Report by Ian Grantham
Picture by Dave Phillips, Of Man of the match Dan Tyrrell, running behind the posts to score.

Round 3 of the Regional 2 Tribute South West league had Teignmouth travelling to Tregorrick on a warm and sunny autumn afternoon. The Saints got the scoreboard moving within 2 minutes with a chip to the corner being gathered by Tyrrell, who went on to score 4 tries all told, and the scoreboard kept turning as Matt Shepherd added 4 himself plus 8 conversions, and Sam Parsons, Fraser Nottle and Dan Job joined in the scoring with a try apiece. St Austell ran out winners in a physical match 71-3, and sit on top of the table, along with Crediton and Wellington, by points difference.

Teignmouth got the game going and resolutely went about the task of trying to break the Saints line. St Austell fielded possibly the strongest side to date and had other ideas about allowing Teignmouth a look-in. Within 2 minutes Fly Half Matt Shepherd realised there was an advantage being played, so, with Wing Dan Tyrrell shouting for it, risked a chip to the far left of the in-goal area, for Tyrrell to collect and score. Shepherd added the conversion and a long afternoon for Teignmouth began. 7-0.

4 minutes later, Outside Centre Sam Parsons supplied great ball to Shepherd, who chips the fullback, collects and scores, adding the conversion. 14-0.

Shortly after Teignmouth had some possession and moved the ball along the line, trying to find a hole, but the Saints defence held strong, until an infringement gave Teignmouth Fly-Half Faolan Lidstone the opportunity to kick 3 points, which he did. 14-3.

Tyrrell had to wait 3 minutes before a quick interchange of the ball between himself and Full Back Cavan Boyer put Dan through for his second try, which Shepherd failed to convert. 19-3.

The crowd had to wait until the 22nd minute to see a scrum. The front row unchanged from last week at Sherborne, Matt Boothby eager to maintain his current form and remain in the hotly contested no.3 shirt, and it went well with the Saints pack getting a nudge on, despite it being a Teignmouth put-in.

Barely into the second quarter when Shepherd turns a penalty into territory, getting the highly effective Saints line out right on the Teignmouth 5m line. Captain and Lock Mark Vian soared to secure Hooker Miles Davey’s throw, the maul stayed up and drove Dan Job over the line to score and secure the bonus point. Shepherd added the conversion to make it 26-3.

32 minutes in and Shepherd pulls off a dummy that is still being sold now, and he goes over to score, and adds another two points with his boot. Two minutes later Tyrrell gets back on the scoresheet after a fine break by Inside Centre Ben Plummer. Plummer brought the ball over to the left, drawing in his tackler before setting Tyrrell free for his third. Shepherd adds the two points to make it 40-3.

Just before the half time whistle more points were added, via a line out, catch and drive, that surprisingly slowed. Scrum Half CJ Boyce grabbed the ball and put Tyrell in for his 4th and final try of the day. Shepherd adds 2 points and the game was half over with a score of 47-3.

The theme of the half time talk from Head Coach Kyle Marriott was one of remaining focused, not taking the foot off the pedal and making sure points weren’t left on the pitch. Oddly the first 20 minutes of the second half did resemble the exact point Kyle was making. A triple substitution 4 minutes in took Wing Konnor Ewudzi, Loose Head Dan Job and Lock Mark Vian off, to be replaced by Charlie Nicholson, Fraser Nottle and Club Captain Tony Knight. Fresh legs did not work in terms of the scoreboard moving, as various moves and plays were thwarted by a spirited Teignmouth defence. It took until the 64th minute for Shepherd to dummy again and score his 3rd of the day under the posts. He added the conversion to make the score 54-3.

This opened up the floodgates again as St Austell find the scoring way again. Flanker Cam Taylor pulls off a dummy and he’s in some space, crossing the half-way line and beyond, but being hunted down by Teignmouth. Wing Fraser Nottle was in support and his reward was great ball and a one on one, which he jinked around to score. Shepherd missed the conversion but the score moved to 59-3.

5 minutes later Tyrrell collects a loose ball and goes on a ludicrous run, seemingly no direction was off the cards, with Teignmouth struggling to stop him, until they finally caught and weighed him down, and the man who has scored four tries, puts Shepherd in for his fourth. Shepherd also adds two more to his tally. 66-3.

Dan Tyrrell was substituted off to rapturous applause and cheering, certainly a game he won’t forget in a hurry. There was time for one more score, and it came from tight interplay on the right wing, which put Sam Parsons over in the corner. Shepherd was unable to add the conversion and Referee JJ Walker blew for time, with the final score being 71-3.

Teignmouth throughout the day were a credit to their club, never giving up, tackling as hard in the last 5 minutes as in the first. On this day St Austell just had the stronger side, and we look forward to the return fixture.

Looking ahead to next Saturday, We have Saints at home again, this time pitted against joint league leaders Wellington, with a 3pm KO. Sinners are away to Cambourne School of Mines, and the Colts are under the lights on Friday evening at Wadebridge Camels. Interestingly the St Austell Spartans (3rd XV) played their first fixture over at Bodmin this weekend….AND WON! We are trying to find them more opponents as I type this, so keep you eyes out for more updates on this topic.

Other stuff…
The best way to enjoy a Saints home fixture is to start it off attending one of our pre-match lunches! It is not too late to book seats for next week's lunch when Wellington visit. You can find out when they are on and how to book by clicking HERE

Next Saturday, when we welcome Wellington to Tregorrick, Frosties Ruck ‘n’ maul bar and food emporium will be open. Cans of alcoholic and soft drinks, plus loads of delicious hot food (burgers, cheesy chips, hot dogs etc) will be affordably available. Make sure you arrive hungry and make a visit!