By Ian Grantham

REGIONAL ONE SOUTH WEST

St Austell 12 Sidmouth 19

ST AUSTELL once again found themselves on the wrong side of fine margins as Sidmouth edged a close contest 19-14 at Tregorrick Park on Saturday.

Referee Chris Hoadly got proceedings underway, and it was Saints who controlled much of the opening half. Long periods of possession and territory, coupled with a dominant scrum, repeatedly put the visitors under pressure. However, missed kicks to touch and line-out inaccuracies prevented the hosts from fully capitalising.

Sidmouth's defensive organisation proved impressive throughout. Time and again they reset quickly, held their shape and denied Saints the gaps they sought. The home side thought they had broken the deadlock midway through the first half, only for the ball to be adjudged held up.

The breakthrough finally came on 28 minutes. After sustained pressure on the Sidmouth line, a series of quick phases saw inside-centre George Tregilgas crash over, with Neldus Kruger adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Sidmouth responded well, enjoying their best spell before half-time. Strong driving mauls and several visits to the Saints 22 increased the pressure, but resolute defence kept them scoreless and the hosts took their 7-0 advantage into the break.

The game turned dramatically just three minutes into the second half. A loose Saints pass was intercepted by Dan Powell who raced under the posts and converted his own try to level the scores at 7-7.

Buoyed by the score, Sidmouth quickly struck again. Winger Cian Warren finished in the corner after a lively attacking move to put the visitors ahead 12-7. Their momentum continued, and on 55 minutes centre Thomas Mead sliced through the Saints defence for another converted try, extending the lead to 19-7.

Saints responded immediately. A brilliant 50-metre break from fit-again Hector Bright carried play deep into Sidmouth territory before he found Fin Bulley in support. Bulley crossed near the posts and converted his own try to reduce the deficit to 19-14 with over 20 minutes remaining.

The remainder of the match saw Saints throw everything at a disciplined Sidmouth defence. Connor Wild's powerful line break created one promising opportunity, while several attacking line-outs deep in the visitors' territory kept hopes alive.

With three minutes remaining, Saints earned a five-metre line-out and launched one final assault. The driving maul rumbled to within a metre of the line before possession was turned over at a crucial moment. Even a late yellow card for Sidmouth could not break the visitors' resistance, and after one final defensive stand they kicked the ball dead to secure a hard-earned 19-14 victory.

For the second week running, Saints were left to reflect on a narrow defeat in which an interception proved decisive.

Attention now turns to Saturday's visit from Weston-super-Mare (3pm).

ST AUSTELL: Max Bullen; Finn Bulley, AJ King, George Tregilgas, Dan Tyrrell; Neldus Kruger, Jake Walker; Matt Boothby, Connor Wild, Charlie Nicholson; Adam Powell, Mark Vian (capt); Rory Jago, Cam Taylor, Kyle Marriott. Replacements: Scott Pearce, Dan Bennett, Hector Bright, Sam Stokes, Sam Parsons.

Tries: Tregilgas, Bulley; Convs: Kruger, Bulley; Pens: N/A.

Saints’ man-of-the-match: Dan Tyrrell.