The Gloucestershire side are unbeaten at home this season and it is easy to see why based on their display against the Saints. The self-proclaimed Green Army squeeze every ounce of advantage out of the narrow sloping confides of the Recreation Ground with a swarming defence and a dominant scrum. The Saints enjoyed long periods of possession and territorial advantage but were rarely able to fashion a clear cut opportunity in the face of constant pressure at the breakdown. Hopes that Newent’s intensity would diminish in the second period proved unfounded as the home side took advantage of the visitors’ frustration to see out the game.

On a grey, overcast, cold but thankfully dry afternoon the home side applied the early pressure. The Saints were penalised for a scrum infringement allowing full back Douglas Long to slot over from 30m (3-0). The Cornishmen responded with winger Alex Welland reclaiming the restart to set a series of quick-fire phases that eventually allowed opposite wingman Fraser Nottle to touchdown in the corner (3-5). With the home pack providing a strong scrum base for their backs to attack off, it was a well worked move that created the space for full back Long to break the line and score under the posts (10-5). The Saints moved through the gears to set up a prolonged period of pressure in the Newent 22 without finding a way through some determined home defence. Prop Dan Job did get over the whitewash but was deemed to have been held up. The forward pressure did eventually tell when fly half Matt Shepherd found a gap on the blindside after Newent defenders were drawn to a series of rucks close to the try line (10-10). A clearance kick from the restart missed touch allowing Newent to counter attack in the final minute of the first half. The attack was stopped short of the try line, but the Saints were pinged for offside. Newent’s confidence in their forward power proved to be justified as they elected for a scrum and then drove the Cornish eight backwards before number 8 Ben Vincent dived over. Douglas Long added the extras off the post to make the half time score 17-10.

Saints started the second half in confident style and for the first time in the game played at a higher tempo to stretch Newent’s defence from side to side. Fraser Nottle’s astute kick through was followed up by Matt Shepherd who also kicked the conversion to tie up the scores at 17-17 after 43 minutes. This really should have been the platform for Saints to build on, but their accuracy deserted them in the face of Newent’s relentless defence. Anxiety and frustration in Saints’ ranks led to a profusion of penalties as Long once again kicked Newent back into a 23-17 lead. Saints were now firmly on the wrong side of the man in the middle and pegged back on their try line, Newent again elected for a 5m scrum allowing Ben Vincent to collect his second pushover try (28-17). A last hurrah in search for bonus points by the Saints proved fruitless and it was left to Douglas Long to bring the match to an end with a 40m penalty after the visitors went off their feet at a ruck (31-17).

There was much to mull over on the long journey back to Cornwall, Newent were worthy winners, and the frustrated Saints will rue the fact they never imposed themselves on the game. Defeat sees the Saints drop to fourth place but with just one point separating the top four sides there is still much to play for in the second half of the season. The vagaries of the fixture list means that the Saints are at home for seven of their remaining ten fixtures. The first of those is against North Petherton next Saturday, kick off at 2:30pm.

Saints Star Man: Jack Grigg

A late call-up for the unavailable Miles Davey, Jack proved to be an ideal replacement for the Saints’ Club Captain. Although it was tough going against a good Newent front row, Jack was an effective line out thrower and busy around the park.

1 Hugh Noott; 2 Jack Grigg; 3 Dan Job; 4 Mark Vian; 5 Tony Knight; 6 Andy Inch (Capt); 7 Rory Jago; 8 Kyle Marriott; 9 CJ Boyce; 10 Matt Shepherd; 11 Fraser Nottle; 12 Ben Plummer 13 Konnor Ewudzi; 14 Alex Welland; 15 Cavan Boyer

Reps (All used):
Adam Kellow, Dan Tyrrell, Brandon Haque

St Austell:
Tries – Fraser Nottle (8); Matt Shepherd (37, 43)
Cons – Matt Shepherd (43)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Newent :
Tries – Long (14); Vincent (39, 67)
Cons – Long (14, 39)
Pens – Long (5; 52; 56; 79)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Kyle Marriott (56)
Newent: Luke Williams (27); George Phelps (72)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Newent: None