The Saints overcame an early setback and an error strewn opening quarter to go on to score 14 tries against the Dorset side. The visitors never gave up and enjoyed periods of good play but they could not find away through the home defence, and when the Saints had ball in hand, they could not contain the pace and guile of the home backs.

Sherborne kicked off towards the sports hall on a crisp, cold and windless day. An excellent chase by the visitors forced a series of hurried passes across the Saints’ backline inside the 22. An interception by winger Chris Martin-Edwards saw Sherborne steal in with a converted try with just 32 seconds on the clock to stun the Tregorrick crowd who had barely found their seats (0-7). The home side tried to provide an instant response but were struggling to impose any measure of control on the game due to a string of uncharacteristic handling errors. Sherborne were reaping the rewards of some dogged defence to grow in confidence and threaten to extend their lead. It took the cool heads of Chris Ashwin and Matt Shepherd to launch a counter attack that split the Dorset defence to send Max Bullen in at the corner (5-7). This seemed to settle the jitters and the home pack’s growing ascendency in the tight provided the platform for scrum-half CJ Boyce to slip in from a 5 metre scrum (12-7). The mercurial Chris Ashwin sliced through a gap to draw the first up defence and spray the ball wide to lock Joe Maunder who romped home from the 22 in gazelle like fashion (19-7). A searing run from full back Max Bullen was stopped just short of the try line but the visitors paid a high price with a yellow card accompanying the award of a penalty try (26-7). The Saints turned the screw two minutes later when the eagle-eyed Matt Shepherd’s cross field kick gave winger Dan Tyrrell the freedom of Apples Corner to dot down and make the half-time score 31-7.

The Saints came out for the second period determined to eradicate the inaccuracies that blighted the first half. A beautifully timed break by centre Konnor Ewudzi saw him carve a path to the try line (36-7). Two tries in as many minutes set the tone with first flanker Rob Jeffs providing a great support line to power through on the blindside (43-7). This was quickly followed by another sublime Max Bullen break who unselfishly offloaded to Dan Tyrrell (50-7). On the hour mark the Saints arguably scored the try of the game with a superb exhibition of handling at pace finished by replacement winger Fraser Nottle (55-7). The home side were now in full throttle and a mazy run from Sam Parsons and offload allowed Max Bullen to chalk up try number ten (60-7). Sherborne were now wilting in the face of the onslaught with Fraser Nottle notching his second from a move off a line-out (67-7). Rob Jeffs now turned provider to put Matt Shepherd in under the posts (74-7). A quick tap by CJ Boyce gave the ever-astute Chris Ashwin time to pick out Dan Tyrrell with a beautifully crafted chip allowing the winger to stroll in for his hat-trick (81-7). The final word went to the front union when prop Dan Job stormed over after a powerful run from Joe Maunder to make the final score 88-7.

The Saints have racked up some big scores at Tregorrick so far this season, this is the fifth time they have scored over 50 points and the third time they have hit the opposition for 80 or more. With Wadebridge Camels beating Crediton, the Saints are now seven points clear at the top. A great position to be in but there are still some tough challenges ahead, none more so than the Christmas run-in which sees the Saints with two difficult away trips before Santa arrives. First up is a trip to Teignmouth RFC who will be keen to make amends for their 71-3 loss at Tregorrick in September (Saturday 10th December 2022, kick-off at 2:30pm)

Saints Star Man: Max Bullen – An excellent performance from the wingman on a day all the Saints’ backs shone. Excellent footwork, hard running and deft passing were rewarded with two tries and several assists.

Saints
1 Dan Job; 2 Pete Harris; 3 Matt Boothby; 4 Mark Vian (Capt.); 5 Joe Maunder; 6 Rob Jeffs; 7 Hector Bright; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Dan Tyrrell; 12 Konnor Ewudzi 13 Sam Parsons; 14; Max Bullen; 15 Matt Shepherd

Reps (All used):
Fraser Nottle; Charlie Nicholson; Tom Daniel

St Austell:
Tries – Max Bullen (13, 60); CJ Boyce (19); Joe Maunder (23); Penalty Try (30); Dan Tyrrell (34, 52, 75); Konnor Ewudzi (42); Rob Jeffs (50); Fraser Nottle (56, 66); Matt Shepherd (69); Dan Job (78)
Cons – Matt Shepherd (20, 24, 51, 53, 67, 70, 76, 79)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Sherborne:
Tries – Chris Martin-Edwards (1)
Cons – Marcus Heath (2)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Sherborne: Thomas Cuff (30)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Sherborne: None

Referee: Kevin Instance (CRRS)