The Saints imploded in the last 10 minutes as poor decision making coupled with a loss of discipline allowed Drybrook to snatch an unlikely victory.
The Saints nearly got off to a dream start amidst torrential rain as they provided the lightening to match the thunder rolling through the Forest of Dean. A well-executed catch and drive looked to have secured a try in the first minute of the game only for the Saints to be penalised for an obstruction in the line out. The early running was all from the visitors and a neat chip kick from centre Callum Wilson was scooped up by winger Ben Chenoweth to score in the corner. Andy Ashwin nailed the difficult conversion to put the Saints 7-0 with 10 minutes gone. Drybrook’s response looked to have been blunted until a comedy of errors let the home side back in the game. A slapped line out, a miscued clearance kick followed by two missed tackles allowed winger Sam Peaper to fly in at the corner. Full back Harry Gooderham showed he was equally adept with his kicking to tie the scores up at 7-7. The home side were forced to defend for long periods and were giving penalties away at an increasing rate. With the count already at 8-2 in favour of the Saints, referee Michael Gallagher issued the first of several warnings to the home side on 25 minutes. Andy Ashwin took the three points on offer to nudge the Saints ahead (10-7). The visitors finished the half on top and debutant James Inch was unlucky not to grab a try when brave defending held the ball up. The Saints really needed to turn the screw as half time loomed but a scrum infringement allowed Drybrook to clear their lines.
The second half started in brilliant sunshine and needless back chat to the referee from frustrated Saints put Gooderham in range to tie things up at 10-10. The game lit up in the 51st minute when a quick line out unleashed the Saints backs, deft passing enabled winger Konnor Ewudzi to fly in at the corner. On the hour mark flanker Paul Winterbottom was sent to the bin for coming in at the side. With the penalty count now standing at 14 – 6 in favour of the Saints it was perhaps a surprise to many that it was one of the visitors who had the first yellow card of the half. Drybrook certainly did not mind and Taft stroked over the kick to peg the score back to 15-13. The Saints still looked on top and when hooker Jack Grigg powered over, the majority of the crowd at the Mannings thought the points were on their way back to Cornwall. That all changed on 70 minutes when inexplicably the Saints decided to throw short into the line out and were penalised for the ball not travelling 5m. Back chat to the referee moved the field position which was quickly exploited by Drybrook to enable centre Kristian Taft to steal over for a well worked try. Gooderham’s conversion made it 20-20 and the hosts went from looking like a beaten side to one looking for victory. The Saints were suddenly in disarray and more indiscipline gave Gooderham two opportunities to win the game. The full back missed the first but made no mistake when more Saints groaning to the Referee saw the mark marched forward 10m to make it easier. The ball sailed over and Drybrook’s delight at the final whistle echoed across the Forest of Dean.
The defeat sees the Saints hit rock bottom in the league and there is no mistaking the fact that the Cornishman need to start their fight back now to avoid a season long battle at the basement. They could not wish for a sterner test next week when high flying Ivybridge come to Tregorrick. The league leaders boast a 100% record with maximum points but the Saints will be determined to upset the odds to get back to winning ways.
Match Stats:
St Austell: Noott; Grigg; Tyack; Vian; Jeffs; Inch; Venner; Winterbottom; Tank; Ashwin (Captain); Ewudzi; Wilson; Welland; Chenoweth; Pearce (D)
Replacements: Rowe; Johns; Barbery
St Austell:
Tries – Ben Chenoweth (9); Konnor Ewudzi (51); Jack Grigg (63)
Cons – Andy Ashwin (9)
Pens – Andy Ashwin (25)
Drop Goal –

Drybrook:
Tries – Sam Peaper (17); Kristian Taft (70)
Cons – Alun Richards (17, 70)
Pens – Alun Richards (43, 58, 77)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Paul Winterbottom (58); Hugh Noott (77)
Drybrook: Harry Gooderham (1)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Drybrook: None

Referee: Michael Gallagher (Buckinghamshire RRS)