St Austell Spartans 52 - Penryn Saracens 45 (extra time)

There was extra time heartbreak for Penryn reserves on Saturday against their St Austell counterparts in the Cornwall Duchy Cup [the cup for reserve teams in Cornwall] when St Austell scored a last gasp try in the 110th minute at Tregorrick park, writes Jonathan Plummer.

In an enthralling contest, which was a great advert for second team rugby, Penryn took an early lead when flanker Josh Cumberland went over; Kyle Johnson added the extras.

The Spartans levelled the scores when scrum half Joe Welch scored. Welch turned villan minutes later when a late tackle earned him a yellow card. The Saracens took advantage against 14 men when they scored three converted tries in ten minutes.

Tries were scored by winger Ross McKnight, Scrum half Sam Hewitt and flanker Finn Reid, Johnson kicking all three conversions to give Penryn a commanding 28 -7 lead.

Back up to 15 players St Austell got their second try when a penalty was awarded, when Penryn infringed at five metre scrum, to bring a half time score of St Austell 14 Penryn 28.

Penryn got off to a strong start in the second half when second row Liam Carlyon scored; this time Johnson missed his first conversion. St Austell pulled a try back when centre Andrew Wheeler touched down under the posts.

Penryn extended their lead midway through the half when wing Ross McKnight getting his second try with Johns adding the extras.

St Austell brought on some of their replacements to get back in to the match and when Penryn were reduced to 14 men following a high tackle, The Spartans came roaring back with two quick tries by number eight Hugh Knight and centre Peter Wheeler. Both tries were converted by Charlie Reynolds to reduce the deficit to just seven points.

As the match entered injury time and Penryn back up to 15 players it looked as though the Saracens might just hold on. Unfortunately for Penryn a good backline move broke the Penryn defence and Andrew Wheeler got his second try. Reynolds converted to tie the scores 40 all and take the match to extra time.

The two exhausted sides now had another thirty minutes of play.

It was Penryn who scored first try in extra time when Finn Reid got his second try of the match. St Austell levelled the score when Hugh Nooott touched to make the score 45 each at half time of extra time.

The teams cancelled each other out in the second period and the match looked to be heading for a draw, which meant Penryn would progress to the next round as the away side.

Unbelievably lightning struck twice and, deep in added on time, St Austell got the match winning try when scrum half Joe Welch went over - Reynolds putting the icing on the cake with the conversion to leave the final score at 52-45 to St.Austell.

Both sides deserve great credit for putting on a fantastic game, a contest that will live long in the memory. Penryn would like to say good luck to Spartans in the next round.

Penryn reserves return to league action this Saturday when they host St Agnes.