By Paul Hayes

REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST

St Austell 14 Brixham 19

ST AUSTELL almost made it a perfect send off for prop Dan Job in his final league game, before JP Simonetti’s hat-trick gave the Fishermen the victory.

The Saints were leading 14-7 at the break and arguably should have been further ahead at the turnround. 

Brixham were the better side in the third quarter, scoring two tries to take the lead by the hour mark. Both sides had opportunities in the final quarter, but it was the Saints that finished the stronger and it took some heroic defence from the Fishermen to keep the haome side out.

It took another amazing effort from the ‘Cornish Wizard’, Tich Preston to ensure a pitch that was full of standing water on Thursday was playable by Saturday. 

The home side had first use of the howling winds generated by Storm Kathleen and applied the early pressure. 

Brixham’s highly physical defence held out until the 10th minute when strong carries from Chris Ashwin and Jake Arms created the breech that allowed Matt Shepherd to squeeze over (7-0). He added the extras himself.

The Saints were almost in again when a flowing break stretched the visitors, one more pass to Dan Tyrrell would surely have seen the winger fly in, but a delay in the pass allowed Brixham to snuff out the danger. 

But a glorious pass from Ashwin on 23 minutes set Tyrrell free to put the Saints 14-0 in front. 

Two penalties in quick succession allowed Brixham to make a swift repost, the stopping of a catch and drive was deemed illegal, and a quick tap penalty allowed number eight JP Simonnetti to crash over (14-7). 

On 34 minutes the Saints thought they had scored their third try when flanker Cam Taylor drove over in the corner. Home celebrations were cut short as an errant foot had scraped the sideline just before touching down.

Brixham got off to a strong start and were boosted by an early score to close the gap to 14-12. 

It was now the Saints’ turn to be put through their defensive paces, although the visitors were struggling to translate territorial pressure into scoring opportunities. 

Calamity struck after the Saints made a mess of a lineout on the halfway line. Brixham broke and gained a five-metrescrum which allowed Simonnetti to drive over (14-19). 

Both sides had chances in a frenetic fourth quarter, but it is the home side who will have felt they should have snatched another score in a dominant final 10 minutes. 

Brixham were pinned on their line and despite losing winger Matt Crosscombe for persistent offside, they held on.

The league season is over, and the Saints can be proud on how they have adapted to life at Step Five.

A steep learning curve in a tough and physical environment, and a few games lost that perhaps should have been won, but the Cornishmen proved they belong.

Saturday sees the start of the Papa Johns Community Cup campaign with Old Northamptonians making the long trek to Tregorrick (2pm).

ST AUSTELL: Matt Shepherd, Max Bullen, Sam Parsons (capt), Ben Plummer, Dan Tyrrell, Chris Ashwin, CJ Boyce; Matt Boothby, Pete Harris, Dan Job, Mark Vian, Jake Arms, Joe Maunder, Cam Taylor, Kayden Michael. Replacements (all used): Jamie Stanlake; Charlie Nicholson; Scott Pearce.

Tries: Shepherd, Tyrrell; Convs: Shepherd (2); Pens: N/A.

Saints Star Man: Dan Job – Hewn from Cornish granite, the cuboid dynamo has made a massive impact at Tregorrick. Key performer, fan favourite and a teammate with a wicked sense of humour, Dan has been the ideal role model for the front row fraternity.