Dad’s Army help secure Saints vital away win

Report by Tich Preston

It was the first time this season that the coaches have managed to get the of Adam Kellow, Rob Jeffs, Ian Venner and Paul Winterbottom in tandem. The veteran quartet played their part in a dominant forward display that allow the backs to shine on a grey day in Devon.

Having not rained in the seaside town since early on Friday this was the first game played on ‘The Blackmore’ ground since Boxing Day.
Saints kicked off playing up the slight slope and it was the home side that held onto possession in the early minutes and indeed opened the scoring with a Paul Richardson penalty from just outside the 22 with just 3 minutes played.
It was the same Sidmouth 10 that minutes later split the Saints back line just inside the half, things looked ominous as he slung a long pass to wing Tom Elliott who was clear to run for the line and dot down just as Referee Mr Nigel Boyd (Devon RRS) blew his whistle adjudging the final pass ‘forward’, much to the displeasure of the home crowd.
It was well into the first 10 minutes before Saints settled and began to have a bit of possession, a few forward drives and a Cavan Boyer penalty squared the scores at 3-3.

Regaining possession again and with some forceful drives from Flanker Sam Rhodes and Number 8 George Knowles, the pack edged their way towards the Sidmouth line, camped inside 5m it was a charging Prop Pete Rowe that crashed over from 2m (he claims it was 22m) for the first try of the game, converted by Boyer.

Knocking on the restart gifted the ball to Sidmouth for a scrum however, forward power shoved the home side off the ball and a penalty clearance for the visitors. The travelling support was starting to rub their hands at the appearing forward dominance.
With the scrum firing, the line out was still a problem and losing their own ball was always a possibility. A Sidmouth steal near half way led to a penalty on the Saint’s 22 which was easily kicked by Richardson 6-10.

Both sides were playing attractive rugby when in possession and this was the pattern for the match, it was Sidmouth that scored next to take the lead with centre Rory O’Brian showing good strength to drive to the line reaching out to touch down, converted and score now 13-10 to the home side.

Approaching the half hour, Saints in possession and with all 15 involved it seemed at some point, play was taken from inside their own half to the Sidmouth line with Adam Kellow being held up just short, it was Captain and Hooker Miles Davey that finished it off under the posts, converted to retake the lead 13-17 as half time approached.

The second half started with the Saints forwards continuing to dominate in the loose and the set piece, soon inside the home 22 a Saints scrum was edging towards the try line, Number 8 George Knowles cleverly controlling the ball at the back, it was scrum half Dan Jane that picked up at the crucial moment to dive in from short range.

Three tries in the bin, Saints were now looking for the fourth and the bonus point, but it was Sidmouth who were not dead and buried. Stealing a Saints’ line out on half way the ball went through the hands on the 3/4 line in swift fashion, Centre James Powell finding himself clear, tackled just short he scrambled to the whitewash dragging the score back to 18-22.

Ringing the changes with the bench saw utility player Knowles go to prop and Saint’s favourite Paul (Windy) Winterbottom on at No 8, Anthony Knight and Jack Grigg also used.

With 12 minutes to go some clever 3/4 play from the Saints, a half break by James Martin and a perfectly timed pass to Winger Ben Chenoweth led to the bonus point try and a 9 point lead that now seemed a game winner.
A late Cav Boyer penalty making the final score Sidmouth 18- 30 St Austell.

A day when, with a few returning players, it came together for long periods and the hard work of the coaching team bore fruit.
Hard to pick out any individual performance as the whole team played well together. James Martin made good yards and got us out of our 22 more than once, Sam Rhodes made good carries early on, DJ bossing his forwards who performed so gallantly, all the 3/4’s clicked today and looked the part, Billy Jones putting in some good tackles, however for the carries, tackles and being so solid and versatile, Number 8 going to the front row and putting in the full 80 minutes without fault George Knowles is the Man of the Match for the Saints.

Next week the Saints travel to Cullompton for a rearranged match that was postponed due to weather in January.

Sidmouth 18
Tries
Rory O’Brian
James Powel
Conv
Paul Richardson 1
Pens
Richardson 2

St Austell 30
Tries
Pete Rowe
Miles Davey
Dan Jane
Ben Chenoweth
Conv
Cavan Boyer 2
Pens
Boyer 2

Saints : Pete Rowe, Miles Davey (capt), Mark Martin, Rob Jeffs, Adam Kellow, Ian Venner, George Knowles, Sam Rhodes, Dan Jane, Andy Ashwin, Ben Chenoweth, Callum Wilson, Billy Jones, James Martin and Cavan Boyer.
Reps (all used) Jack Grigg, Anthony Knight and Paul Winterbottom.