After a traumatic week following the death of Roy Williams, St Austell RFC paid homage in the best possible way with a win in a thrilling encounter against Avonmouth Old Boys. On a fresh autumnal day the players from both sides were joined on the pitch by Roy’s wife Tina and his 16 year old daughter Summer for the minute’s silence. The flags of St Piran and St Austell fluttered gracefully at half-mast above the stand as the Tregorrick faithful rose as one in a touching and respectful act of remembrance.

The Saints started the game on a tidal wave of raw emotion that threatened to sweep the visitors away after three unconverted tries in the first 15 minutes. Flanker Ian Venner dived over from a line-out, full back Dan Pearce sped through to the corner and centre Alex Welland capitalised on an excellent chip kick from winger James Martin. The Mouth’s solitary reply at this stage was a penalty from fly half Joe Wearne however as the half wore on the Bristol side started to take a greater say in proceedings. After a sustained period of pressure in the home 22 the visitors’ showed slick hands to find a gap for centre Elliot Nightingale to fly over (15-8). The Mouth were now looking dangerous forcing the Saints onto the back foot and when Wearne slotted another penalty to make it 15-11 the early home advantage had been all but eroded away. The Saints stirred and started to enjoy a greater share of possession again and rounded off the half with an excellent team try as backs and forwards exchanged passes, fittingly finished off by Captain Miles Davey (20-11).

Avonmouth started the second half with a series of penetrating drives and Wearne nibbled again at the deficit when the Saints were caught offside (20-14). The visitors were now on top and scrum-half Tom Davies was quick to punish some indecision in the home defence with a try to all but close the gap (20-19). The Mouth pounded away but the home defence held firm but another offside was duly punished by Wearne to put the visitors in front for the first time in the game (20-22). Skipper Miles Davey mustered his troops under the posts extoling them to greater efforts and the Cornish boys responded immediately. A series of pick and drives ended with the visitors’ penalised for entering from the side and Dan Pearce added the 3 points to restore the home lead. The effort exerted by Avonmouth in reeling the home side in seemed to drain them as the Saints upped the tempo in the final ten minutes. Number 8 Adam Kellow showed great alertness to take a tap penalty before offloading to Miles Davey who gleefully dived over (30-22). Wearne again pegged the home side back with another faultless kick (30-25) but any fears that the Saints would let the lead slip again were quickly dispelled when winger Ben Chenoweth stormed over in the corner for a crucial score (37-25). With the clock running down Dan Pearce slotted over a 40m penalty to a triumphant roar to make the final score 40-25.

This was the first time the two clubs have met at senior level and Avonmouth Old Boys conducted themselves on and off the field impeccably. On a difficult day they showed real integrity and true respect and contributed to a thrilling game of rugby that ensured the day was marked in a truly memorable way. The Bristolians held a collection amongst their players and supporters raising a significant donation for a charity to be chosen by the Williams’ family. A stunning and humbling gesture that underlines the unique bonds that are created in the sport of rugby. The Saints will look forward to the return game in Bristol next March.

Next week the Saints travel to North Devon to play old friends Bideford (KO 2:30).

Match Stats:

St Austell: Martin (Mark); Davey; Rowe; Vian; Pearce (Adam); Jeffs; Venner; Kellow; Ashwin (Captain); Freeman; Martin (James); Welland; Wilson; Chenoweth; Pearce (Dan)

Replacements: Knott; Barbery; Tuckley

St Austell:
Tries – Ian Venner (4); Dan Pearce (9); Alex Welland (15); Miles Davey (39, 70) Ben Chenoweth (76)
Cons – Dan Pearce (70, 76)
Pens – Dan Pearce (63, 79)
Drop Goal –

Avonmouth Old Boys:
Tries – Elliot Nightingale (22); Joe Davies (47)
Cons –
Pens – Joe Wearne (12, 30, 43, 57, 70)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Peter Rowe (29); Alex Welland (56)
Avonmouth Old Boys: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Avonmouth Old Boys: None

Referee: Kris Connabeer (Devon RRS)

Saints’ Man of the Match: Andy Ashwin – There were many candidates in a passionate and committed team display but the scrum half used all his experience to ease the Saints through the difficult phases in the game when Avonmouth threatened. Ashwin took the game by the scruff of the neck during the final quarter to exert control maintain forward momentum.