Report by Paul Hayes
Photo by Graham Walker

Falmouth 0 St Austell 21
A much-changed St Austell overcame a doughty performance from a Falmouth side desperate to put an end to a poor run of form. Rarely have the Saints dominated a game in terms of the territory and possession stats, but the home side’s stoic and determined defence prevented this ascendency from being reflected on one stat that matters - the scoreboard.

With the Saints showing eight changes in the match day squad it was inevitable that they would lack some of their trademark fluency. Both sides struggled to deal with the swirling wind leading to a plethora of misplaced kicks and making handling difficult. Nonetheless the visitors managed to lock the home side up in their own half for almost all of the opening period. Falmouth remained organised and determined in defence to continually frustrate and nullify the Saints attacks. #

With the forty minutes up, it looked like the half time scoreboard would display the rarity of a nil-nil score line. The Saints had been camped on the 5m line for what seemed to be an eternity before the ball was released across the backline. Winger Cavan Boyer rounded his opposite number and then showed great strength and determination to dot down for the try. James Tucker’s conversion split the posts at the end of a remarkable 15 minutes of time added on to make the half time score 0-7.

Saints started the second half determined to quickly add to the score gained at the end of the first period. Falmouth held them at bay initially but could not stop a ferocious driving maul that enabled flanker Cameron Taylor to dive over for his first senior try (0-14). Hopes that the Saints would build on the early momentum were frustrated as the game petered out into a midfield stalemate. It was not until the final ten minutes that the urgency returned, triggered by a penalty into the Falmouth 22. The ball was secured in the lineout, but the Saints forwards still had plenty of work to do to drive the 15 metres to the try line. A driving maul can be a thing of beauty, a combination of strength, technique and teamwork and at its fulcrum was prop Peter Rowe to land the final touch. James Tucker’s touchline conversion made it 21 points to the Saints with eight minutes left on the regulation eighty.

The visitors went in search of the bonus point try and almost grabbed it when live-wire scrum-half Dan Tyrrell burst through the defensive screen. With the try line beckoning a Falmouth hand managed to dislodge the ball and the opportunity was gone as quickly as it appeared.
Despite the win, the Saints slipped down to third thanks to bonus wins for Wellington and Kingsbridge. However, the Saints will still be delighted that they managed the selection headaches to overcome difficult opponents in a demanding Cornish Derby. The strength in depth augers well for the challenges that lie ahead in the second half of the league campaign.

Next week Saints are home to second placed Kingsbridge in what is sure to be another exciting clash (KO 2:30pm) and its Tregorricks Christmas celebration so do not miss it!

1 Mark Martin; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Peter Rowe; 4 Tony Knight; 5 Josh Phillips; 6 Mark Vian; 7 Cameron Taylor; 8 Andy Inch; 9 Dan Tyrrell; 10 James Tucker; 11 Cavan Boyer; 12 Ben Plummer 13 Sam Parsons; 14 Alex Welland; 15 CJ Boyce
Reps (All used):
Brandon Haque; Harry Pyatt; Jack Grigg

Saints Star Man: Cameron Taylor – Another great performance in defence and attack capped off with his first senior try, the first of many no doubt!

St Austell:
Tries – Cavan Boyer (40 +15); Cameron Taylor (50); Peter Rowe (72)
Cons – James Tucker (40 +15, 50, 72)

What’s Coming Up

Saturday 14th December- last Saints home game before Xmas! Saints v Kingsbridge, 8 x Christmas Food Hampers to be won, reindeer racing and Christmas Karaoke. More details HERE

Boxing Day – Annual Sinners v Lankelly fixture is at Tregorrick this year! Turn it into a walk to blow the cobwebs away and enjoy this fun fixture. Bar open and free entry.

Sponsors Day - Saturday 4th January 20. If you’re one of our sponsors then you’re invited to a spot of lunch on us! If you’re not one of our sponsors and are now thinking ‘why aren’t I?’ get in touch at st_austellrfc@outlook.com to find out the opportunities. If you haven’t received an invite then get in touch via the same email and we'll sort you out.

Ex-Players Day - 11th January 20 – Ex-players Day at Tregorrick. Full details of the Senior Players Award Scheme are now released. In summary if you’re an ex-senior level St Austell RFC player this is going to interest you. As long as you have played one or more games for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd XVs or Vets you are entitled to an award. More details about the awards and the ex-players day are HERE.

Dates for your diaries: 17th-19th April 2020 is our expanding Ale, Cider and Gin Festival. Stacks of love rugby, music and a superb selection of drinks to try. Tuesday 21st April 2020 we host Cornwall v Devon in the Tamar Cup KO 7.45pm.