Match report by Steve Murley
Photo of Sam Parsons testing the Teignmouth line by Dave Philips

It was 1st versus 4th on Saturday at Tregorrick as league pace setters St Austell took on recently relegated Teignmouth in what looked like the most challenging test that the Saints had faced this season so far.

Playing away from the sports hall in the 1st half, Saints kicked to Teign to get the game underway on a bright afternoon in front of a large crowd of some 500 supporters. Both sides made their intentions clear in the first 10 minutes as they tried to swing the ball wide and keep the ball alive but defences on both side held firm, with Saints enjoying territorial advantage and keeping the ball well.

From a turnover, Teign kicked up field where a clearance kick was charged down allowing Dan Woolnough to pick up the loose ball and outpace the hone defence to score the first try which was converted. 14 Mins Saints 0 - Teign 7

Saints reacted well and continued to string tougher long phases of possession with the talismanic Adam Kellow to the fore in both defence and attack and the young back line testing their opponents at every opportunity. After 32 minutes the pressure paid dividends, a fantastic break by Sam Parsons, off-loading to the supporting Ben Plummer who found Henry Welch galloping on his inside to dive under the posts. Chris Ashwin took the extra points 32 mins Saints 7 - Teign 7

Teign launched a strong response and laid siege within the Saints 22 for the final minutes of the half but whenever they found themselves in potential try scoring positions a knock on, dropped pass or lineout turnover from Mark Vian intervened and the half closed with the sides tied at 7 points apiece.

A sloppy start to the second half by the Saints saw the Teignmouth 10, Helier, slalom his way through some unconvincing tackling to score a lovely individual try which was converted to make the score after 43 mins Saints 7 - Teign 14.

While not the start that was wanted the Saints did not panic but began to implement their tried and trusted game plan. With player coach Kyle Marriott leading from the front ably supported by Andy Inch, Adam Kellow and Miles Davey Saints drove up field. Inch drove hard at the Teign defence, Parsons once again provided the smooth link and wing Fraser Nottle stepped inside the cover defence to score unopposed, once again Ashwin mopped up the conversion 46 mins Saints 14 - Teign 14

Saints now looked as if they had the game where they wanted it and Adam Kellow finished off a series of pick and drives to burrow over after 60 minutes, Ashwin again converting Saints 21 - Teign 14

Teign, however, had different ideas and launched a tremendous bout of running rugby releasing Helier who looked destined for the try line until a magnificent one-on-one tackle by Henry Welch brought the move to a shuddering halt. Teign kept battering away and from a scruffy lineout, their tight head prop reacted quickest and showed a great turn of pace to gallop over from 22 metres with Helier converting 72 mins Saints 21 - Teign 21

After a ding dong battle with neither side able to pull completely away Saints seemed to have finally put clear water between themselves and Teign as first replacement Choppy Martin crashed over after 75 mins followed up by a quicksilver half beak from Chris Ashwin who slipped a soft pass to the ever present Sam Parsons 78 mins Saints 35 - Teign 21

There was a final twist in the tail as this admirable Teginmouth side roused themselves for one last dart at the Saints line and Helier once again jinked his way over the line converting his own try 80 mins Saints 35 - Teign 28

The large crowd had been royally entertained with two excellent sides playing some beautiful rugby mixed with shuddering defence. Saints will feel that their game is in fine fettle having beaten the best team they have faced this season, a Teignmouth side who will no doubt be near the top of the league at season end.

Parish Notices

We are showing many of the RWC games in the clubhouse. An overview of what’s going on is HERE

RWC Big Breakfast #5 and #6 - This Saturday you can watch England v France with a 0915 KO then, if sufficient interest in terms of numbers we’ll show Ireland v Samoa with a 1115 KO. On the Sunday we are showing Wales v Uruguay at 0915 then a real showdown of Japan v Scotland at 1145. On both mornings food will be available from the kitchen including the Saints Breakfast. Bar open and all welcome.

We need volunteers to help with the RWC Breakfasts. Having volunteers to help run the place for such events makes them viable but we need more of you to step up and do a bit. Please email st_austellrfc@outlook.com or message Ian Grantham on Facebook.

We’ll be showing the QF’s of the RWC and making calls on the popularity of each game after that. If you want us to show it then let us know...if we perceive little interest we won’t roll up the shutters.

Colts in National Cup Clash - Our Colts have been placed into the National Colts Cup this season. First round fixture is at Tregorrick against Kingsbridge On Sunday 20th October with a 2.30pm KO. FREE ENTRY. Bar open! Come up and cheer them on please.

Sat 14th December - heads up for your diaries. Last Saints home game before Xmas, Reindeer racing and karaoke!