St Austell 38, Exeter Saracens 5
ST AUSTELL were crowned champions in front of the biggest crowd ever seen at Tregorrick Park for a club match.
Despite the dreadful weather, more than 800 people celebrated what has been a magnificent season for the club, creating a carnival atmosphere.
The last home game of the season had been designated as a "Wear RED Day" with the whole Club joined together with every age group from U7s to the seniors represented.
It was an awe-inspiring sight full of colour as players, supporters and vets all mingled together – literally the past, present and future of St Austell RFC all under one (grandstand) roof.
The bumper crowd were treated to an excellent game and both sides deserve huge credit for making light of the difficult conditions in an exciting encounter.
The Saints may have scored six tries but Exeter Saracens made them work hard for victory and enjoyed periods of ascendency that deserved more than the one score achieved.
Roared on by their passionate supporters and a desire to secure the championship with a win, the Saints got off to a blistering start.
Playing into the driving wind and rain the home side moved the ball with pace and precision and it was no surprise when flanker Adam Kellow skipped over for the first try, converted by Matt Shepherd, after two minutes.
As the Saints clocked up the phases it was prop Mark Martin who spotted a chink in the Devonian defence before driving through the gap with a breathtaking display of blistering pace from the 22. Shepherd slotted the conversion into the stiff south-westerly breeze to make it 14-0.
Sarries finally got their hands on the ball and started to probe for an opportunity, and their patience was rewarded when winger Joe Burden rounded off a well worked team try when he touched down in the corner.
The Sarries made full use of the elements to pin the home side in their own half but could not quite find the edge to score again.
The Saints delivered a classic counter attack led by Shepherd that allowed full back Sam Tank to fly in under the posts. The scrum half's conversion ensured that the Saints turned round 21-5 up at the break.
The Saints, with the wind and rain at their backs, looked to press home their advantage. Quick thinking by prop Hugh Noott ensured he had an almost instant impact when he came on.
A smartly taken tap and go penalty on the halfway line allowed Noott to stride unhindered deep into the Sarries half before a smart offload to his front row partner.
Martin had the crowd on their feet as he bedazzled the Sarries defence with a series of sidesteps before putting Shepherd in under the posts for a converted try.
The Saints were in full flow and minutes later a clever box kick saw a race to the try line by three attackers and Shepherd came up with the ball to claim his second try of the day.
The Sarries were under huge pressure but they never let their heads or commitment levels drop to mount a successful rearguard action that limited the hosts to just one more try.
It was scored by young flanker Jack Nelson, who has made excellent progress in his first senior season. Referee Darren Currie, who deserves great credit for his sympathetic management of the game in difficult conditions, blew time to spark wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.
Cornwall RFU chairman David Martin presented the RFU SW Intermediate Cup to skipper Andy Ashwin and confirmed the Saints as Tribute Western Counties West champions.
Promotion will see the Saints play in Tribute South West One next season and it will be their first time back at this level since 2000-2001.
On Saturday the Saints travel to Honiton to bring the curtain down on what has been memorable season.
St Austell: Rowe; Grigg; Martin; Vian; Haley; Kellow; Winterbottom; Pearce; Shepherd; Ashwin (Captain); Chenoweth; Venner; Newberry; McCoan; Tank.
Replacements: Noott; Murley; Nelson.
Scorers. St Austell: Tries – Kellow (2); Martin (11); Tank (20); Shepherd (46, 57); Nelson (72); Cons – Shepherd (4).
Exeter Saracens: Tries – Burden (14).
Yellow cards: St Austell: Kellow (32); Exeter Saracens: Brereton (17).
Referee: Darren Currie (Cornwall RRS).
Saints Man of the Match: Mark Martin.
