Match Preview

What’s behind the first door of the rugby advent calendar for Saints?

Falmouth…that’s what. Formed in 1873 and playing their rugby at the Recreation Ground, Falmouth enjoy a location still in the midst of a town and I have to say I am always interested to see what they have going on at the Rec whenever I drive past. Like us they are industrious in ensuring their survival but I do wonder at some point if a supermarket will wave a cheque book and they will crack!

Falmouth’s season so far has been so-so. Won 5, lost 5 and drawn 1. This leaves then sitting 6th in the league on 24 points, 19 points behind the Saints. They are improving on last season though…12 months ago they were on 9 defeats and only 2 wins! Up until last Saturday they had 100% record of no defeats at the Rec but Sidmouth eventually came from behind to end that run in very wet conditions. Sidmouth scored another from deep and Falmouth used a cross field kick to good effect. Sidmouth just had the extra horsepower in the end and their kicker was on form to squash any chance of a comeback. A week earlier Falmouth travelled to struggling Saltash and travelled back through Cornwall ruing what could have been. So that’s the last 2 games lost and the season potentially faltering in the run up to Christmas. They will want to put a stop to this on Saturday before it becomes a ‘thing’.

Saints on the other hand have been building up some winning momentum since Bideford. They travelled up to Crediton last Saturday in frankly foul conditions and slugged it out for 80 minutes in a game tailored to the wind and weather. The score line of 6-9 to the Saints does not accurately paint the picture of effort, heart and spirit that went into the victory. Cav Boyer gets the headlines and picture in The Voice for the winning 50m penalty kick but the spectators who travelled claim that the whole team deserved a collective man of the match. This performance also shows a maturity in thinking from Head Coach Kyle Marriott and his team, that they have the tools in their box to win in different and challenging conditions.

This from Captain Miles Davey: ‘Away to Crediton lived up to all the pre-game speculation. By no means a high-flowing running game of rugby, but more of a titanic battle in a mud bath which proved to be another fantastic away day win for the Saints. Having targeted these 5 games before Christmas we are 2 from 2 with 3 games to go and we are extremely eager to continue this form at home to Falmouth. With Falmouth they have proven this season that they have learnt well from last season and as always will give us another tough encounter. COYS.’

Can the Saints continue to hit their pre-Christmas target? Only one way to find out and to see in the 1st of the most festive month…Turn out at Tregorrick Park this Saturday for a great game of rugby in a fantastic atmosphere for a 2.30pm kick off and lets really make some noise!

Yours in Rugby

Ian Grantham

Parish Notices

100 club –You can still join…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!

Club Shop – Christmas is upon us and with it the age old problem of what to buy for who. Our club shop can help you in this area! Chris stocks loads of stocking fillers for people of all ages and bigger items if you order them in time. Of note the club cuff links are now in stock (But only approx. 12 pairs left) and they are brilliant for just £15. More details on when he will be open in the next couple of weeks are HERE.

Pre-Match Lunches – HAVE TOTALLY SOLD OUT! If we get any cup home games (no luck so far this season but we live in hope) then we will quickly run a list to see who wants to come and if sufficient support is available we will run a lunch. Aside from that for the sold out lunches we are running a reserve list. We always seem to get a few drop outs closer to the time at this time of the year due to illness etc so get your name down with Tich today. He’s available on sardineslayer@hotmail.co.uk. More details are HERE.

Ale and Cider Fest 2019 – Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April. Get this in your diaries. An expanded event from previous years involving more live music and a broader range of drinks incl. Craft Gins and Proseccos’. More details to follow after Christmas but for now block this out and make it a date! Want to sponsor either the Friday night or Saturday afternoon and evening session? We are putting together a really good package for anyone business that want to take a greater part in Ale and Cider Fest 19. Contact our Sponsorship manager Julie on juliewhite58@btopenworld.com.

Youth Section Christmas parties – Older Players Xmas party is on 7th December 7pm-1030pm. Tickets available from Kelly Schulz (Kelly.schulz@sky.com). Disco, Karaoke, refreshments and more. Tickets only £3 and they are selling fast! Details HERE.
Younger players party is on Sunday 9th December 2-5pm. Each child will get to see the real Father Christmas who has agreed to make an early visit and they he is bringing a gift for each of them. Fun, games, snacks and more. £2 per child. Parents do not need a ticket. Details HERE. Contact Clair at clairgrantham@btinternet.com if you want in.

15th December – Home game against Falmouth and the official club start to Xmas. Its Xmas jumper and hat day…let’s see them!