Paignton opened strongly but the visitors soon lost Fin Jones through injury after 5 minutes. The Cherries went ahead with a converted try 13 minutes into the game following quick handling but Saltash hit back when a flowing move ended with Will Morton going over in the corner three minutes later. The strong Paignton pack then pushed the Ashes back towards their own line and were rewarded with a try which was converted (14-5). Then Saltash began to get back into the match with good covering tackles and more confidence and on the half hour Lewis Woolaway broke through the Paignton defence to score, which Jack Pritchard on his 100th appearance for the Ashes converted. Saltash deservedly took the lead four minutes before the interval with good flowing rugby as Will Morton went over again for a try with the added points coming from Jack Pritchard (14-19).

Five minutes into the second half and after sustained pressure the Ashes increased their advantage with hooker Rob Walsh jinking his way towards the home line and getting the ball down under the posts for a converted try. A Paignton red card and a Saltash yellow card seemed to change the momentum of the game as the home side regained their control and got a 53rd minute try to close the gap (21-26). Two minutes later and from a kick ahead the Cherries retook the lead with a converted try. Saltash were losing their way and conceded another a try on the hour as Paignton finished off a cross field passing movement (33-26). However, Saltash came back again to press the home defence and the impressive Rob Walsh evaded the Paignton tackles to cross the Cherries line, and with the successful kick Jack Pritchard brought the score level and an away result looked a distinct possibility. Paignton however, snatched a win two minutes from the end with a penalty.

This was a positive result for Saltash as they are improving each week and putting more phases together but not yet getting to grips with momentum shifts and turning close games into victories. Two more injuries to Ashes players marred the afternoon.

Rod Davies Press Officer

Saltash RFC.