The home side dominated the first half to lead 19-5 and although the Saints made a game of it after the turnaround, victory was never a likely outcome.

Ironically the visitors started extremely well, and a series of fast paced rucks created the space for centre Toby Robinson to almost squeeze in at the corner. It was nearly a dream debut for the youngster but his first appearance turned to a nightmare as it became clear he had twisted an ankle as he was forced into touch, although he initially carried on he later had to limp out of the game. The Saints were looking to build on their early momentum but the tables were turned in a flash. A ball carrier became isolated and held onto the ball a fraction too long, a penalty kick to the half way line followed by quick line out ball saw Tom Chandler gallop through for the opening score (7-0). While the Saints may have had gripes about the straightness of the line out throw, they can only look to themselves at the poor first up tackling. The home side went on to dominate the next twenty minutes playing at a high tempo and they fully deserved the two tries that stretched their lead to 19-0. The visitors rallied in the closing stages of the half and it was Shane Johns who finally got the Saints on the scoreboard.

Hopes of mounting a sustained comeback were dashed when the Saints conceded a soft try with the second half barely minutes old. Steve Kenward drifted though some lacklustre defending almost unimpeded to gleefully dot down for his second score pf the day (26-5). Thankfully the Saints regathered their composure to ensure there was no collapse and the visiting forwards were starting to get the edge over the visibly tiring home eight. A powerful scrum laid the foundations for fly half Chris Ashwin to dive over to briefly rekindle the visitors hopes (26-12). Unfortunately, the Saints were soon undone by a flowing counterattack rounded off in style by Joe Parma (33-12). To their credit the Saints continued to battle away and gained their reward with a penalty try after the home side collapsed a third 5m scrum in quick succession (33-19). Time was the enemy now as the Saints went in search of a fourth try that would give them two consolation bonus points but St Ives denied them the ball to run the clock down.

St Austell will be glad to see the back of January after losing three from four against their Cornish rivals since the turn of the new year. It is a free Saturday next weekend and a chance to recharge the batteries before the Saints are back in action on Saturday 11 February when Crediton are the visitors to Tregorrick Park (Kick Off at 2:30pm).

Man of the Match – Jack Nelson All action display from the Saints’ openside who never gave up and helped drive the visitors forward in the second half.

1 Charlie Nicholson; 2 Mike Shakespear; 3 Hugh Noott; 4 Andy Inch; 5 Adam Pearce; 6 Miles Davey (Capt.); 7 Jack Nelson; 8 Max Duggan; 9 Dan Jane; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Cavan Boyer; 12 Toby Robinson 13 Shane Johns; 14 Ben Chenoweth 15 CJ Boyce

Reps:
Mark Martin; Hector Bright; James Martin

St Austell:
Tries – Shane Johns (39); Chris Ashwin (54); Penalty Try (78)
Cons – Cavan Boyer (54; 78)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

St Ives:
Tries – Tom Chandler (5); Steve Kenward (14, 43); Joe Parma (25, 60)
Cons – Jordan Gott (5, 25, 43, 60)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Miles Davey (38)
St Ives: A N Other (71)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
St Ives: None

Referee: Mr M Turfrey (Cornwall RRS)