Colts Conquer Camborne

A better than good start to the Colts’ season for St Austell with a resounding win over a much larger squad away at Camborne. Saints took a squad of 16 including one rookie to face Camborne’s squad of 24 in a training game of 3 x 20 minute periods.

From the start Saints looked the better team, better organised quicker at the break down and more aggressive in attack. After 7 minutes Max Bullen crossed the line under the posts in a blistering and evasive burst. Ash Gilder converted easily with a short drop conversion. 5 minutes later after forward pressure Harry Pytall crossed the line from short range under the posts. Ash again dropped a short conversion. Near the end of the 1st period Ash intercepted an untidy pass and sprinted from the half way to score a third try. He converted using the tee from 30 metres. The first period ended 0 – 21.

Saints made some changes in the pack and gave Dan our newest signing and a rugby rookie game time. Dan slotted in at 8. The second period was characterised by defence work for Saints playing into the wind. Some favourable decisions allowed Camborne to gain a foothold and score 2 tries. The second period ended 10 – 21.

The third period saw Saints determination and superior fitness shine through. The Saints in Camborne’s 22 won an attacking lineout and set up a maul heading for the line. After a maul broke down and from the ensuing penalty Saints kicked to touch, set up a maul from the lineout and Sam Smaridge scored the pushover try. Ash converted from the tee. A few minutes later Kit kicked 50 metres into space in the 22 and George chased it down outstripping the defence he reached the ball, checked to control it with his foot guiding it over the tryline and was tackled from behind without the ball. The referee didn’t hesitate in awarding a penalty try. Max then took a scoring pass to touch down in the right hand corner for his second. Ash converted with the most difficult kick of the day for a 100% strike rate. Saints’ final attacking move saw Max make another carving run through the midfield almost reaching the line but to be stopped by the last defender and just miss out on a hat-trick. Camborne did score a late try after a sustained attack and again failed to convert. Saints were victorious: 15 – 42. COYS.

Harry stepped up as the new captain of the Colts and led the team to a convincing first win. It was a team win, ‘Man of the Match’ could go to anyone, so good were the performances across the pitch. Harry for leading, Ash for kicking superbly, Kit for controlling the game at 10 and the sublime tactical kick that earned the penalty try. As much as a consolation for not getting the hat-trick and for his defending and metres made throughout the game It goes this week to Max.