It is still early days in the Devon and Cornwall league but there were high expectations at Tregorrick Park where league leaders Saints welcomed second place Bideford. One point seperated them and with one win a piece last term it promised to be close run affair.

Biddys forwards, many of whom rode low in the water, dominated the early exchanges, winning the set piece battle with something to spare. Saints however, played with their own brand of open rugby, running the ball at every opportunity. With the outstanding Sam Rhodes and Sam Tank out wide it is a tactic which has paid dividends so far this season. Bideford were up to the challenge and in the final analysis it was their defence which was the difference between the two sides – that and the outstanding fly-half Dave Slater who scored all his sides 14 points with two goals.

The first was an interception from a pass from Saints centre Tate Richardson as Saints attempted to run from their own 22. The second was a fine solo effort from 22 metres involving two dummies and a sidestep which left Saints Andy Ashwin clutching thin air. Slater converted both.

Just before the break Saints pulled a try back when 18 year old Sam Tank scored his fourth try of the season after a flowing move which went through 16 pairs of hands.

The second half saw Saints desperately attack at every opportunity but were only able to breach the Bideford line on one further occasion as Sam Tank was fed the scoring pass from Saints mobile prop Will Hancock. Tank has now scored 5 tries in two and a half appearences for the Saints.

In the end Saints coaching team will rue trying to play too much rugby in the wrong third of the field. Although they dominated the second half it was just too much of an ask to play catch-upagainst Bideford, who now go top.

Report by Arthur Guinness