ST AUSTELL’S seven-match unbeaten run has propelled the Cornish side up to mid-table and within three points of third before tomorrow’s home date with leaders Devonport Services (2.30pm).

The Saints produced a fine defensive rearguard at third-placed Lydney last weekend to run out 17-12 winners, a performance head coach Sam Parsons admitted showed plenty of character.

He said: “Saturday was a game for the fans of the dark arts.

“We did our best to create tempo and speed the game up but it just didn’t materialise so credit to all of the lads, we did it the tough way.

“We took every opportunity we could to get on the scoreboard and backed it up with some brutal defensive sets. Lydney are one of the biggest sides in our league and we needed all 11 forwards we had in the squad on the day.”

He continued: “It was very pleasing however to see us win in that fashion.

“In recent weeks we have had decent points on the board where as Saturday there was no room for error in defence, and our discipline had to be near perfect.

“A lot of that comes down to fitness and our want to keep working hard for each other. In some ways winning that way can feel more rewarding.”

With loan star Ben Saunders out for a few weeks with a broken thumb and Rory O’Kane having been recalled by Camborne, Chris Ashwin was given the nod at fly-half and produced a fine display.

Parsons said: “I’d like to give a big shout out to Chris who, in his first start at 10 since the start of the season, managed the game and conditions really well.

“It was a tough one to navigate with it being so stop start, and we needed all of his experience.”

While victory at Regentsholme was impressive, securing this weekend against Devonport would crown off a stellar end to 2025.

parsons has brought in back Lewis Thomas on loan from Redruth as they continue to battle a lengthy injury list that includes Matt Boothby, Peter Fletcher, Max Cardwell, Max Bullen, Arthur Fletcher, Peter Rowe and Dan Bennett.

The starting 15 from last weekend is the same, although Thomas comes in for former player/coach Kyle Marriott who is unavailable.

Parsons concluded: “What Saturday’s victory has done is set us up for a cracker this weekend against Devonport who have been fairly dominant so far this season.

“There will be no fear from our lads and I have reiterated the trust I have in them as a group to go and get what they deserve to finish the year on a high.

“We are in great form and we are all looking forward to the test to see how far we have come.”

ST AUSTELL v Devonport Services: Matt Shepherd; Archie Bees, Ben Plummer, Jamie Stanlake, Dan Navas; Chris Ashwin, Dan Tyrrell; Archie Rolls, Peter Harris, Charlie Nicholson; Mark Vian, Tom Daniel, Hector Bright, Cam Taylor, Adam Powell. Replacements: Riley Raikes, Rory Jago, Lewis Thomas.