The Devonians belied their lowly position with a committed display that made the home side graft for every point scored. As is always the case against Crediton, the forward exchanges were combative and occasionally fractious but whenever the ball was moved wide the Saints looked menacing and incisive. The Saints back row was a constant threat and with full back James Martin able and willing to run the ball from deep at every opportunity, Crediton were vulnerable to the high tempo counter attacks.

It was a James Martin inspired charge that turned danger in the Saints’ 22 into an attacking platform in the opposite half. The home side patiently went through the phases before blindside flanker Max Duggan stretched to touch down in the corner (5-0). Fly half Jake Attwell briefly gave Crediton hope with a penalty after the home side collapsed a rolling maul (5-3). The Saints were quickly back on top after an interception by number 8 George Knowles who preceded to outpace the entire Crediton back line on a 60m sprint line to the posts (12-3). A flowing move was finished off by winger Ben Chenoweth to give the scoreboard a comfortable look at 17-3 by half time.
Early Saints pressure paid dividends with the ball spun along the back line but it took a brilliant off load by James Martin to create the space for Cavan Boyer to touchdown (24-3). Great work by the Saints forwards looked to have created a hole for Liam Freeman but a last-ditch tackle stopped him short of the line. The Saints’ centre showed great presence of mind to deliver an astute pass off the floor for his midfield partner Shane Johns to gallop home like a Hussar on the charge (31-3).

The game petered out as a contest in the final quarter allowing Crediton to grab a consolation try late on through prop Henry Gavin to make the final score 31-10.

The win keeps the Saints firmly embedded in the mid-table cluster with a healthy fourteen-point gap over the bottom four. Murley is experienced enough to know there are sterner tests ahead but he will have been delighted by the display from his young charges. Full Back James Martin was a constant thorn in the Crediton defence while Max Duggan and George Knowles were eager ball carriers who both totted up impressive yardage with their constant hard running. Despite being a late call up for flu victim Andy Ashwin, scrum half Dan Jane delivered his best performance of the season. The Saints now face three consecutive games against the top 3 sides starting with a trip to Cullompton next Saturday (Kick Off at 2:30pm).

Man of the Match – Max Duggan On a day with several contenders,it was the Cornwall U20 forward got the nod with an impressive all action display from the blindside berth. Lots of lung busting carries and an impressive try for the all-important opening score to get the Saints on their way to victory.

1 Charlie Nicholson; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Hugh Noott; 4 Andy Inch; 5 Adam Pearce; 6 Max Duggan; 7 Jack Nelson; 8 George Knowles; 9 Dan Jane; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Cavan Boyer; 12 Liam Freeman 13 Shane Johns; 14 Ben Chenoweth 15 James Martin

Reps:
Tony Knight; Hector Bright; CJ Boyce

St Austell:
Tries – Max Duggan (10); George Knowles (16); Ben Chenoweth (23); Cavan Boyer (50); Shane Johns (55)
Cons – Liam Freeman (16; 50, 55)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Crediton:
Tries – Henry Gavin (70)
Cons – Mark Lee (70)
Pens – Jake Attwell (13)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Charlie Nicholson (26); Max Duggan (74)
Crediton: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Crediton: None

Referee: Mr S Lord (Cornwall RRS)