Injuries and unavailability meant 7 changes to the Saints’ line-up but the Cornishmen still proved too strong for the luckless Lacemen. Not surprisingly the Saints lacked some of their usual fluency, but after dominating the first half the visitors defended resolutely in the second period as Honiton searched in vain for a consolation score.

With league statuses for both sides confirmed one could be forgiven for assuming that this would be a lacklustre affair. However the Saints’ were determined to finish the season with a win, while the Lacemen wanted to sign off from Western Counties with an upset so this proved to be an entertaining season finale. The game kicked off in bright sunshine with the Saints given first use of the infamous Allhallows slope and breeze. The visitors started at a frenetic pace with their offload game belying the changes in personnel. The hosts were defending well as the Saints probed for an opening but the pressure was building. Flanker Adam Pearce almost celebrated his well-deserved call-up to the full Cornwall squad for Monday’s Tamar Cup with a try only to be denied by a foot in touch. It was debutant full back Sam Kendall who finally broke through with a fine touchdown in the corner after an astute pass from hooker Jack Grigg. Scrum half Matt Shepherd made light of the touchline conversion and he quickly followed up with a try under the posts after ghosting over from a 5m scrum to put the Saints 14-0. The only surprise was it took another 10 minutes before the visitors’ crossed the whitewash again. Honiton’s defence was proving a difficult nut to crack and the home side deserve great credit for refusing to cave in. It needed something special and it came from a complex line-out move straight off the training ground to create the gap for number 8 Adam Kellow to thunder through for a converted try. The home side got on the scoreboard with a penalty from winger Josh Barrett with the last kick of the half after Honiton’s first visit to the Saints’ territory to make it 21-3 at the break.

The Saints started the second period at a rate of knots and a series of big carries left the home side reeling. The pounding took the visitors to within strike range and it was Shepherd who burrowed over for his 23rd try of the season. To their great credit Honiton stemmed the tide and then took advantage of the slope to pin the Cornishmen back. Any fears amongst the travelling Saints Massive that the players might have considered the season ended last week were quickly dispelled. The visitors put up a ferocious defence of their line as Honiton looked for a consolation try. It was almost as if the championship still depended upon it as the Saints put bodies on the line. None more so than Ian Venner who revelled in the forward exchanges after being pressed into action as an openside flanker instead of his usual position in the centre. Honiton did cross the line once but referee Jon Murray, who had an excellent day with the whistle, spotted the double (almost quadruple) movement to award a penalty to the Saints. The superior fitness of the visitors in the sunshine was now telling and the Saints were on top for the last 10 minutes of the game. Kellow crowned a man of the match performance with a well-executed try from a line out to make the final score 33-3.

The success of the Saints this season has been built on hard work and commitment and they justly sit proudly at the top of Western Counties West. Thirty-seven players have played a part with the vast majority coming through the Mini-Junior and Colts sections underlining the whole Club ethos and community focus of St Austell RFC. With success on the field in many age groups this season the future continues to look bright. There was further good news with Matt Shepherd and Adam Pearce achieving call-ups to the Cornwall squad for the Tamar Cup match against Devon (Monday 22 April 2013 KO 7.30pm, Plymouth Albion RFC). The first time two St Austell players have played for the County at the same time while still wearing the Saints shirt.

Next season sees a fresh challenge in South West One and the hard work starts again in June!

Match Stats:

St Austell: Rowe; Grigg; Martin; Vian; Haley; Kellow; Venner; Pearce; Shepherd; Ashwin (Captain); Chenoweth; Murley; Newberry; Taylor; Kendall
Replacements: Phillips; Knight; Miles

St Austell:

Tries – Kendall (10); Shepherd (20, 45); Kellow (31, 77);
Cons – Shepherd (4)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Honiton:
Tries –
Cons –
Pens – Barrett
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Honiton: None

Red Cards
St Austell: None
Honiton: None

Referee: Mr Jon Murray (Devon RRS)

Saints Man of the Match: Adam Kellow