LEAGUE leaders Topsham recovered from an early fright from the Saints to maintain their 100% start to the season.

The Cornishmen played their full part in an entertaining game and pushed their unbeaten hosts all the way in an enthralling encounter.

St Austell left the home side stunned as they raced into 14-0 lead within 10 minutes. Centre Jamie Stanlake and winger Arthur Fletcher scored tries off flowing moves with fly-half Ben Saunders adding the extras.

Topsham have adapted well to life in Regional One and slowly turned the tide with a converted try and a penalty to get themselves back in the game (10-14).

As the end of the first quarter approached, Topsham completed the comeback with an unconverted try to make it 15-14.

The visitors were starting to test the patience of the referee at the breakdown, and a yellow card for prop Charlie Nicholson presented an easy three points for the home side which was kicked by James Mattin (18-14).

The Cornishmen were still very much in the contest but were undone by a calamitous three minutes just on half-time. The Saints were stung by another unconverted try, the loss of No.8 Adam Powell to injury and a further penalty from Mattinwith the last kick of the half to make it 26-14 at the break.

The home side repeated the dose to take control of the game with another Mattin three-pointer and an unconverted try to increase the score to 34-14 as the clock reached the hour.

The visitors never stopped competing and went on to dominate the final quarter.

Flanker Hector Bright powered over to give the Saints fresh hope with a try 34-19 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

The visitors pounded away in search of a bonus point, but could not grab that elusive fourth try in the face of a determined defence.

The home side were worthy winners, but the Saints will feel they deserved at least one bonus point after another strong performance.

Despite languishing at the bottom of the table confidence in the squad remains high.

The Saints have now played all the current top four sides in their opening five games of the season and have been competitive in every game.

The next six weeks sees a run of games against teams in the lower half of the table.

If the Saints can maintain the same levels of performance, show more patience and control around the breakdown and be more clinical in finishing the opportunities they create, then there is no reason why they cannot start accumulating the points that will propel them up the league.

Saturday sees the mouthwatering prospect of a home Cornish derby against Launceston (3pm).

ST AUSTELL: Archie Bees, Arthur Fletcher, Jamie Stanlake, Ben Plummer (co-captain), Max Bullen, Ben Saunders, Dan Tyrrell; Peter Rowe, Peter Harris, Charlie Nicholson, Mark Vian (co-captain), Tom Daniel, Hector Bright, Cam Taylor, Adam Powell. Replacements: Hugh Noott, Peter Fletcher, Dan Navas.

Tries: Stanlake, Fletcher, Bright; Convs: Saunders (2); Pens: N/A.

Saints Star Player: Pete Rowe – A hugely popular figure at Tregorrick, the front row stalwart made his 250th appearance for St Austell. Currently in the best form of his playing career, the Saints legend has absolutely relished the challenges of level Five.