Match Preview

Saints take on Penryn in their first taste of Cornwall Cup rugby this Season

A first round bye lubricated the Saints straight through to this quarter final tie against Cornwall & Devon League top three side Penryn.

I have an enduring belief that the top 4-5 teams of any league are on a par in terms of performance and skills as the bottom half of the league above. Quite often at levels 8, 7 and 6 teams swap around without really changing their squad all that much and they at least manage if not do quite well as they go up the way. As they drop down it can be an eye-opener for those demoted that they aren’t always doing as well as they thought despite any perceived superiority from being a league up a few months ago.

So what’s my point? It’s two-fold actually so let’s briefly cover Saint’s outing to Bideford last Saturday first.

I briefly spoke in Bideford’s clubhouse with their President and Fixtures Secretary minutes before the game started. They commented on their poor start to the season and jokingly asked if we could take it easy on them that day as they were desperate for a little success. I countered that it’s often too easy for a team to get into losing ways, almost a culture of losing and it would take a concerted effort from their senior players to break the mould, to carry forward the training ground moves, to find that spark and to lead a team back into winning ways. Sadly they did just that and amassed sufficient points in the first half and early second half to hold off a spirited Saints come-back. Bideford have dropped down from SW1 last season to WCW and have been finding it hard (now one win from nine). The win against us on Saturday might just have turned a corner for them…let’s watch as the season unfolds.

Second point is that we are now a little like Bideford when we travel to Penryn this Saturday. We are dropping down a league in terms of opposition and whilst we certainly aren’t in the bottom half of WCW as I describe above, the differences between the two teams will not be startling and if we approach it in any other way other than ‘equals to be respected’ then it might not end pleasantly. These fixtures, because of the 'edge' created by leagues divisions, can prove to be really exciting and this one will be no different!

Penryn were on a run of 7 wins. Their only defeat was to the current unbeaten league leaders Plymstock Albion Oaks until last Saturday when Bude turned them over and pushed them down to third in the league. They will be taking that defeat to the training ground this week and exorcising the frustration of not making it 8 in a row by focusing on a cup upset. They’re in good form, doubtless annoyed at losing and on their own turf with the home crowd advantage.

Head Coach Kyle Marriott: After a bye in the last round we are really looking forward to getting stuck into the cup this weekend. The subtleties of a different competition have helped add excitement to this Saturday’s fixture. The change from the rigours of league duty and increased numbers on the bench gives us a chance to look at our wider squad. We are looking forward to going to Penryn and taking as much traveling support as possible with us. COYS!

Speaking of travelling support please be aware this is a cup game so it starts at 2pm. Why? In case it needs to go into extra time and the hosts don’t have floodlights. The ‘Massive’, Saints travelling supporter’s crew are making a push on the train and anybody is welcome to join them. They will doubtless have planned refreshments into their schedule so it will be a good day out for all. If interested meet at St Austell Train Station at 1120 to organise the cheapest tickets to make a1136 departure. Look out for the jovial and loud Welshman dressed in club colours if in doubt!

Yours in Rugby

Ian Grantham

Parish Notices

100 club – The forms are being processed as I type and the draw is imminent (we underestimated the time it takes…sorry). You can still join though…Your number will be assigned in the next month’s draw. Feeding funds into purely rugby activities will put us in a strong position in Cornish rugby and it will future proof us against volunteer shortages and experience gaps. The fund that we intend to place the money in is explained HERE. The form that you can print off before hand is HERE. Please get behind this…3 cash prizes a month once we get it up and running but it needs your support!

Family Prize Bingo – Friday 9th November. About 5 tickets left. Prizes include chicken dinner hamper, Pamper Hamper, Breakfast Hamper, Exeter Chiefs tickets, beer (lots of beer), chocolates, wine etc etc. If you want a ticket PM me (Ian Grantham) but be quick.

Cufflinks – They have arrived. They are absolutely brilliant and as we approached the Festive party season you might find you have room in your life for some of these. Alternatively they will make a great Christmas present for someone! They were selling last Sunday and as we only have 25 pairs in the first batch you’d best get a hurry on to secure some.

Pre-Match Lunches – ONLY 21 spaces left for the whole of this season. 10 left on 2nd March and 11 left on 23rd March. Get your names to Tich quickly if you want one of these last spaces. He’s available on sardineslayer@hotmail.co.uk. More details are HERE.