By Paul Hayes at Polson Bridge
REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST (SATURDAY)
Launceston 19 St Austell 29
FOUR tries in a dominant first half display set the Saints on their way to a bonus point victory, and their first ever over Cornish rivals Launceston at a packed Polson Bridge.
The home side, who started the day third, rallied after the turnaround but found the visitors determined in defence to deny them a consolation bonus point. For the Saints it underlines the progress being made as they continue to adjust to life at Level Five.
A large crowd of just under 700 gathered under gloom-laden skies on the banks of the Tamar eagerly anticipating the first Cornish derby of the season.
Thankfully the rain held off as both sides endeavoured to garner the initiative in the highly physical opening exchanges.
The breakthrough came on 15 minutes when strong carries from man of the match Adam Powell and Matt Boothby made big dents in the home defence.
The ball was swung wide along the backline to George Tregilgas and the winger’s deft off-load inside found Ben Plummer in support to score the first try (0-5).
The Saints’ tails were up and a 50/22 provided prime field position to launch the next wave of attacks.
Playing with advantage following a home infringement, the visitors went through the phases before centre Ben Plummer finished in the corner (0-10).
Sharp thinking by scrum-half George Hillson ensured a quick reply as he jinked his way through to the whitewash (5-10), but hopes of a home comeback were soon dispelled by a Saints side determined to retain control of the contest.
A blistering defensive set continued to knock the black shirts backwards with the home side tackled to a standstill.
Turnover ball allowed the Saints to launch a swift counterattack with full-back Archie Bees outstripping the despairing rearguard from 50 metres.
Matt Shepherd’s conversion stretched the lead to 17-5 with just six minutes of the half remaining.
The Saints continued to attack with first Bees and then teenage debutant Freddy Rolls both being hauled down just short of the line. But the visitors were not to be denied with the ball quickly recycled allowing scrum-half Dan Tyrrell to snipe in on the blindside to make the half-time score 22-5.
The visitors knew they would face a second half storm from the home side, and they were up for the task.
Tackle after tackle went in, frustrating Launceston as they attempted to gain a foothold in the game. A swarming claustrophobic defence denied the home attack any space or time to breach the Saints’ line.
On the hour mark the visitors turned the screw further when hooker Pete Harris finished off a catch and drive routine to stretch the lead to 29-5.
The home side grabbed two late converted tries through Brandon Rowley to provide a glimmer of hope for a consolation try-scoring bonus point, but the Saints had other ideas as they stirred themselves for a last defensive effort to see out the game.
It was fitting that it was a thumping tackle that dislodged the ball from a Launceston carrier to bring the game to an end.
The victory moved St Austell up to sixth before Saturday’s visit from Marlborough (2.30pm).
ST AUSTELL: Archie Bees, Jamie Stanlake, Ben Plummer, Sam Parsons, George Tregilgas, Matt Shepherd, Dan Tyrrell; Peter Rowe, Peter Harris, Matt Boothby, Tom Daniel, Mark Vian, Rory Jago, Kayden Michael, Adam Powell. Replacements: Ben Woodmansey, Freddy Rolls, Kyle Marriott.
Tries: Plummer (2), Bees, Tyrrell, Harris; Convs: Shepherd (2); Pens: N/A.
Saints’ man of the match: Adam Powell.