St Austell just fell short in a pulsating semi-final where the result was in doubt right up to the final whistle. As the clock ticked down the Cornishmen pounded the Horsham line but just could not land the killer blow that would take them to Twickenham. A hugely entertaining game between two very good sides exhibited all that is good about Community rugby. The Saints shaded the territory and possession to control the game for prolonged periods, particularly in the second half, but they could not contain Declan Nwachukwu who ultimately proved the difference between the sides. The Horsham flyer ran in three tries to send the hosts through to rugby HQ and break the hearts of the Saints and their travelling supporters.

In stark contrast to the wind, rain and gluepot pitch of the opening pool match at Matson, the Saints ran out on to Horsham’s pristine Rugby 365 AGP (artificial grass pitch) in brilliant sunshine and blue skies. Any concerns that the Saints’ first ever competitive game on an artificial pitch would hinder their performance were soon dispelled with the visitors settling well in the opening exchanges. The Saints racked up the phases, but the home defence held firm to keep them out of their 22. It was the home side that struck first after some initial probing of their own and a neat grubber kick cut through the Saints first up defenders allowing Declan Nwachukwu to touch down in the corner. Oli Chennell’s conversion from wide out made it 7-0 with 10 minutes gone. The Saints responded well, and a fast-flowing attack saw centre Sam Parsons break the defence and throw out a long pass to the overlapping Dan Tyrrell. It was almost a try with the first touch for the replacement winger, on for Ben Plummer who was injured in the build up to the Horsham opener, but the ball proved too hot to handle. Horsham managed to clear to touch but the home side were now under real pressure. The Saints made the most of the resulting attacking line-out to catch and drive towards the try line. Horsham desperately scrambled to stop the maul, but the Saints had no need of the penalty awarded for offside with skipper Mark Vian touching down. Matt Shepherd added the touchline extras to make it 7-7 with 17 minutes gone. The game evolved into an intriguing contest with both sides enjoying periods of dominance without carving out a clear-cut opportunity. With half-time approaching the Saints were penalised for not rolling away and Oli Chennell’s 35m kick gave the home side a 10-7 lead at the interval.

The Saints made a promising start to the second period, but their defence was torn asunder by the blistering pace of Declan Nwachukwu who finished a Horsham counterattack in devasting style to stretch the home lead to 17-7 on 46 minutes. The Saints response was instantaneous, and Matt Shepherd clawed back three points with a 35m penalty kick to punish a high tackle (48 minutes 17-10). The Saints kept marching and when Konnor Ewudzi cut through the Horsham defence to put Dan Tyrrell into space on the halfway line all those of a Cornish persuasion thought the try was on. The winger chipped ahead into open field, but he was cynically taken out by Tom Johnson to prevent any further progress. It was too far out to justify the award of a penalty try but the Tregorrick Faithful have seen enough of the mercurial Dan Tyrrell in recent seasons to know a score was almost certain if he gathered the ball. The Horsham miscreant was shown the yellow card but unfortunately the Saints missed touch and the opportunity to launch a catch and drive was gone.

On 55 minutes Archie Bees lit up the contest with a magnificent try, on a day of tight defences the young full-back picked up a loose Horsham kick 10m inside the Saints half. Throwing a clever dummy to wrong foot the opposition, he set off on a scything run to attack the hole in the Horsham midfield. Showing pace, guile and balance, the Cornwall U20 blazed a trail to the try line. It is hard to believe that just four weeks ago Archie was playing for the Spartans in the third team’s semi-final against Falmouth seconds. Injuries to Chris Ashwin and Max Bullen meant a call-up to the Saints and Archie has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Matt Shepherd’s conversion tied the scores up at 17-17 with 25 minutes to go. On the hour mark Horsham hooker Josh Earle was shown a yellow card for a high tackle as the Saints momentum continued. Matt Shepherd nudged the leaders in front with a 45m penalty kick for a late hit that forced scrum-half CJ Boyce from the field (67 minutes 17-20). At this stage there only seemed to be one winner as the Saints started to take a grip of proceedings.

That all changed on 75 minutes when a lapse on concentration in the visitors’ fabled defence was ruthlessly punished by Horsham. A routine scrum on the far side saw the ball moved through the Horsham backline, unfortunately the Saints defence had narrowed leaving a gap out wide, and Declan Nwachukwu needed no second invitation to hit the straps to storm down the channel. Although the Saints managed to get hands on the Horsham winger he just proved too powerful to stop (22-20).

The last five minutes saw the Saints pound the Horsham defence and the tension in the home crowd was palpable with a growing fear that the determined home defence would eventually crack under pressure. Unfortunately, it was the Saints who failed to keep their composure, and having patiently created an overload out wide the pass from the ruck went high causing Sam Parsons to stretch to catch the ball. That was just enough to allow the Horsham tacklers time to recover and in the ensuing tussle to retain control of the ball the Saints were penalised. The home side lifted the siege and cleared their lines and in a game of fine margins it proved the difference with Horsham seeing out the final minute to secure victory.

The final whistle brought the Papa Johns Odyssey to a disappointing end, travelling over a 1,000 miles to Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Sussex the Saints have tested themselves against the best Level Six sides in the South of England and proved themselves to be the equal in some exhalated company. To be within one score of reaching Twickenham makes a tough end to the journey, but the squad can be extremely proud of their performances. Horsham were fantastic hosts and all at Tregorrick wish them the very best for the Final.

The season that never ends still has one more game to come in the shape of the Cornwall County Cup Final. Truro are still to play Wadebridge Camels in the other semi-final to decide who will play the Saints. Whoever it is, whenever it is and wherever it is, the Saints will be ready, waiting and determined to end a magnificent season on a high.

Saints
1 Dan Job; 2 Miles Davey; 3 Charlie Nicholson; 4 Mark Vian (Captain); 5 Joe Maunder; 6 Rob Jeffs; 7 Cam Taylor; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 Matt Shepherd; 11 Konnor Ewudzi; 12 Ben Plummer; 13 Sam Parsons; 14 Fraser Nottle; 15 Archie Bees
Reps (All used):
Hector Bright; Matt Boothby; Brandon Haque; Anthony Knight; Andy Inch; Dan Tyrrell; Alex Welland

Travelling Reserves: Jake Clifford; George Hutchinson

St Austell:
Tries – Mark Vian (17); Archie Bees (55)
Cons – Matt Shepherd (18,56)
Pens - Matt Shepherd (48; 67)
Drop Goal –

Horsham:
Tries – Declan Nwachukwu (10; 46,75)
Cons – Oli Chennell (11; 47)
Pens – Oli Chennell (38)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Horsham: Tom Johnson (52); Josh Earle (61)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Horsham: None