An error strewn opening period filled with handling errors and loose kicks allowed the Tics to dominate possession and territory. In truth, the Saints did well to limit the home side to just two tries, but both of those stemmed from unforced errors.

Burly lock Jon Woodhead was unstoppable as he flopped over from 5m after the Saints defence had mislaid the ball (7-0). Two penalties in quick succession saw the scoreboard shuffle along to 10-3 at the end of a forgettable first quarter. Centre James Wood further extended the lead on the half hour with a penalty in front of the posts after a scrum infringement (13-3). Considering how badly they were playing, the Saints would have been happy to reach half time without further damage but a poor clearance kick set a chain of events in motion that would perhaps prove pivotal to the outcome of the match. The slice kick dropped in midfield forcing Saints defenders to intervene form an offside position to prevent the Tics taking advantage. The visitors repelled the resulting 5m catch and drive to gain a scrum put in but somehow managed to botch the resulting set piece with Tics’ scrum half Jamie Hext on hand to snatch a poacher’s try (18-3).

The Saints were a different proposition in the second half, playing with an intensity and purpose that had been missing throughout the opening period. Liam Freeman reduced the deficit with a well struck penalty after sterling work by winger James Martin (18-6). The home side were now under pressure for the first time in the game as the momentum swung the visitors’ way. George Knowles powered over and Liam Freeman’s conversion closed the gap to just five points (18-13). The game became increasingly tense with both sides knowing the next score would be crucial. That tension spilled over on the hour mark when an off the ball incident sparked a mass brawl. When sanity was eventually restored, the referee lectured the captains at length but remarkably kept his cards in his pocket much to the relief of several players on both sides. The game was restarted with a Torquay penalty which was planted deep into the Saints 22m. The home side gander was well and truly up and a 13-man maul drove the bulky Woodhead over for his second try (23-13). The Tics put the game beyond any doubt shortly afterwards with the move of the day allowing centre Andy Gormley to score under the posts. The Saints fought back valiantly and a second George Knowles try after a barnstorming run (30-20) saw the visitors go in search of a consolation bonus point. The Tics held firm to see off the late challenge to end their recent loosing run.
On a chilly day on the English Riviera, where the only touch of the exotic was the Italian exchange referee Giuseppe Bufalini from la bella Roma, the Saints will wonder what might have been had their first half performance had contained the same fire and determination displayed in the second.

Next week, the Saints welcome Sidmouth to Tregorrick (KO 2:30pm).

Saints Man of the Match – George Knowles: A brace of tries capped a powerful display at both second row and number eight.
 
1 Hugh Noott; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Peter Rowe; 4 Tony Knight; 5 Andy Inch; 6 Jack Nelson; 7 Ian Venner 8 George Knowles; 9 Dan Jane; 10 Andy Ashwin; 11 James Martin; 12 Liam Freeman 13 Shane Johns; 14 Ben Chenoweth 15 Cavan Boyer

Reps:
Max Duggan; Hector Bright; Kyle Gallacher

St Austell:
Tries – George Knowles (53, 75)
Cons – Liam Freeman (53, 75)
Pens – Liam Freeman (16, 47)
Drop Goal –

Torquay Athletic:
Tries – Jon Woodhead (13,66); Jamie Hext (32); Andy Gormley (70)
Cons – James Wood (13, 70)
Pens – James Wood (19, 28)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Torquay Athletic: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Torquay Athletic: None

Referee: Mr Giuseppe Bufalini (Bristol RRS)