The try was the crowning glory following some brilliant interplay between backs and forwards, the Saints clocked up the phases to run their hosts ragged eventually creating the space out wide for their flying wing. After dominating the first half, the visitors made hard work of it in the second period as they struggled to deal with a combative Burnham side. Their cause was further blighted by a failure to adapt to the referee’s interpretation of the offside line. The inability to adjust their line-speed led to a profusion of penalties and three yellow cards, meaning the Saints played 30 out of the last 50 minutes with 14 men. The Ashwin brothers excelling at half-back, finally got a grip on the game as the Saints regained total control in the final ten minutes to snare the bonus point win.

The home side got off to cracking start with a try off a driving maul from a lineout inside the first two minutes (5-0). The Saints soon found their rhythm and started to force the home side onto the back foot. Lock Adam Kellow finished off the Cornish version of the catch and drive routine with Liam Freeman adding the conversion to put the Saints in front (5-7). The Saints maintained the pressure from the restart and good work by the backs allowed number eight George Knowles to appear on the wing and literally stampede like a West Country Jonah Lomu powered by pasties over a beleaguered home defence (5-12). The visitors continued to press but the Stags deserved great credit for denying the almost rampant visitors from extending their lead. A penalty from full-back Scott Havercroft made it 8-12 and home side hopes were further boosted when flanker Ian Venner was sent to the bin as the Saints’ offside woes took its first bite. The Saints responded well to the setback and pressure by the defence forced the Burnham centres to spill the ball. George Tregilgas was the first to react and scooped up the bouncing ball to dash in under the posts (8-19).

Burnham came out after the halftime huddle determined to knock the visitors off their stride. The breakdowns became increasingly feisty and matters boiled over on the 50th minute leading to a number of players coming together in a robust exchange of views. After a long lecture from the referee yellow cards were shown to a Burnham flanker and Saints fly-half Chris Ashwin, although it seemed a tad harsh on the mild-mannered number 10 who seemed more victim than perpetrator. The Saints were still creating opportunities, but the adverse penalty count meant that Burnham were having their fair share of territory as well. A yellow card for Max Duggan put the pressure back on the pack and this time the home side took advantage with Richard Musket shooting over (13—19). Once parity in numbers was restored, the Saints went back to basics to stockpile the phases as they sucked more and more of the home side into defending the rucks. Liam Freeman sensed the moment was right and his perfectly placed kick landed in the cradling hands of Cavan Boyer to confirm the win (13-24).

Next week the Saints return to Torbay for their rearranged fixture with Torquay Athletic following the abandonment of the original game due to injury (14:30 KO).

St Austell
1 Peter Rowe; 2 Michael Shakespear; 3 Mark Martin; 4 Tony Knight; 5 Adam Kellow; 6 Max Duggan; 7 Ian Venner; 8 George Knowles; 9 Andy Ashwin (Capt.); 10 Chris Ashwin; 11 Ben Chenoweth; 12 Liam Freeman 13 George Tregilgas; 14 Cavan Boyer; 15 CJ Boyce
Reps (All used):
Adam Pearce; Peter Tuckley; Andy Inch

Saints’ Star Man: Chris Ashwin

St Austell:
Tries – Adam Kellow (11); George Knowles (15); George Tregilgas (37); Cavan Boyer (74)
Cons – Liam Freeman (11, 37)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Burnham-on-Sea
Tries – Brett Diver (2); Richard Musket (65)
Cons –
Pens – Scott Havercroft (30)
Drop Goal –

Referee: Mr M Bowditch (Somerset RRS)