St Austell returned to the top of the Tribute Western Counties West League after a hard fought victory over third place Okehampton at Tregorrick Park. It was a scrappy affair with both sides taking time to shake off their ring rustiness following the Christmas break. Both sides are capable of playing exciting fast flowing rugby but with an unpredictable wind, sticky pitch and high error count the game turned into a tight affair with defences remaining on top throughout. Saints just about deserved the win thanks to some clinical finishing and a strong team performance in the second half. They did have to ride their luck on a couple of occasions but Saints will feel that almost evens things up from when the two sides met at Oaklands Park earlier in the season.

From the kick off the ball went straight out and that really set the tone for the opening exchanges. Referee Jane Pizzi was kept busy with a profusion of knock-ons and infringements but gradually Saints began to exert some measure of control. The first score came on 15 minutes with the first phase of constructive play in the game. Home Skipper Andy Ashwin kicked a penalty from halfway deep into the Okes’ 22m for a Saints line out. Lock Sean Haley had only arrived home from a skiing trip that morning and had made a dash from Bristol Airport to arrive just before kick-off but he soared highest to set up a driving platform for the home side. Flanker Paul Winterbottom timed his break from the maul to perfection to glide over the line allowing scrum half Matt Shepherd a routine conversion. Saints were starting to move the ball with a bit more fluidity and constantly threatened to add to the lead without carving out a real opportunity. Okes’ were organised and determined in defence and gradually took the steam out of the home side attacks to dominate the last 10 minutes of the half. The pressure looked to have told when quick hands across the back line almost put winger Rob Fishleigh in at the corner only to be denied by a superb last ditch tackle by his Saints counterpart Ben Chenoweth. The respite for the hosts was short lived however for minutes later centre Kevin Dennis was granted the freedom of Tregorrick Park as he scythed through the home defence to touch down under the posts. Fly half Carl Poynton kicked the extras to tie the scores 7-7 at half time.

Saints were boosted by the welcome return of centre James Earp, out since October with injury, and started the second half with real purpose. The Okes’ defence were beginning to creak for the first time in the game and an attempt at a pressure relieving kick proved their undoing. Saints full back Callum Evison gathered the high ball just inside his own half before drawing two Devonian chasers. A superbly timed pass to Al Welland gave the winger space to run into but with 40m there was still plenty of work to do. In a display of skill, speed and strength Welland tore through a ragged defence to restore the Saints lead with a try in the corner. Shepherd was unable to add the conversion. In a repeat of the first half Saints were unable to add to the score before Okes gradually regained the ascendency. The visitors dominated possession and territory for a 10 minute period but found the Saints equally organised and determined in defence. The home side did have two lucky escapes; first a kick ahead wrong footed the Saints but evaded the despairing hands of the chasing Okes centres. The scrum had been an intriguing contest throughout and Okes appeared to be on track for a pushover try until a knock-on gave Saints the chance to the clear their lines. The home side began to regain their composure and took control of the closing stages of the game. Fly Half Ashwin’s probing kicks pushed the visitors back providing the Saints with an attacking platform. Welland looked to be through following a kick and chase only to be pulled back off the ball. Referee Pizzi was not swayed by the large home crowd demands for a penalty try and after a stern lecture to the miscreant, Shepherd’s kick just failed to stretch the Saints’ lead. Minutes later Earp presented quick ball on the 22m line, Shepherd fed Ashwin and the Saints’ captain coolly put over a superb drop goal to the obvious delight of his team mates. Saints have been edged out on occasions in the final minutes of tight games this season but not this time. The home side closed out the game efficiently to soothe the nerves of their supporters and run out 15-7 winners.

Saints start 2012 top of the league and to win against one of the promotion chasing rivals while not firing on all cylinders is a credit to the determination within the side. Man of the Match Rob Jeffs embodied the spirit and commitment of all his team mates; brave, selfless and tireless in the loose and skilful in the lineout. The Number 8’s determination ensured the Saints crossed the finish line as winners. Saints face mid table Devonport Services next week at Tregorrick Park (2:30pm Saturday 14 January 2012) and will be looking to consolidate their position at the top. The sides drew 13-13 at the Rectory in September so Saints will have to be at their best if they are to bag another win.

Match Stats:
St Austell: Knott (Brown 62), Hughes (Swiggs 67), Martin, Pearce, Haley, Grigg, Winterbottom, Jeffs, Shepherd, Ashwin (Captain), Chenoweth, Taylor (Earp 43), Venner, Welland, Evison.

St Austell: Tries – Winterbottom (15); Welland (45)
Cons – Shepherd
Pens –
Drop Goal – Ashwin

Okehampton: Tries – Dennis
Cons – Poynton
Pens –

Yellow Cards: St Austell: Knott (20) Okehampton: None

Red Cards St Austell: None Okehampton: None

Referee: Jane Pizzi (Cornwall RS)

Saints Man of the Match: Rob Jeffs