Report by Paul Hayes - Saints Team Manager
Photo by Dave Philips

St Austell 59 Chard 17

St Austell overcame a shaky start to run in nine tries in an emphatic win over Chard.
The Somerset side made the home side work hard for every single point but found it hard to contain the pace and intensity whenever the Cornishmen hit their straps.

For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the match was played in dry conditions on a pitch that was almost firm under foot. Although there was a gusty wind blowing from the south west it was nowhere near the disruptive levels of recent weeks. Chard had first use of the wind and got off to a cracking start, putting the home side on the back foot straight from the kick-off. The Saints were well aware of Chard’s prowess at the scrum having endured a tough time up in Somerset last November. It was no surprise that the home pack was immediately under pressure in the first set piece. Smart thinking by scrum half Paul Nicholls following a scrum penalty against the Saints saw a cross field kick pick out winger Emil Szydelko who ran in for the opening try (0-7).

More pressure and another penalty pushed the visitors into 0-10 lead with just 7 minutes gone and with all the play coming from Chard, an upset looked like being on the cards. The Saints finally had some sustained possession and good work by the backs set up a line out about 10m shy of the Chard try line. Mark Vian’s catch unleashed a driving maul that hurtled over the whitewash. Last up from the pile of Cornish prime beef was recalled veteran prop Hugh Noott with another trademark try for his collection (7-10).

Under increasing pressure from the Saints, the visitors started to lose a bit of discipline at the breakdown and a stream of penalties enabled the home side to dominate territory despite playing into the wind. A quick tap penalty saw flanker Andy Inch crash over to put the home side into the lead (14-10).

Wave after wave of Saints attacks stretched the Chard defence and saw the Saints score three tries in the last ten minutes of the half. A clever “show and go” from centre Ben Plummer found a chink in the now tiring defence. A searing run from Frazer Nottle and a deft inside pass to supporting James Tucker allowed the full back to finish under the posts. More patient build-up play from the Saints’ pack created the space for centre Sam Parsons to touch down in the corner. James Tucker finished the half with four conversion from five to make the score 33-10 at the interval.

The second half got off to a sluggish start and it was not until the home side upped the tempo was the scoreboard called into action again. A strong run from Sam Parsons created the gap for winger Cavan Boyer to weave his way over (38-10).

This was quickly followed by James Tucker grabbing his second of the day to round off another impressive move from the Saints’ backline (45-10).

Replacement winger Max Bullen set off on a jet heeled run from halfway and got his pass away to Sam Parsons (52-10).

The pressure from the home side seemed relentless and an increasingly desperate defence saw a loose clearance kick gathered up by Frazer Nottle to score in the corner (59-10).

Chard to their credit dusted themselves to grab a consolation try from winger Ross Colenso in time added on (59-17).

The bonus point win coupled with Wellington’s surprise loss at Tiverton sees the Saints go five points clear at the top. Wellington have a game in hand but their continuing involvement in the National Cup means that is now scheduled beyond the planned end of the season. The Saints can only focus on their remaining five games and see where that takes a talented and committed group of players. Next week it is off to North Devon for the rescheduled game against Bideford that fell foul of the wet weather last week. Bideford is always a tough place to go but with Wellington tied up in the Cup it is another opportunity to increase the gap at the top (KO 2:30pm).

Saints Star Men: Kyle Marriott – Another tireless performance from the number eight that ensured the team recovered from a sluggish start to deliver nine tries to maintain the Saints’ promotion push.

What’s Going On!:

Friday 20th March - St Austell RFC U9's are holding a family Prize Bingo evening in the clubhouse. Doors will open at 6.15pm with 'eyes down' at 7.15pm and the bar is open! Proceeds towards this years annual U9's festival held here at Tregorrick and the Saints Family Rugby Fund (that pays for kit, volunteer training and a number of other rugby related things). No tickets required...Just turn up.

County Cup Final – Saints play either Truro or Veor in the County Cup final…and that is pretty much all we can be sure of at the moment! The glut of games lost to bad weather around the county has thrown a spanner in the works as our potential opponents struggle to catch up league fixtures and indeed to play the semi-final. What we are sure of is that the final WILL NOT be over the Easter weekend. Our results (and resulting league position) and our opponents catching up their fixtures will shape what happens here. Minutes after we know we will let you know.

17th-19th April 2020 is our ever expanding Ale, Cider and Gin Festival. Stacks of live rugby, food, live music and a superb selection of drinks to try. Update to this is that the Sunday session will now include the Cornwall Colts Finals day so some fantastic rugby to watch and refreshments to enjoy during each of the sessions now! Volunteers to work the Ale/Cider bar, kitchens or to just generally help are required. Please email events@staustellrfc.co.uk if you can give a couple of hours or more on one of the days. Also be more informed about the festival by searching for 'St Austell RFC Ale and Gin Festival' on Facebook and like/follow. Then you'll get all the updates about this fun event!