The Gloucester side came with an aggressive game plan and the home side did well to maintain their discipline to rise above the intimidation. The malevolent undercurrent, the inevitable nerves of a basement battle and an unforgiving biting north-easterly wind inevitably led to an error strewn affair. Referee Kevin Williams worked wonders to keep the game flowing wherever possible and deserves great credit for keeping his cards in his pocket.

The Saints got off to a dream start using the strong wind to immediately force the visitors into the Charlestown corner. A rumbling catch and drive was halted by Matson but the home side retained control of the ball to launch a blistering charge for Alex Welland to score under the posts. The conversion by Andy Ashwin put the Saints 7-0 in front with barely two minutes on the clock. Matson gave away a string of penalties as the Saints threatened to cut loose but unfortunately Andy Ashwin was unable to harness the unforgiving wind to extend the home lead with two kicks going narrowly wide. The Saints finally broke through after a flowing move was forced into touch, the hosts set up a series of drives before flanker Ian Venner dived over for an unconverted try. Matson dominated the last 10 minutes of the half forcing a series of close quarter mauls but the Saints line held firm to ensure the halftime score remained 12-0.

The Saints controlled the opening exchanges of the second half sensibly keeping ball in hand whenever possible to negate the effects of the strong wind. A couple of promising attacks ended in disappointment as the ball carriers became isolated allowing the visitors to clear. The game turned on the hour mark when a long distance clearance kick reached the Saints 22. Matson were awarded a penalty after the home side were adjudged to have collapsed a maul. The visitors made no mistake with the next catch and drive as number 8 Tom Potter crashed over. Replacement winger Ryan Charles’ superb touchline conversion breathed new life into the visitors. Minutes later they were level after a fine passing move saw Ryan Charles dive in out wide, to tie the scores at 12 apiece with just over 14 minutes left. The Saints held their nerve to retain possession to take the momentum out of the Matson fight back. The Saints were now on top and laid siege through a series of 5m scrums but it took the twinkling feet of Dan Pearce to find a way through a determined rear-guard. The pick and goes from the forwards sucked the defence in to create the gap for the mercurial fly-half to zip through to score under the posts. Andy Ashwin’s conversion set the Saints on their way to a vital 19-12 victory.

Next week the Saints travel west for the eagerly awaited Cornish derby with Camborne. A tough assignment but one they will take on in confident mood as the search for vital league points continues.

Match Stats:
St Austell:

1 Peter Rowe; 2 Miles Davey (Capt); 3 Mark Martin; 4 Rob Jeffs; 5 Adam Pearce; 6 Jack Grigg; 7 Ian Venner; 8 Paul Winterbottom; 9 Andy Ashwin; 10 Dan Pearce; 11 James Martin; 12 Callum Wilson; 13 Alex Welland; 14 Ben Chenoweth; 15 Darren Pellow

Reps:
Jordan Duke; Hugh Noott; Liam Freeman

St Austell:
Tries – Alex Welland (2); Ian Venner (23); Dan Pearce (75)
Cons – Andy Ashwin (2, 75)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Matson:
Tries – Tom Potter (60); Ryan Charles (66)
Cons – Ryan Charles (60)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Matson: None

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Matson: None

Referee: Mr Kevin Williams (Cornwall RRS)

Saints’ Man of the Match: Dan Pearce – Brought pace and poise to the 10 shirt to steer the Saints through a difficult encounter. Showed resilience in the face of a tough physical examination from the Matson back row and crowned an assured display with a delightful try full of skill and balance.