With a squad showing nine changes from the previous week the Saints knew that their first ever visit to Avonmouth Old Boys would be a tough assignment. The visitors gave their all but with the Mouth having a clear edge at scrum time quality ball was a constant issue throughout the game. The season long challenge of being able to turn possession into points reared its head again as the home side demonstrated how to make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

The Mouth had first use of the wild and gusty wind blowing the length of the pitch but despite dominating territorially found the Cornishmen resolute in defence. The first 20 minutes was played out almost exclusively in and around the Saints’ 22 without a hint of a score. In fact the first scoring opportunity fell to the visitors following an excellent breakout led by winger James Martin that floundered just as the try line came into view. The home side used the turnover to counter attack the length of the field only to be stopped illegally in front of the Saints’ post. The Mouth’s decision to back their scrum instead of kicking the penalty initially looked a poor one after the visitors resisted the surge. The home side managed to retain possession and it was winger Andy Morrison who spared any blushes by diving over. Full back Charlie Reynolds’ conversion rattled both posts before dropping over and somehow you knew that this was not going to be the Saints’ day. The restart failed to go 10m and the home side made good yardage against a statuesque defence and it was number 8 Dan Lee who finished off a rolling maul. In a blink of an eye the Saints were now 12-0 down. The fear was Saints’ heads would go down but instead they hit back and after a sustained period of pressure in the home 22 got their just rewards when flanker Ian Venner went over. The Saints’ looked to be back in the game but were taken apart by a flowing move finished off by Reynolds who also converted his own try to make the half time score 19-5.

The Saints got off to a calamitous start to the second half which probably ended any hopes of a fight back. An almost comical mix-up at the restart allowed flanker Rhys Meredith to romp through into the corner much to the embarrassment of the visitors. Heads unbowed The Saints went on to dominate the remainder of the half forcing the home side into two yellow cards. Despite this the Saints could not fashion a clear cut chance and it was the home side who scored on the hour mark with another excellent counter attack out of the home 22. Charlie Reynolds again scoring and converting the try. The Saints kept plugging away and good work by flanker Paul Winterbottom created the space for prop Hugh Noott to blast in from 40m out to make the final score 31-10.

It is not the time yet for post mortems but what cannot be faulted is the hard work and commitment of all the players and coaches. SW1 West is a tough and unforgiving league and the Saints have always played well but frequently were edged out in the tight margins that typify games at this level. It is not all doom and gloom as the Saints have their third Cornwall County Cup Final in four seasons to look forward to on the 2nd May. It would be a marvellous way to start to bounce back by winning the Club’s first ever County Cup.
Match Stats:
St Austell:
1 Hugh Noott; 2 Miles Davey (Capt.); 3 Peter Rowe; 4 Rob Jeffs; 5 Mark Vian; 6 Jack Grigg; 7 Ian Venner; 8 Jordan Duke; 9 Peter Tuckley; 10 Andy Ashwin; 11 James Martin; 12 Liam Freeman; 13 Callum Wilson;
14 Dan Johns; 15 Dan Pearce

Reps:
Ashley Mason-Maxwell; Paul Winterbottom; Josh Phillips

St Austell:
Tries – Ian Venner (32); Hugh Noott
Cons –
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Avonmouth Old Boys:
Tries – Andy Morrison (26); Dan Lee (29); Charlie Reynolds (37, 61); Rhys Meredith (41)
Cons – Charlie Reynolds (26, 37, 61)
Pens –
Drop Goal –

Yellow Cards:
St Austell: None
Avonmouth Old Boys: Ben Souch (53); Ashley Challenger (57)

Red Cards:
St Austell: None
Avonmouth Old Boys: None

Referee: Mr Mark Jones (Bristol RRS)