It’s the last game before Christmas and its going to be a cracking day out for all concerned.

The players from both sides have given everything in this first half of the season and they will all be looking forward to having a great game of rugby and a few drinks after…Maybe even some karaoke but that potentially doesn’t fall into the ‘looking forwards to’ bracket quite so much!

The is the first of the return fixtures as we faced Saltash at theirs back on 8th September where the result was a win for the Saints 22-19 but we were hanging on a bit towards the end. Saltash had a disappointing start to their campaign in WCW losing the first 6 games. Ironically in round 7 they faced Bideford and finally registered a slim13-10 away win. This seemed to rally them as the week after they pipped Chard 26-24 before being beaten by Crediton. Since then they have had 2 more wins and a loss leaving them played 12, won 4 and lost 8 (one postponement against Kingsbridge that they must still catch up). This leaves then in 11th place hovering close to the relegation zone but 7 points clear of second to bottom Bideford with a game in hand. They are going to want to take advantage of the relatively short journey for an away fixture and to grab some points in what could be the start of an improving season for them.

Saltash's last game was against Bideford which they went behind in then dragged it back to 21-21 before losing it in the last quarter. There was recognition of some intelligent kicking that put them into scoring positions and wing to wing fast hands so Saints will need to be sharp in defence and pitch positioning when Saltash have ball in hand.

Saints had targeted their last 5 league games before Xmas for 5 wins and bonus points as an extra treat and were roughly on track until they made the Journey to Kingsbridge on the foulest of days. It ended 7-6 to Kingsbridge despite Cav Boyer’s best efforts with a late penalty to nick it…Just drifted wide and Saints registered their 3rd league defeat of the season. Everyone I have talked to suggests that Kingsbridge is a tough place to get a win on a decent weather day and with a score that close we should not feel too downhearted…Saints are still in 2nd and hopefully this Saturday will deliver the gift of a win on their own turf with a large and noisy home crowd to cheer them on.

Head Coach Kyle Marriott has this to say after Tuesday’s training session:” We reach our final game before our Christmas break and are slightly subdued after last weeks result. A close game and a result that could of gone either way which we came out on the wrong side of this time. Saltash at home marks the start of the second half of the season and we are pleased to be at home to start the Christmas celebrations. We had an extremely tough fixture at theirs earlier in the season and will be fully focused on getting the result in front of a festive home crowd. COYS!”

It’s been a draining first half of the season for many at the club…I sincerely hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year and you all come back refreshed to take on part 2 of the 18/19 season as a player, volunteer, staff or supporter.

Merry Christmas

Ian Grantham

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!

RFU Grand Draw – Tickets have mostly been issued now. Paul Gilder is coordinating efforts with Clair Grantham dealing specifically with Youth, Rhian Roberts with Supporters and Neil Grigg for Senior players. More details HERE but in essence sell some tickets and we will be able to afford some nice new tables which helps us attract more function and events business.

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.

We have picked up the County U16 final here at Tregorrick Park. They are on Wednesday 9th January under the lights with a 7.30pm KO. All welcome to come watch.

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.