CULLOMPTON moved off the bottom of the table with a 29-15 success at St Austell in South West 1 West.

Displaying a hitherto unsuspected turn of speed, second row Matt Handford, returning to the side after several weeks absence, burst from a maul after four minutes and covered the 25 metres to the line for his maiden try. He obviously enjoyed the experience so much he repeated the episode 15 minutes later.

Centre Adam Pearce converted both and slotted a penalty around the half hour giving Cullompton a 17-8 lead at the break.

A minute into the second half Cully consolidated their lead when full back Marcus Busch, making his first appearance this season, made a telling break into St Austell territory and slipped the ball to a player who could pass as his younger brother, winger Fionn Wright.

Wright took play into the opposition 22, drew the defenders and returned the ball to Busch who dotted down to complete an accomplished piece of teamwork between the two players.

Left footed Pearce, kicking from the left touchline was unfortunate to see his conversion attempt slide across the front of the goal for a narrow miss.

Cullompton established a handy lead on 55 minutes when yet another maul trundled towards the St Austell line giving that most industrious and deserving of flankers, Alex Ford, the try which Pearce had no trouble in converting from the right touchline, the ball curving in to bisect the uprights for 29-8.

St Austell threw everything at Cully in the final quarter and reduced the lead with a converted try to give themselves hope.

Cully, who defended heroically and even managed to hold numerous five metre set-pieces even with tight head prop Marcus Roberts in the bin.

Cullompton held up a St Austell player who had crossed the line and knew they had weathered the storm when Roberts came back on to participate in a lineout which took place in the Saints half – the first time they had been there for over 20 minutes.