Two evenly matched sides bursting with desire and commitment were driven on by a passionate crowd to deliver a classic encounter that will live long in the memory. The rugby played was at an intensity and pace rarely seen at this level of the game, filled with incredible physicality, breath-taking skills, moments of high drama and controversy in equal measure. As is befitting of their long standing quest for the “Holy Grail”, the Saints were made to do it the hard way. A ferociously competitive first half saw them 12-10 down at half time and 15-10 in arrears early in the second period but the Saints roared back with a stunning second half performance. Both teams deserve huge credit for their contribution to a great game but there can be no doubt that the Saints were worthy winners on the day.

The game kicked off in front of a boisterous and expectant crowd with the Saints playing down the slope at Redruth RFC’s Recreation Ground. The early exchanges were frenetic with both sides putting in some big hits like two heavy weight contestants endeavouring to impose themselves on their opponent. Each team put together some good phases of play but with defences generally on top neither could create a clear opening. The Saints’ determination to dominate at the breakdown was not finding favour with the referee and five penalties in the first 15 minutes ceded the early initiative to Camels. A series of catch of drives allowed them to build up a head of steam and although the Saints repelled the driving mauls, they were undone when the ball was spread wide at speed for winger Dom Hawken to brilliantly finish in the corner (0-5). The Saints came storming back to reclaim the restart and having stopped the tide of cheap penalties they built up a patient period of possession to take play deep into Camels’ territory. The defence was holding on as the Saints probed for a gap but eventually prop Hugh Noott blew the proverbial doors off to crash in under the posts, Liam Freeman’s conversion put the Saints into a 7-5 lead. A storming run by full back Toby Robinson had the Camels’ on the back foot but just as the danger seemed to have been snuffed out, play was brought back by the eagle eyed officials who spotted an off the ball obstruction. With the wind at his back, Cavan Boyer stepped up to attempt a 55m penalty and to the backdrop of some unedifying cat calls from the stands that were thankfully not repeated, his kick fell just short of the bar. A let off for Camels, but they were now aware that anything in their half was within range of the Cornwall U20 winger’s boot. The Camels regained a foothold in the Saints’ half and with a yellow card for flanker Ian Venner, they looked to exploit their numerical advantage. A succession of drives brought them within striking distance of the Saints try line and flanker Mike Rawlings used all his experience to time his incursion to perfection, touching down with the try converted by James Grubb (7-12). Conceding the score again triggered an immediate response from the Saints and the combination of Toby Robinson and Cavan Boyer down the right was causing frequent problems for the Camels’ defence. Liam Freeman kicked a 30m penalty to cut the deficit after the Camels strayed offside (10-12). The momentum pendulum had swung back in favour of the Saints as the Camels became trapped in Hellfire Corner with half time looming. The first half however ended in controversy when a kick ahead by Cavan Boyer enabled Ben Chenoweth to swoop in off the opposite wing to touchdown, sparking delirium amongst the Saints’ supporters massed in the corner. The referee though ruled that the ball had not been grounded properly and it was a disconsolate group of Saints that trudged towards the half time huddle.

Fears that a disallowed try could again derail their Final quest like it did in 1978 and 2015 were exacerbated when Camels grabbed a penalty in the opening minute of the second half to extend their lead (10-15). Just as they had done in the opening period, the Saints responded positively to the setback with the pace and verve of Toby Robinson and Cavan Boyer again causing Camels’ problems. Panic in the defence forced a Camel to enter from the side and Liam Freeman calmly slotted over the difficult kick to bring the gap back to two points. The Saints were now gaining the edge at the scrum and the breakdown and for the first time in the contest the Camels’ were starting to struggle to match the intensity of their opponents. The pressure finally told and it was skipper Miles Davey who burst over to score the crucial try that put the Saints back in front (18-15). The Camels’ second row Russell House was shown a yellow card for some desperate defending during the build-up. Cavan Boyer’s kick and chase saw the winger win the foot race and he appeared to touch down successfully but again the score was ruled out by the referee for a knock on. The Saints stole the resulting 5m scrum against the head and as the pack drove forward at a rate of knots flanker Jack Nelson almost scored only to be held up by the Camels’ defence. The respite was short lived however and with the Camels expecting another power scrum, Andy Ashwin chose to pick up and feed Liam Freeman. The centre outfoxed the first up defence to slip a reverse pass to his midfield partner Shane Johns. The Camels appeared to have stifled the threat but the ball was popped up to replacement flanker Max Duggan, who managed to pirouette out of the first contact and slide under the next would-be tackler to touch down to the delight of his teammates (25-15). The Saints were now rampant, and followed up with their try of the season to take total control of the game. The restart was kicked long and high by Camels to be caught by Hugh Noott deep inside the Saints’ 22. The prop then started a phase of play that saw the ball moved almost the length of the pitch through an astonishing 27 phases over 6 minutes of continuous play with seemingly every Saints player touching the ball at least once on its journey to the shadow of the Camels’ posts. It was right and fitting that the inspirational Hugh Noott should finish what he started as he crashed over for his second try. Liam Freeman’s conversion meant that with 15 minutes to go there was now clear blue water between the scores (32-15). The Camels to their credit did not crumble and came back hard searching for the chance of a comeback. The Saints defence held firm until the 76th minute when Mike Rawlings went over for his second try (32-22). Max Duggan and Hugh Noott combined for one last Herculean charge up field, creating the time and space for the quick thinking Liam Freeman to drill over an astute drop goal to kill off any last lingering doubts (35-22).

The final whistle unleashed a tidal wave of emotions and wild celebrations amongst players and supporters as the realisation set in that at last the Saints had won the long sought after trophy. The Camels were crestfallen and having been on the losing side on three occasions since 2012, the Saints can empathise with the pain they felt in the immediate aftermath. Hopefully they will gain some consolation from the fact that they contributed greatly to a truly magnificent game of rugby. As we have come to expect from our local rivals, they were magnanimous in defeat and deserve great credit for the way they played throughout and conducted themselves in the face of defeat.

A roller coaster of a match will have taken its toll physically and emotionally and it will be interesting to see how the bruised and exhausted bodies recover going into the final league game of the season. One thing is not in doubt, the Saints will be keen to keep the party going and finish the season on a high when they take on Tiverton at Tregorrick Park (KO 15:00).

1 Hugh Noott; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Charlie Nicholson; 4 Tony Knight; 5 Adam Pearce; 6 Jack Nelson; 7 Ian Venner; 8 Adam Kellow; 9 Andy Ashwin; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Cavan Boyer; 12 Liam Freeman 13 Shane Johns; 14 Ben Chenoweth; 15
Reps (All used):
Andy Inch; Max Duggan; Hector Bright; Dan Jane; Mark Martin; CJ Boyce

St Austell:
Tries - Hugh Noott (19, 67); Miles Davey (51); Max Duggan (61)
Cons – Liam Freeman (19, 61, 67)
Pens – Liam Freeman (36, 43)
Drop Goal – Liam Freeman (79)

Wadebridge Camels:
Tries – Dom Hawken (5) Mike Rawlings (30, 76)
Cons – James Grubb (30, 76)
Pens – James Grubb (41)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Ian Venner (27)
Wadebridge Camels: Russell House (51)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Wadebridge Camels: None