Saints are Singing in the Rain!

Report by Paul Hayes
Photo by Graham Walker

Penryn 11 St Austell 20

Saints supporters had all their Christmases come at once with a well-deserved win over the Borough. It not only delivered valuable league points, it also ensured St Austell’s safe passage to the semi-final of the County Cup. The sides were drawn against each other in the quarter final and with both Clubs anxious to avoid a fixture pile up over the Christmas period, the league match was deemed a “double header” with the result standing for both league and cup competitions.

Torrential rain started an hour before kick-off and the unrelenting downpour continued throughout the eighty minutes, turning the Memorial Ground into a quagmire by the final whistle.

Despite the atrocious conditions both sides delivered performances of skill, passion and commitment. It is a shame that the season of goodwill was lost on some of the watching home support who cheered every St Austell handling mistake.

Nonetheless the Saints were the better side in the first half, standing firm in the face of a spirited Penryn revival in the second period and then reasserted their authority in the final quarter to see out the game.

Penryn started confidently and took the lead with a Samuel Carter penalty (3-0). The visitors grinded their way up the Penryn slope to trap the home side in their 22. Penryn’s defence began to creak giving away four penalties in quick succession for collapsing the maul, each time the Saints elected to kick to touch for a line out. At the fifth time of asking the catch and drive stayed on its feet and with several backs joining the maul it became an unstoppable force. Centre Ben Plummer grounded the ball with fly-half James Tucker converting from a difficult angle (3-7). The visitors were now on top and full back Cavan Boyer looked to have scored in the corner, but the referee was unsighted and unable to award the try. The Saints were not to be denied and their dominant scrum secured a pushover try touched down by number eight Kyle Marriott to give the visitors a 12-3 lead at half time.

A reenergised Penryn started the second half much the like the first, with Samuel Carter adding three points to close the gap (6-12). The Borough’s hardworking back row and strong running centre Andrew Seviour were now giving the Saints defence a tough time. The home side were stringing some good phases of possession together and their endeavour was eventually rewarded when winger Josh Chambers finished off a move out wide (11-12).

With one point now in it the momentum was very much with the home side, and things were starting to look ominous for the visitors. The Saints dug deep to contain and frustrate Penryn in and around the halfway line, and it was scrum-half CJ Boyce who turned the tide by sprinting through a gap to take play deep into the home 22. A line-out 10m from the try line was secured by Mark Vian and with seemingly the entire Saints side joining the fray, the maul was triumphantly driven over with flanker Cam Taylor taking the plaudits (11-17). With the clock running down, the Saints forwards patiently went through the phases to retain possession of the ball. When the home side strayed offside, James Tucker stepped up to finish the game off with a well struck penalty (11-20) to the delight of Saints players and supporters.
The league win sees the Saints finish 2019 in second place, just two points behind leaders Wellington and eight points ahead of third placed Kingsbridge. The cup win means that the Saints now join Wadebridge Camels, Truro and one of St Ives, Veor or Liskeard-Looe in the semi-final draw in January. The Saints will be hoping for a home draw in the semi-finals to be played on the 22nd February 2020.

The Sinners take on Lankelly-Fowey in the traditional Boxing Day festive fixture (KO 11:00 at Tregorrick Park) and the Saints are next back in action with another Cornish derby at home to Saltash on Saturday 4th January 2020 (KO 2:30pm).

1 Peter Rowe; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Mark Vian; 5 Tony Knight; 6 Andy Inch; 7 Cameron Taylor; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 James Tucker; 11 Alex Welland; 12 Ben Plummer 13 Sam Parsons; 14 Fraser Nottle; 15 Cavan Boyer
Reps (All used):
Mike Shakespear; Max Bullen; Harry Pyatt

Saints Star Men: Mark Martin, Peter Rowe and Mike Shakespear – It is in conditions like this that the Front Row Union earn their corn and the Saints trio of props were magnificent. Hard working and committed, they made light of the mud and rain to continually drive Penryn backwards. Tries from a pushover and two driving mauls says it all!

St Austell:
Tries – Ben Plummer (22); Kyle Marriott (35); Cam Taylor (73)
Cons – James Tucker (22)
Pens – James Tucker (77)

Penryn:
Tries – Josh Chambers (63)
Cons –
Pens – Samuel Carter (11, 50)

What’s Coming Up

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 about the opportunities. If you are a current sponsor and 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:
8th February 2020 is our away trip to Wadebridge. More to follow on this but essentially clear your diary as we are going on a road trip!
17th-19th April 2020 is our ever expanding Ale, Cider and Gin Festival. Stacks of live rugby, food, live music and a superb selection of drinks to try.
Tuesday 21st April 2020 we host Cornwall v Devon at Tregorrrick Park in the Tamar Cup KO 7.45pm.