Report by Shellie Forster

It was the first time in the town club's 61-year history that a home-grown ladies' side ran out on to the first team pitch to play.
It was only the second fixture for the Valkyries, following a loss to Falmouth last month.

Sunday's performance was a marked improvement, and the home side gave the more experienced visitors a run for their money. An exciting game entertained a large appreciative crown with six tries, the game was decided by a late conversion.

But it was always about more than the final result, with several of the home team playing their first every rugby game, including several graduates from St Austell's youth section. This season, St Austell are fielding a side in the Rugby Football Union's Inner Warrior league, to give women a taste of league rugby.

Camborne supplied a couple of players to St Austell, to ensure the fixture could go ahead with both sides sporting a full XV and subs.
It was end-to-end stuff and at the break the Valkyries were leading by two tries to one.

Saltash's experience finally broke St Austell in the dying seconds, when the sixth try was scored after a period of sustained attacks from the visitors' 22.

Valkyrie try scorers: Maddie Webster, Summer Dingle, Charlie Sturdy