After the highs of last week’s cup success St Austell returned to league action with an emphatic 7 try win over fierce local rivals Truro. Their promotion hopes were given a further boost when news filtered through of Bideford’s defeat at the hands of Cornish cousins Penryn. The Saints’ bonus point victory means they are now equal on points with the Devon side with the league entering the home straight making next week's clash a pivotal game. The Saints however are thriving in the atmosphere of big games and the confidence gained in the cup tussle with Wimborne was there for all to see in this feisty Cornish derby.

Games between these two sides are normally tight, fractious affairs and the first half was no exception. The game simmered throughout the opening exchanges and perhaps the only surprise was it took until just on half time before things finally boiled over. The Saints were already 14-3 up when the home side took exception to a late and high tackle. Once the melee that followed was calmed, Truro winger Luke Trescothick was given a red card and sent to the stands. The visitors had started the stronger, and with the Saints looking a little leg weary after last weekend’s heroics, they pounded away for the first 15 minutes without ever really threatening the try line. Flanker Adam Kellow intervened, seizing on the ball in the home 22 he surged out of defence with would-be Truro tacklers bouncing off him, he made 30m before slipping the ball to fly half Andy Ashwin. The skipper drew the full back before setting Alex Welland on his way for a converted try. The Saints hit again minutes later when a clever chip kick by centre Ian Venner turned the Truro defence. Hooker Jack Grigg was first to the ball and his deft pop pass to Matt Shepherd allowed the scrum half to score with ease. The match became increasingly disjointed with numerous petty feuds disrupting the structure and flow of the game. Fly-half Jake Champion slotted a penalty but any hopes of a Truro comeback were dispelled minutes later after Trescothick’s moment of madness leaving the score 14-3 at the break.

The half time team talk focused on the need to maintain discipline and not be drawn into the disruptive tactics of the visitors. Truro defended stoutly but patience is a virtue and another trademark barnstorming run by Kellow provide the gap for Sam Rhodes to touchdown. Welland finished off an excellent team play to grab his second try and confirm the bonus point. Venner then bedazzled the large Tregorrick crowd with an intricate display of dribbling skills that had many likening him to Sir Stanley Matthews. Having mesmerised the Truro defence he finished it off with a touchdown under the posts. The Saints were now at their free-flowing best and the visitors were struggling to contain the rampant attacks. Winger Marcus McCoan finished off another multi-phased attack in the corner, followed by superb touchline conversion by Shepherd. There was still time for one more, with the Saints using quickly recycled ball and offloads to move 40m before Shepherd rounded off with his second try to take the final score to 45-3.

There were several candidates for man of the match; Shepherd again bossed the game with Venner and Welland potent in the backs. Grigg and Paul Winterbottom were tenacious in the forward exchanges. But one performance stood out, Kellow’s driving runs off the scrum and in the loose caused Truro problems all afternoon and the Cornish Colossus created three tries for his team mates.

The Saints go into next week’s top of table clash on the banks of the Torridge in great shape and full of confidence. While the outcome will not decide the promotion race, with only 6 games remaining the winner will be in the box seat.

Match Stats:

St Austell: Noott; Grigg; Martin; Pearce; McNally; Kellow; Winterbottom; Jeffs; Shepherd; Ashwin (Captain); Welland; Earp; Venner; McCoan; Tank
Replacements: Hughes, Vian, Rhodes

St Austell:
Tries – Welland (15, 55); Shepherd (19, 78); Rhodes (50); Venner (63); McCoan (66)
Cons – Shepherd (5)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Truro:
Tries –
Cons –
Pens – Champion
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: McNally (4)
Truro: None

Red Cards
St Austell: None
Truro: Trescothick (39)

Referee: Mr Simon Lord (Cornwall RRS)

Saints Man of the Match: Adam Kellow