Despite outscoring their opponents by four tries to three and dominating large portions of the game, the home side came up agonisingly short in a contest that enthralled a bumper derby day crowd. The Saints will rue letting the Hakes off the hook either side of the interval and in the final surge, but they ultimately paid the price for allowing the visitors to go 14-0 up in the first quarter. The fact they clawed back the deficit from the newly crowned Western Counties West champions is testimony to the Saints’ spirited and determined performance. The home side deserved the plaudits they received at the end as the roars from the from a packed and raucous Tregorrick crowd echoed off the clay tips despite the heart- breaking defeat.

Fresh from securing promotion and with the strong wind at their backs, the Hakes got off to the perfect start with a well worked series of drives finished off by flanker Cameron Bone after just two minutes (0-7). The Saints gained good territory to apply pressure on the visitors’ line but a clear out at a ruck was deemed too high allowing the Hakes to clear the danger. The home side were seeing plenty of the ball but the Hakes’ defence were preventing any major dents in the gain line. On 20 minutes a turnover on the halfway line sent the Hakes off on a fast-paced counterattack and good footwork from Grant Thirlby created the space for the fly-half to score under the posts (0-14). With the visitors threatening to go out of sight, the Saints had to hit back quickly and straight on cue prop Peter Rowe powered over (5-14). The Saints were now in full flow and Liam Freeman looked to have put winger Ben Chenoweth in at the corner, but the centre’s pass was deemed to have been forward. The play was brought back for a penalty and the Saints were not to be denied with skipper Miles Davey finishing off the catch and drive. Liam Freeman’s conversion brought the home side within two points and silenced the previously exuberant St Ives’ bench (12-14). The Hakes regained the restart when winger Peter Mabbott jumped highest and the visitors’ hard running backs again caused all manner of problems in the Saints’ midfield. A penalty from Brownfield’s reliable boot edge the Hakes further ahead (12-17) but the Saints were soon back on the attack. After a prolonged period of pressure another catch and drive at the end of half crossed the Hakes’ line but was deemed to have been held up bringing the half to a close.

Saints started the second half as they finished the first, and number eight George Knowles burst through to sprint 30m to tie the scores up (17-17). The visitors were now under the cosh, but they somehow held out despite their scrum being under intense scrutiny from the home eight. A loss of patience at the breakdown gave St Ives a penalty and the chance to get out of their 22. The momentum swung towards the Hakes and it was now the home side’s turn to defend their line. The Saints repelled all boarders and with the Hakes attacks running out of steam the game was approaching a pivotal moment. A Hakes’ ball carrier became isolated and the Saints’ first up defenders were quick to challenge for possession of the ball. The St Ives man seemed to be holding but to the consternation of the home crowd, the Saints’ tackler was adjudged to have gone off his feet. Frustration and indiscipline saw the referee move the mark 10m and crucially put the posts now in range of Brownfield’s powerful boot (17-20). To make matters worst Saints lost two players to blood injuries and St Ives ruthlessly exploited the uncertainty in the reshuffled Saints’ backline with a quick fire try (17-25). In a display of true character, the Saints’ galvanised themselves for a final charge and their endeavour paid off with a well worked move expertly finished by Ben Chenoweth. Liam Freeman’s perfectly struck touchline conversion sailed between the posts to bring the Saints within a point with just five minutes to go (24-25). The Saints were now in the ascendency through a series of 5m scrums against a visibly creaking Hakes pack. A final surged looked to have sent the home side through to the final but again it was adjudged not to have been grounded. Many in red and white were expecting a penalty award for a collapsed scrum but it was the final whistle that came, triggering delight for those in blue.

A fantastic game, high on quality and drama, that both sides can be proud of and one that will live long in the memory. The Saints may have had the edge, but St Ives showed just why they are champions, taking the few opportunities that came their way and finding a way to frustrate the home side at key moments. The Saints must now dust themselves off and prepare to resume their battle with Devonport Services for second place and the play-offs. League action returns to Tregorrick next Saturday with another Cornish derby and the visit of Wadebridge Camels (15:00 KO).

St Austell
1 Peter Rowe; 2 Miles Davey; 3 Mark Martin; 4 Tony Knight; 5 Mark Vian; 6 Andy Inch; 7 Jack Nelson; 8 George Knowles; 9 Andy Ashwin (Capt.); 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Ben Chenoweth; 12 Liam Freeman 13 George Tregilgas; 14 Cavan Boyer; 15 CJ Boyce

Reps (All used):
Alex Welland; Charlie Nicholson; Adam Kellow; Ian Venner; Michael Shakespear; Jake Carr

St Austell:
Tries – Peter Rowe (22); Miles Davey (28); George Knowles (41); Ben Chenoweth (75)
Cons – Liam Freeman (28, 75)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

St Ives
Tries – Cameron Bone (2); Grant Thirlby (20) Tom Nicholls (62)
Cons – Rhys Brownfield (2, 20)
Pens – Rhys Brownfield (34, 60)
Drop Goal –

Referee: Mr N Hambly (Cornwall RRS)