St Austell put the disappointment of last week’s defeat at Crediton behind them with a stunning display at Wellington. The Saints were back to their all-action best, menacing in attack and determined in defence, scoring six tries to secure a bonus point win in Somerset. The vital victory coupled with Crediton’s defeat at Chard means the Saints now have a vice like grip on top spot and are just one win away from being crowned Champions. The win was also testimony to the strength in depth across the squad as injuries and unavailability meant there were four changes in the pack and a first start at scrumhalf for Calum Hayne, reward for some stand-out display in the successful Sinners side.

Determined to return to winning ways, the Saints got off to a blistering start to put the home side under pressure from the first whistle. It was no surprise when Chris Ashwin stepped through a gap on five minutes to put the visitors ahead after just five minutes (0-7). The Saints fly-half then suffered what looked like a hamstring injury on 11 minutes, meaning a reshuffle of the back line with Matt Shepherd moving up to the 10 position, Cavan Boyer to full-back and replacement Dan Tyrrell taking the wing berth. Welly were trying hard to get back into the game but were being remorselessly harried by the Saints defence. The continual line-speed pressure eventually told when a flustered home side ran a back’s move that was never on, Fraser Nottle read the pass and intercepted on the halfway line to then sprint home for the second try (0-14). A dominant opening quarter was rounded off with a powerful catch and drive that thundered over the try line allowing lock Rob Jeffs to touch down (0-21). The home side showed great character after the early setbacks to apply some pressure in the clubhouse corner. Saints prop Dan Job was sent to the naughty step on the half-hour mark for collapsing a maul and Welly’s decision to go for a scrum was rewarded when number eight Chris Kitto touched down (5-21). Any hopes of a home revival were short-lived as the Saints again moved through the gears clocking up a series of phases close to the Welly line. Flanker Rory Jago looked to have scored but the ball was quickly recycled and Cavan Boyer strolled in to make the half-time score 5-28.

The second half got off to a cagey start with neither side fashioning an opportunity of note. All that changed on 52 minutes when Dan Tyrrell lifted the gloom over Corams Lane with a stunning solo try. The Saints winger received the ball on the Welly 10m line and then showed a heady mixture of pace, power and guile to blaze a trail to the try line leaving most of the home defence in his wake (5-35). A perfectly timed pass from Ben Plummer enabled Matt Shepherd to cut back across the drift defence for the sixth and final try of the afternoon. A layer of post paint was all that prevented a 100% kicking display for Matt on his 200th appearance for the Saints as the final conversion kick thumped back off the posts.

The final whistle was met with a great celebrations amongst the players and the travelling supporters, they knew this was a statement win and the promotion race was firmly back in Saints hands.

It has been a long hard season but the machinations, if, buts and maybes are over and the simple fact is that the Saints need one more to be crowned Champions. The first opportunity to secure the holy grail of promotion comes next week when Newton Abbott cross the Tamar to come to what will undoubtedly be a raucous Tregorrick. The Saints will remain focused in training this week and prepare well to maintain the standards they have set this season, it should be one hell of a day! (kick-off at 2:30pm).

Saints Star Man: Dan Job – Another outstanding display from the Saints cornerstone, dominant at the set-piece and grafted hard at the breakdown. His lightening fast reactions to recover the ball from a Wellington lineout 5m from the Saints’ try line epitomised his selfless contribution to the team

Saints
1 Dan Job; 2 Miles Davey; 3 Matt Boothby; 4 Mark Vian 5 Rob Jeffs; 6 Rory Jago; 7 Cam Taylor; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 Callum Hayne; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Cavan Boyer; 12 Ben Plummer (Capt.); 13 Sam Parsons; 14 Fraser Nottle; 15 Matt Shepherd

Reps (All used):
Dan Tyrrell; Brandon Haque; Hector Bright

St Austell:
Tries – Chris Ashwin (5); Fraser Nottle (16); Rob Jeffs (21); Cavan Boyer (37); Dan Tyrell (52); Matt Shepherd (68);
Cons – Matt Shepherd (6, 17, 22, 38, 53)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Wellington:
Tries – Chris Kitto (32)
Cons –
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Dan Job (30)
Wellington:

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Wellington: None