Royal Wootton Bassett produced a far-improved performance to beat St Austell and claim a bonus-point victory in an entertaining contest.
The match was played in bright sunshine at Royal Wootton Bassett, in the hosts’ first home fixture of the season.
Semi Nacoko and Chris Tamaiva-Toon scored two tries apiece, while Ciaran Leeson, Harry Murphy, Mitch Gough and Sean Marsden also crossed for Bassett.
Rhys Floyd added seven conversions as the hosts recovered from a difficult opening before controlling much of the contest.
The visitors made the stronger start and went over for an unconverted try in the fourth minute, before Bassett had properly settled.
Bassett responded in the tenth minute when Nacoko made a fine run to score beneath the posts, allowing Floyd to convert for a 7-5 lead.
The home side continued to apply pressure, and a successful lineout drive created the opportunity for Tamaiva-Toon to force his way over in the corner.
Floyd added the conversion to extend the advantage to 14-5.
St Austell reduced the deficit with another unconverted try after winning a lineout deep in Bassett territory.
The response was immediate, with full-back John Fruci-Jewell breaking from inside his own half before releasing Tamaiva-Toon to score his second try close to the posts.
Floyd converted again, and the hosts soon secured the bonus point when captain Sean Marsden drew defenders before passing to Nacoko, who crossed under the posts.
Leeson added a fifth try just before half-time after retaining possession through a breakdown and breaking clear, although the conversion was missed.
Bassett led 33-5 at the interval and appeared to have taken the game beyond the visitors.
Nacoko was held up shortly after the restart, but his pass allowed second-row Murphy to score the easiest of tries.
The Cornish side continued to attack in search of their own bonus point and reduced the deficit to 40-12 through a close-range scrum.
Bassett answered when Gough followed a powerful charge from prop Jake O’Neill to dive over.
St Austell replied with a lineout drive before Marsden broke through for his second-half try with nine minutes remaining Floyd converted.
Bassett then lost two players to yellow cards, leaving them with 13 men during added time.
A penalty try followed after the hosts were caught offside at a close-range scrum, giving St Austell the bonus point their second-half effort deserved.
The visitors added a final converted try before the whistle, but Bassett had already secured a convincing victory.
The result represented a significant improvement on the hosts’ opening match, although they will believe further progress is possible.
Bassett next host Chew Valley, who drew at home with last season’s runners-up Topsham.
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