After a season of many one sided victories in their promotion winning league campaign the Ashes were looking forward to this game in the hope of it being both competitive and entertaining for their large following of loyal supporters and so it turned out as the result was in doubt until the final minutes with the Ashes only sealing the match with two very late tries.

After an even start with both sides testing each other out an attack by the home side down the left gave them a penalty following a tackle on Billy Dover and Lewis Wells broke the Midsomer Norton defence, to cross their line after 10 minutes. The score was doubled 2 minutes later with a typical Will Morton try on the right wing and the Ashes were getting a grip on the game against a useful looking team.

The play became more balance as Saltash endeavoured to open up the visiting defence which held together until the 25th minute when a Midsomer Norton converted try brought the score to 10-7. Saltash hit right back two minutes later with a try by skipper Jay Moriarty which scrum half Jack Pritchard converted. Good covering by the home side prevented Midsomer Norton from seriously threatening to add to their score and Saltash continued to move the ball well and eventually Ryan Cruickshanks got a touch down close to the posts for Jack Pritchard to add the extra points. Just before the interval the Ashes were reduced to fourteen players due to a yellow card but they held on for an interval lead of 24-7.

The second half started with Midsomer Norton in a more positive manner and a cross kick led to a try on the right wing which was converted after 45 minutes (24-14). Saltash regained their full strength after 50 minutes but a penalty five minutes later brought the score to 24-17 and they were beginning to feel the pressure building from the visiting side that were feeling that they could snatch victory. Two yellow cards in quick succession for Saltash made the situation worse and a try following a forward drive after 65 minutes reduced their lead to two points and confidence was increasing in the Midsomer Norton side and play got a bit heated. However, great defending and teamwork kept the home line intact especially when down to thirteen players as the time ran down and either side could have won the game. Just before the final whistle two tries by Will Morton and Rob Walsh (converted by Jack Pritchard) confirmed the home victory in a very exciting and tense encounter.

Midsomer Norton put up a determined and gritty display but Saltash held on with every player putting in an excellent shift which gave the home supporters a nail biting experience and put them into the Quarter Finals of the Papa Johns Community Cup.

1. S.Nance. 2. R.Walsh. 3. L.Honey. 4. L.Woolaway. 5. T.Rixson. 6. L.Wells. 7. P.Eatwell. 8. R.Rayner. 9. J.Pritchard. 10. B.Dover. 11. J.Moriarty (c). 12. D.Snook. 13. G.Eatwell. 14. W.Morton. 15. R.Cruickshanks. 16. A.Nicks. 17. R.Simmons. 18. J.Sutton. 19. D.Bennett-Murray. 20. F.Jones. 21. L.Stuart. 22. S.Williams.

MIDSOMER NORTON RFC XV.

1. M.Edgell. 2. J.Hawker. 3. M.Rose. 4. C.Harper. 5. H. McLachlan. 6. S.Church. 7. S.Anderson. 8. J.Button (c). 9. M.Meacham. 10. T.Rideout. 11. N.Watts. 12. C.Schuster. 13. R.Martin. 14. K.Humphries. 15. R.Viol. 16. A.Gregory. 17. J.Kelsey. 18. D.Sawkins. 19. M.Denning. 20. B.Penney. 21. S.Knight. 22. J.Mattick.

Rod Davies Press Officer

Saltash RFC