It was the Club’s annual sponsors day, so the Saints could not have picked a better occasion to end a run of four defeats with the Tregorrick stands packed with those who donate money to support Youth and Senior rugby for the Clays and Bay of St Austell. The game was preceded by a minute’s silence in a show of respect and solidarity with the people of France and the victims of terrorism around the world following the tragic events in Paris.

While early morning heavy rain had subsided to sporadic drizzle, the south-westerly wind continued to blow at near gale force the length of the pitch. Many touchline sages described it as a twenty-point wind, how wrong they turned out to be with neither side fully able to exploit or master the tempest. Sidmouth had first use of the wind and started with the confidence that four consecutive wins brings. With the home side pegged back in their 22 it was only a matter of time before the slick passing Devonians would find their way through to the try line. A flowing move was finished off by centre Harry Chesterton under the posts with fly half Dan Retter adding the extras (0-7). Saints were competing well but finding up field progress in the strong wind difficult to sustain and were given a let off when Retter missed a 30m penalty kick. The home side were now counter attacking with great effect and punching holes in the visitors’ first up defence. A sweeping handling move involving forwards and backs forced a Sidmouth offside, the 22m penalty into the wind was despatched by Cavan Boyer with ease (3-7). The Saints grabbed the lead on 20 minutes following a scintillating break by Cavan Boyer, the teenage fly half kicked the ball ahead with centre James Martin first on the scene to recycle the ball. Quick ball was spun wide with the Sidmouth defence in disarray and winger Konnor Ewudzi crashed over. Boyer slotted the difficult conversion to put the home side 10-7 in front. The Saints’ forwards were now rolling in the loose as well as dominating the set piece to starve Sidmouth of any quality ball. A sterling rear guard action by the visitors limited the Saints to a single Cavan Boyer penalty (13-7). On the stroke of half time Sidmouth seized on a stray pass on their 40m line to launch winger Sam Meadham who outpaced the home defence to score in the corner. The unconverted try left the game finely balanced at 13-12 at half time.

Based on the first half performance, expectations were high that the Saints would go on to win handsomely with the strong wind now at their backs. Things did not quite turn out as expected and is so often the case, both teams defended better against the wind then they attacked with it. Despite dominating territory and possession for large tracts of the second half, the Saints were unable to fashion many try scoring opportunities. The home side had to be content with a single penalty early on while missing three others including one against the post. Sidmouth had offered little in attack in the second half but all that changed in a final frenetic five minutes. The visitors gained a foothold in the home 22 and laid siege as they clocked up the phases searching for an opening and the try that would give them an unlikely win. A visible tiring Saints side dug deep to keep their tormentors at bay, the defence held firm and eventually a knock on brought the final whistle and relief all around Tregorrick.

The home side were delighted to end their losing run against high flying Sidmouth. The match day squad contained 8 teenagers and underlines the metamorphose taking place at St Austell. Shorn of so many senior players in one go, the coaching team and players must be congratulated and yesterday’s performance suggests their hard work in training is starting to bear fruit. Next week the Saints travel to Dartmoor to take on third placed Okehampton (2:30pm)

Saints’ Man of the Match: Miles Davey – Several contenders this week, Cavan Boyer gave an assured display at 10; Andy Ashwin provided an experienced pivot at inside centre and Adam Kellow carried the ball tenaciously. Victory was built on a powerhouse display by the front row and none more so than skipper Miles Davey who delivered an impressive performance in the tight and the loose to inspire his young charges

Match Stats:

St Austell:
1 Peter Rowe; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Andrew Inch; 5 Josh Phillips; 6 Jack Grigg; 7 Will Gilder; 8 Adam Kellow; 9 Callum Hayne; 10 Cavan Boyer; 11 Johnny Keen; 12 Andy Ashwin; 13 James Martin; 14 Konnor Ewudzi; 15 Callum Wilson

Reps:
Hugh Noott; Max Duggan; Billy Jones

St Austell:
Tries – Konnor Ewudzi (20)
Cons – Cavan Boyer (20)
Pens – Cavan Boyer (13, 34, 49)
Drop Goal –

Sidmouth:
Tries – Harry Chesterton (5); Sam Meadham (39)
Cons – Dan Retter (5)
Pens – None
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Sidmouth: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Sidmouth: None

Referee: Mr A Robinson (Cornwall RRS)