Seven try Saints up to Second!

Another three try salvo early in the second half made sure the new M&M Scaffolding and AGAME electronic scoreboard was kept busy as the Saints continue to royally entertain an exuberant home crowd. The Saints with one eye on next week’s South West Counties Final at Coney Hill, visibly changed down a gear in the final quarter and Chard got their reward for their stout resistance throughout the contest to grab three tries in the last quarter to earn a well-deserved try scoring bonus point.

On what felt like the first dry day since September, the Saints got off to a confident start moving the ball well between forwards and backs. The Somerset men stuck steadfastly to their defensive tasks to keep the home side at bay but the pressure eventually told in the 18th minute with a well-worked team try. Strong carries from Mark Martin and Antony Knight breached the gain line to set George Tregilgas running into space, the youngster found his centre partner Liam Freeman with a deft offload for the first try (7-0). The formula was repeated straight from the restart with more direct running from the forwards allowing fly-half Chris Ashwin to find number eight George Knowles on a thundering looping run (14-0). Winger Ben Chenoweth touched down on the blindside and Adam Kellow bagged the bonus point try following a lineout catch and drive to move the score to 26-0. Not surprisingly the breathless opening tempo dropped, and Chard were finally able to gain some time in the Saints 22. The visitors were proving highly effective when the game was kept tight, and their patient use of the pick and drive was rewarded deep in time added on (26-5).

The Saints scored the try of the match, and arguably of the season, straight from the second half restart. The high kick fell into the cradling arms of prop Hugh Noott just outside the Saints’ 22 who took the ball forward before off-loading to the rampaging Adam Kellow on yet another powerful run to take the play up to the halfway line. Hooker Michael Shakespear was first on the scene to combine with George Knowles to unleash the Tregorrick GT, George Tregilgas. The centre’s mesmerising feet and speed left the Chard defenders grasping thin air as his 40m slalom run took him under the posts (33-5). Cavan Boyer ran in from halfway and George Tregilgas grabbed his second of the day in the same corner as the Saints continued to threaten with ball in hand. Liam Freeman continued his splendid form with the boot to make it 6 from 7 with two touchline conversions to put the home side out of sight at 47-5. With the game won, the home side’s intensity levels reduced, and Chard were rewarded for their persistence by scoring three late tries to ensure they took at least one point back to Somerset.

Devonport Services’ slip up at Falmouth means the Saints leapfrog the Devonians into second place. All eyes now switch to the National Cup and the Saints will take a squad of 22 on the long journey to Gloucester to face West Counties North leaders Coney Hill (14:00 KO).

St Austell
1 Hugh Noott; 2 Michael Shakespear; 3 Mark Martin; 4 Tony Knight; 5 Adam Kellow; 6 Andy Inch; 7 Jack Nelson; 8 George Knowles; 9 Andy Ashwin (Capt.); 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Ben Chenoweth; 12 Liam Freeman 13 George Tregilgas; 14 Cavan Boyer; 15 CJ Boyce

Reps (All used):
Peter Rowe; Jake Carr; Ian Venner;

Saints’ Star Man: George Tregilgas – scored two, made two and a constant threat throughout the game.

St Austell:
Tries – Liam Freeman (18); George Knowles (21); Ben Chenoweth (25); Adam Kellow (30); George Tregilgas (41, 56); Cavan Boyer (48)
Cons – Liam Freeman (18, 21, 30, 41, 48, 56)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Chard
Tries – J Mainwaring (40+1); W Lewis (64); N Hyslop (74); S Johnson (78)
Cons –
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Referee: Mr D Robbins (Cornwall RRS)