Despite laying siege in the latter stages they could not find the fourth try needed to win this promotion shootout. With a top 3 finish required to gain promotion, it needed an Oxbridge Mathematician to work out all the permutations as third placed Services took on fourth placed Saints. For the visitors it was simple enough, a win would see them up and results elsewhere would decide their final position. For the Saints they needed either a five-point bonus win or a four-point win while also limiting Services to a single bonus point. With so much at stake it was a tense affair at a packed Tregorrick that included a big contingent of supporters from over the Tamar. While the majority of the visitors added to the drama and atmosphere of the occasion, a small minority did little for the reputation of Services and rugby with their rowdy and abusive behaviour that won few friends in Cornwall. On the field both sets of players gave their all in a game full of intensity, passion and commitment. Services’ powerful scrum enabled the visitors to run in three first half tries as they threatened to run away with the game in the first 30 minutes. Saints did well to stay in the game at the interval and they looked better with the ball in hand when the game was able to flow at a higher tempo. The hosts dominated the second period, but it was a killer fourth try by the visitors against the run of play that changed the complexion of the game. Simply winning was now no longer enough and the Saints knew they needed to win with four tries or more to secure promotion. Services knew this as well and gave away penalties with impunity safe in the knowledge that the home side would not kick the points. In a frantic finish the home side threw everything at the Dockyard wall, but Services held on to gain the promotion spot.

The Saints started well with early pressure forcing Services to stray offside with the penalty duly despatched by Matt Shepherd (3-0). A momentum changing 50:22 kick by fly-half Richard Goldsby-West gave Services a foothold in home territory. The Saints’ set piece was coming under pressure and with referee playing advantage on a wheeling scrum, Services broke on the blindside with Goldsby-West scoring the try in the corner. A touchline conversion put the visitors ahead 3-7 with just eight minutes on the clock. The Saints were on the back foot but working hard in defence to keep Services at bay. There was nothing the home side could do about a well-executed catch and drive routine finished off by hooker Chey Bryce (3-12). Referee George Berry finally lost patience with the Saints’ creaking scrum to send prop Brandon Haque to the bin. At the next scrum it was winger Max Bullen who was sacrificed to bring on front row replacement Hugh Noott for his 226th but last appearance for the Saints. The larger-than-life prop is a Tregorrick legend who has lit up many a game with his eye for the try line. Services however were in no mood to show any sentiment and scrum half Dylan Daley ruthlessly exploited the space on the blindside (3-19). The Saints dug deep to prevent any further scores from a rampant Services and as half time approached caused the visitors some discomfort by upping the tempo and keeping the ball in hand. A penalty for not releasing the tackler was kicked to the corner and the Saints catch and drive was finished in style by Charlie Nicholson. The conversion by Matt Shepherd was immediately followed by the half time whistle with the Saints just 10-19 behind.

Saints received an early set back when centre Ben Plummer was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock on as he gambled on an interception. Despite being a man down, the home side stuck to their second half game plan of playing at a higher tempo. Services were under pressure from a wave of pick and goes when scrum half CJ Boyce released Matt Shepherd who still had work to do against three defenders before grounding the ball (15-19). Devonport were giving away a profusion of penalties and using an array of delaying tactics to slow the game down. Every stop in play seemed to take an age with a player taking a knee for physio attention and a committee meeting of forwards to discuss every lineout and scrum. Luckily for the Saints the referee was wise to the ploys and stopped the clock on each occasion. A menacing driving maul was collapsed as it entered the 5m line and a yellow card for Michael Rickard was deemed enough punishment with the home support baying for a penalty try. The errant lock no sooner returned to the paddock when prop Rikki Bentham was sent to take his place on the naughty step for persistent offending. Disaster for the Saints struck on the hour mark when Services scored the crucial fourth try following a brilliant break from Richard Goldsby-West which wrong footed the home defence. The fly-half’s pass to his supporting half back partner looked forward, but the suddenness and pace of the attack had also left the officials in the wake. Once the ball reached winger Toby Knowles there was only one outcome to put Services back in charge of the game (15-24). The final quarter of the game saw the Saints apply almost continuous pressure and number eight Kyle Marriott got the breakthrough following a catch and drive. Matt Shepherd’s conversion made it 22-24 with just five minutes left to find the fourth try and the crucial bonus point. Services continued to disrupt play giving away an incredible 10 penalties in the process. In normal circumstances the Saints would have kicked the three points to win the game, but they compelled to hammer away at an increasing desperate defence. Services’ earlier time wasting meant play continued for a further 14 minutes after the elapsed 40 but still the home side could not find a way through despite their efforts. Inevitably another yellow card appeared, a second one for Rickard so the colour was immediately turned to red, perhaps the only surprise was it was not issued earlier given the rate of offending. Nonetheless Services held on and the final whistle triggered wild celebrations and a pitch invasion from 50 or so of their supporters. For the Saints players it was heartbreak after all their efforts to claw themselves back into the game.

When the dusts settles, and the pain of defeat diminishes the Saints can look back on their return to Level Six with real pride. With a young squad they have risen to the challenges of playing physically stronger sides and travelling long distances for away games in Bristol and Gloucestershire. The Saints beat Champions Chew Valley and runners up Lydney home and away and would have beaten third placed Devonport Services if the complexities of the promotion race had not of required a bonus point try. Both the Saints and Sinners have made great progress in 2021-22 and the coaches and players can go into the summer break knowing that solid foundations have been laid to deliver the Club’s ambitions of promotion to level five in the coming years.

Saints Star Man: Rory Jago – A sterling performance from the flanker to keep that Saints on top at the breakdown.

1 Brandon Haque; 2 Miles Davey; 3 Charlie Nicholson; 4 Mark Vian; 5 Antony Knight; 6 Adam Kellow; 7 Rory Jago; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 Chris Ashwin (Capt.); 11 Max Bullen; 12 Ben Plummer 13 Matt Shepherd; 14 Fraser Nottle; 15 Cavan Boyer
Reps (All used):
Hugh Noott; Dan Tyrrell; Andy Inch

St Austell:
Tries – Charlie Nicholson (39); Matt Shepherd (47); Kyle Marriott (75)
Cons – Matt Shepherd (39; 75)
Pens – Matt Shepherd (3)
Drop Goal –

Devonport Services:
Tries – Richard Goldsby-West (8); Chy Byrce (19); Dylan Daley (25); Toby Knowles (61)
Cons – Richard Goldsby-West (8; 25)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Brandon Haque (23); Ben Plummer (41)
Devonport Services: Michael Rickard (50; 80); Rikki Bentham (61)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Devonport Services: Michael Rickard (Two Yellow Cards)

Referee: George Berry (Gloucestershire RRS)
Assistant Referee 1: Fergus Connolly (Cornwall RRS)
Assistant Referee 2: Steve Avenell (Cornwall RRS)