ST AUSTELL player-coach Matt Shepherd was full of praise for his side as they recorded a first-ever league double over visiting Launceston in Regional One South West at Tregorrick Park on Saturday.

With little to choose between the two Cornish rivals in the first half, it was the Saints who dominated the second half, producing 28 unanswered points to eventually win 47-21.

“It’s amazing to get two wins this season over Lanson,” said Shepherd. “They are a team we’ve looked up to for so long. It was a touch-and-go game in that first half, but we then managed to get a foot hold on things early in the second half.”

Two early tries from George Hillson had helped to give the visitors the advantage, but St Austell were able to counter with scores of their own from hooker Pete Harris and prop Matt Boothby.

With Adam Powell in the bin for collapsing a maul, Launceston made their rivals pay when James Tucker spun out of a tackle to grab their third converted try.

As half-time approached, however, the Saints hauled themselves back into contention with a try from Dan Tyrell, which Shepherd himself converted.

“Danny’s try before half-time was perfect,” added Shepherd. “We knew if we played the rugby, kept the ball in hand, and tried just running them off the park, we could get the win. Full credit to Lanson, I thought they put some really good plays together and they certainly added to a cracking Cornish derby.”

The second half, though, belonged to the home side as first Shepherd crossed for a score, quickly followed by Sam Parsons, who finished off neat approach work from Will Tanswell.

Hector Bright extended their lead with a converted score, before a clinical catch-and-drive move saw Boothby claim his second of the game to seal the victory.

“I thought our second half performance really allowed us to gain an edge in the game,” continued Shepherd. “Not having the wind in the second half, it allowed us to play and made sure we kept the ball in hand.

“Even in the wind, I thought there was some cracking ball handling, which allowed us to have that little bit of freedom which, in turn, meant our attack fluidity came to the forefront and enabled us to keep putting on the scoreboard pressure.”

St Austell’s victory means they have moved up to fifth in the current standings, just one point adrift of Launceston with just two fixtures remaining.

Although without a game this weekend, they return to action again on Saturday, March 22 when they make a first-ever visit to Marlborough, who have former All Blacks winger Sitvivenu Sivivatu as their technical advisor.

Shepherd will be hoping for more of the same in that next fixture, adding: “That was a pretty stand-out performance from all of the guys. Not only has it created a bit of history, but it’s set a standard which we need to follow up.

“I thought Archie Bees and Danny Tyrell looked very sharp in the backs, while Ben Woodmansey and Matt Boothby both showed some brilliant touches in the pack. I’d be surprised if these lads haven’t put their hands up for Cornwall selection for both the Tamar Cup and County Championship squads.”