Eight tries, three conversions and a penalty stamped the Saints authority on this entertaining match but plucky and resilient Stithians prevented it from being a great deal more. The Saints took the game straight to the visitors and within four minutes were 3-0 up with a Scrum Half Matt Shepherd penalty, the home side continued to pressure the visitors and from some good forward work Paul Winterbottom playing at No8 emerged from a pile of bodies to make the score 8 -0 in the 11th Minute. From the restart the Saints continued to attack and Centre Craig Taylor avoding despairing tackles weaved his way over the visitors line to make the score 13-0.

Stithians regrouped and enjoyed some extended periods of possession but failed to gain points for their efforts the Saints defence stood up and closed down any inroads into their territory. The game was not flowing for either side at this stage and a combined penalty count of 35 infringements in the whole match stopped any ascendency being gained from the breakdowns. Paul Winterbottom however was having one of those days where every time he had the ball he made good ground, a solo effort in the 34th Minute displayed his hunger to win. 18-0 approaching half time and a poor restart let Stithians Fly Half Andy Creedon kick a penalty at half time the score was 18-3.

Saints started the second half as in the first intense pressure in the visitors 22 enabled man of the match James Earp create space from a miss move and burst through to score a sublime try, this try was duly converted by Shepherd 43 minutes gone and 25-3 up. Stithians spent the next 15 minutes heroically defending their line, the Saints sometimes over complicating moves and were not capitalising on opportunities but their shape came back with Shepherd scoring after providing support from a fluid back line move. Wing Sam Rhodes followed suit, with a Shepherd conversion and opposite wing Callum Evison took the score up to 42-3 with ten minutes remaining. It was then the turn of the forwards to apply pressure, the pack gelling to put intense pressure on the Stithians line and Paul Winterbottom again finished off in Style.
The Saints host Roseland next week in what should be a cracking local derby.

Phill Raddenbury
Chairman & 1XV Manager
St Austell RFC