Saints lost the toss and kicked off on a very wet day, but with the pitch in excellent condition. Early pressure saw the ball move wide, stretching the home defence. A Pethy defensive box kick was collected by Cav Boyer, who set off on a weaving run, beating several defenders before off-loading to the supporting Konor Ewudzi who cut a great line. The forwards showed great ball retention through a couple of phases before a half-break by Matt Shepherd, a one handed off-load to the supporting Rory Jago and no. 9 CJ Boyce was on hand to snipe over from a few metres. Shep added the extras ( 6 mins Pethy 0 – Saints 7 )

Straight from the restart, a long kick downfield was fumbled by Pethy. The energetic Tom Daniel was first up with the tackle and with Ben Plummer jackalling well the ref awarded a penalty to Saints just inside the Pethy half. With touch found close to the Pethy line, the Saints went into their catch and drive routine with veteran prop Hugh Noott emerging from the pile of bodies to claim the try. Once again Shep made sure the try got the extras. ( 10 mins Pethy 0 - Saints 14 )

Pethy hit back and from a scrum infringement, Pethy’s fly half Jack Rees kicked a tricky penalty from 35 m ( 13 mins Pethy 3 – Saints 14 ).
With the home side looking as if they may have weathered the storm of early Saints pressure and settling into their game, they struck deep into Saints territory, charging down a kick from Saints just outside Saints 10m line. Unfortunately from a consequent knock-on, a solid Saints scrum gave Shep the chance with the ball, getting it to trickle over the touchline just outside Pethy’s 22m. Pethy again cleared their lines but were finding it difficult to remain penalty free, while Cav Boyer was in prime form either running the ball back or using his considerable boot to keep Pethy pinned down in their own half.

It was from one these kicks from right to left into the Pethy stand corner that Mark Vian again leapt highest and the Saints once again patiently and with great discipline drove Pethy over their line, flanker Rory Jago claiming the final touch. Shep stepped up, and you know the rest ( 20 mins Pethy 3- Saints 21 )

Twenty minutes gone, the Saints dominant and scoring at a point a minute. Pethy, though, are a good side and they responded well, attacking the Saints line but just losing momentum at vital times with dropped passes or missed lineouts. The Saints meanwhile spread the ball wide attacking through Max Bullen and Fraser Nottle who were well fed by their centres.

Saints kept knocking but Pethy were stout in defence and mounted several sorties of their own into Saints territory. Just when it seemed as if the half would peter out with no further score, Miles Davey was illegally tackled at a Pethy ruck on their 22. Saints sniffed blood and kicked for touch, their initial move was illegally repulsed with another penalty which was again kicked to the corner. The throw, the catch, the drive… all like clockwork and it was Tony Knight the try scorer this time. Shep missing out on the extras but the try bonus point secured
( 40 mins Pethy 3 – Saints 26 )

Five minutes into the second half and Pethy clawed a try back. From a lovely little line out move the Pethy number 6 burst through the middle to force his way over. It was a training ground move and very well executed; great to see some creativity. The try was converted by Jack Rees ( 45 mins Pethy 10 – Saints 26 )

With the game looking to drift a little, Saints emptied their bench to try and regain momentum between the 45th and 55th minute with Chris Ashwin, Kyle Gallagher and Joe Maunder replacing Konor Ewudzi, Hugh Noott and Tony Knight respectively.

With the Saints still in the ascendancy, although not as dominant as in the first half, the game settled into more of a mid-field battle until Pethy received 2 yellow cards in the 59 and 60 minutes. The first for killing the ball and preventing a try and the second for not wrapping arms in a tackle.

Saints clinically took advantage, reprising their catch and drive routine for 50th game man Kyle Marriott to dot down with Shep converting ( 62 mins Pethy 10 – Saints 33 )

After 67 minutes Saints scored their final try. Against a tiring Pethy and following a long phase of play, Shep with a Campese-like hitch-kick made a half break to feed supporting centre Ben Plummer who slid in under the posts ( 67 minutes Pethy 10 – Saints 40 )

With both yellow card players returning Pethy once again came back at the Saints and in the 70th minutes spun the ball to Lewis Allen on the right wing who scored a fine try, converted by Jack Rees ( 70 mins Pethy 17 – Saints 40 )

The final minutes saw Pethy continue to attack against a robust and effective Saints defence leaving a final score of Pethy 17 – Saints 40
This win moves Saints into joint top of South West One West with Chew Valley who were defeated by 3rd placed Devonport Services
This coming Saturday, Saints have a tricky home fixture against a lowly but improving Old Patesians, this is a team that we under-estimate at our peril and it should be another Tregorrick thriller.