The game will not live long in the memory as it evolved into an attritional battle between two evenly matched packs of forwards in the second half. Nonetheless, the win stretches the Saints’ unbeaten start to the season to eight games and they now sit eleven points clear at the top after 2nd place Bideford drew at 3rd place Okehampton.

The game kicked off in bright autumnal sunshine in front of another large Tregorrick crowd. Debutant flanker Jack Nelson introduced himself to the Saints Veterans attending a pre-match lunch in breathtaking style. Straight from the kick-off the youngster flew into the Wellington pack like an exocet missile taking man and ball. The ferocity of the tackle caused the ball to spill and as chaos reigned Saints threatened to score a try but lock Adam Pearce was held up just short of the line. However the hosts were awarded a penalty for offside which scrum half Matt Shepherd duly dispatched with barely a minute on the clock. Wellington responded well and mounted a period of sustained pressure in the home 22. The Saints defensive wall proved a tough nut to crack and in the end the visitors had to content themselves with an equalising penalty from full back Mark Nichols. Nelson’s speed and aggression proved a menace again at the next restart forcing another Wellington transgression. Shepherd’s penalty kick fell just short this time but the visitors failed to clear their lines. Winger Sam Rhodes ran hard down the touchline and although thwarted the ball was moved quickly across the width of Tregorrick allowing the overlapping Winterbottom to skip over for a neat try. Shepherd’s conversion put the Saints 10-3 in front and the home side started to dominate the game. Another Shepherd penalty for a Welly offside increased the lead, and the Somerset side were starting to err in the eyes of the referee. A trio of penalties allowed the home side to take a stranglehold in the opposition’s 22. A catch and drive from a lineout provided the launchpad for Winterbottom’s second try. If the first was about speed and guile, the second was about strength and aggression as the openside forced his way towards the line with two defenders desperately holding on. It was an outstretched arm that touched down for an unconverted try to the delight of the home crowd. The half closed with the Saints 18-3 in front.

The second half was a dour affair in an increasingly dogged forward orientated battle. Each side had periods of ascendency but could not find that elusive move to breach well organised defences. The game hinged on two yellow cards, first Saints’ prop Toby Colvin-Stunell was sent to the bin. This gave Wellington the edge they needed to finally breach the home side’s defensive screen. They were still made to work hard for it, taking nearly the full 10 minutes with the numerical advantage before an overlap was fashioned for winger Andy Coles to score in the corner. Restored to full complement, Saints attacked with vigour and with pressure mounting Wellington started to concede penalties at an increasing rate. Prop Anthony Gill’s game finished early when he was shown yellow in the 73rd minute for one infringement too many. Shepherd converted the penalty snubbing out any notion of a Wellington comeback with the game finishing 21-8.

The Saints’ now enter a season-defining trio of games; next week they make the short journey to Cornish rivals Truro in what will undoubtedly be a keenly contested derby. The following week they entertain 2nd place Bideford in a top of the table clash. Then the Saints’ host Wadebridge Camels in the quarter finals of the Tribute County Cup in a rematch of last season’s final. These are heady times indeed for Saints’ supporters.

Match Stats:
St Austell: Rowe; Grigg; Martin; Pearce; Haley; Nelson; Winterbottom; Jeffs; Shepherd; Ashwin (Captain); Rhodes; Earp; Venner; Welland; Tank
Replacements (All used) Vian; Colvin-Stunell; Conybeare

St Austell:
Tries – Winterbottom (10, 26)
Cons – Shepherd (1)
Pens – Shepherd (3)
Drop Goal –

Wellington :
Tries – Coles (67)
Cons –
Pens – Nichols (1)

Yellow Cards: St Austell: Colvin-Stunell (59) Wellington : Gill (72)

Red Cards St Austell: None Wellington: None

Referee: Mr N Serle (Cornwall RRS)

Saints Man of the Match: Jack Nelson