off 2:30pm

Saints’ Man of the Match: Cavan Boyer – An inspired display after a long injury lay off. Three superb tries and some excellent kicking to gain field position as hopes of a St Austell comeback glimmered briefly. A special mention for Jonathan Plummer of Penryn RFC, who stepped in as referee at the last minute to save the game from being postponed. This underlines both the importance of the referee to the game and the chronic lack of officials in Cornwall.

Match Stats:
St Austell:
1 Peter Rowe; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Will Gilder; 5 Mark Vian; 6 Jack Grigg; 7 Ian Venner; 8 Andrew Inch; 9 Callum Hayne; 10 Andy Ashwin; 11 Ben Chenoweth; 12 Callum Wilson; 13 Billy Jones; 14 Johnny Keen; 15 Liam Freeman

Reps:
Hugh Noott; Sam Rhodes; Josh Phillips; Cavan Boyer

St Austell:
Tries – Cavan Boyer (63, 67, 74)
Cons – Liam Freeman (63, 67)
Pens – None
Drop Goal –

Penryn:
Tries – Will Paine (2); Grant Randlesome (37); Andrew Seviour (39, 61)
Cons – Nathan Strick (37, 39)
Pens – Nathan Strick (68)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Sam Rhodes (68)
Penryn: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Penryn: None

Referee: Mr Jonathan Plummer (Penryn RFC)