Both sides were promoted last season as Champions of their respective Western Counties divisions so it was no surprise that they should be so evenly matched. There was a real intensity about the play in the first half but a run of five yellow cards either side of half time disrupted the flow to such an extent the game disappointingly fizzled out. It was a real shame because Saints and Hornets both boast exciting backlines and mobile packs but it was not the free flowing try fest many anticipated. There were only fleeting glimpses of the potential as the two SW1 new boys fought for supremacy. It was an absorbing contest nonetheless enjoyed by the Saints’ Guest of Honour RFU President Bob Reeves and his wife Liz hosted by St Austell RFC President Roger French and Chairman Phil Raddenbury.

In near perfect conditions the afternoon had got off to an entertaining start with an excellent U9s match between St Austell and Newquay Hornets. Inspired by the youngsters the senior game got off to a thrilling start, the Saints used an early penalty to drill the ball deep into the Hornets’ 22. Quick and efficient recycling of the ball enabled the home side to draw in defenders before flanker Ian Venner spotted a gap and darted through it to open the score. The visitors responded with real purpose and quickly showed they were determined to make an impression in their first visit to Tregorrick. The Saints had to be diligent in defence against the probing runs of the Hornets’ backs but they were left undone by a simple move clinically executed. A solid scrum on halfway gave the visitors the base to launch a sweeping move, full back Matthew Cornish burst through the first up tacklers before drawing his opposite number Dan Pearce to put winger Jermaine Jones in at the corner. The Saints used the equalizer as the impetus to go back on the attack again and they were at their free flowing best to clock up the phases. It still needed a powerful surging run from lock Adam Kellow to batter his way through some determined defending to restore the home side’s lead. Skipper Matthew Shepherd added the conversion to put the Saints 12-5 ahead. The ding dong nature of the first quarter continued with the Somerset side looking to hit back. With the home defence staying strong the visitors were forced to take risks to find a way through and it was Saints flanker Paul Winterbottom who turned the tide intercepting an over ambitious pass. The ball was quickly offloaded to pacier colleagues and it was the cruise brothers Matt Shepherd and Dan Pearce who combined to run the 60m for the full back to score under the posts. At 19-5 after 22 minutes that should have been the platform for the Saints to make the game safe but instead they almost became architects of their own downfall. The home side were becoming aggrieved at players being blocked off at restarts and in open play. With their complaints being waved away by Referee Ben Chadwick the home side were guilty of allowing their discipline to slip triggering a rapidly increasing penalty count. The inevitable yellow card game in the 29th minute with Matt Shepherd sent to the sin bin. Hornets used the penalty to set up a well drilled catch and drive to send prop Alec Chase over. Saints remained resolute in defence to reach the interval 19-10 ahead but they still ended the half with 14 men. No sooner had Shepherd returned to the fray when Paul Winterbottom was given 10 minutes for entering from the side.

The Saints started the second period determined to put the frustrations of the first behind them. A lightening attack saw Dan Pearce scythe through the Hornets before popping the ball to Miles Davey. The hooker’s determination to score his first Saints try saw him crash into the post before touching down. It was to the relief of the Tregorrick crowd that after treatment he was back on his feet as Matt Shepherd converted. Despite being down to 14 men the Saints were now on top and threatening to score again. Collisions were now becoming stronger and in 51st minute tempers boiled over briefly and once the dust settled the referee issued yellow cards for locks Jake Ferraday and Adam Kellow. There was a niggling undercurrent to proceedings and it was not long before the visitors were reduced to 13 with prop Chase sin binned for a high tackle. With the Hornets front row depleted, scrums became uncontested which seemed to hamper the home side more than visitors. On the hour the Hornets launched an attack which saw Cornish and Jones combine again with scrum half Sean Disney adding the extras. With both sides fully replenished the Saints continued to dominate possession but could not find their way through a determined defence. When the whistle finally came it was almost a relief for the home spectators with the Saints winning 26-17.

Whilst not at their best, the Saints still did enough to secure a bonus point win against a good Hornets side. Next week the Cornishmen face one of their longest journeys of the season when they travel up to Gloucestershire to take on Thornbury.

Match Stats:

St Austell: Noott; Davey; Martin; Kellow; Pearce (A); Winterbottom; Venner; Cotton; Ashwin; Shepherd (Captain); Chenoweth; Welland; Newberry; Taylor; Pearce (D)

Replacements: Rowe; Tank; Grigg

St Austell:
Tries – Ian Venner (2); Adam Kellow (16); Dan Pearce (22); Miles Davey (41)
Cons – Matt Shepherd (16, 22, 41)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Hornets:
Tries – Jones (8, 60); Chase (30)
Cons – Disney (60)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Matt Shepherd (29); Paul Winterbottom (39); Adam Kellow (51)
Hornets: Jake Ferraday (51); Alec Chase (54)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Hornets: None

Referee: Mr Ben Chadwick (Devon RRS)

Saints Man of the Match: Andy Ashwin