At a time when so many teams are opting out, the two sides demonstrated just how important the Cup is to their respective Clubs by putting on a thrilling Cup tie. Falmouth are one of the oldest rugby Clubs in Cornwall and are celebrating 150 years of continuous rugby. Despite a torrid league season, the Eagles can be proud of a determined performance against higher league opponents. Like many sides this season, they found the pace and intensity of the Saints too hot to handle at times and an iron-like defence prevented them from making the most of the few opportunities that did come their way. A blistering opening half saw the Saints run in seven tries, including four from centre Konnor Ewudzi, to put one foot in the final by the interval. The only blot on an otherwise perfect day for the Saints was a serious looking injury to Callum Hayne in the final ten minutes, everyone at Tregorrick will be hoping for a good prognosis and a quick recovery.

The heavy showers and strong winds of the morning had passed by the kick-off, giving way to a very mild afternoon and a surprisingly firm pitch. Hooker Miles Davey shot forward at the first whistle like a prop in a pasty shop to secure a turnover straight from the kick-off, quick phases followed by an astute chip kick to the wing by scrum-half CJ Boyce saw Fraser Nottle gather the ball to score the first try with barely a minute on the clock (0-5). Good work by Matt Shepherd and Sam Parsons allowed Konnor Ewudzi to score in the corner and an impressive touchline conversion made it 0-12. A surging run and deft offload from number eight Rory Jago sent flanker Hector Bright galloping away to score under the posts (0-19). The Eagles responded well to exert some real pressure on the Saints line, the visitors’ defence held firm and a penalty for holding on allowed them to clear to the halfway line. Lock Tom Daniel rose majestically to provide quick ball that the backs ruthlessly exploited to send Konnor Ewudzi skipping through under the posts (0-26). That was followed minutes later with a score from the same playbook with Tom Daniel’s leap again the catalyst for Konnor Ewudzi to break the sound barrier putting the Saints 31-0 up with just 30 minutes played. That was the signal for the first change with Cornwall U20s Pete Harris replacing Miles Davey in the front row. A searing break from full-back Max Bullen split the home defence and a pass to Tony Knight sent the supporting lock crashing over in the corner (0-38). Not to be outdone, a 40m burst from flanker Rob Jeffs was rounded off with an extravagant offload to the jet-propelled Konnor Ewudzi who grabbed his fourth of the afternoon to make the half-time score 45-0.

The Saints emptied the bench making four changes in the interval and it was replacement scrum-half Callum Hayne who marked his entrance with a try with his first touch straight from the restart (0-52). The Eagles turned the ball over at the restart to set up a good platform in the visitors 22. Their efforts were rewarded when flanker Phil Hinchley crashed over following a powerful driving maul (5-52). The Saints were stung into action with a fast break orchestrated by Matt Shepherd and Hector Bright that sent replacement Ben Plummer racing in at the corner (5-57). On the hour mark, Falmouth almost scored the try of the day with a blistering counterattack after turning the ball over on their own 5m line. Winger Ollie Evans looked to be heading for glory in the corner only to be cutdown just short by an incredible scrambling defensive effort from the Saints. With just over an hour gone it was the turn of another interval replacement to get in on the scoring with lock Joe Maunder finding his inner-Ewudzi to outpace the Falmouth defence. Matt Shepherd added his sixth conversion of the day with a kick from the touchline to make the score 5-64 to the Saints. With 12 minutes remaining the match was called to a premature end after Callum Hayne sustained a bad knee injury after landing awkwardly following a charge down of a box kick. A correct decision by Referee Fergus Connolly who had another excellent performance with the whistle.

The last time the Saints beat Falmouth in the Semi-Final was in 2017 and the Tregorrick faithful will be hoping this is a good omen as they went on to win that year. Regional 2 rivals Truro and Wadebridge Camels contest the other semi-final, and the Saints will look on with interest to see who their opponents will be in the County showpiece. Attentions now turn to the Papa Johns Community Cup, a national tournament with the mouth-watering prospect of a Twickenham Final at the end of it. The Saints face a tough assignment when they travel up next week to Gloucester to take on Matson in the first of three games in a four team Pool (kick-off at 2:30pm).

Saints Star Man: Konnor Ewudzi – An exceptional attacking display in the first half saw the St Austell speedster setting speed cameras off all over Falmouth to score four tries and gain six points on his licence.

Saints
1 Charlie Nicholson; 2 Miles Davey; 3 Brandon Haque; 4 Tom Daniel; 5 Antony Knight; 6 Rob Jeffs; 7 Hector Bright; 8 Rory Jago; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 Matt Shepherd; 11 Alex Welland; 12 Sam Parsons (Capt.); 13 Konnor Ewudzi ; 14 Fraser Nottle; 15 Max Bullen

Reps (All used):
Joe Maunder; Matt Boothby; Ben Plummer; Cam Taylor; Callum Hayne; Peter Harris

St Austell:
Tries – Fraser Nottle (1); Konnor Ewudzi (7; 21; 29; 36); Hector Bright (14); Antony Knight (34); Callum Hayne (41); Ben Plummer (48); Joe Maunder (63)
Cons – Matt Shepherd (8; 15; 22; 35; 37; 42; 64)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Falmouth:
Tries – Phil Hinchley (45)
Cons –
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Falmouth: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Falmouth: None

Referee: Fergus Connolly (CRRS)