The New Year started with a reverse for St Cleer, as they went down 3-2 to St Stephens Res in the Duchy Three Cup. Possession given away in the last third led to all three goals against, and a lucky ricochet finished off with persistence and an own goal settled this match, which showed the effects of the long lay off and players recovering from illness. Saints huffed and puffed to no avail against a St Stephen Res side, showing no ill effects.

The visitors immediately put the home team on the defensive and it took 20 minutes before some shape and resemblance was shown by Saints. Defensive hesitation was prunced upon by St Stephens and they scored on 25 minutes.

Despite continued pressure St Cleer's goal remain intact, and Collins gained a lucky break when a clearance hit him and bounced goalwards, and by chasing the ball down was able to level the scoresin the 35th minute. However, Reserves were back in front before the break when once again defensive indecision gave the visitors the chance to score a second.

Largely on the defensive in the second half, Saints had to rely on the odd skirmish within the visitors half, but for the bulk of the second period St Stephens continued their bombardment of the home goal without turning superiority into goals. Once again though it was a hesitation which gave the visitors the break through to put themselves 3-1 in front.

This however had the effect of putting the fizz back into the home team (better late than never), and it was their turn to apply pressure, which duly told when a melee in the box caused a St Stephens defender to head into his own goal. It set up a grandstand finish but for Saints it came too late as a combination of the heavy pitch and lack of fitness, saw the notch grind to a halt without further alteration to the score line. St Stephens Res go on to meet Lanivet in the semi final.