FALMOUTH 21 pts

Tries: D Pellow, J Greville- Smith, B Short

Penalties: J Instance (2)

ST AUSTELL 5 pts

Try: W Hancock

Falmouth: J. Cremin, S. Langdon, T. Colvin, A. Lancaster, S. Instance, A. Palmer, G. Pond, B. Short, T. Spiller, R. Hambly, G. Leaver, J. Instance, M. Slater, D. Pellow, J. Greville-Smith. Replacements: R. Warwicker, T. Gay, A. Anderson.

DESPITE St Austell's lowly position in the relegation zone of the Cornwall and Devon League, it was anticipated that this would be a hard fight for Falmouth and so it turned out to be - in more ways than one.

The game itself was a hard, physical battle with both teams determined to restrict the opposition movements as quickly as possible and this had a stifling effect on the continuity of play, while the violent brawl which took place just before half time did nothing for the image of the game and resulted in a serious cut head for one of the Falmouth players.

It was surprising that only one member of each side was sin-binned once order had been restored and that no-one received their marching orders. This was a very unsavoury part of an otherwise very physical match, but it should not be allowed to detract from a good win for Falmouth against very determined opponents.

The first 20 minutes was full of incidents even though the score in that time was restricted to two successful penalty goals, kicked by Falmouth captain James Instance when St Austell were forced to offend in ruck situations as the pressure was applied to their line.

Falmouth were keen to spin the ball wide and established an early territorial advantage which St Austell found difficult to reverse. The Falmouth threequarters were operating well, with half backs Tom Spiller and Richard Hambly forging a good understanding and moving the ball from the forwards to the outsides very efficiently.

St Austell did well to cover the number of penetrating moves which came their way in these early exchanges and settled into a pattern of keeping possession in their pack and then attempting to kick their way upfield. However, James Greville-Smith was fielding the high balls well for Falmouth at fullback and counter-attacked at every opportunity.

Eventually the Falmouth pressure paid off when the forwards drove from a midfield lineout before releasing the ball to the threequarters who handled well to send Darren Pellow in for the first try of the match.

It was with the score at 11-0 after 28 minutes that the game erupted near the clubhouse touchline and after that St Austell started to claw their way back into the game.

They had some very strong and determined runners who made good ground when Falmouth failed to make the initial tackles and this kept the visitors on a charge as they sought their first score. However, the home defence withstood this serious challenge and the half ended with Falmouth once more back in the St Austell half and probing for gaps.

Throughout the match the set pieces were evenly contested with each side winning its own ball at scrum and lineout, but Falmouth were certainly livelier in the loose and caused problems for the visitors when they stretched the play across the field.

After nine minutes of the second half, Falmouth went further ahead when St Austell failed to find touch with a clearance kick and quick thinking and a dextrous interchange between Pellow and Greville-Smith allowed the latter to cross in the corner for an important try which extended the lead to 16-0.

At this stage St Austell had to change their tactics and they embarked on a period of play which almost brought them back into the game. They now started to move the ball wide and kept possession well as the forwards and backs handled with confidence to charge through the Falmouth defenders.

As Falmouth were now forced into errors and the penalty count grew in St Austell's favour, pressure built on the home goal-line and, eventually, St Austell were rewarded for their persistence with a well-taken try by prop Will Hancock, who popped up on the end of a threequarter movement.

St Austell were now a serious threat as they continued to run at Falmouth with vigour, strength and determination, but the Falmouth defence remained intact and managed to repel each raid.

Falmouth were having to live off scraps and found it difficult to launch attacks until they broke out of defence and Michael Slater neatly chipped the ball through to force a lineout just five metres out. Instance and Andy Lancaster, who had worked well for Falmouth at the throw-ins throughout the match, executed a clever switch of direction at the lineout and the subsequent drive allowed Ben Short, Falmouth's man-of-the-match, to force his way over for the final try. At 21-5 it was a good, if very hard, afternoon's work for Falmouth.

On Saturday the "Chiefs" are away to Perranporth and the "A" team travel to Illogan Park for a Merit Table game.