Perranporth 5 - 32 St Austell RFC. 29 March 08.

St Austell finally overcame a resilliant Perranporth side but it took nearly an hour before they made the game safe.

Saints started playing with the wind behind them and took the lead after 10 minutes. When Perranporth lost the ball in the tackle about 20 metres from their line the ball was quickly shifted to winger Steve Howorth who easily touched down wide out. Perranporth's bigger forwards kept the ball close during the rest of the half and although having a lot more possession then St Austell their only weapon was their driving maul and Saints never allowed them close enough to their line to look like scoring.

On the half hour Saints increased their lead when their dangerous backs broke into the Perranporth 22 and when the home team were penalised under their posts, fly half Paul Newnham making his first team debut slotted the penalty for an 8-0 half time lead.

Perranporth with the wind behind them must have fancied their chances but Saints increased their lead early into the second half. With young half backs Matt Shepherd and Paul Newnham showing their potential Saints backs cut loose. St Austell ran the ball from their own 22 and when the ball arrived in centre Paul Winterbottom's hands there was still 40 yards to the try line but as Perranporth discovered you give Winterbottom space at your peril, as he cut inside one defender and around the next to score under the posts and when Newnham converted the scoreline was 15-0.

With the St Austell forwards finally winning some quality possession Saints were looking dangerous and yet again their backs weaved their magic with alost a carbon copy of his first try Winterbottom scored his second on the hour and when Newnham again converted Saints were out of sight at 22-0.

However Perranporth never gave up and deservedly scored when second row Dan Shears was driven over by his forwards after a spell of sustained pressure. But it was always going to be Saints' day as Newnham took his points tally for the match to 12 with an opportunist try when the ball was knocked on and full back Tate Richardson scored wide out after joining the line to end an excellent second half display and leave the final score 32-5 to the Saints.

This Saturday St Austell are hosting the Cornwall clubs Cup Final between Newquay and Saltashwith a 2pm kickoff and the Senior Cup Final between Bude and Wadebridge with a 5pm kickoff. This is the first opportunity St Austell have had in hosting such an event and a large crowd is expected at Tregorrick Park.

Report by: Report by Jack Rowe.