A LATE try edged Helston over the line with a 16-15 win in their pre-season friendly against St Just on Satuday.

Several familiar faces were unavailable for the hosts which gave Helston’s coach Niall Devonish the chance to shuffle up the pack and give new players their first game.

St Just started the better out of the two sides after kicking off as they spent most of the opening ten minutes in the home side’s 22.

But Helston’s defence held firm and eventually won a turnover, allowing them to clear their lines and send the ball back into their opponent’s territory.

This would build up to the opening score of the match, coming from a penalty kick taken by Calvin Warwick.

The visitors bounced back though and scored two well worked tries either side of half time to take the lead.

Warwick responded by hitting another penalty between the posts before a try from James Sellers-Slee gave them the lead.

However, St Just grabbed another try to retake the lead and came agonisingly close to going over again from a breakaway, but superb work by second row forward Chris Ward prevented the ball from being grounded after taking his opponent by the try line.

He was then able to strip the ball away and dot it down himself to secure a drop out kick for Helston.

After this, a Helston 15 with renewed confidence surged forwards and secured the win with a try of their own.

Captain Steve Vincent said after the game: “I’m very proud to captain the side today.

“Every player put everything they had into it.

“Jordan Johnson was excellent in the line-out and the back and second rows made tackles and turnovers all over the pitch, especially Chris Ward on our own line.”