The injured hit Saints were forced into six changes to field a very young and inexperienced backline. It was an opportunity the youngsters took with relish as the home side dominated the first half to score four tries. It was the first ever meeting between the two sides and Wells deserve great credit for a resolute display in the second period to chip away at the deficit to take a losing bonus point back to Somerset.

The visitors got off to a perfect start when full back Luke Jenkins burst through some lacklustre tackling to split the home defence asunder. The Wells forwards took full advantage and after a series of pick and goes lock Mike Melly drove over in the corner to stun the Tregorrick faithful. The Saints hit back almost immediately with number 8 Paul Winterbottom showing his characteristic artistry and poise with a deft chip kick gathered by flanker Jack Grigg who sped under the posts. Dan Pearce’s conversion put the home side in front 7-5. The Saints were now monopolising possession with Wells forced to defend on their try line. Centre James Martin was denied by an excellent tackle and lock Adam Kellow was stopped inches from the white wash. It was left to skipper Miles Davey to wiggle his way over for a converted try (14-5). Saints injury woes continued when fly half Liam Freeman had to be replaced after rolling his ankle. Eighteen year old Cavan Boyer came on to make his senior debut and slotted in at full back with Dan Pearce moving to 10. Almost immediately Dan Pearce had a swift exchange of passes with Paul Winterbottom to put winger Dan Johns into space. The youngster flew down the wing to score his first senior try (19-5). Saints continued to press and it was no surprise when Paul Winterbottom powered over for a converted try (26-5). The home side were hit by yet another injury as half time approached when prop Peter Rowe, who had been a vital cog in the Saints’ forward dominance, was forced from the field with an eye injury. Ryan Knott entered the fray to make his first SW1 West appearance for the Saints.

Wells made a determined start to the second half and two early penalties from fly half Aaron Cook helped steady the visitors’ nerves (26-11). The Saints were pressing hard and looked the most likely to score next but Wells turned the tables with a well taken try. The home side failed to deal with a routine clearance kick and the indecision allowed Wells to turnover the ball, quick hands created the space for Jenkins to shoot over for a converted try (26-18). This sparked the Saints into life and from a solid scrum 35m out, Dan Pearce ran a neat loop move through the backline to score in the corner (31-18). The Saints took their foot off the gas too early allowing Cook to score a fine solo try, his drop goal conversion earning Wells a losing bonus point.

A third win on the trot sees the Saints move up to 11th place in the league and the Cornishmen will be delighted that it was achieved against a backdrop of so many selection challenges. The performances of the youngsters who stepped up augurs well for the future and they can all be proud of the contribution they made to a vital win. Next week the Saints travel to Thornbury in search of their first away win (KO 2:30pm).

Match Stats:

St Austell: Rowe; Davey (Captain) ; Martin (Mark); Vian; Kellow ; Grigg; Venner; Winterbottom; Ashwin; Freeman; Ewudzi; Wilson; Martin (James); Johns; Pearce
Replacements: Knott; Boyer; Inch

St Austell:

Tries – Jack Grigg (5); Miles Davey (17); Dan Johns (24); Paul Winterbottom (28) Dan Pearce (74)
Cons – Dan Pearce (5, 17, 28)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Wells:
Tries – Melly (2); Jenkin (55); Cook (78)
Cons – Cook (55, 78)
Pens – Cook (46, 49)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: Ian Venner (49); Adam Kellow (74)
Wells: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Wells: None

Referee: Mr Nick Searle (Cornwall RRS)

Saints’ Man of the Match: Paul Winterbottom At the centre of everything in the first half and had a hand in all of the Saints’ tries. Brought much needed experience to a young Saints’ side and ensured the home side drove forward in attack while remaining resolute in defence.