Structure and Patience Earns Saints the Win

Report by Steve Murley
Phot credit to Graham Walker - Ben Plummer airborne.

A large crowd of Camels and Saints supporters assembled at Molesworth Field for Saints second Cornish derby of the season. Newly promoted Camels were nicely tucked in 5th place in the table and the Saints fresh from their victory over high flying Truro, all looked set for a cracking game but, 10 minutes before kick off, the heavens opened up and a torrential downpour began which persisted with only occasional breaks throughout the game.

The game started with Saints playing towards the clubhouse, with both sides probing away and keeping the ball tight, the weather not allowing a more flamboyant style. With defence in the ascendancy, it was a real surprise to see county hooker Matt Ballard burst through the middle of a poorly defended ruck just inside the Saints 22 to the right of their posts, and gallop gleefully over the line to make a simple conversion for Danny Thomas.
Camels 7 – Saints 0 ( 6 mins - Matt Ballard Try, Danny Thomas Conversion)

Saints looked at each other and knew that they should have done better in defence. From the restart, they immediately began to increase the tempo with Plummer and Parsons carrying well through the centre, and veteran Flanker Rob Jeffs prominent in defence. Slowly, the Saints began to assert their ascendancy.

Camels were increasingly being penalised at the breakdown, and a raking penalty kick from Shepherd took the Saints to within 15 metres of the line. Camels had previously defended a similar position well with a very quick sacking, this time the Saints moved the point of contact and drove at the Camels line again. Another Camels infringement gave the Saints a free ball, and after a couple of darts by the forwards, fly half Chris Ashwin came up with a very cute and delicate chip over the Camels back line, which Shepherd gathered to dot down and add the conversion to level the scores.
Camels 7 – Saints 7 ( 15 mins - Matt Shepherd Try, Matt Shepherd conversion)

Despite atrocious conditions, it was to both sides credit that they looked for opportunities to move the ball wide. It was from one of these that Parsons intercepted and was away just over the half-way line before the referee pulled play back for a Saints off-side. The Saints had started to gain a defensive advantage that they never really relinquished for the rest of the game.
As Camels pushed from the resultant lineout a turn over saw the Saints kick a 50:22 and gain the lineout throw in. Skipper Vian soared highest and Saints rumbled forward. Camels threw everything at it to try to halt the remorseless advance but to no avail. As the maul rose from the try line, it was prop Charlie Nicholson who held the ball aloft, Shepherd added the extras.
Camels 7 – Saints 14 (30 mins – Charlie Nicholson Try, Matt Shepherd conversion)

Another Camels infringement saw Shepherd kick again to the corner. The whole ground knew what was coming. In the 6th minute of time added on in the first half, Head coach Marriott leapt gazelle-like and with his forward colleagues driving tight and low they began to advance on the Camels line. Camels threw bodies in to stem the drive but Saints absorbed the hits, re-grouped and went again until skipper Vian broke off the maul and made the final couple of metres over the line.
Camels 7 – Saints 21 ( 46 mins – Mark Vian Try, Matt Shepherd conversion)

Half-time Camels 7 – Saints 21

The half-time team talk was about being patient, playing to our system and remaining in control. Live wire flanker Hector Bright came on for Joe Maunder with Andy Inch moving up to lock.
( Replacement - Hector Bright on for Joe Maunder 41 mins )

Saints began the second half with the rain still hammering down. Camels began at a gallop, determined to get that first score, but the Saints defence had been magnificent since that first early lapse and continued to deny any opportunities. With much of the play concentrated between the two 22m lines it became a war of attrition.

With a two score lead the Saints began to bring on more subs with Cav Boyer and Matt Boothby joining the fray over the next 10 minutes.
( Replacement – Cav Boyer on for Frazer Nottle 48 mins )
( Replacement – Matt Boothby on for Charlie Nicholson 57 mins )

Camels knew that time was short and upped their efforts to break the Saints defence. The rain had now stopped as they moved the ball well left and right but time-and-again came up against a red wall. When desperation rises, so does the penalty count, increasing their difficulties as the Camels fought to keep the ball alive or regain possession.

After 65 minutes the decisive bonus point try came. As Camels tried to kick for position from just outside their 22, Ashwin charged it down and set off on a diagonal run. The defence drifted to cut him off but centre Ben Plummer ran a sublime supporting line and Ashwin was just the man to find him with a lovely inside pass. Plummer dropped under the posts to leave Shepherd the simplest of conversions.
Camels 7 – Saints 28 ( 65 mins – Ben Plummer Try, Matt Shepherd conversion)

With time running out, Nottle replaced Tyrrell who had a blood injury but had been a high energy, side-stepping threat all afternoon. Hooker Davey, who once again set the highest of standards in his defensive commitment and carrying, was replaced by prop Nicholson.
( Replacement – Frazer Nottle on for Dan Tyrell 73 mins )
( Replacement – Charlie Nicholson on for Miles Davey 78 mins )

The last few minutes saw Camels once again throw themselves at the Saints line. It is a mark of this team that with the game won and the bonus point in the bag they were still prepared to compete to keep their line intact. Wave after wave of Camels attacks were repulsed until the ball was turned over and put into touch. Referee Connolly who had an excellent game blew his whistle and the game ended.

Saints will be pleased with this result as derbies can be notoriously difficult to navigate safely. Camels can count themselves a little unlucky to come up against the Saints in such a stubborn, defensive mood and will undoubtedly prove a threat to many sides this season
Bridgwater Albion are the next visitors at Tregorrick Park next Saturday and the Saints will be well aware that, despite Albion’s current lowly position, they cannot afford to allow their performance levels to drop. It should be another great game

Full-time Camels 7 – Saints 28