There is no doubt that Devonport Services were worthy winners, but two late tries when the Saints were chasing the game made the scoreboard look a little harsh on the visitors.

The opening quarter was a cagey affair with both sides sizing each other up on a sunny if chilly autumnal day on the banks of the Tamar. Saints drew first blood with a penalty from centre Chris Ashwin after sustained pressure on the Services' line forced a stray hand from the home defence. The visitors were now looking menacing and some high tempo attacks through the forwards created an enticing overlap on the open side. A long pass was thrown out, a flick of a coin lob that if it went to hand it would result in a try. To the dismay of the Cornishmen it was intercepted by Services’ centre Tony Knowles who ran 80m to gleefully touchdown under the posts (7-3). Saints almost hit back immediately but Services proved well organised, aggressive and determined in defence to snuff out the threats. The visitors were made to pay for their profligacy when Rob Ede cut through some lacklustre tackling to extend the lead (12-3).
Chris Ashwin slotted two penalties either side of half time (12-9) to keep the Saints on the Services’ coat tails. However, calamitous defending by the Saints saw the ball spilled just 5m from the try line, Alex Lambert gratefully snaffled up the gift that fell into his lap (19-9). To their credit the visitors responded well to the set back to put some good phases together but just could not find a gap in the Services’ defence. The thin blue line held firm forcing the Saints to hold on a fraction too long with the ball. The penalty kick soared into the cloudless skies over the Rectory to lift the siege, the ball landed on the grandstand roof with a loud bang worthy of Guy Fawkes Night, and with it went the Saints’ hopes of getting back into the game. With the visitors now forced to gamble from deep, Services picked off two more tries to give the final score line a demoralising hue (33-9).

Services are a strong side with an iron like defence, a powerful rolling maul and with the pace in the backs to take the opportunities that come their way. The Saints’ were combative throughout the 80 minutes and applied some good periods of pressure on the home side. The failure to convert those moments into points and unforced errors that allowed Services to counter attack costs the visitors dearly.
Next week the Saints face Bude in the quarter final of the County Cup and a real opportunity to get the season back on track (2:30pm KO).
 

1 Hugh Noott; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Adam Kellow; 5 Adam Pearce; 6 George Knowles 7 Jack Nelson; 8 Max Duggan; 9 Dan Jane; 10 Andy Ashwin; 11 Ben Chenoweth; 12 Chris Ashwin 13 James Martin; 14 Sam Kendall 15 CJ Boyce

Reps:
Charlie Nicholson; Cavan Boyer; Ian Venner

St Austell:
Tries –
Cons –
Pens – Chris Ashwin (19; 37; 52).
Drop Goal –

Devonport Services:
Tries – Tony Knowles (21); Rob Ede (35); Alex Lambert (58); Luke Stannard (75); Ben McGowan
Cons – Matt Anstis (21, 58; 75; 79)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Devonport Services: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Devonport Services: None

Referee: Mr D Philpott (Devon RRS)