Winscombe ran in three late tries to secure victory over St Bernadettes in a high-scoring encounter.

Winscombe 46 pts

St Bernadettes 31 pts

THIS high-scoring encounter had everything and any neutrals present witnessed an entertaining game.

Winscombe got off to the perfect start with a try by Owen Howell from their first attack after Saints missed several tackles in midfield. Steve Pugh added the conversion.

Five minutes later they doubled their advantage when Will Thomas peeled off the back of a five-metre scrum for another close range try, converted by Pugh. The hosts scored their third try after only 17 minutes with a touch-down by Cameron Lapes.

Saints made a change in the back row which seemed to have worked when second row Matt Clifton forced his way over from close range.

Saints doubled their score six minutes later when winger James Purday dived over close to the posts, which was converted.

Winscombe responded immediately for Matt Truscott to snatch their fourth try and a first-half bonus point after Saints took their eye off the ball.

Saints had the last say of the half when Clifton grabbed his second try, which was converted to make the half-time score 24-19 to the hosts.

Seven minutes into the second period the home side got the first points when Pugh kicked a penalty. With the final quarter approaching, Saints closed the gap to only three points with a bonus point try, Clifton completing his hat-trick.

Within two minutes, Saints turned the game completely on its head as they took the lead with a well orchestrated converted try.

But after this, Saints then fell off their game and let the hosts run in three unanswered tries to leave them and their small band of travelling supporters shell-shocked.

Despite some poor tackling around the fringes, Winscombe, to their credit, at least had the composure to recover from the setback. Thomas helped himself to two more tries, James Rutherford skipped through for one and Pugh added two conversions.