Four tries in a dominant first half display set the Saints on their way to a bonus point victory over Cornish rivals Launceston. The home side rallied after the turnaround but found the visitors determined in defence to deny them a consolation bonus point. For the Saints it was their first ever win over the Cornish All Blacks underlining the progress being made as they continue to adjust to life at Level Five.

A large crowd gathered under gloom-laden skies on the banks of the Tamar eagerly anticipating the first Cornish derby of the season. Thankfully the rain held off as both sides endeavoured to garner the initiative in the highly physical opening exchanges. The breakthrough came on 15 minutes when strong carries from Adam Powell and Matt Boothby made big dents in the home defence. The ball was swung wide along the backline to George Tregilgas and the winger’s deft off load inside found Ben Plummer in support to score the first try (0-5). The Saints’ tails were up and a 50:22 provided prime field position to launch the next wave of attacks. Playing with advantage following a home infringement, the visitors went through the phases before Ben Plummer finished in the corner (0-10). Sharp thinking by scrum-half George Hillson ensured a quick reply as he jinked his way through to the whitewash (5-10). Hopes of a home comeback were soon dispelled by a Saints’ side determined to retain control of the contest.

A blistering defensive set continued to knock the black shirts backwards with the home side tackled to a standstill. Turnover ball allowed the Saints to launch a swift counterattack with Archie Bees outstripping the despairing rearguard over 50m. Matt Shepherd’s conversion stretched the lead to 5-17 with just six minutes of the half remaining. The Saints continued to attack with first Archie Bees and then teenage debutant Freddy Rolls both being hauled down just short of the line. The visitors were not to be denied with the ball quickly recycled allowing scrum half Dan Tyrrell to snipe in on the blindside to make the half time score 5-22.

The visitors knew they would face a second half storm from the home side, and they were up for the task. Tackle after tackle went in, frustrating Launceston as they attempted to gain a foothold in the game. A swarming claustrophobic defence denied the home attack any space or time to breach the Saints’ line. On the hour mark the visitors turned the screw further when hooker Pete Harris finished off a catch and drive routine to stretch the lead to 5-29. The home side grabbed two late converted tries to provide a glimmer of hope for a consolation try-scoring bonus point. The Saints however had other ideas as they stirred themselves for a last defensive effort to see out the game. It was fitting that it was a thumping tackle that dislodged the ball from a Launceston carrier to bring the game to an end. The final score was 19-29 securing the Saints’ first ever win over the Cornish All Blacks to propel them to sixth in the Regional One SW table.

Next week they face Marlborough in a 2:30pm kick off at Tregorrick Park.

Saints Player of the Match: Adam Powell. In truth there was a case for any one of the eighteen players to achieve the accolade, but the big number eight just steals the plaudits. A relentless display of hard running and even harder tackling helped drive the Saints towards victory.