A Saints team that had caused coaching headaches all week gelled and were superior in every area against fourth placed rivals Falmouth, this was a class display of rugby from St Austell and probably the best performance of the season to date. The Saints travelling support outnumbered the hosts and enjoyed the spectacle that unfolded.

The Saints took the game straight to Falmouth, wing OJ Taylor making some great runs but the Falmouth defence held fast and soaked up the early pressure. In the tenth minute Scrum Half Matt Shepherd converted a penalty to open the scoring but it was not until the 27th minute, when the Saints forwards had sucked in the Falmouth defence, that Wing Alex Welland finished a great team move in style.

With Andy Ashwin and James Earp marshalling the centre and controlling play the Saints looked comfortable, even though running up to half time Falmouth had enjoyed some good possession but could not get the breakthrough, even an interception was chased down when a score looked certain. In the 40th Minute Matt Shepherd stepped up to convert another penalty and the half time score 0 -11.

The half time team talk was one that was full of confidence, the Saints knew that it was going to be theirs providing that they were patient in the build up, instead they rocketted into the attack, play going straight into the Falmouth 22 and after being awarded a penalty quick thinking from No8 Paul Winterbottom saw him cross the try line close to the posts, Shepherd duly converted 43 minutes gone and 0-18. Four minutes later Centre Sam Rhodes split the defence and scored directly under the posts, Shepherd again Converting. 0-25, all the play at this stage was in the Falmouth half and Ashwin seeing space out wide launched a perfectly balanced kick for Alex Welland to gather and score.

Sainst were now leading O - 30 and time for the Saints to make their replacements, this only made the way for Sam Rhodes to bag his second try and for Shepherd to convert, Falmouth rallied to apply some late pressure but their discipline let them down with 2 yellow cards awarded. Final Score 0 - 37 the Saints "Massive" support satisfied and Withycombe to face at home next week.

Phill Raddenbury
Chairman & 1xv Manager
St Austell RFC