Sat 12 Feb 2022
ST AUSTELL 16 v SIDMOUTH 1st XV 18
Rudyard Kipling’s advice regarding triumph and disaster was sorely tested in the four minutes of injury time at Tregorrick Park as Sidmouth ended St Austell’s unbeaten home record in dramatic fashion thanks in no small part to the heroics of Cameron Grainger.
Despite the absence of some key players, this was the Chiefs best performance of the season against the team lying in second place.
Both teams defied damp conditions and a difficult wind to produce an entertaining game with the result in doubt until the final whistle.
In contrast to the previous week at Lydney, the Chiefs made a strong start and deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes. When St Austell dropped the ball on halfway, James Salter scooped it up and made ground before starting a handling move down the left. Connor Down was tackled just short of the line but Rob Griffin, who has mastered the knack of being in the right place at the right time, was on hand to pick up and dive over for the try. Dan Retter added the conversion.
St Austell responded with determination and the slick handling and quick recycling, which had overwhelmed the Chiefs in October. They opened their account with a multi-phase move finished off by the left winger. The try was unconverted.
Despite the setback, the Chiefs finished the half strongly and were unlucky not to score in the closing minutes of the half.
St Austell took the lead in the third minute of the second half with a penalty kicked by the full back. They almost increased their score from a lineout catch-and-drive play, but the Sidmouth forwards held firm and turned over possession to clear the danger.
Dan Retter regained the lead with a penalty after a good move by the backs had created the position.
Despite playing against the wind, Sidmouth were enjoying territorial advantage and deservedly increased their lead. They disrupted a St Austell scrum on the home 22 and harassed them into conceding a scrum five metres from the line in front of the posts. With the defence narrow, Phil Dollman threw a long pass to George Locke who ran through the space left in front of him. The try was unconverted.
With five minutes of normal time left, the Chiefs were in the St Austell half, but conceded three consecutive penalties to find themselves defending a lineout five metres from their line. St Austell executed a successful catch-and-drive, but the try was unconverted leaving the Chiefs with a two -point lead.
A minute into injury time St Austell were awarded a penalty just inside the Sidmouth half. With the wind at his back, the full back kicked what seemed to be the winning points.
Cameron Grainger had other ideas as he chased the restart kick and outjumped two opponents to claim the ball. Ten seconds later, the Chiefs were awarded a penalty 40 metres out into the wind. Phil Dollman’s perfect strike was followed by the final whistle.
The Chiefs now have a two week break from action.
On Saturday at the Blackmore Field the Quins entertain Newton Abbot 2nds kicking off at 2.30pm.
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