Fixtures between these two rivals are normally entertaining affairs and despite both sides missing key players this game was no different even if it lacked the flair and guile of previous encounters. The first half was a near stale mate with the home side turning round 7-0 in front. Biddy stretched their lead to 18-0 before the hour mark. The Saints rallied in the final quarter and even though they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, two unconverted tries were not enough to turn the tables.

The game kicked off in bright autumnal sunshine on a near perfect pitch on the banks of the Torridge. With both sides fielding much changed sides it was perhaps no surprise the opening exchanges lacked fluency with play largely confined to between the 22s. A mix up between the Saints’ half backs saw the ball go to ground and fly hacked forward by Bideford. The ball bounced kindly for fly half Ollie Wickett who touched down and then converted to put the home side in front. Saints put the home side under prolonged pressure resulting in a series of pick and drives and 5m scrums. The home side’s defence held firm although the Saints’ camp were adamant that skipper Miles Davey grounded the ball following a robust surge for the try line. Liam Freeman spotted the chance for a drop goal but the fly half’s attempt flew wide of the post. Biddy finished the half on top with a stirring rolling maul that the visitors only just managed to keep out.

The Saints had two opportunities to get points on the board at the start of the second half. Centre Alex Welland reclaimed the restart and a promising phase of play was thwarted by a Biddy offside. Not for the first time Referee Andy Coles issued a stern warning to the home side’s transgressions at the breakdown. Dan Pearce’s penalty went agonisingly wide and it was clear that it was not the full back’s day as a second kick went the wrong side of the upright minutes later. Wickett had no such problems as he slotted a straightforward kick from the 22 to make the score 10-0. Biddy were now enjoying a fine spell of pressure and a flowing move saw winger Josh King shoot over in the corner (15-0). Not long afterwards Wickett added a second penalty kick to the delight of the home crowd. The Saints looked to strike back immediately and laid siege on the Biddy line with the home side giving away a string of penalties. Number 8 Dean Folland was shown the yellow card and it was not long before his back row colleague Dave Evans suffered the same fate. The Saints’ supporters were scratching their heads as to why a penalty try was not awarded, their grumbles were alleviated when Dan Pearce was finally put through for a try (18-5). With five minutes remaining winger Ben Chenoweth scored following an excellent break and pass from replacement Cavan Boyer. The visitors battled to the end but Biddy defended superbly throughout to deny the Cornishmen a bonus point.

The win for Bideford also sees the return of the Picture Challenge Trophy to the King George’s Field Clubhouse. The framed cartoon was “borrowed” by St Austell players from Bideford after the Saints won a key victory to become Western Counties Champions in 2013. It was turned into a trophy and held pride of place on the Tregorrick Clubhouse wall after the Saints won the first two encounters. The Cornishmen will be looking to get their hands back on the prized trophy when the two sides meet in April.

The Saints will look to end 2014 on a winning note when they take on Somerset side North Petherton next Saturday (kick off 2:30pm).

Match Stats:

St Austell: Martin (Mark); Davey(Captain); Knott; Vian; Pearce (Adam); Grigg; Venner; Jeffs; Tuckley; Freeman; Johns; Welland; Wilson; Chenoweth; Pearce (Dan)

Replacements: Winterbottom; Rowe; Boyer

St Austell:
Tries – Dan Pearce (63); Ben Chenoweth (75)
Cons –
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Bideford:
Tries – Ollie Wickett (15); Josh King (50)
Cons – Ollie Wickett (15)
Pens – Ollie Wickett (45, 55)
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Bideford: Dean Folland (58); Dave Evans (60)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Bideford: None

Referee: Andy Coles (Devon RRS)

Saints’ Man of the Match: Ian Venner – Another combative display from the Saints openside. Covered every blade of grass to rule the contact area. Disruptive in defence and at the heart of most of the Saints’ attacks.