Western Counties

Division (West)

St Austell 12

BUDE made it four consecutive defeats in the Western Counties West Division after being edged out 12-7 by St Austell at Bencoolen Meadow.

St Austell dominated from the start but failed to convert a number of promising positions to score the game’s opening try.

They did take the lead on 20 minutes when Luke Freeman slotted home a penalty after the hosts were penalised for offside.

Going behind seemed to galvanise the home side and an excellent team move allowed Tim Green to go over in the corner.

Dan Pearce kicked over the extras to give them the lead going into the second-half.

After the interval there were no further tries, despite plenty of chances for both.

In the end, the accurate boot of Freeman proved decisive as he planted a drop-goal and two penalties in the space of 11 minutes between the 54th and 65th minute to send the Saints back down the A39 in sixth with Bude third bottom.