The game was played in dry but windy conditions and the visitors went in front after ten minutes following a good move across the pitch ending with fullback Ryan Cruickshanks touching down. Truro came back through their forwards and drove over the Ashes line five minutes later to draw level. Some sustained attacking led to prop forward Liall Honey forcing himself over for a try which Jack Pritchard converted to regain the advantage for Saltash (28 minutes). The game was evenly balanced and a breakaway from inside their own half enabled Truro to level the score five minutes later with a converted try. Just before the interval Fin Jones broke away for Saltash giving winger Will Morton the chance to regain their lead only for Truro to come back and after a lineout on the right wing scored a converted try near the posts to nudge them in front 19-17 at the break.

The second half started well for Saltash who were now playing into the wind and skipper Jay Moriarty scored on the left wing after four minutes to again put the Ashes back into the lead and Jack Pritchard kicked a good conversion. Truro soon replied with a try and a conversion close to the posts (49 minutes) and their mobility and good movement stretched the Ashes defence which was breached again with another converted try (33-24). Play went from end to end and Fin Jones who had an excellent game in the Saltash pack went over the home line after 57 minutes to close the Truro lead to four points and increase the tension both on and off the field. Saltash continued to hit back with strong running spearheaded by centre Todd Crofts and again took the lead when Fin Jones cut through the home defence allowing Jay Moriarty to get over the line to put them one point in front. As the game entered the final stages a much needed win looked a possibility until a late Truro surge enabled them to get over the Ashes line and snatch victory with a converted try.

This was a great effort by all the Saltash team that were again unable to hold onto their lead going into the final minutes of the game.

Rod Davies Press Officer

Saltash RFC.