Saltash were on the board in the 5th minute when full back Ryan Cruikshanks plucked a kick out of the air to score. Scrum Half Jack Pritchard added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The lead was extended to 12 -0 when visiting no 8 Ryan Rayner went over from a lineout catch and drive to score.
The home side came back into the game with a well taken try to reduce the gap to 12-5.
Before the break, more Ashes possession saw centre Bill Dover put in a sublime pass to feed Cruikshanks to go under the posts for Pritchard to convert at 19-5 at half time.
At the turnaround Rayner added a second try to extend the lead, coupled with a Pritchard conversion for 26-5.
Helston we're not done though and responded almost immediately with a try of their own, which they converted for 12-26.
As the match wore on, the physicality continued with little reward for both teams until Pritchard added 2 penalties to seal the win at 32-17.
Saltash's new ladies tram, the Phoenixes hosted Plymouth Argaum Tigresses in their first match and ran out 50-15 winners.
The Ashes 2nd XV Were at Steve's 2nds and drew 31 apiece.