In blustery conditions the Saints strode into a wind assisted 22-0 lead but had to withstand a robust fight back from the hosts in the second half. The cause was not helped when indiscipline led to a succession of penalties and three yellow cards meaning the Saints played 30 minutes with 14 men. The Saints had to find unlimited reserves of resolve and commitment to bring the win back over the Tamar. A great achievement for the squad given that talismen Matt Shepherd, Adam Kellow and Jer Grigg were confined to the stands through injury.

The Saints had first use of a stiff breeze blowing straight down the pitch and attacked with purpose. The hosts were struggling to contain the marauding Cornishmen, skipper for the day Andy Ashwin was just short with a long distance penalty. The visitors kept the pressure on and after more good work by the forwards flanker Ian Venner squeezed over. Ashwin converted. Saints continued to dominate; flanker Paul Winterbottom ripped the ball from an unsuspecting Bridge carrier to set Alex Welland on his way. The centre looked to be going under the post before a last ditch tackle hauled him down. The Saints forwards arrived in force to secure the ball and send prop Mark Martin over for his third try of the season. Ashwin converted to extend the lead to 14-0 with 22 minutes gone. The home side finally secured a foothold in Saints’ territory and used their powerful forwards to great effect. The visitors had to withstand a succession of rolling mauls and scrums close to the line. One collapsed maul too many proved too much for Referee Neil Chivers and flanker Rob Jeffs was sent to the bin. The home side tried hard to take advantage but could not find a way through the Cornish line. The half ended in confusion, with the Saints thinking time was up they kicked the ball out. Consternation followed as a line out was awarded and the home crowd urged their side on. The tables were turned in an instant when Ian Venner stole the ball and broke through several tackles. Alex Welland was on hand to carry the threat before off-loading to prop Hugh Noott who stormed over for an unconverted try to end the half 19-0.

The Saints extended their lead straight from the restart when fly half Dan Pearce stroking over a penalty from 35m. Bridge almost scored minutes later when prop LJ Chawatama made a surging blindside run but winger Ben Chenoweth was on hand to force the powerful run into touch. Jeffs was no sooner returned to the fray when lock Adam Pearce was sent to the sin bin for entering from the side. Fly half Stuart Heal landed a simple penalty to open the home side’s account but their next score was shrouded in controversy and mystery. A well timed interception by centre Rob Allen broke the first line of defence before he kicked ahead to set up the chase. The ball bounced several times in the in-goal area but at no time did it look like being under control before it went dead. The reactions of both sets of players suggested no try but one was awarded and the simple conversion by Heal stirred the passion of the crowd as the fight back was now up and running. Bridge laid siege in the Saints’ 22 but were finding the visitors in defiant mood. The Cornishmen kept their defensive shield intact and Bridge were finding few opportunities to breech the gain line. Twice the Saints were grateful to last ditch cover tackles from Ben Chenoweth when a score looked certain. Scrum half Andy Ashwin marshalled his forces astutely and unleashed the hard working Chenoweth and Venner as outlets to relieve the pressure with strong surges. Venner was sin binned for a deliberate knock on and the defence finally cracked when a driving maul crashed over the line. The Referee took a long time to decide it was a try, awarding the score to winger Arg Saliarelis. Heal’s superb touchline conversion brought the home side within touching distance of the Saints with 10 minutes left. Despite their best efforts the home side were unable to get another sniff of the Saints try line. At the final whistle there was Cornish joy at grabbing the win and some unsavoury and unedifying comments from a small section of the home crowd.
Rarely can a game have so many candidates for man of the match; the forwards worked tirelessly with hooker Miles Davey, Ian Venner, Paul Winterbottom and Mark Martin all putting in magnificent shifts. Dan Pearce gave an assured display at fly half while Alex Welland gave the Bridge midfield much to think about. Ben Chenoweth epitomised the rear-guard action of the second half by never shirking his defensive duties and constantly offering himself as an outlet to relieve the pressure.

The win puts the Saints up into second spot and next week sees another spine tingling Cornish derby with the visit of Camborne. To add even extra spice The “Town” are in 4th place just two points behind the Saints – not for the faint hearted! (KO 2:30pm, Saturday 2 November).

Match Stats:

St Austell: Rowe; Davey; Martin; Howorth; Pearce (A); Winterbottom; Venner; Cotton; Ashwin(Captain); Pearce (D); Chenoweth; Welland; Newberry; Taylor; Tank

Replacements: Noott; Holloway; Pellow

St Austell:
Tries – Ian Venner (14); Mark Martin (22); Hugh Noott (39)
Cons – Andy Ashwin (14, 22)
Pens – Dan Pearce (41)
Drop Goal –

Bridgewater & Albion:
Tries – Rob Allen (54); Arg Saliarelis (70)
Cons – Stuart Heal (54, 70)
Pens – Stuart Heal (45)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Rob Jeffs (35); Adam Pearce (49); Ian Venner (69)
Bridgewater & Albion: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Bridgewater & Albion: None

Referee: Neil Chivers (North Midlands Society)
Saints Man of the Match: Ben Chenoweth