Whether this was because of the delayed kick off due to the Somerset side’s late arrival, the Mediterranean style sunshine or the fact that the game was effectively over as a contest after just 30 minutes is hard to say. With the exception of the opening quarter, the home side rarely reached the heights of recent weeks as they failed to counter Wellington’s spoiling tactics at the breakdown. Six tries in the opening forty minutes was followed by a scoreless error strewn second half that was in truth a tedious stop start affair.

With the visitors blighted by the vagaries of holiday traffic on the M5, the Saints got off to a rip-roaring start when the game eventually kicked off. Intense pressure straight from the start was rewarded with number eight Adam Kellow shooting over from the back of the scrum (7-0). A catch and drive line out provided the springboard to launch prop Hugh Noott who accelerated away like a wildebeest looking for a watering hole in a drought (14-0). The home side were enjoying plenty of ball but were being blighted by some poor handling to let a number of scoring opportunities go begging. Given their dominance at the scrum it was no surprise that the next score was a penalty try after Wellington both collapsed and came in from the side in a forlorn attempt to stop the inevitable outcome of a powerful Saints’ surge (21-0). On the half hour mark the bonus point was secured after quick thinking by centre Shane Johns enabled him to touch down under the posts (28-0). At this stage the visitors looked on course for a heavy defeat, but an unforced error allowed centre George Hodgson the freedom to burst through unopposed (28-7). Welly tails were now up and a penalty kick to touch set up a catch and drive which Liam Philips duly touched down to make it 28-14 giving the score line an unlikely hue at half time.

The second half was a forgettable affair with few bright spots to match the cloudless skies. Despite the Saints having the lion share of possession and the game being played out almost exclusively in the Welly half, the home side rarely fashioned a clear-cut scoring opportunity. The Saints seemed unable to counter Welly’s disruptive tactics as the visitors successfully slowed down the ball at the breakdown. By the time the final whistle came it was almost a relief to all concerned!

The result ensures the Saints will finish the season in 7th place and the home side will be delighted not to have picked up any injuries ahead of next week’s Cup Final. Defeat for Wellington unfortunately sees the Somerset side fall out of the Western Counties league however they showed enough determination and pride to suggest they will be back soon.

Easter Monday sees the Sinners play Wadebridge Camels IIs in the Duchy Cup Final (KO 13:00) followed by the Saints taking on Wadebridge Camels in the Cornwall Cup Final (KO 15:30). Both games take place at Redruth RFC on what is a special day for St Austell RFC.

1 Hugh Noott; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Tony Knight; 5 Adam Pearce; 6 Jack Nelson; 7 Ian Venner; 8 Adam Kellow; 9 Andy Ashwin; 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Jake Carr; 12 Liam Freeman 13 Shane Johns; 14 Ben Chenoweth; 15 CJ Boyce
Reps (All used):
Andy Inch; Charlie Nicholson; Dan Jane

St Austell:
Tries - Adam Kellow (2); Hugh Noott (9); Penalty Try (24); Shane Johns (31);
Cons – Liam Freeman (2, 9, 24, 31)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Wellington:
Tries – George Hodgson (34) Liam Philips (37)
Cons – Tom Hawkings (23, 37)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Shane Johns (71)
Wellington: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Wellington: None

Referee: Mr A Robinson (Cornwall Rugby RS)