By Paul Hayes at Tregorrick Park
REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST (SATURDAY)
St Austell 16 Matson 9
KAYDAN Michael’s first half try proved the difference as the Saints got 2025 off to a winning start in bitterly cold conditions at Tregorrick Park.
The meteorological Gods rolled the dice again during the interval to add driving rain into the mix, but despite both sides acquitting themselves well, it was the hosts that just deserved to win.
Matson won the toss and elected to give the hosts first use of the wind and proved extremely tough to break down, only eventually conceding through Matt Shepherd’s 21st minute penalty.
He had a chance for a second moments later, but his effort fell agonisingly short.
Visiting full-back Ryan Woodhouse was yellow-carded as the infringments racked up. The Saints catch and drive from the resulting lineout was stopped just short of the line, but quick thinking by scrum-half Dan Tyrrell found Kaydan Michael out wide allowing the flanker to crash over in Apples Corner. A brilliant touchline conversion by Shepherd extended the lead to 10-0 with half an hour gone.
Matson continued to frustrate and they got a lifeline before the break through Connor Gwilliam’s penalty after the Saints were caught offside.
Both teams sought the sanctuary and warmth of the changing rooms at the break and the visitors were no doubt delighted to restrict the home side to just ten points and quickly put the strong wind to good effect at the start of the second half.
The Saints were immediately pinned back in their 22 and a penalty for holding on allowed Gwilliam to pull back another three points (10-6).
Matson tails were up but the found the Saints were equally determined in defence.
A major turning point came when a 22 dropout was charged down resulting in a five-metre scrum. The large visiting pack boasted two former Premiership props in Shaun Knight (Gloucester, Bath, Rouen) and George Porter (Worcester) now back playing with their home club Matson.
It was a real education for the Saints front row of Ben Woodmansy (18yrs); Pete Harris (20yrs) and Matt Boothby (21yrs) and the lads responded to the challenge.
The home pack stood firm, and a defensive set tackled and pushed Matson back to the 22.
In the end the visitors settled for three points for an offside to make it 10-9.
While the gap had closed to one point there was feeling that the tide had turned.
The Saints used the restart to establish a foothold in the opposition half that they managed to retain for the final 20 minutes.
Matt Shepherd added two more penalties and hit the post with a third. George Tregilgas had a try chalked off having just strayed in front of the kicker and Sam Parsons was unlucky not to keep a high ball in his grasp with the try-line beckoning.
The Saints finished without too many scares to secure the 16-9 win although Matson undoubtedly deserved the consolation bonus for their efforts.
The Saints visit bottom side Chew Valley on Saturday (2.30pm).
ST AUSTELL: Archie Bees, Arthur Fletcher, Ben Plummer (co-capt), Sam Parsons, George Tregilgas, Matt Shepherd, Dan Tyrrell; Ben Woodmansey, Pete Harris, Matt Boothby, Tom Daniel, Mark Vian (co-capt), Rory Jago, Kaydan Michael, Adam Powell. Replacements: Pete Rowe, Henry Blackshire, Chris Ashwin.
Saints’ player of the match: Ben Woodmansey.
