Saints Overcome Tivvy

On a glorious September day at Coronation Field, both the visiting Saints and home team Tiverton had something to play for. Saints were keen to confirm their early season promise while Tivvy were looking to haul themselves up the table. The result was an exciting spectacle of running rugby not really resolved until the final quarter when the Saints finally pulled away to register a 29-45 victory.

The first 20 minutes saw a flurry of activity as Hugh Noott opened the scoring after 2 minutes with Boyer adding the extra 2 points. Tivvy responded with a simple kicked penalty before a well-rehearsed training ground move saw them breach Saints defences to score and convert giving them a 10-7 lead after 8 minutes. The game continued at breakneck speed with centre Tregilgas capitalising on approach play from Inch and Andy Ashwin to skip over to regain the lead at 10-12. Once again Tivvy responded as the game swung their way and a converted try saw them leading 17-12 after 18 minutes.

Both sides cleared their heads and the defensive coaches would have been happy to see some level of resilience restored for the next 15 minutes. Following intense Saints pressure, with the scrum beginning to establish superiority, veteran flanker Sid Venner burrowed over the line with Boyer converting. At half time Saints led 17-19.

The halftime talk revolved around tightening up defence and looking to put 2 consecutive scores together. While Saints weren't over confident there was a feeling that they had allowed Tivvy to come back into the game and if the silly errors could be eliminated then victory would be completed.

Saints began the half as they would have liked applying pressure and picking up the pace in all aspects of the game. The Tivvy defence was holding out but on 55 minutes Kellow found some space to cross the line , try converted by Boyer to give Saints a 17-26 lead after 55 minutes. Saints rang the changes from the bench and once again turned the screw. Venner scored his second from a catch and drive with Boyer again adding the extras. 66 minutes 17-33.

The Saints were now playing a more fluent brand of rugby and Tivvy were struggling to keep up with them. Flanker Bright finished off a searing break from Shane Johns after 73 minutes again converted to lead 17-38. This was followed by the try of the game shortly after. Knowles and Freeman made good breaks and offloads before Johns was pulled down in sight of the line, quick recycling saw Andy Ashwin first on the scene to dive over. Boyer converted to bring the Saints scoring complete for the afternoon 75 minutes 17-45.

Tiverton rallied wonderfully and put Saints under tremendous pressure to register a try in the 80th minute 24-45 before a breathless game concluded with another Tivvy try in the 86 minute to give a final score of 29-45.

Saints will be pleased with their attacking effort but disappointed that their defence had been breached allowing Tivvy a losing bonus point. All roads lead to Tregorrick this Saturday when Saints take on more Devon opponents in the shape of Torquay Athletic , ko 3 o'clock.