A somewhat experimental Saints side fell to the heaviest defeat of the season enabling Bideford to retain the Picture Challenge Trophy. Injuries and unavailability meant new combinations at back row, half back and centre. The less said about the refereeing performance the better and while even the loyalist Saints would not dispute that Bide deserved the win, the margin of victory was enhanced by some erratic decision making.

Saints got off to a bright start to dominate play for the first 15 minutes, a converted James Martin try and a Dan Pearce penalty giving the home side a 10-0 lead. A further score looked on the cards before an interception took play from one 22 to the other and although the Saints withstood the initial pressure, a sniping try by scrum half Chris Snell brought the visitors back into the game (10-7). Two minutes later the Saints saw all their hard work undone when a try was awarded as a pile of bodies crashed over the line despite the referee being unsighted on the blindside of the maul. A further Bide penalty made it 10-17 at half time.

A controversial try at the start of half time pushed the visitors further ahead (10-24) but there were no doubts about the next one which effectively ensured the points and the trophy were North Devon bound (10-31). Saints huffed and puffed but fell further behind to a long distance penalty (10-34). A dropped pass not only ended a promising Saints attack but set up a brilliant counter attacking riposte that saw Bide move the ball the length of the pitch with winger Sam Olde scoring in the corner (10-41). The home side finally got the consolation score their endeavour deserved when Liam Freeman touched down (17-41). The Saints’ day was summed up in the final play of the when Bideford were remarkably awarded a try despite home full back Dan Johns clearly touching the ball down first to rub salt in home wounds (17-48).

By the final whistle Bideford looked every inch a fourth placed side while St Austell became increasingly disheartened with each dropped pass and every decision that went against them.

A fine evening was enjoyed by both sides in the Clubhouse, with the Clubs agreeing to pre-season friendlies to ensure the annual challenge for the trophy continues until league fixtures return.