Report by Ian Grantham

‘A depleted Saints side’ was a commonly used term on a day when an in-form Wadebridge made the short journey to Tregorrick on a rapidly improving Spring Day. On paper ‘depleted’ was an easy assumption to make but the reality didn’t tally. The team sheet was missing some familiar faces missing but the spirit and determination shown by the players who stepped up alluded to a bright future at Tregorrick and it soon became evident that this team did not lack the confidence or skills to deliver a performance.

In a similar vein to the previous week the opposition made their mark early. Still within the first 2 minutes a penalty gave way to a catch and drive from the line out that allowed Camels Ben Humber to drive over. Danny Thomas added the conversion and the stands were quiet as the scoreboard recorded 0-7 (2 min).

Saints picked themselves up and via a Camels knock on at the restart they won the scrum, an area they were strong in most of the day, which was then tactically punted to touch by Chris Ashwin. From the line out the ball came Saints way and having moved it wide Tregilgas found some space and steamed over. Liam Freeman added the conversion. 7-7 (6min).

Camels came back strongly and put Saints under pressure for almost 15 minutes until mistakes by the visitors allowed Saints to kick themselves out of danger.

Now Saints had a turn at the Camels, testing their defence with a number of searching runs, trying to find a credible gap. Camels made life difficult for themselves by straying offside, giving C Ashwin the chance on most occasions to find touch and give the lineout a chance. Camels held strong, tackling aggressively to keep Saints out. Eventually the pressure was relieved by a long clearance that ended up with a lineout on Saints twenty-two.

Freeman clears the Saints lines and puts them right back in Camels twenty-two with a formidable boot. From this line out the Camels knock on and it was the ensuing scrum, in the 27th minute, that was the base for A Ashwin to start the ball travelling wide to the wing for Jack Nelson to power over. Freeman just misses a difficult conversion. 12-7 (27 min).

The Camels now knew they had a game on and they answered back immediately. From the restart the Camels looked that bit more motivated. They bossed the Saints back towards their line, won the ball and Matt Tarby slipped a couple of tackles to score. Danny Thomas missed the conversion 12-12 (29 min).

Camels went on the offensive now with powerful and intrusive running with Saints just about hanging on to deny them further points. Camels took a late opportunity to add 3 after a Saints infringement but it went wide and with it half time.

Mark Martin gave way to Paul Winterbottom at the break. C Ashwin got the half underway and Saints set up camp in the Camel’s half. As the sun came out the ball was moved around the pitch by a number of means not seen that much in this rain affected season. Long passes, chips and grubbers were all tried to open up the Camels defence. In the 47th minute the stands rose as all thought Saints had cracked it only for CJ Boyce to fumble with a man outside him. In the 53rd minute the Saints had still not left the camels half and the pressure told. Freeman was given an easy 3 from yet another offside infringement and they re-took the lead. 15-12 (54 min).

A heart in the mouth moment came when the Camels finally read one of the long passes and intercepted. The recipient was off in a rare foray into the Saints twenty two but it came to nothing as he was chased down. Play returned back to the middle ground where a piece of brilliance gave the Camels the lead. Joe Pretty picked and went from a ruck at pace, weaving through a number of Saints defenders to place the ball under the posts. A simple conversion from Thomas gave the Camels the lead 15-19 (62 min).

Camels sat back a little then when it would have seemed prudent for them to go all-out attack. The backs exchanged kicks as both teams looked for a mistake to give them the break. Camels cracked and went back on the offensive with quick hands and lots of pops in the tackle and yet Saints hung on.

Cav Boyer came off to make room for returning Shane Johns (71 mins). Johns had an instant impact with some characteristic shows of pace and a couple of crunching tackles and the crowd showed their appreciation. Still Saints spent more time in the Camels half but where the break was going to come from was a conundrum to many watching on as legs tired.

With only a couple of minutes to go some of the decisions did not go Saints way and frustrations bubbled over as they had enjoyed territorial advantage but not been able to close the gap. With both 10’s kicking to find positional advantage the clock ran out the game was over.
The result leaves Saints in exactly the same position as before in the league as Services yet again lose on the road. A frustrating day but the positives are that this club can call upon and raise up a side from its ranks that looked far from depleted, in fact it made the future of this club look rather rosey and full of promise.

Next week Saints go back on the road for a tough fixture against Kingsbridge. Kick off 3pm.