St Austell made it six wins out of six in a 12 try feast served up at Tregorrick Park in front of a large crowd that included many of the Saints’ sponsors. The bonus point victory over pre-season promotion favourites Torquay Athletic stretched the Saints’ lead at the top of the Tribute Western Counties West to four points following 2nd placed Bideford’s surprise defeat at Ivybridge. Although the result was never really put in doubt, the Saints found it hard to fully shake off the attentions of a very determined Tics side.

The match kicked off in bright autumnal sunshine and the confidence currently oozing through the Saints was clear for all to see as they put the visitors under immediate pressure. It was no surprise when Matt Shepherd skipped over for the first try with just 3 minutes gone, with the scrum-half converting his own score. Saints were penalised at the restart for crossing under the kick and this allowed the Tics to steady the ship and build a platform in the home side’s 22m. A series of lineout catch and drives were well defended and the crowd were treated to a “David versus Goliath” tackle when diminutive Saints’ full-back Sam Tank drove back prop Jon Woodhead, the biggest man on the field. The pressure told when prop Steve Smith crashed over from short range for an unconverted try. The Saints responded well but were finding the visitors’ resolute in defence and it took a real change in tempo to break through. Centre Ian Venner broke the gain line and off loaded to flanker Paul Winterbottom, quick recycling of the ball allowed the backline to move rapidly through the gears and a deft inside pass from Tank allowed winger Sam Rhodes to scorch through for an unconverted try. Straight from the kick off, Venner was the catalyst again ripping the ball from a would-be Tics catcher and immediately shipping the ball to Steve Howarth. The number eight’s bullocking run caused panic in the Devonian defence before the ever present Venner spun the ball wide for wingman Alex Welland to dot down out wide. The Saints’ continued to press but it was the Tics’ who scored next when centre Joe Briggs, who showed great awareness, to burst through a sleeping home defence to cruise home under the posts for an easy conversion for scrum-half Alex Jeffery. Stirred by their momentary loss of concentration, the Saints hit straight back and quick lineout ball provided the platform for a midfield move that allowed Centre James Earp to emulate his opposite number. With Shepherd dispatching the conversion with ease, the first half finished with the Saints 24-12 ahead.

Skipper Andy Ashwin demanded an “electric 10 minutes” at the start of the second period and his side duly delivered two wonderful tries. A blistering start of high tempo multi-phase rugby had the Tics reeling and it was no surprise when prop Mark Martin thundered in from 20m with Shepherd adding the extras. Minutes later a sweeping three-quarter move allowed Welland to draw his man out wide before slipping the ball to Tank for his 8th try of the season to make the score 36-12 with 30 minutes still to go. The Tics’ were now staring down the barrel of a serious drubbing but it is to their great credit that they clawed themselves back into the game. The Saints on the other hand started to complicate things with overly elaborate running moves out of defence. Poor decision making and execution along with an increasing penalty count ceded the initiative to the visitors. This enabled the Tics to use their strong lineout as a platform for their big men to pummel the home line. It was no surprise when Smith crashed over for his second try. Saints were now struggling to regain the fluency and pace of their earlier play but they still managed another sweeping move. Breaking out from inside their own half, forwards and backs exchanged passes before lock Sean Haley galloped over for an unconverted try. Hopes from the “Saints’ Massive” that this would re-energise the home side were dashed as the Tics continued to grind their way forward. Prop Woodhead barged his way over late on for a try which Jeffrey converted. There was still time for a final score, when lethargic defending allowed Briggs to claim his second from a speculative kick ahead. Jeffrey’s conversion brought the curtain down with the score finishing 41-31.

A bonus point win against the Tics is not to be sneezed at; they remain a good side despite their stuttering start to the season. They undoubtedly will be in better form when the two sides meet again in December in the RFU Intermediate Cup. However there was a palpable sense of disappointment in the Saints’ camp with the performance in the final quarter. The coaches will hope that this is the shot across the bows that keeps the collective feet on the ground and maintains focus in a very demanding league. Saints travel to newly promoted Tavistock next week (3pm, Saturday 13 October 2012).

Match Stats:

St Austell: Rowe; Grigg; Martin; Pearce; Haley; Cotton; Winterbottom; Howarth; Shepherd; Ashwin (Captain); Rhodes; Earp; Venner; Welland; Tank

Replacements (All used) Taylor; Colvin-Stunell; Vian

St Austell:
Tries – Shepherd (3); Rhodes (21); Welland (23); Earp (35); Martin (44); Tank (48); Haley (65)
Cons – Shepherd (3)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Torquay Athletic :
Tries – Smith (12, 57); Briggs (32, 80); Woodhead (75)
Cons – Jeffrey (3)
Pens –

Yellow Cards: St Austell: None Torquay Athletic : None
Red Cards St Austell: None Torquay Athletic : None

Referee: Jane Pizzi (Cornwall RRS)

Saints Man of the Match: Ian Venner