By Paul Hayes

REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST (SATURDAY)

Lydney 42 St Austell 20

IT WAS a disappointing trip to Gloucestershire where the Saints suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Lydney.

While the home team had the edge throughout, the Saints hung on their coat tails for the first sixty minutes in a keenly contested game. It was not until the final quarter that Lydney finally put the Cornishmen to the sword to secure a bonus point win.

The home made a fast start to score the first try of the match, but a Matt Shepherd penalty kept the Saints in touch at 5-3. 

Both sides had opportunities to score but a ten-minute purple patch for the home side produced a converted try and a penalty to put them 15-3 ahead. 

The visitors finished the first half on top playing with tempo and vigour and it was flanker Cam Taylor who grabbed a well-deserved try. Matt Shepherd’s conversion made it 15-10 at the interval and all to play for in the second half.

Despite a good start by the Saints, it was the home side who secured the first points of the second period with a penalty to increase their lead to 18-10. 

Far from down hearted, the visitors continued to play expansive rugby, and it was centre Ben Plummer who reaped the rewards with a try from a kick and chase (18-15). 

At this point in the proceedings the Saints were well in the game, so it was a blow when Lydney grabbed a converted try against the run of play (25-15).

Calamity occurred when the Saints injury curse struck again, already denied the services of Mark Vian, Rhys Daniel, Adam Powell and Dan Tyrrell, the visitors were left reeling when number eight Kaydan Michael suffered a concussion after a robustious collision. 

After a prolonged on-field assessment, Kaydan was taken to a local hospital for further treatment accompanied by club physio Anush Rana. 

Thankfully a CT scan showed no serious damage and after stitches for a split lip, the pair made the long trip home arriving in Cornwall during the early hours.

Lydney were the first to settle after the prolonged delay, scoring a penalty and a converted try to take the game beyond the reach of the Saints (35-15). 

A Jamie Stanlake score (35-20) briefly gave the visitors hope of some consolatory bonus points, but Lydney were in no mood to be generous and scored a fifth try to make the final score 42-20.

A second defeat of the season leaves the Saints bottom of the table, however there have been enough positive signs in the opening two encounters to suggest that a first win is on the near horizon. 

The next opportunity comes when Brixham are the visitors to Tregorrick Park this Saturday (3pm).

Elsewhere around the club on Saturday, the seconds – better known as the Sinners – produced a fine second half comeback from 12-0 to beat an aggressive Liskeard-Looe side at Tregorrick Park.

But the Saints improved and reduced the lead through prop Matt Trahair which was added to by Pete Tuckley.

Lock Mark Vian added the second which was also converted by man of the match Tuckley, and the match-sealing score arrived seven minutes from time through flanker Rory Jago.

The thirds were handed a home walkover by Bude Seconds in Counties Three Cornwall.

ST AUSTELL: Max Bullen, Jamie Stanlake, Ben Plummer, George Tregiglas, Alex Welland, Archie Bees, Matt Shepherd; George Montgomery, Pete Harris, Matt Boothby, Tom Daniel, Antony Knight, Hector Bright, Cameron Taylor, Kaydan Michael. Replacements: Peter Rowe, Jake Arms, Arthur Fletcher.