Saints cling on for vital win!

By Paul Hayes

Chard 20 St Austell 22

St Austell dug deep to withstand a Chard fightback in the final ten minutes to secure a hard-earned win on the road. The Saints held sway for the first hour, but the home side turned the scrum-screws in the final quarter to set up a tense finish.

The Cornish side looked the most fluid with the ball in hand and the hosts realised their best route to points was through the set piece. While not pretty on the eye it was certainly effective, and Chard took full advantage to secure two penalty tries to set up the grandstand finish.

The visitors got off to a blistering start after reclaiming the ball from the kick-off. Play moved right to left as the Saints probed and tested the home defence with their fast paced off load game. Once fly half Chris Ashwin was satisfied that Chard were stretched to breaking point, he unleashed a perfectly judged chip kick for winger Frazer Nottle to gather and run in for the opening score (0-5).

The visitors had their tails up in what was an often frenetically paced opening quarter, but Chard stood firm and startied to gain good field position. Two Niall Crouch penalties nudged the home side in front (6-5) with Saints reduced to 14 men when Alex Welland was sent to the bin.

Saints responded well to apply pressure in the Chard 22 but were further disrupted when Chris Ashwin was forced off with a hamstring injury. James Tucker moved up to fly half allowing young Ashley Gilder to come on as full back for his Saints’ debut.

The Saints were again in full flow and Chard winger Jamie Prior was given a yellow for a deliberate knock on with the home defence stretched. The visitors were not to be denied and centre Sam Parsons finished off a fine move to restore the lead (6-10). James Tucker added a penalty to close the half (6-13).

The second half started with the Saints continuing to move the ball smartly and two James Tucker penalties extended the lead (6-19). On the hour mark Saints found themselves trapped in their 22 as Chard sought to exploit their ascendency in the scrum. The home side secured a string of penalties, electing each time to pack down again before the inevitable penalty try was awarded (13-19).

Saints hit back and with Chard collapsing a driving maul, James Tucker was able to step up and fire over what would turn out to be a crucial penalty (13-22). Chard engineered themselves a foothold back on the Saints 5m line and a succession of scrums resulted in another penalty try with 5 minutes left on the clock (20-22). A fracas saw Saints lock Adam Kellow and Chard Prop Warren Lewis take a yellow for their respective teams.

A nervy end ensured with number eight Kyle Marriott’s well executed 22 drop out helping to ease the pulse rate of the Saints supporters. James Tucker’s astute game management kept Chard pinned back in their own half, denying the home side the chance to gain the territory and position they needed to snatch the win away from the Saints.

While not at their best, this hard-fought win underlines the depth in the Saints squad. While four changes in the pack may have left them underpowered in the scrum, they had the clear advantage in the loose. Next week the Saints are home to Cullompton (KO 2:30pm).

1 Mark Martin; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Peter Rowe; 4 Harry Pyatt; 5 Adam Kellow; 6 Alex Welland; 7 Cameron Taylor; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 Dan Tyrell; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Fraser Nottle; 12 Ben Plummer 13 Sam Parsons; 14 Max Bullen; 15 James Tucker
Reps (All used):
Mike Shakespear; Ashley Gilder; Ben Chenoweth

Saints Star Man: James Tucker – A confident and assured performance in only his second game for the Saints. While his penalty kicks helped to ensure the Saints won the game, his cool head and calmness under pressure caught the eye. He worked well with Dan Tyrell, making his first start at scrum half after his debut last week, and the young half back pairing did much to ensure the win.

St Austell:
Tries – Frazer Nottle (2) Sam Parsons (33)
Cons – James Tucker (30, 61)
Pens – James Tucker (38, 42, 53, 65)
Drop Goal –

Chard:
Tries – Penalty Try (62, 74)
Cons –
Pens – Niall Crouch (19, 24)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Alex Welland (24); Mike Shakespear (60); Adam Kellow (75)
Chard: Jamie Prior (31); Warren Lewis (75)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Chard: None

What’s Coming Up

Youth Section Christmas Parties - Older Players Party incl. Silent Disco Friday 13th December 7pm. Younger players party incl games and Santa visit Sunday 15th December 2pm. See your TM’s. Open to all youth players!

Saturday 14th December- last Saints home game before Xmas! Saints v Kingsbridge, 8 x Christmas Food Hampers to be won, reindeer racing and Christmas Karaoke. [b More details HERE[/b]

Sponsors Day - Saturday 4th January 20. If you’re one of our sponsors then you’re invited to a spot of lunch on us! If you’re not one of our sponsors and are now thinking ‘why aren’t I?’ get in touch at st_austellrfc@outlook.com to find out the opportunities. If you haven’t received an invite then get in touch on the email below.

Ex-Players Day - 11th January 20 - Ful details of the Senior Players Award Scheme are now released. In summary if you’re an ex-senior level St Austell RFC player this is going to interest you. As long as you have played one or more games for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd XVs or Vets you are entitled to an award. More details are HERE.