ST AUSTELL again showed their ability to overcome adversity as they secured a well-deserved bonus point at champions Barnstaple in their final game of the season.

Two last minute withdrawals from the selected squad meant late call-ups for Cornwall Under 20s prop Dan Bennett and a first team debut for winger Dan Navas from the Sinners ahead of their massive relegation decider.

Thankfully the changes made no difference to the seconds who pulled off a magnificent 37-12 victory over Hayle to secure their Counties Two status.

Up at Barnstaple, the home side took first use of a strong breeze blowing the length of field in front of a large and expectant home crowd.

Disaster struck in the opening two minutes with the Cornishmen losing talismen Matt Shepherd and Kyle Marriott to injury.

A collapsed maul saw the double whammy of a yellow card for Rory Jago and a penalty try for Barum.

A rampant home side, who had to win, picked off a stray pass to run in an interception from the halfway and quickly added two more to put them 24-0 ahead inside 15 minutes.

The Saints bravely steadied the ship in an almost frenzy atmosphere as the home crowd made an early start to the championship celebrations.

Promising build-up play was followed by a perfectly executed line-out routine which allowed prop Matt Boothby to crash over. Full-back Archie Bees added the extras (24-7).

The visitors did not let another converted try by Barum deter them as they dominated the final ten minutes of the half.

The home side became increasingly desperate in defence with five penalties in quick succession, resulting in two yellow cards.

Hooker Pete Harris made sure they were no regrets when he finished off more good work by the forwards to make it 31-12 at the break.

There was a level of optimism amongst Saints ranks during the huddle that the momentum was changing in their favour, and the chase was on for bonus points.

The visitors started the second half with purpose and started to stretch the game to the edges to keep away from the bigger home forwards.

Both Dan Tyrrell and Sam Parsons went close before Bees purred into the line at an unstoppable angle to make the score 31-19.

Still the Cornishmen came forward looking for a fourth try, with an almost eery silence descending on Pottington Road as the nerves started to jangle.

In a blink of an eye Barum demonstrated why they are top of the league with a devastating counter-attack from 80 metresto score a try on their only visit to the Saints 22 in the second period.

The visitors finally got their reward when Bees handed off two defenders on his way to the posts (36-26).

The Saints finished the game on the attack but could not quite find the gap to grab a second bonus point.

The final whistle saw Barnstaple confirmed as champions while the Saints confirmed their fourth-place finish, writing a new page in the club’s history with the highest league position ever.

That all achieved with a squad largely drawn from the youth section.

This Saturday sees the Colts have a cup final at Saturday at Hayle (12.30ppm), while the ladies’ host Brixham Sirens at Tregorrick (3pm).