The Ashes had to make a late change to their lineup when skipper Jay Moriarty picked up an injury during the pre match session and was replaced on the wing by Dylan Davies who was making his 1st XV debut. The opening exchanges were even but it was Saltash that took the lead after 8 minutes when scrum half Jack Pritchard who had a very sound afternoon kicked a penalty. Barnstaple came back strongly but good covering by the Ashes kept them out until a break down the left wing enabled the strong running visitors to cross the home line after 19 minutes and the conversion was successful. Saltash tried hard to overcome the Barnstaple defence which held firm, but the visiting lead was reduced to a single point after Jack Pritchard put over a second penalty. There was some sustained Barnstaple pressure just before the interval but the Ashes held their line with good covering and tackling and changed ends 6-7 down.

On a wet pitch with a slippery ball Saltash got off to a good restart and following a smart interchange Greg Eatwell touched down close to the posts after 46 minutes to take the lead with Jack Pritchard adding the extra points. Play continued to be keenly contested and Barnstaple regained the advantage on the hour when following a penalty and scrum they got over the Ashes line with a converted try (13-14). Two more penalties by Jack Pritchard (65 & 75 minutes) looked to have secured a welcome overdue Ashes victory but a lapse in concentration in the final embers of the game and a quick lineout taken close to the home line allowed Barnstaple to score a try to equalise and the conversion to gain the victory.

Saltash played a tighter and better controlled game without getting a deserved win. Todd Crofts had a lively performance at flyhalf and Phil Eatwell was outstanding in the Ashes pack. Ryan Cruickshanks put in some good vital clearances and Jack Pritchard kicked fourteen points to keep the pressure on Barnstaple.

1. A.Nicks. 2. R.Walsh. 3. L.Honey. 4. J.Sutton. 5. L.Woolaway. 6. C.Knight. 7. P.Eatwell. 8. L.Wells. 9. J.Pritchard. 10 T.Crofts. 11. D.Davies. 12. B.Dover. 13 G.Eatwell. 14. W.Morton. 15. R.Cruickshanks. 16. R.Simmons. 17. T.Knight. 18. J.Congdon.

Rod Davies Press Officer

Saltash RFC.