Saints moved to the top of the table with a fine win over a spirited Saltash side at Moorlands Lane. Before the season started Saints would have been happy to be in mid table and have exceeded all expectations by winning five from five and looking down from the lofty heights of the top spot. Credit must go to the coaching staff and players who have worked so hard in training, with it finally paying off.

Against Saltash, Saints fired out of the blocks with winger Meshak Esien adding to his already formidable try tally with a simple overlap to touch down in the corner. The next 10 minutes did not go to plan, as although Saints had enough of the ball, they gave away two soft tries, both from kick and chases with the bouncing ball hard to predict on rock hard surface.

At 10-8 down with fifteen minutes left in the first half Saints clicked into gear. First, after a series of drives from the forwards, skipper Adam Kellow picked up from a ruck 10 yards out and forced his way over under the posts for centre Andy Ashwin to convert and add a penalty to put the dominant Saints 18-10 in front at half time.

Saints front row of Smith, Stunnell and Mace started to dominate in the scrums and the visitors started to pull away. By now Ashwin had moved to scrum half replacing the unfortunate Kieron Tappin who took a knock and was unable to continue, however the disruption didn't slow down the scores as a backs move put Esien over in the corner and five minutes later powerful wing Tate Richardson was unstoppable 15 yards out and scored in the opposite corner.

Man of the Match Ashwin converted and then kicked two penalties. Saltash defended well and deservedly scored their third try four minutes from time with the ball worked along the line allowing wing Will Morton to score wide out. Ashwin however had the final say when he dummied his way over from the base of a ruck to score and convert for a personal tally of 18 points with the fianl scoreline being St Austell 38 to Saltash's 17.

Although Saints played well coach Richard Lamb told the players there is still room for improvement starting with their next game away to Falmouth next Saturday.

Team
S Smith
T Colvin-Stunell
R Mace
A Pearce
S McNally
D Thompson
R Jeffs
A Kellow
K Tappin
C French
T Richardson
T Marshall
A Ashwin
M Esien
L Jones

Replacements :- J Hughes, J Grigg and C Taylor