If it was fast flowing open Rugby that you wanted then Torrington wasn't the place to be the Saints had to dig deep and grind out this win in North Devon, St Austell's "massive" support were left satisfied with the win and the all important Bonus Point. It all started well enough, after 10 minutes of being encamped in the home sides goal area full back Ian Venner finally broke through to score, just four minutes later after some great work by the forwards Prop Ryan Brown touched down with scrum Half Matt Shepherd converting. Fifteen minutes in and 12 points up the omens were good but Torrington then started to play, both sides traversed the pitch end to end right up to the half time mark, when after a series of penalties Saints skipper Rob Jeffs was sin binned for pulling down a maul and Torrington's Mike Wigley Touched down for a push over try for Fly Half Andrew Manning to convert. Half Time 7 - 12.

Early pressure in the second half earned the home side another penalty which Manning duly converted pushing the deficit to 2 points but with Jeffs back on the pitch and Prop Steve Smith replacing Brown the Saints re-established the forward platform that was required for the Saints backs to gain the edge and in the 48th minute wing Alex Welland swept aside tacklers to score out wide. This sustained pressure was starting to tell on the home side and in the 63rd minute it was skipper Rob Jeffs securing the bonus point with Shepherd converting. With no further points and the light rapidly fading the match closed out at 10- 24, Torrington defended stoically and the Saints will have much to work to do with Totnes visiting Tregorrick Park next week.

Torrington Try: Wigley. Con: Manning. Pen: Manning.
St Austell Tries: Ian Venner, Ryan Brown, Alex Welland, Rob Jeffs. Cons: Matt Shepherd (2).

Phill Raddenbury
Chairman & 1xv Manager